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Mrs. Martin / 5th Grade
August 2007
Dear Fifth Grade Parents,
Greetings! We are beginning an exciting new school year. I would like to introduce myself and explain some of the projects we will be working on this year.
My name is Mrs. Coleen Martin , and I am beginning my 34 th year of teaching fifth grade here at Wilder-Waite. I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. In 1983, I completed my Master's degree in Elementary Education at Bradley University . I continue to take different classes to keep informed of the new educational research. Several years ago I was awarded a NASA workshop at the John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland , Ohio . I spent 2 weeks talking to scientists and engineers who work in the space industry. I also participated in a class at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs , Colorado , on Living in Space and Basic Rocketry. Six years ago I participated in Space Camp in Huntsville , Alabama . These additional classes have greatly added to our science and math curriculum. I really enjoy teaching this age level. I find the children and the subject material challenging.
We will be spending a good deal of time writing this year. The students will have time to write on topics of their own choice. They will also be actively writing in all subject areas. The stories they will author will be written in stages. They will pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and then complete a final draft of their story. All of these processes will be explained and used throughout the year. With this greater emphasis on writing, the students should find their writing ability increasing as the year progresses. They will be expected to write complete sentences for answers in all subjects. Their essay answers should be a good paragraph detailing their thorough answer.
Our language and spelling lessons will be incorporated into their writing. There will be emphasis on correct grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc. in the final copy.
The students will be reading and discussing several novels this year. Several of the novels deal with American history which coordinates with our Social Studies curriculum. They will also be reading novels of their own choice and communicating through writing to their peers and me about the content and writing style of the author. The students will also be taking tests on the computer for the Accelerated Reader books they choose. The students should have many opportunities to improve their reading, comprehension, and vocabulary.
Math has always been one of my favorite subjects. We will be using many hands-on manipulatives to make the math concepts easier to understand. Problem solving will be emphasized. Students will work in groups to help solve many different types of problems. Using calculators and mental math will also be taught. This textbook follows the state and national standards quite well. Emphasis will be on ISAT type problems with written explanations of the process used to solve the problem. Hopefully, the students will enjoy math as I always have.
Science is also another favorite subject of mine. In the last few years, we have changed our curriculum. Our new textbooks will be a wonderful resource to help with the various hands-on projects in the fifth grade curriculum. The students will be learning about ecosystems, the human body, nutrition, the planets, and constellations. They will also be using the S.A.E. World in Motion program where they will design, build, and test cars. The science and math areas will be integrated in many activities. We also will continue our rocket program. The students will build and finish their own rocket. We will then launch them in the spring. We would greatly appreciate parental help during the beginning stages of building the rockets. In February, we will again be taking our exciting field trip to Space Camp in Huntsville , Alabama . This trip will culminate our study of space history and rocketry. Our class will also compete in a Math and Science Olympics. The children will do various math and science activities individually and with groups.
In Social Studies, we will focus on the history of our country from the Civil War to the present day. We will cover a great deal of material, and it will be necessary for the students to study for these tests. The students will be given information about the essay questions and will need to take notes and study in order to successfully complete these tests. Many study skills will be taught to help the students learn how to prepare for harder tests. I will also be offering the students various activities to differentiate the curriculum.
Organizational skills will also be emphasized. The students will be making portfolio assessments. All returned graded papers should be taken home and filed in the correct subject folder . After a unit of study, the students will need to locate all the papers in that unit, write a summary of what was learned in that unit, and have the portfolio assessment signed by you. Once they bring that assessment to school, I will look it over and give them a grade. If all of the papers are there with an intelligent summary added along with your signature, they will receive an A+ if handed in on time.
I try to give the students time to complete most of their work at school. However, they will have homework . I expect the students to complete this work with minimal help from you . Some assignments will be given several days to complete. It is my hope that the students will learn how to schedule their time during the week. I give the students plenty of notice for upcoming tests. They need to study for these tests. If your child continually has an excessive amount of homework (more than one to two hours every night), please contact me. We will work together to help your child make the best use of his/her time.
I'm looking forward to a good year. Please give me a call or send an email if you have any questions.
To help me know your child better, please take a few moments to answer these questions and send your responses to school. There is room for these responses on the second page of the discipline plan letter.
• What goals do you have for your child this year?
• What do you want me to know about your child?
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Coleen Martin
