English & Literature 

5th Grade English Language Arts

Mrs. Helen Collins

Helen.Collins@stmarysparish.org

Welcome to a new school year! My goal as your child's ELA teacher is to strengthen and support students' literacy skills and help them reach their fullest potential. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any point during the year to ask questions or to discuss your child’s progress. If we work together, I believe that we can all learn and grow!

Reading 

Instruction will include use of the Storytown anthology which draws from a variety of literary genres and types of text, including expository and persuasive. Students will also read selections on commonlit.org, read articles from Scholastic Magazine, and will participate in “Literature Circles” that function like book clubs. They will share oral presentations and work on book projects. The book Tuck Everlasting will be read as a whole class. Students always enjoy watching the movie afterward for the purpose of writing a compare and contrast essay. 

Writing & Grammar

The schoolwide Empowering Writers program includes lessons in Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive and Opinion. The goal is to help students notice and name an author’s purpose and to identify the writer’s craft so that they can use these techniques and skills in their own writing. The program is effective because it closely ties reading to writing. 

Grammar lessons focus on the academic vocabulary (noun, clause, prepositional phrase) and appropriate use of language. Students are expected to apply their understanding across subject areas. 

Vocabulary & Spelling

Vocabulary instruction includes the study of roots, prefixes, and suffixes in Vocabulary from Classical Roots workbook. Students are expected to study the words, roots/prefixes/suffixes, part(s) of speech, and definitions. Tests are given at the conclusion of each lesson. Vocabulary in the context of reading a variety of texts and literature is also studied.   

Speaking and Listening and Class Participation

These skills are essential in the development of language. Students are expected to participate daily in class, to listen to the teacher as well as their peers, and to be able to summarize the ideas presented. They will make presentations to groups and to the class throughout the year.

Grading
Rubrics are used for projects and essays. A weighted point system is used. Please review the Student Handbook regarding policies for makeup work due to illness or absence. Assignments are weighted as follows: 
 

40% Projects and Major Writing Pieces

35% Tests and quizzes 

25% Participation  & Homework 

Study Skills

Lessons are presented within the ELA weekly lessons and focus on helping students become organized, manage their time, use memorization techniques, develop good study habits, and learn skills that facilitate communication. These skills should be used in all subject areas. 

Google Classroom

Assignments are posted in Google Classroom and organized by weeks of the school year (for example, Week 2: Sept.21-25). In addition, class notes, examples, and templates are posted as “Materials” for reference under the “Topics” heading labeled “Reading Resources” or “Writing Resources”.  

Please be aware that this Google account is to be used for school assignments only and is not designed for students as a social media outlet. Violation of this policy will result in the termination of a student’s account, and this policy is in keeping with the school policies outlined in the Student Handbook. 

Last, but certainly not least

Class always begins with prayer. While intellectual development is a main focus in school, it is also my intention to support the spiritual, social, emotional, and physical aspects of your child. You may hear your students talk about “shake downs” and “super brain yoga.” These are activities that help stimulate the brain. With regard to their spiritual and emotional development, I have borrowed Matthew Kelly’s guiding principle to help students become “the best version of themselves.” Analysis of literature is regularly viewed through a Christian lens because developing and strengthening our Catholic identity is an important part of my job.  

Thank you for sharing your child with me here at Saint Mary School. I hope to have a great year!