WEEK 2

HOMEWORK MONDAY
READING-20-4-1 (Read for 20 minutes, write a one-paragraph summary that is at least 4 sentences)
MATH-Finish L11+p.7 in workbook
SPELLING-Study missed words on pre-test + p. 8-11-Due Friday
Sign and return PE form and Volunteer Survey, Review Values sheet

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
READING-20-4-1-Turn in Wednesday
Math - Finish L12-Study Multiplication for speed test
Finish Social Studies Wkbk p-1-3
Spelling Due Friday

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
READING-20-4-1-Turn in Thursday-Have parents sign A.R. Goals
Math - Finish L13-Study Multiplication for speed test
Spelling Due Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
READING 20 minutes-Turn in Thursday-Have parents sign + return A.R. Goals
Math - Finish L15-Test Friday on lessons 1-15
Spelling Due/Test Friday
Review Warm Ups for review test

This last week we did a lot of "getting to know each other activities" along with some assessments in reading and writing. We all used the computers to do a fun 4 true and 1 false activity. This week we will hit the ground running in class and with homework. Be prepared to have 50 minutes of homework each night on average with no homework on the weekends.

In class we began reading a story entitled "Earthquake Terror" and we will be learning about natural disasters the next couple of weeks. We took our first spelling pre-test on Monday so each child should study the words for the test on Friday. Focus on the ones that they did not know how to spell. In math our 5th graders are learning Story Problems, finding the unknown value, Prime numbers and Factorization. Finally, we are learning about the Explorers in Social Studies.

The students are excited and ready to learn. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other while learning the rules, procedures and expectations. I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 16th. If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by class after school, or e-mail me.
I am very confident that this will be a memorable year for everybody, and I look forward to meeting you soon. Let me know if you would like to volunteer in class.
Mr. Sweet

1st FULL Week of School

Week 1-BACK TO SCHOOL
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Here is the list of things that 5th graders will need in my class:
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
* One flash drive (at least 1Gb)
* Zippered pencil pouch for binder
* Three-ring binder
* Two spiral notebooks(Single subject-wide ruled)
* Binder paper
* Black erasable pens
* #2 pencils
* Eraser
* 2 Pencil Sharpeners
* Box of Kleenex
* Scissors
* Low-odor Dry Erase EXPO Markers and a sock (for math white-boards)
NO PENCIL BOXES!


HOMEWORK MONDAY
Parents and students need to read the parent letter sent home
Math-Finish L1
Writing-Fill out "Getting to Know You" answers
* Parents sign and return e-mail list/permission for blog
* Sign and return after school forms, for those interested
* Get supplies by Friday

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Parents and students need to read the parent letter sent home
Math-Finish L4 + page 1 & 2 of Orange Math Workbook
Sign and return emergency forms
* Parents sign and return e-mail list/permission for blog
* Sign and return after school forms, for those interested
* Get supplies by Friday

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Math-Finish L6 + page 5&6 of HM Orange Math Workbook
Sign and return emergency forms
* Sign and return after school/tech forms
* Get supplies by Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Writing-Finish Self-Letter
Math-Finish L8
Supply Check Tomorrow
Turn in paperwork




August 23, 2010
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Mr. Sweet’s 5th grade class! I am pleased to be your child’s teacher this year and I look forward to meeting each of you at Back to School Night, if not sooner. I believe all children are full of remarkable possibilities and I look forward to helping each student reach his or her potential. My two most important rules are:
#1 Always put forth your best effort
#2 Be kind to everyone.
I believe that each student is responsible for his or her own learning. Therefore, I expect my students to do their best regarding both schoolwork and behavior. With the guidance and direction of both teacher and parents, this can be accomplished.

Goals
My highest goal is to cultivate a passion in my students for learning and growth. Learning is one of the most important things in life and I hope to make this process fun, engaging, and accessible for all students.

