Mrs. Chang’s OWL-standing Future Leaders 5th Grade Class

Blog: http://changfutureleaders.blogspot.com/p/homework.html

Contact: mchang@foundationcampus.org; (360) 493-2223 ext. 203

WELCOME to YOUR 5^th grade class at Community Christian Academy, and you play a BIG part in it!  We have a big class of 23 students!  Partnering with parents, I am looking forward to this year.  The class has been getting back into gear with learning and making each moment intentional and purposeful.  Students will learn many important lessons that are foundational for being skilled, wise, and godly leaders in the world and for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom. 

Communication: I believe communication is essential in providing the best learning experience for the student.  Due to not being able to access phone messages when not in my classroom, email during non-school hours and on weekdays.

CURRICULUM:  The following publishers are used: A Beka (Health), Purposeful Design (Bible, History, Spelling), BJU Press (Science), Saxon (Math), Hodkinson/Adams (vocabulary), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (mechanic, usage, and grammar), Heinemann (genre study), and several authors (class novels and their audiobooks).

STUDENT SUPPLIES: Bring the supplies on the list (provided at registration).  Do not forget to bring the most important item not listed—willingness to learn. 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS: Every student in the room has the right to learn in a positive, pleasant, and respectful environment. CCA policies (i.e. dress code, tardy, food allergies, electronics, etc.) and behavior expectations are enforced to ensure such an environment and to avoid negative consequences (i.e. verbal warning, detention, call to parent, meeting with principal, suspension, etc.). 

MAKE-UP POLICY: Upon request to the office or the teacher by 8:30 a.m., missing work for an absent student will be sent to the office by 3 p.m. for parent pick-up.  For “planned” absences, please make arrangements with the teacher prior to the day(s) of absence.  (For more details on when missing work is due, see CCA Absence Policy.)

HOMEWORK: Assignments and their due dates are verbally and visually posted and updated immediately on the whiteboard in the classroom and by 4 pm on my blog online.  Students are encouraged and directed to record these due dates in their planners. Late work will be deducted 25% each day until it is turned in.  Missing work will be left blank in the gradebook and greatly affects the student’s grades.

GRADING: The grading scale is as follows:

A =   100-90          B =   89-80          C =  79-70          D =   69-60       F =   59 or below

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Direct copying, cheating on a test/quiz, and plagiarism (paraphrasing or copying verbatim without proper citation; giving credit to the original author or source) will result in a grade of zero and severe consequences will result. 

While a student may get help when trying to solve a problem, the student is responsible for producing his/her own written answers.  Aiding the student to complete work is encouraged; doing the work for the student is not.  Losing confidence, invalid assessments masking opportunities for improvement, and/or resorting to poor study habits (i.e. cheating) may result.  Especially in the area of written performance, the student should never feel expected to write above or beyond his/her potential and grade level!

DRESS CODE: On Chapel days (Tuesdays), please do not wear shorts.  For P.E. (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other Fridays), bring a pair of athletic shoes. Athletic/mesh type shorts or swim shorts and worn, tattered or revealing clothing may not be worn.  When uncertain, bring prior to wearing the article of clothing for approval.  (For comprehensive list detailing attire, see the CCA Dress Code Statement.)

MOVIES:  I would like to show PG or PG-13 films or clips that have been previewed for appropriateness by the teacher for the purpose of complementing and enhancing the lesson.  If not desired, please check the box on the next page.

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are welcomed and a blessing in joining, chaperoning, and/or driving the van on field trips; helping with in-class at-home tasks; group projects; and more.  We have a fun and eventful year ahead!  Parental help and involvement will only make it a fuller one.  Parents, your time and willingness to invest in our youth will yield future leaders who model your servanthood.  You are most appreciated!