Welcome to Mr. Bush's 5th Grade Classroom
A new year creates many challenges as well as new opportunities.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back to Mayfield and if you are new to the area “Welcome to Lapeer!” I am excited about the opportunity to work with you and your child during their 5th grade year. At Seaton Elementary I taught 5th grade for 17 years and this year will be my second year as part of the Mayfield Elementary community.
This year in social studies we will be engaging in U.S. history, geography, civics, and economics, culture, and public policy issues. Students will be provided a folder to keep handouts, do map and skill work, keep notes, and write study strategies. In addition to working individually students will be required to work within teams. With team work students will receive individual as well as group assessments. Technology will be used during various assignments where students will plan, research, write, and develop presentations. Listening, speaking, reading, writing, and problem solving are a strong part of this curriculum and we will focus on ways to build these skills. Assessment will include teacher, self, and peer evaluation.
In addition to social studies our class will receive language arts instruction. Your child will become part of a reading and writing community through our reading and writing workshops. Students will develop their reading, writing, grammar, and spelling skills. Also, core expectations include independent reading and writing at home. A reading response journal, writer’s notebook, and a language arts folder will be provided for each student.
I will deliver math instruction and students will have homework regularly in this subject.
Science will incorporate all of the previous skills stated plus the scientific process, as well as focus on “Objects in the Sky,” “Forces and Motion,” and “Systems and Survival.”
Fifth grade students are preparing for middle school. Therefore, students will be expected to take more responsibility for their education this year. Parts of preparing for middle school is learning to be responsible, organized, and have the ability to prioritize.
Time management is a must. Learning time management and making good use of time during the day will keep students focused on the skills they are learning. They will then not become bogged down with work they need to complete to demonstrate their understanding.
If you have any concerns or information about your child and their work throughout the school year please feel free to contact me by note, through the daily planner, telephone call, or e-mail. I will respond as soon as possible.
I believe your child is important and will be successful this school year with all of us (student, parents, guardians, and educators) working together.
Sincerely yours,
Kevin Bush [email protected] 810-667-2442
Supply List
I have created the following list of the supplies your child will need. Having these will allow your child’s day to run more smoothly. Most, if not all, materials on this list can be found at a dollar store. If you are unable to purchase supplies please send a note to the homeroom teacher and accommodations will be made.
- Three large boxes of tissue for the classroom
- Scissors
- 2 hand-held sharpeners
- 2 (one-subject) spirals
- Glue stick (not liquid glue)
- Colored pencils (12 pack)
- 212-packs (24 #2 pencils)
- 1 pk. cap erasers
- 1 blue, black, or red checking pen (no extra pens are needed)
- 12 or 3 -pack Expo dry-erase markers (black)
- One nylon or vinyl zippered pouch carrying case for materials
***Please note: A trapper keeper and mechanical pencils will not be necessary this year. Also, if additional supplies are needed during the year a note will be sent at a later date.
Thank you,
Mr. Bush