Expectations
I will be putting forth my best effort and I will expect the same from all of my students. Even though each student brings different strengths and weaknesses in various subject areas, I expect the work turned in to be their best quality. Assignments need to be handed in when they are due. All students are given a Homework Planner where all assignments, due dates, tests, and other reminders are to be written. We will go over this planner each day in class and this should be done at home as well. A list of necessary classroom supplies will be sent home. I will be doing a supply check this coming Friday. It is imperative that your child has the supplies requested. Students are expected to come to class on time, prepared and ready to learn every day, having the appropriate materials and a positive attitude. Encouragement from home is very important in this regard.
Our class will have a blog again this year to keep parents and students informed of homework, procedures, announcements, upcoming events, and much more. You can find the website at: http://mrsweetriodelmar.blogspot.com. This website will help support learning in the classroom and keep students accountable for what is due. If you forget the web address, just go to the school’s website for the link. Furthermore, this will help guide students who are absent due to illnesses.
As your child’s teacher I expect each student to be: understanding, caring, and respectful to other students and adults. These characteristics are of the utmost importance. I want the classroom to be a positive, encouraging place where students can learn and present their views in a safe, non-threatening atmosphere. Put-downs and negative behavior will not be tolerated. Every month I will facilitate a class meeting to discuss problems students want to talk about and solve together. This process encourages initiative, discussion, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Grading/Homework
Each subject has various components that contribute to a student’s grade (tests, projects, homework assignments, participation, extra credit etc.). One important area is the effective use of time on each task in the classroom. There are numerous things we will work on in class and, provided students use this class time constructively, longer homework assignments should be averted. It is also vital that assignments be turned in on time. Each missing daily homework assignment will be recorded as an incomplete in the grade book, unless it is due to illness or emergency. One incomplete assignment will certainly affect your grade in that given subject. In addition, each project that is turned in late will be graded down one grade each day. There will be little, or no homework when a big project is due. The homework time per night will typically be 50 minutes each night, excluding Fridays. On Thursdays we will have a smaller amount to study for tests.
Each night your child will have math homework. It is critical that students learn from their mistakes and build a foundation of growth and understanding. Student’s corrected work will be sent home regularly on Mondays and it is very helpful if parents spend a few minutes reviewing their child’s work and progress. Students may correct and return their papers/tests in blue ink for half-credit. Also, each week I will send home a gold sheet of paper in a folder to update parents on their child’s behavior and work completion from the previous week. Please sign and return this folder each Monday night.
The first trimester each student will need to read for 20 minutes and write a one-paragraph summary about what they read (20-4-1). Students will do this reading summary log Mondays through Wednesdays and I will collect them on Thursdays. Once again, please check the daily planner your child receives, because all homework, tests, and reminders will be on this homework planner along with the blog. Finally, please remember to give your child adequate time and a quiet place after school or in the early evening to do their homework without distractions. As mentioned earlier, the class blog should be checked daily for assignments. I will not typically send home letters but use the blog and infrequent e-mails home. *I highly recommend the After School and Enrichment Program at Rio Del Mar for assisting students with their homework.* For more information, review the accompanying paperwork from the After School Program.

Parent Volunteers
I truly value parent assistance and hope for any help you can provide. The involvement of parents, relatives, and friends deeply enriches the classroom experience. Let me know if you have any additional methods or ideas for involvement. If you would like to come in prior to this and sign up, please let me know. I understand how precious your time is and appreciate any time you can offer in this regard. Last year I had parents who taught art lessons, health/nutrition, computer lessons, a police officer and a local pizza business owner came by and even grandparents came in to share their lives too. If you would like to volunteer in class, please e-mail me with convenient time(s) as soon as possible. I will also provide a sign-up sheet for parents to sign up during Back to School Night.

Personal Background
I was born and raised locally and attended California State University of Monterey Bay where I was in the first graduating class in 1997. I graduated from the CSUMB Liberal Studies program with an emphasis in Human Development. At this time I knew I wanted to be a teacher so I moved on to the CSU Monterey Bay Credential Program. My first teaching experience was as a 6th grade counselor at a camp in 1994. I have taught grades ranging from 3rd – 6th grades. This is my 12th year teaching at Rio Del Mar Elementary School. I have worked with children for the last seventeen years.
The last eight summers I have been a principal at summer schools in the district. I graduated from San Jose State University’s Educational Administration Program and received my Masters Degree in 2003. I am married to Hilary Sweet and we have an active 9 year-old son named Josiah Michael Sweet and a beautiful 7 year-old daughter named Juliet Marie Sweet who both attend Rio del Mar. So I am a Rio parent and teacher!
I look forward to an excellent year filled with learning, growth and fun. Remember…”85% of life is just showing up.” (Woody Allen) Please make EVERY effort to get your child to class. Vacations should be taken during the other half of the year school is not in session. Otherwise, each child gets behind AND the school loses money. If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at 688-2053, or you can e-mail me at: martin_sweet@pvusd.net. I am available any day after school to go over your child’s progress, or to answer questions you may have. Please remember to just call/e-mail ahead of time so that I may plan accordingly. Thank you and let the learning begin!


J Martin Sweet

5th Grade Teacher
After School Coordinator