In order to maximize learning, as well as student and staff safety, the following rules and expectations will be in place:

• Be responsible
• Have your supplies.
• Do your work.
• Be a leader.
• Be respectful
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
• Speak kindly.
• Respect others’ space and property.
• Wait your turn to speak.
• Be resourceful
• Use your time wisely.
• Work hard.
• Do your absolute best.

We will do a variety of activities and assignments throughout the year.  For the first six weeks, we will review parts of speech, basic writing skills, and will introduce spelling lessons.  The spelling lessons will continue throughout the year, and will focus on syllables, spelling tips, handwriting, and word usage.  Other writing activities will focus on creating different organized pieces of writing for various topics based on writing skills learned.  We will also concentrate on revising and editing passages, as well as creating short answer responses to writing prompts.  Our writing topics for each six weeks will mirror the topics that are being covered in Reading and are as follows:

1st Six Weeks:  Review of parts of speech and basic writing skills; introduce spelling lessons

2nd Six Weeks:  Fiction

3rd Six Weeks:  Drama and Poetry

4th Six Weeks:  Informational Text

5th Six Weeks:  Argumentative Text; Review for STAAR revising, editing, and short answer response that will be included on the Reading STAAR test

6th Six Weeks:  Review for STAAR revising, editing, and short answer response that will be included on the Reading STAAR test; Letter writing

Students will have at least six daily grades and three major grades.  A reasonable attempt will be given to any student that does not pass an assignment.  Daily grades and major grades are weighted as follows:

Daily Grades

Ø 55% of students’ six weeks average

Ø Spelling lessons

Ø Quizzes

Ø Other daily assignments

Major Grades

Ø 45% of students’ six weeks average

Ø Spelling tests

Ø Other assessments based on topics

Ø Projects (not every six weeks, would be done in class)

Remind will be used for communication about classroom assignments, due dates, and other announcements. Be sure to sign up for your child's grade-level Remind groups.  Students may also sign up, but will need at least one parent to sign up as well.  Remind codes for Writing classes are as follows:

5th Grade Writing:  Text @5-writing to 81010

6th Grade Writing:  Text @6-writing to 81010

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Lessons and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom as a way for students to stay caught up when they are absent. Please understand that logging into Google Classroom and submitting assignments does not count for attendance.  However, it is a good way for students to keep from falling behind so that they can pick up where they left off when they return from being absent.  Parents do not need to sign up for Google Classroom.  When students are signing up, please make sure they are using their school-issued email address.  Google Classroom codes are as follows:

5th Grade Writing:  q66cvab

6th Grade Writing:  2w6b4a4

Students will need the following supplies for Writing class (these items will be kept in the classroom for daily use):

ü  2-inch binder

ü  Package of 8 dividers with tabs

ü  Composition book

ü  One-subject, wide-ruled spiral

Other general supplies that will also be used include:

ü Scissors

ü Glue

ü  Red pen (or other color)

ü  Pencil

ü  Blue or black ink pen

ü  Colored pens (if you would like to use them for notes)

Textbooks will be kept in the classroom and will be occasionally used for writer’s response topics.