5th Grade English Language Arts

S1 CP# 1105
S2 CP# 1105.2
Support Class 1105E/1105E.2
Teacher: Casey Blair
Email: cblair@cwcharter.org
Work Number: 209.988.6876

Office Hours: Mondays 8:30-9:00 by appt only

Semester 1 class

School Begins: Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Classes begin: August 15, 2022
Last Day to Drop: Friday, September 2

Semester 2 class
School Begins: January 3, 2023
Classes Begin: January 9, 2023
Last Day to Drop:Friday, January 13

Class Times: Mondays and Tuesdays 11:00-12 pm
EL Support Class: Wednesdays 11:00-12:00 pm

Course Goals Overview:
Here are some examples of what we will be working on during the year:
● Analyzing literature and informational text
● Reading skills and strategies
● Vocabulary skills and strategies
● Language conventions
● Designated English Language Development (ELD) time
For writing, students will:
● Generate, identify, and organize details
● Determine main ideas and draw conclusions
● Order and sequence events
● Compare and contrast ideas
● Chart causes and effects
● Evaluate information and make decisions
Classes are held three times weekly in Canvas which is the course management system
that is available to students, parent teachers, and Education Specialists, 24/7. Detailed
weekly assignments and announcements will be posted on my Canvas homepage page.
In addition, for your reference, a pacing guide containing suggested assignments is
included at the end of this syllabus.
Day 3 of this English class is designed to support our English Learners. On this day we
deliver the state mandated DELD (Designated English Language Development) to our EL
students. We also deliver targeted interventions on any concepts and skills that our EL
students seem to be struggling with. English Only students do not need to attend on Day
3, as this is a targeted EL intervention day.
PLEASE NOTE: The pacing guide can be subject to change and is a suggested guide for
assignments. Students in Canvas classes should read the Canvas homepage for
up-to-date and detailed assignments.
Enrolled students will meet online, three days a week, using the Elluminate/Blackboard
learning management system that allows students to meet in a collaborative classroom.
During class they will use headsets with microphones, webcams, and other online tools to
communicate with other students and the teacher.
Technology Requirements:
Students must have reliable internet access, headset with microphone, and a working
school Gmail account to access Google Docs.

Required Materials:
● Journeys Online Student Edition & Student Edition Textbooks
● Write-In Reader (consumable)
● Reader’s Notebook (consumable)
o This includes practice in: independent reading, vocabulary, spelling, grammar,
and writing strategies

● Novels
o The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
▪ ISBN 978-0380709243
▪ Read aloud on YouTube by “Jessica Lawrence”
o Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
▪ ISBN 978-0064400558
▪ Read aloud on YouTube by “Storytime with Miss Jeannie”

● Headset with a working microphone.

Textbooks:

Students will be using both the hard copy text and the online version of Journeys; the
publisher is Houghton Mifflin. The traditional text and the online version come as a
package which includes the student edition (SE), a Reader’s Notebook and a Writing
Handbook. When students check-out the package, they will receive a username and
password for the digital component. The traditional texts include hardcover student
editions, a Reader’s Notebook and a Writing Handbook. The digital version and the texts
will be available for checkout from the learning center as a package on a first-come,
first-served basis in August and they can be previewed at the learning center now. The
ES can then activate the student in my class. I will verify this.
The Reader’s Notebook and the Writing Handbook are consumable workbooks that
provide opportunities for students to practice what we are learning in class. The teacher
will teach the lesson concepts and then provide “I do, We do, You do” opportunities for
students to master the material. We will work on workbook pages together in class and
then what we don’t finish, will be assigned for homework throughout the week. It’s very
important to attend class regularly to know how to complete these assignments.
The Integrated Online Student Edition has all the features of the print edition plus Digital
Journeys which provide comprehensive standards instruction in writing, speaking and
listening. The online version also provides audio, so the student can follow along with the
reader to gain better understanding of the material.
Note to ESs/Parents: Common Core & EL Standards are included in the Journeys Student
Text (online and hard copy).

5th Grade ELA Standards:
Click here for grade level standards: Grade 5 Standards
CA ELD Standards

Student Responsibilities:
● Log on to Canvas for announcements, weekly assignments, and grades.
● Attend weekly online classes – on time.
● Complete and submit ALL assignments on or before the due date.
● Each student should print out their syllabus/pacing guide and/or refer to the
Canvas homepage each week in order to plan their schedules and be aware in
advance of the dates and times of their class and assignments.
● Each student comes to class prepared to participate and learn with the proper
materials, including orally participating in discussions and answering questions.
● Please read and comply with the CWCS Truancy Policy. See the link below.
● Read the syllabus and follow the CW Code of Conduct/Plagiarism Policy. See the link
below.

