Dear Parents or Guardians:

Welcome to the fifth grade here at SSPP! My name is Philip Aiello and this year I will be teaching Language Arts to your children along with Social Studies and Religion to those of your kids in Homeroom 10.  Sylvia Morales, now co-assistant principal here at SSPP, will be in charge of all fifth grade Math and Science curriculum.  We are both anxious to get started with the year and ready to dive in to some fun learning activities with the new students!

Background

I came to SSPP last year through a Notre Dame graduate program called the Alliance for Catholic Education.  The “Ace” program is an outstanding option for those looking to perform service or pursue careers in education.  It has expanded significantly and includes over sixty Catholic schools across the Southern parts of the United States. This will be the second year that “Ace” will serve the wonderful Saints Peter and Paul community.  I am truly blessed to be a part of the SSPP community in Tucson and have thoroughly enjoyed my time teaching, learning, and getting to know all the amazing students, faculty, staff, and parents that represent our school and parish.

Parental Communication

With the use of our online Renweb program, parents will have the opportunity to monitor their child’s student records and progress along with email appropriate teachers easily.  You may always consult me, Ms. Morales, or the office administration with any specific Renweb questions.  One important note I want to make about Renweb is that it will send you an email if your child receives a grade of 65% or lower on ANY assignment entered in the program.  Please take in to account that if a child scores a check minus (or a 1 out of 3) on a homework assignment that you will receive a notification email.  However, clearly your child is not failing the class because the total points for one homework assignment will not significantly alter the grade.  If I (or yourself) notice trends forming with your child’s work, a meeting will be requested to help us find alternate ways to help the student master the concepts taught in school.  Ms. Morales and I usually try to respond to emails within a day’s time.  Please remember that keeping open lines of communication regarding your child’s progress in school is of the utmost importance.  Ms. Morales and I will return graded work to the students so that you may review it bi-weekly. Please get in touch with us via email if you would like to set up a conference.  If any of the parents wish to present material or give a talk on a specific subject of expertise please email us so we can set up a time for you to talk to the class! I would be more than happy to have you discuss an experience or skill with the students as long as it is appropriate or relevant to their growth. I will try to meet with each of you (or have a conversation over the phone) once a quarter to discuss your child’s growth throughout the year.

Classes

Math

Mathematics is an area that will be emphasized heavily this year.  The specific math curriculum will include vocabulary, multiplication, decimals, percentages, fractions, and other basic skills.  The Saxon text and other related materials will be used for instruction.  Manipulatives will be used to help students visualize concepts and formulas while enhancing the students’ number sense.  Homework will be assigned daily and the assignments must be completed to monitor student growth and “mastery” of each concept taught.  Tests will be administered after every five lessons to assess progress.

*PLEASE help teach your children number sense and help them build their mental math skill by reviewing with them at home and outside of school.  Simple things like having the kids total grocery amounts, review receipts, or even figure out tax/tip really helps to build mastery.

Science

Earth, Life, and Physical sciences will be a few of the areas covered in fifth grade.  This year Ms. Morales plans to “dive” in to the natural world, meaning the students will have ample opportunities to learn about the animal and plant kingdoms in creative ways.  The science fair is a key date to keep on your calendars.  You will be provided with a packet that explains the process and lists important dates.  Homework will be assigned a couple times a week while tests will vary.

Language Arts

Language Arts is divided in to three important segments: reading, writing, and spelling/vocabulary.  It is imperative that your children continue to read and write at home and outside of school throughout the year if they are to grow in literacy!  There are truly just too many standards to cover in the classroom.  Please continue to read stories to your kids or even encourage them to write stories or poems about anything they are experiencing or thinking about.  Please insist that your children write in cursive to help them get acclimated to that form so it is mastered by the sixth grade!

