Weimar Junior High

5th Grade Reading & Writing

2026-2027

Darrian Janecka

Teacher Contact Information:

Email: djanecka@weimarisd.org

Phone: 979-725-9515 ext. 1205

Remind Code: @5weimarjh

Google Classroom Code: kfxrof3q

Prep Period: 2:45pm-3:30pm

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you have!

Course Description:

This course will focus on building strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as aligned with fifth-grade learning standards. Students will read a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts to develop comprehension strategies, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Writing instruction will focus on narrative, informative, and opinion pieces, with an emphasis on the writing process—planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure will be integrated into daily instruction.

Students will engage in collaborative discussions, presentations, and projects to strengthen communication and analytical skills. By the end of the year, students will be able to read and analyze grade-level texts, write with clarity and purpose, and express their ideas confidently in both spoken and written form.

Scope and Sequence:

First Nine Weeks: Unit 1 (Living Literate Lives), Unit 2 (Author’s Purpose & Craft)

Second Nine Weeks: Unit 3 (Exploring Fiction), Unit 4 (Reading & Performing Drama)

Third Nine Weeks: Unit 5 (Exploring Poetry), Unit 6 (Exploring Informational Texts), Unit 7 (Exploring Argumentative Texts)

Fourth Nine Weeks: STAAR Review, Unit 8 (Making Meaning through Multiple Genres), Unit 9 (Making Meaning through Research)

Class Materials:

Students will need a 100 sheet composition notebook, a 2 inch binder, 8-tab dividers, pencils, highlighters, scissors, glue, and a homework folder.

Grading Policy:

A total of at least nine daily grades and four major grades will be taken each nine weeks for each class. If there is a grading period with more than nine daily grades taken, the student’s lowest daily grade will be dropped.

Daily Grades = 50% of total grade

Major Grades = 50% of total grade

Assignments, Assessments, and Projects:

Daily grades will come from homework, in-class activities, and quizzes. 

Major grades will be determined by unit exams, spelling tests, nine week projects, and completion of AR goals. Unit tests will be taken on Mondays. Vocabulary quizzes and spelling tests will be taken on Fridays. Additionally, students will complete one project each nine weeks. Failure to turn in projects on the specified due date will result in a lunch detention. Project due dates and test dates will be communicated through the Remind App.

Failed Assignments or Assessments:

Students are able to make corrections on any quizzes or tests that receive a score below 70%. Students will have the opportunity to work on their corrections during before-school tutorials, activity period, or after-school homework lab. Corrections must be done in a colored pen so that I can see the changes. Completed corrections should be turned back into the teacher for credit. The highest score a student may receive on an assignment with corrections is a 70.

Late Assignments:

Students must turn in all late or missing assignments before the end of the nine weeks. Any assignment that is turned in later than one week after the due date will receive an automatic 20 point deduction.

Absences/Missing Work:

In the case of an absence, the student is responsible for collecting any missed work. The student will have one week to complete the missing work unless specified otherwise by the teacher. After one week, the missing work is considered late and receives a 20 point deduction.

AR Reading:

Each nine weeks students will receive an accelerated reading goal that they are expected to meet. The percentage that they meet is a major grade at the end of the nine weeks. Students earn points towards their goal by taking comprehension quizzes on the books that they read throughout the nine weeks. These quizzes are to be taken at school during the school day. AR progress reports will be sent home periodically throughout the nine weeks to help in monitoring student progress. Students who do not reach at least 70% of their goals by the end of the nine weeks will receive a lunch detention.

Homework Policy:

Aside from reading for 20 minutes each night, students will complete a total of two vocabulary lessons and three spelling lessons each nine weeks. Homework for each lesson will be assigned on a Monday and due back the next Wednesday. Vocabulary quizzes and spelling tests will be taken the Friday after the homework is due. Students are expected to turn in their homework on the due date. Failure to turn in homework on time will result in a lunch detention. Homework due dates and test dates will be communicated each week through the Remind App.

Tutorial Opportunities:

Tutorials are offered daily from 7:30am-7:50am. After school homework lab is available Monday-Thursday 3:30pm-4:00pm.

Grading Consequences:

All students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Cheating, plagiarism, or any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive an automatic zero on the test or assignment and will be referred to the principal for further disciplinary action.