SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES INFORMATION

 

ABOUT SCIENCE:  We will be learning lots of new and exciting things this year in 5th grade science. Some of the topics we will be learning about include lab safety, the scientific method, matter, energy, weather, life cycles and adaptations of various living things, the water cycle, fossils, natural resources, and space.

 

Fifth grade will use a composition book as a science journal to record observations and data from science labs (experiments) just like scientists in the real world do! We will do a variety of activities including reading books together, performing experiments and recording observations, completing worksheets about what we have learned, writing lab reports, playing games that focus on what we are learning, doing projects, and of course taking tests.

 

ABOUT SOCIAL STUDIES: Social studies this year is focused on United States history from 1565 to the present. Some of the topics we will be learning about are the colonial period, the American Revolution, westward expansion, the Civil War, the establishment of the U.S. Constitution and American identity, immigration and industrialization, and the 20th and 21st century.

 

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES SUPPLIES:  Occasionally students may need additional supplies for a project, such as a sheet of poster board, paint, everyday household items, etc. I will send a notice in advance of this in the Monday folder.

 

HOMEWORK: Generally, science and social studies homework will include any work not completed in class, studying for tests, and some projects. I try my best to plan so that most science and social studies work is completed in class. This requires that students not waste class time!!!

 

TESTS:  Tests will cover the material that we learn in class. I will give students a study sheet or review guide for most science and social studies tests and try my best to give at least 3 days notice before each test.

 

LATE WORK:  If homework is not completed, students will miss recess, work on the homework during this time, and then take it home again to finish it if needed. TEN POINTS IS DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY THAT THE HOMEWORK IS LATE. I will follow the school’s policy on allowing work to be made up for excused absences. Arrangements to pick up your student’s make-up work may be made through the office or via my school email. If you are not able to pick up your student’s work, then I will give it to him or her when he or she returns to class.

 

GRADES:  Graded papers will come home on Mondays in your child’s folder. Be sure to look through the graded papers to get an idea of what your child is working on and how he or she is doing. Send back the papers on the “BRING BACK” side. Also, look at his or her science journal from time to time because I do give grades for journal entries and class participation.

 

“Daily Work” includes such things as homework, worksheets, lab reports, science journal entries, etc. “Tests” include chapter and unit tests, projects, and some vocabulary quizzes. DAILY GRADES WILL COUNT AS 60% OF YOUR CHILD’S GRADE, AND TESTS WILL COUNT AS 40% OF YOUR CHILD’S GRADE.

 

STAAR SCIENCE:  Fifth grade students are responsible for taking the STAAR SCIENCE test in the spring. It is very important for fifth graders to complete all class work and homework to prepare for this test. I will give several small benchmarks throughout the year, and I will give one comprehensive benchmark test in the spring to the students. I will send notes concerning the spring benchmark and STAAR test when these times approach near.

 

CONFERENCE PERIOD:  If you have any questions or need to talk with me about your child, feel free to contact me at school during my conference period, Monday – Friday from 12:50-1:35. The number for the school is 752-6006 and my extension is 7040. My school e-mail is cherish.lloyd@bosquevilleisd.org

 

I know that with your support, we can make this a great year for your 5th grader!!!