5th Grade Assessments

Welcome to another successful year in the 5th grade! I am very excited to start a new year with such a bright group of students. 5th grade is the last year of elementary school. It is the year when we start preparing you for middle school. This reflects in the assessments that you will be given this year. This letter gives you a glimpse through the entire year and what will be expected of you. 5th grade is the first step into middle school, so it will require more work than you are used to. However, I know that you are all geniuses because you are in my class, so I have no doubt in my mind that you will all succeed at whatever I give you. Let’s have a great and successful school year!

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Miss Shamet

shamet.kim@gmail.comSchool Number: 555-9999

My philosophy on assessment is that it is extremely important, but not because of the grades. Assessments are important in order to check the students’ comprehension of the topic. If we do not have assessments, then it would be very difficult to decide what the students need extra lessons on and what they understand. Some assessments are not graded, such as some in-class assignments, but others, such as tests and projects, are. I believe that students should be given a second chance on an assessment if they are not happy with their grade. Students are always welcome to re-do an assignment or test and will receive the better of the two grades. As long as the students understand the topic then I am happy. If you have any questions about this, or need to discuss your student’s progress, feel free to contact me!

5S Major Units

Social Studies

Mesopotamia- OctoberCultures Collide- DecemberAncient Greece- FebruaryAncient Rome- April

Math

Fractions- OctoberGeometry- JanuaryGraphs- FebruaryMean, Mode, Median- March

Spelling TestsThere will be weekly spelling tests. On Monday, we will have a pre-test with the week’s words. The students will grade their tests and then write all missed words on their personal spelling list. There needs to be 20 words for each week’s list. Other words on the list should come from missed words on the previous week’s post-test, and if there is still room then they can use words from the 5th

grade spelling list that I have given to them. These are words that all 5th grade students should know before they go to middle school. On Friday there will be a post-test on their personal spelling list. Each student will get a partner and give the tests to each other.

All units will have a test at the end. These tests will include vocabulary portions as well. There are also other assessments for each unit. Homework assignments, as well as projects will be used. Every assessment is given a number of points and then the percentage correct is put into the grade book. The grading scale is as follows:

100% A+99-94% A93-90% A-89-87% B+86-84% B83-80% B-79-77% C+76-74% C73-70% C-69-67% D+66-64% D63-60% D-

59% and under F

ISAT Testing

The ISAT tests are tests given by the State of Illinois to test student’s academic achievement. This year, the tests will be taken March 5th-16th. Fifth graders will be taking tests in the areas of reading and mathematics. Testing takes a lot of energy, so during this week please make sure that your student gets plenty of sleep and has a good, hearty breakfast before coming to school. For more information on the ISAT tests you can visit this site: http://www.isbe.net/assessment/isat.htm

Homework and Study Tips

Some students have a more difficult time studying for tests or focusing on homework, so here are some tips for your student is they are having trouble:

• Remove all distractions (TV, music, other people). • Do your most difficult assignment first, while you are still

focused. • Set a specific time and place for studying and homework so you

will not procrastinate. • Ask for help if you don’t know the answer! • Stay positive and try not to get frustrated if you are confused. • Don’t fall behind on your work- it will just stress you out more!

Homework Policy

I expect all homework to be turned in on the due date given. 5th grade is just a step away from middle school and they need to learn to be responsible for their work. The homework assignments will always be written on the board for the students to write in their planners. All homework will have a designated bin to be turned in to. All graded work will be put into their Friday Folders. I will also be sending home a weekly newsletter in their folders so you will know what to look out for in that week’s Friday Folder and the next one. Please also make sure that your student is taking their homework seriously, but please do not do it for them! They need to learn how to be independent. If your child is having difficulty with their homework, please encourage them to come into school early and ask me for help! I arrive at school around 8:30.