Philosophy of Homework
Students are responsible for homework on a daily basis. They will usually have a Math assignment every day. The Spelling assignment will be usually given on Monday and be due on Wednesday or Thursday, with a spelling test given on Friday. If we have a short week, I will adjust. In Reading, Science, Social Studies and English, we do a lot of discussion and try to start on any assignments that are given. I do try to give time at the end of each class for the students to work on assignments that were given. However, if they don't finish during the given time they will need to finish at home.

Grading Policy
I use total points. I feel this is the fairest way to grade my students. Example: 5 point paper = 5 points (not 100%). One missed point would be calculated into the total points for the 9 weeks.

I may offer extra credit under special circumstances. Extra credit work would be made available to the entire class. I do not offer extra credit to students who do not do the original assignment or show a complete lack of effort on the original work.

I feel it is important to give feedback on completed work as soon as possible. In my classroom we do trade papers among the students for correction purposes. I read the answers, and the students correcting can ask for repeats. We hand the papers back, and the students look over their papers with a chance to ask questions (either for the answer or to do the problem on the board). Once the papers are handed in I try to scan them over and check for any mistakes on them.

The state standards drive the 5th grade curriculum. As we complete each section we will have a test. Generally, this is a paper and pencil test, but it may be a project. For paper and pencil tests, I try to go over the information they will need to study for the test. If the students participate in class and study the information they should do well on the tests.

Schedule
We have Math daily. Spelling, English, and Science are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Writing, Social Studies, Character Education, and Health are all on Tuesday and Thursday. The students will know about tests in any of the subjects before the test day. I try to do a class period of review before the test. Tests will be taken the next class period after the review.

Contact Information
If you have a question or concern, please call me at school (495-4183) between 7:45-8:05 a.m. or 3:30-4:00 p.m. If we need more time, we can set up a conference. If you call me at home I am willing to visit, but I will not have my grading information with me.