Welcome to 5th Grade
Parents & Guardians,
Welcome to fifth grade! I will be teaching all core subjects (Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies) this year. I am from Kannapolis and have been teaching 5th grade in KCS since the 2002-2003. I am very excited about your student being part of my class this year.
A few notes for the beginning of the year:
Reading: One of the goals for the year is to have all students reading books they enjoy. There are several ways that you can help. The best way is to read with and around your child. Studies have proven that reading with your child, even if it is just a few minutes a day, will greatly improve their reading skills and vocabulary. Reading will also give you the opportunity to spend time together. When you model that reading is important to you it goes a long way with your student. Your child should be reading 30 minutes every day at home. If you need ideas to help your child, please ask.
Math: If your child is struggling with basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), please take the time to practice with them. The multiplication facts are the building blocks for 5th grade math skills and were to be mastered prior to starting 5th grade. It is important that they can answer them quickly in order to complete the multistep problems we are doing in class. Flash cards are a great tool and inexpensive.
Supplies: Students are responsible for their own supplies throughout the year. We recommend that students keep extra supplies in their locker. (See the Supply List for detailed information.)
Donations: If you would like to make a donation to the classroom it would be greatly appreciated. We need items such as hand sanitizer, Ziploc bags, and reward items like candy, pencils, stickers, Icee Pops, etc. You can also see your student’s homeroom teacher’s website for more donation ideas. Feel free to send them at any point during the year. Gifts for holidays are not expected. We ask that if you wish to give a gift during the holidays, please make it something that we can use in our classrooms or gift cards to places where we can buy classroom supplies.
Homework: Students will have homework two or three nights a week, in addition to reading 30 minutes every night. We usually do not assign homework on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students are responsible for writing their homework down in their agenda. You may also check our websites for updates on homework. This will provide you with an opportunity to see what we are studying in class and know your child’s progress. Check your child’s agenda nightly for any special reminders or notes from us. Please sign it every night after checking it.
Student Behavior: Student behavior will be recorded with an Above/Below the line system (see Student Behavior Contract). Students are given a behavior card at the beginning of each week and are responsible for recording on their chart during the week. On Friday, we will collect the charts, check them, add notes if needed and send them home in the Take Home Tuesday (THT) folder for parents to review and sign. We will call parents periodically to discuss student progress and if classroom behavior is disruptive.
My expectations are:
- I will treat you with respect, so that you know how to treat me.
- Feel free to do anything that doesn’t cause a problem for anyone else.
- If you cause a problem, I will ask you solve it.
- If you can’t solve the problem or choose not to, I will do something.
- What I do will depend on each person and the unique situation.
- If you feel that something is unfair, whisper to me, “I am not sure that is fair” and we will talk.
**The principal will handle severe and/or repetitive disruptions.
Communication: One of the best ways to communicate with me is by email because we can check it at school and home. Feel free to call me at the school. I will be scheduling Parent-Teacher conferences to discuss first quarter progress with everyone. If you need to meet with me before then, just let me know and we will schedule a time.
Thank you,
Mrs. Meredith Macon Katz