Syllabus

Fifth Grade Language Arts

Course Information
Language and Spelling, Reading
2015 -2016

Teacher Information
Teachers name- Karen Lightfoot
Teachers e-mail address-

klightfoot@madison.k12.al.us
Room 218
Course Description
Fifth grade is a time of great change both academically and physically. In order to optimize
learning, instruction will include a variety of strategies: including whole group, small group,
and peer interaction. We will focus mainly on grammar skills and comprehending both fiction
and non-fiction texts. Writing will be integrated throughout the content with particular
attention being devoted to writing persuasively.
Requirements
We are required to follow the College and Career Readiness Standards.
Required Texts and additional supplies
We will use the Reading Street textbook, various novels, and non-fiction materials. All books are supplied.
Paper, pencil, a composition book, and 2 folders are needed. Each class will be reminded of the folders when
we need them. Crayons are also used occasionally.

Grading
Language Arts has been consolidated into one subject. Grades will be weighted as follows: reading tests20%, grammar tests- 20%, spelling tests- 10%, all daily grades 40%, homework and participation- 10%.

Make-up Work
A detailed make-up sheet, along with relevant work, will be compiled during absences. Instructions for
missed reading and grammar assignments, tests, worksheets, and missed homework will be recorded in
detail. Make-up work should be returned to the teacher within two days of the absentee returning to school.
For longer absences students should consult the teacher for a suitable timeframe for turning in missed
assignments. Quizzes and tests will be completed in the classroom upon the students return.

Participation
Promptness and daily attendance are vitally important to the success of each student. Students are
expected to be actively engaged and participate in classroom discussions and assignments.

Papers
Students will head their papers with their name, date, and homeroom number as directed by their teacher.
Classwork is due at the end of the class period. Late classwork and homework are accepted, but after one
day 90% credit will be given, after 2 days 80% credit will be give\ , etc .

Academic Honesty
We expect each student to complete and turn in their own work. Plagiarism is never acceptable. Refer to
Madison County Board policies regarding this issue.

Contacting the teacher

The best avenue to contact the teacher is to email her at: klightfoot@madison.k12.al.us . Instructors do their
best to respond within 24 hours. (Occasionally emails are routed into the spam folder.) Therefore, if you have not
heard back from your childs teacher you can contact the school and leave a message.

Assignments
Spelling homework will be assigned on a weekly basis. A weekly newsletter will be sent home every Monday with
a brief overview of all the subjects. Spelling tests will be administered on Fridays. Periodically students will be
assigned small projects which have to be presented to the class. Reading skills will be tested weekly.