Welcome
Hello, and welcome to my homepage. I am presently teaching fifth grade at Hunting Ridge School. My experience includes teaching nearly every grade level from first through eighth grade. I have found, however, that I enjoy the intermediate grades most of all.

Curriculum
The curriculum for fifth grade is both interesting and challenging. Our reading and language arts curriculum is based on the new Harcourt program. We use the basal text as well as numerous related small books which are assigned according to each student's reading level. Grammar, language, spelling, and writing skills are also integrated in the program. The children complete one book report each month based on a variety of genres. The format for the book report changes each month. Writing instruction emphasizes the expository, persuasive, and narrative forms of expression. Much of our math curriculum is dependent upon student command of the basic multiplication facts. Students work with multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, geometry, probability, graphing, and word problems. Fifth grade social studies covers map skills, early explorers, colonization, the American Revolution, and the Constitution. Our four science units deal with Fast Plants, Powders and Crystals, Pollution, and Health. The Harcourt text supports our hands-on experiences.

Forms and Purposes of Homework
Homework can take many forms and serves a number of purposes. Students can reinforce, review, and practice material in all subjects. They should also prepare for tests and quizzes. At times students complete research papers and projects at home. They can read their novels and improve their comprehension skills. Finally, unfinished class work should be completed by students at home. Fifth graders can expect 30-60 minutes of homework per day, 4-5 days per week.

Mission Statement
We, the 2004-2005 firth grade class of Room 211, want a classroom that is a good learning place where everyone is respectful, accepts responsibility, helps others, and works hard.  We can do this by following the Golden Rule, being persistent in working toward our goals, taking care of student and class property, being responsible for our work, and paying attention.  We want to become good role models for younger children and to be self-sufficient people in the future.

My Favorite Sites
KidsKonnect
Study Island