A couple areas of emphasis include the 6+1 writing traits, self assessment of independent reading (the CAFÉ and Daily 5), and public speaking.  The writing traits will be taught and “ironed” in to your child’s head so that every time they write they know to focus on using proper organization, content, sentence fluency, conventions, voice, presentation, and word choice.  Incorporating the traits, the students will undertake an activity this year called Writer’s Workshop.  This time will be used to teach the students mini lessons on important writing concepts (for each type of writing such as persuasive, expository, research, etc.) and help build writing stamina.  They will write numerous reports or papers throughout the year in their workshop notebooks to show mastery of these skills.

Reading will be engaging and fun for your children this year!  The kids will take part in the Café and Daily 5 which highlight specific skills such as comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expansion of vocabulary to help students self assess their own reading skill and build literacy.  I plan to use station work to keep the students engaged in activities and exercises that are fun but also provide them with a chance to show mastery of those specific skills recognized in our Diocesan and state standards.  We will use class and group novel studies throughout the year in reading to provide your kids with two different settings to study literature.  It is important that your children read (something) every night regardless of assigned reading homework.  Please have them continue with an independent reading book if there is no reading for a specific day.

Vocabulary and spelling will be taught through novel studies but there will be weekly words that the students must master to prepare for bi-weekly tests.  I am not a huge spelling enforcer but more a teacher that will emphasize vocabulary expansion and growth.  It is necessary and vital that your children continue to learn new and exciting words each week to help them understand the English language, speak intelligently, and color their writing.  A working vocabulary is the best way to prepare for upper level grade work and is best enhanced through reading, reading, and more reading!

We will be completing book reports, class projects, and other types of activities to assess learning throughout the year.  I will let you know two weeks in advance of any major report, project, or test in reading.

Religion

The Catholic teachings, activities, policies, and environment here at SSPP are what separate us from our public counterparts in Tucson.  They give us our identity and help us to follow Christ by example.  As teachers (and parents), our ability to promote faith, hope, and love within each child we encounter directly influences not only their personal spirituality, but also their moral development.  It is necessary that we show our students the way through example.  We will have daily prayer, weekly homework, and tests every two to three weeks to show mastery of the religious concepts taught in school each day.  Specific exercises and activities will occur as we go through important feast days, liturgical seasons, and other events throughout the year.

Social Studies

Social Studies will consist of American History, beginning with the Age of Exploration and ending with the Civil War.  Writing will be heavily included in Social Studies as we will have papers for many of the topics covered in class.  Topics include geography, culture, politics, economics, and religion throughout time!  Within those areas we will study Spanish Colonization, The Thirteen Colonies, The Revolutionary War, United States Growth, and The Civil War periods.  We will use many projects and presentations to help keep the students engaged.  Homework will vary by week and tests will be administered at the end of each chapter.

Student Progress & Grading

Student grading will be posted on Renweb for parental review.  We will try and keep grades updated each week with current homework, quizzes, tests, etc.  It is not our intention to create assignments that force students in to tough corners with achieving solid grades.  This year I especially will be focusing on student mastery of goals and concepts rather than using grades to identify placement.  My classes, along with Ms. Morales’, will encourage mastery oriented learning where the students are focused on achieving academic goals and mastering concepts rather than trying to attain a certain grade.  Please try to use this terminology when reviewing your child’s academic performance.  Rather than use phrases like “Are you getting A’s?” try “Have you mastered the concept of such and such yet.” Please email any questions about grades but remember to keep in mind the percentages of smaller assignments when reviewing on Renweb.

Expectations

We here at SSPP expect your children to come ready to learn and have fun each day with an open mind, body, and spirit.  We also maintain that as teachers at SSPP we represent only a handful of your child’s education and that as parents, you’re the primary educators of your children.  Please help us in our goals for your kids!

Procedures, Rules, and Behavior

Please refer to the student and parent handbook that is handed out to you at parent night for a specific breakdown of the procedures, rules, and behaviors expected here at SSPP.

Thanks and God Bless!

Ms. Morales & Mr. Aiello