Mrs.

Callahans 5th Grade

Language Arts and Social Studies

2016-2017

Welcome to our class! As a parent, you

will find lots of useful information about our

class
in this syllabus. If you still have questions,
please feel free to e-mail me at callahant@hcboe.net or
call me at the school! We also have a class website you
can keep up-to-date through, uhescallahan.weebly.com
About Our Class
In this class, we cover all things Language Arts (writing, spelling,
grammar), Reading, and Social Studies.. We will use several
different resources including McGraw-Hill Wonder Series,
novels, informational articles from NewsELA, Wordly Wise,
Reading A-Z, and other classroom publications. Each week we
will cover a number of skills and strategies and we will assess
our knowledge of these skills in class.
Binder Organization
As we try to prepare our students for the middle school
transition, we begin a real emphasis on organization. The
students will be expected to be organized as they travel to
and from my class. We will, together, set up a binder and
they will have a system of organization. This binder will
house their vocabulary words, reading logs, writing
notebooks, as well as all of their work. We will also, have
periodic binder checks throughout the year.

Spelling /Vocabulary
At the beginning of every other week, your child will be given
a word list. This list is extremely important as it will be used as
a study guide for vocabulary and spelling words. This word list
should remain in your childs binder at all times. We study Greek
and Latin root words in order to help students attack unknown
words in hopes to help them decode words in their daily
reading. They will be tested on the words every two weeks..
Writing
The students will work deeply with writing this year. The
students will do this through practice, practice, practice. We will
work on writing through interactive writing notebooks, as well
as write as a class or individually, and use a portfolio to keep up
with our growth!

"

Reading
As we know by now, reading is a major building block to
being a great student. Our class will do lots of reading in
class, but they will also be expected to be reading at home
too! Students will be asked to read 20 minutes an evening
and will occasionally be asked to do a comprehension check
and tell me about what they are reading. Students are
welcome to books from the school library, the class library,
and appropriate things they may want to bring from home. I
have such a passion for reading and hope to share this with
your students this year.

Social Studies

We will be working from many resources to learn about

American history in 5th grade. We will be using reading and
writing skills to build our comprehension of people, places,
and events from 1850 to present day America. We will also
watch Channel One every day to get our day started, which
is a kid-friendly education news broadcast. Check it out at
www.channelone.com
Classwork
I love the promotion of collaboration in the classroom.
Students will have the chance to learn with and from others
in both subject areas. Some classwork will be done in
groups, and some classwork will be done independently.
Some assignments will be taken for a grade. The students
will be aware of what assignments will be graded.
Folders
Each week when tests, graded assignments, or other
pieces of classwork are returned, students will file them in
their homeroom teachers room and will be sent home in
their folder on Fridays. Please look over the contents with
your student. D and F papers need to be signed and
returned, as well as the folder itself.

Make Up Work
We all have to miss school sometimes. When a student is
absent the student will report to the While You Were Out
box where their work will be waiting for them. This is the
STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY to come to me to find out
about any make up tests or questions they may have.
Novel Studies
We will be doing several novel studies throughout the year
in efforts to expose students to different novels they might
otherwise not pick up and read. When we do these novel
studies, there will be NO outside reading requirements. Since
there are only enough copies of the novel for one class, the
books must remain in the classroom. All reading for these
studies will be done in class .There will be graded activities
done in class, along with quizzes for understanding. If you
are having trouble with comprehension you can come to
me and ask for a copy to have at home for extra practice.
Homework
There isnt a lot of homework in this class besides studying
for tests or studying word lists. Some class assignments that
arent finished in class may have to be completed at home
as homework. Please encourage your child along with me
that they should be reading every night! I push the students
to find what they like may it be: books, magazines,
newspapers. Whatever it is, dig in!

Meet The Teacher

Hello! My name is Tori Callahan and I am so excited to
be at Union Heights this year! I am a graduate of CarsonNewman University. This is my second year in the classroom
and I feel so honored that I have this year to learn with your
student.
I grew up in Morristown, and attended Hillcrest
Elementary, Lincoln Heights Middle, and West High. I am
married to Logan Callahan. I enjoy being at the beach or
lake, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Please sign below stating that you have read this syllabus and
that you are fully aware of the expectation of your child in
this class. 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies is so
much fun and we are going to have a wonderful year! If you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at the
school or e-mail me at callahant@hcboe.net.
Childs Name: ______________________________________
Students Signature: ______________________________
Guardians Signature: _____________________________
Guardians E-Mail: _________________________________
Guardians Phone Number: ______________________