General Information

· Organization – Homework notebooks are used to keep track of assignments & tests.  Having a binder with dedicated assignment dividers is useful for organizing homework to take home and return when due.

· Time Management - Written reports are done in class with due dates and deadlines that students must meet.

· Independence - Please do not bring students’ homework, books, or projects to class for them.

· Responsibility - Students are responsible for writing down homework each day and keeping track of test dates.  All assignments are expected to be turned in on time, and of good quality.

Students are responsible for handing in one book report a month. Each month is a different genre, which is posted on this website. (An additional schedule has been distributed to the students.)  Students who complete 20 book reports will receive a certificate; 30 book reports earns a trophy. These awards are presented at the 5th grade promotion ceremony on the last day of school.  (*Books should be a minimum of 150 pages.  If students are unsure about whether a book is acceptable or not, they may ask me.)

Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday and should take approximately 50-60 minutes, according to SMUSD policy.  (Please understand that what is 50 minutes for one student, may be more or less for another.)  To focus on student responsibility, students will not be allowed to call home for forgotten homework assignments or textbooks.  Work that is not turned in on time, will be assessed a late grade.

· Student arrival time is 8:15 AM - Students are not to enter the campus before that time unless supervised by an adult. Dismissal is 2:50 PM.

· Absent students are not penalized for late work, but are expected to make up any assignments resulting from the absence.

· Please do not call the classroom directly -  it is very disruptive to classroom learning. If you need to reach me, I am available by email throughout the day.