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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
The elementary school department (grades 3-5) is the stage in a child's school career where students become more independent in their learning, textbooks become more frequently used in all subject areas, paper and pencil/pen projects and activities are added, and more daily homework is expected. At this age, students have opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities. Listed below are some areas where the transition from early childhood to elementary school department is most evident.
HOMEROOM STRUCTURE:The elementary school department is arranged in such a way that most of the subject areas are taught by a homeroom teacher. With exception to music, physical education, and Spanish, all other subjects are taught by the homeroom teacher.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION:Backpacks start getting heavier at this age. Students are expected to begin developing more organizational skills with school-issued assignment planners, school binders, and their own notebook paper. The assignment planner is intended to help students stay on top of all homework assignments and responsibilities and help parents know what was assigned each school day.
HOMEWORK AND LATE HOMEWORK:In the elementary school level, students may have up to sixty minutes of homework each night. This includes 20-30 minutes of reading, memory work, spelling words, and other subject areas. More written work is expected at this level. Math worksheets are fewer, replaced by students writing out problems on their lined paper. Accelerated Reader books are longer as students' reading efficiency improves. Students spend more time studying for tests in science and social studies. In order to aid children in their success and help them to learn how to be more responsible and fulfill their obligations, the following homework guidelines have been established:
*All homework is to be turned in by 8:30 a.m. each day in the students' homeroom class. Homework is considered late and will be deducted when it is turned in late or when a tardy is unexcused.
*Homework turned in late (within one day of due date) will be scored with points deducted. A progressive phasing in of the system occurs in the lower grades and by third grade students have the first two weeks of school to establish the routine before 20 points are deducted for late papers.
*If the assignment is still unfinished the next school day, it will be counted as 0%, but still must be completed. The teacher will notify the parent. If it is still uncompleted, it will be treated as a disciplinary action.
WEIGHTING OF HOMEWORK AND TESTS:Weighting of homework versus tests gradually transitions toward a heavier emphasis on tests to prepare students for the middle school years. Weighting of grades to determine report card scores is as follows:
Grade 3-5 Assignments - 50% Tests - 50%
HONOR ROLL:Starting in fifth grade students are recognized for outstanding academic achievement and can qualify for Honor Roll or High Honor Roll. An academic honor roll is posted each quarter. Honor Roll certificates are distributed after a chapel service each academic quarter.
ACADEMIC CONTEST:Students in grades four and five have opportunities to participate in a number of extracurricular academic contests.
*Metroplex Lutheran School Math Contest - for students in grades 5-8. Top math students are selected in their classroom by testing and teacher recommendation.
*Spelling Bee - for students in grades 4-8. Participation is open to all children who compete in classroom and school competition. The school winner represents St. Paul in the local and regional bees.
*Science Fair - for children in grades 5-8. A committee works to judge projects and winners can advance to the regional level.
*Geography Bee - for students in grades 4-8. Participation is open to all students in these grades. Classroom competition determines who will compete in school competition. Winner in school competition takes a test to determine if he/she will move on to the state level.
HANDWRITING GUIDELINES:During the fourth grade year and after, all written work will be in cursive unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
GRADE REPORTING:Grades are issued at the end of every term. Midterm progress reports are sent home halfway into each term. Additionally, at the end of the first grading period, parent conferences are scheduled with the homeroom teacher. Other meetings may be set with specialized subject teachers throughout the school year.
STRINGS AND HANDBELLS:Starting in fourth grade, students have an opportunity to participate in the Strings program at St. Paul. Violin, viola, cello, and string bass may be learned through an in-school program, now in its fifth year. Students play in various settings in school, church, and the community. Handbells is a curricular activity for students beginning in fifth grade. There are tryouts each year to be a participant in the choir. Rehearsals take place during the school day and performances occur in school, church, and the community.
ATHLETICS:Students in fifth grade have an opportunity to compete on after school athletic teams. Basketball is offered for the girls and the boys. |
