Gayle Barker's Website

In our spelling class, we hone in on frequently misspelled words.  Simple, everyday words are oftentimes the ones which students misspell the most.  These are words which we feel they need to know to become more successful in writing.  We also base spelling contracts on phonetic sounds and rules.  Rules learned and used now will help make your child a better reader and speller.   

Your child will turn in the spelling contract weekly, on Thursday.  The contract will be checked in the classroom so your child can learn from any mistakes made.  A spelling pre-test will also be given each Thursday.  Words which are misspelled on the pre-test will need to be written 10 times for homework and turned in on Friday prior to the spelling test.

Language class in fifth grade consists of knowing all the parts of speech.  It is important that your child be able to effectively construct good sentences in order to become a good writer.  Punctuation, capitalization, and proper word choices are other areas we will concentrate on this year. 

An extension of reading is writing.  Your child will learn to recognize and create various forms of figurative language such as similies, metaphors, hyperboles, idioms, alliterations, and personificiation.

In fifth grade, our main focus in reading is novels.  We will read together classroom sets of novels throughout the year.  Your child will read novels from the media center for book report presentations.  We typically discuss story elements such as setting, characters, conflict, and resolution.

By reading at least 15 minutes nightly, your child's fluency and comprehension should improve throughout the year.  You can assist your child with comprehension by reading with your child and asking questions over the material read.

To access the science text online go to:  http://www.eduplace.com/eservices  The login is wostudent5;   the password is student5  

Science will be as much hands-on as possible this year.  We view many videos (the children adore Bill Nye the Science Guy) to re-enforce learning from the textbook.  Most of our projects and experiments take place in the classroom.

I will teach two science classes.  Another teacher will teach two social studies classes.  Your child will benefit from having instruction from a teacher who has a particular passion for these subjects. 

Parents:  A great website to access math skills for your child is as follows hhtp://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/CS       click on fifth grade.

Another great site is:   http://www.multiplication.com/ click on activities; interactive games; fun flash or quick flash. 

Math will move at a fast pace this year.  We have many skills to perfect and new skills to learn.  Your child must keep up with the lessons, even if they are absent from school.  Please drop by the school to pick up your child's  missed assignments after 2:30.