Teacher: Lisa Okada
AN OVERVIEW OF FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL

Welcome to 5th Grade 

My name is Lisa Okada I will be the 5th grade teacher for the 2010-2011 school year. I have lived in El Cerrito, California my entire life. I went to St. Jerome School from kindergarten to 5th grade and 8th grade. I left for two years (6th and 7th grade) to go to an arts bases private elementary school. I graduated El Cerrito High School in 2003 and continued my education at the California College of Arts and Crafts where I received my BFA in Printmaking. During my college years, I taught art at St. Cornelius School in Richmond where I became interested in teaching. I enjoyed teaching art and substituting so much that I enrolled in the education program at Saint Mary’s College. I enjoy teaching all subjects especially social studies because I find history fascinating. I am very excited to have chosen a profession where coming to work everyday is a new adventure.

5th grade Procedures

Homework
Each day your child will write down homework assignments in the assignment book provided by the school. Initially I will check the assignments before your child goes home to ensure that they have included all the necessary information. As the year progresses they will be expected to do this on their own.
All homework may be done in pencil except for final drafts of reports and projects.
All homework must be completed in cursive after November 1st.  Except for final drafts of reports and projects, which may be typed.
Homework needs to be neat and presentable. This means legible handwriting and no crumpled paper.
Late homework will not be accepted except in the case of illness or emergency. In the case of illness, emergency or extended excused absences, a reasonable due date for make up work will be set and if it is late after that due date work will not be accepted without a conference with you, the parent or guardian.
Homework assignments will also be posted daily on the 5th grade homework website at http://sjbgr5.xanga.com by our computer secretary for the month.

Student Work Folder
Approximately twice a month I will be sending home a folder with class work, tests and homework that your child has completed, ON the inside of the folder is a paper with the date the folder was sent home. This paper should be signed and the folder returned the next day. Please look over your child’s work, as some items may need to be signed and returned. Any questions about the assignments can be written in a note and returned with the folder. I will also be sending home a list of any missing assignments to keep you informed. Students with no missing assignments receive a certificate, a treat and a free homework pass that can be used for one assignment (not a long term project.)

Book Reports/Leisure Reading
I require that the students read for 15 minutes a day from a book of their choice. It is preferred that these 15 minutes are spent reading one book continuously to end before starting a new book. In addition the students have a reading log that needs to be filled out by the student and signed by the parent.

Absence Policy
Students are accountable for any work missed due to absence. A homework binder is kept on my desk with each days assignments. If a student is absent he/she should check the binder to see what was assigned on the day of their absence so that they can make it up by the next day.

Snacks/water bottles/Parties
Please send healthy snacks for the morning recess. Learning to eat well and take care of ourselves is part of the 5th grade curriculum.
Water bottles may be brought to class providing they are labeled with the students name and are taken home or recycled daily.
Treats brought in for birthdays should be limited to individual portions (cupcakes, wrapped candy, cookies etc.) Please do not send whole cakes or ice cream. Don’t for get the napkins!