Welcome Back to

St. Leo the Great School

2012-2013

Grade 5

Prayer for the Beginning of the New School Year

Dear Lord, as we begin this new school year, we gatheronce again as your community of believers.

We thank you for the energy and the spirit that you renewedin us through the summer months.

We thank you for the time to enjoy our family andfriends and to reflect on what is important in our lives.Let this year be marked by enthusiasm and love so that,

with the inspiration of your Spirit, we may continueto grow in our faith.

Help us to fulfill Your hope for us with honest intentionsand works of faith.

Let us be gentle with ourselves and bring laughter, joyand love to others.

We ask this in your name. Amen.

A Little About Mrs. Berger Graduated from Millersville University in

2008. BS in Elementary Education and Early

Childhood Education. Currently attending the University of

Scranton. Fifth year teaching, third at St. Leo’s.

4th grade – two years in NC 4th grade – one year at St. Leo’s 5th grade

Twin boys and a daughter

Classroom Management Positive Reinforcement (stickers and H-E-A-V-E-N)

Be fair, consistent, and understandable Fair is not always equal

Deal with disruptions with as little interruption as possible

Visuals Classroom Rules

Homework

• Planners

• Policy– Homework detention will be given for four or more

missed or incomplete homework assignments.• One missed assignment – 1st warning• Two missed assignments – 2nd warning• Three missed assignments – 3rd warning• Four missed assignments – Homework detention

– A homework notice will be sent home for every missed or incomplete assignment.

Content

Language Arts• Integrated and skill based – anthology

(reading skills with story – fact/opinion, main idea, sequencing, author’s purpose, cause and effect, etc.)

• Condensed versions of age-appropriate chapter books (Thunder Rose, Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.)

• Story usually introduced on a Tuesday.– Read and reread on Wednesday and Thursday.– Test usually on a Thursday.

Writing• Skill based• Writing prompts (persuasive, informative, opinion,

narrative)

• Multi-step writing process (idea web to final draft and publish)

Spelling• Monday list is given

• Friday = Test• Words based on sounds occurring within

words (15 regular, 3 challenge, 2 sentences)

Social Studies

• Scott Foresman Series

• Tests, quizzes, projects

• Heroes Fair – February (Any person from history who had a positive impact on U.S.)

• Field Trip – Gettysburg (end of year)– Volunteers (letter sent home around April)

Science• Tests, quizzes, projects• Life Science

– Cells and how Body Systems work together– Plant growth and reproduction– Energy and ecosystems

• Earth Science– Rock Cycle– Fossils– Changes to Earth’s surface– Earth, Moon, and Beyond

• Physical Science– Properties of Matter– Motion

A Successful Student

Demonstrates a good attitudeSelf-monitors his/her behavior

Speaks up in classEmploys study skills

Sees teamwork between home and school

Reminders for a Successful Year:Encourage your child to:• read at home every day.• be organized and responsible.• get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day.• come to class with all of the materials necessary,

especially homework.• Respect themselves, Respect their school, and

Respect others!• ask for help.• Most importantly, have fun!!!

Thank you for coming to open house. I look forward to working with each one of

you and to a great new school year!

St. Leo the Great School considers the parents the first teachers of the faith to

their children.Christ is the Master Teacher; the example all of us hope to follow.