Parent Responsibilities:
● Make sure your student attends class regularly and adheres to all class policies.
● Attend at least ONE class with your child each week. Be there to help your child with
learning how to use the online tools and participate in class.
● Contact me if your student is having difficulties understanding and completing
homework assignments.
● Read and print the class syllabus for reference during ES meetings.
● Daily check Canvas for announcements and student’s weekly assignments.
● This course and daily instruction provided by the parent is required.
● Contact me directly if your child will be absent.
● Check Canvas daily for homework and class assignments.
● Attend a Canvas training at the beginning of the school year or semester.
● Complete and upload all required documents on the weekly Attendance Quiz in
Canvas before the end of the school day each Friday.

ES Responsibilities:
● Sign up students for class in Canvas.
● Be sure the student has a school email address and Google Drive set up on their
device.
● Inform instructor of any specific student learning needs.
● Check student work at each Learning Record meeting to ensure completion of
work.
● Support the parent with any questions about Canvas, how to navigate, enter class,
and locate important information on my Canvas page.
● Contact me if the student is struggling or having difficulties in class.

Instructor Responsibilities:
● Will teach class three days per week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
● Post weekly homework to the Canvas page with additional resources and support.
● Assign homework/classwork each Monday for the week.
● Activate the student’s access to the online book.
● Answer any questions from the student or parent who needs additional support.
● Respond within 24 hours to calls/emails.
● Create a shared Google Doc for each student to be used this year for work.
● Grades will be entered in Canvas in a timely manner. No late work accepted.

CW Bullying Policy link:
Follow the links to access and read the CW Code of Conduct Policy, Bullying, Plagiarism &
Truancy policies.CW Bullying Policy Link. CWCS provides their teachers annual online
training modules on Bully Prevention and Awareness.
Here is the Department of Education Bullying Module for your reference.

CW Truancy Policy link:
http://cwcs-k12-pt.schoolloop.com/file/1400653987247/1400654149833/5959991182609890
279.pdf

CW EL Department link:
http://www.connectingwaters.org/eldepartmentgoals

Plagiarism:
Copying from the internet or any other source, sharing answers with classmates on an
assignment, and direct cheating will not be tolerated. For any given offense there will be
a call home, a parent conference, a referral to your administrator, and a zero on the
assignment regardless of the weight. Acceptance to the AP program is not possible with a
plagiarism offense so keep this in mind. There will be no tolerance for cheating.

Grading:

Content being graded Percentage of grade
Attendance/Participation
(attendance, attitude,
diligence, attentiveness,
punctuality, teamwork)

40%

Writing 20%
Reading 20%
Spelling 20%

Letter Grade Percentage earned in

class

E (3) =
Excellent

100% - 90%

S (2) =
Satisfactory

89% - 70%

N (1) =
Needs
Improvemen
t

69% and below

0 = Missing No Submission
I will be using the following grading scale:
● E (Excellent)= Mastery. Consistently meets or exceeds expectations of grade level
standards.
○ Attending class and participating regularly. On time to class each day. Coming
to class prepared. Working at grade level or above. Great feedback from ES
that the student is completing all work outside of class.

● S (Satisfactory)= Progressing towards mastery.
○ Attending class and participating regularly. May be late at times but not on a
regular basis. Coming to class and may have times when not prepared. Good
feedback from ES that students are completing most work outside of class.

● N (Needs Improvement)= Unable to, or with prompting and support, progressing
toward meeting expectations of grade level standards.
○ Not attending class and participating regularly. May be late most of the time.
Not prepared. Feedback from ES stating that the student is not completing
work outside of class.

NOTE: All late or missing work will only be accepted via Canvas weekly quiz for the
assigned week of assignments. All ES’s will need to verify completion of Reader’s
Notebook pages for credit. Late or missing assignments will NOT be accepted after the
Thanksgiving Holiday for Semester One or May 5 for Semester Two.

A NOTE FROM YOUR ELA TEACHER:
Your child will meet with me only 2 days per week, if an EL 3 days per week. For any
student, it is recommended that they receive at least an hour and a half PER DAY of
English Language Arts (ELA). The parent is an integral part of the instruction, so be sure
that your child is receiving instruction from you on a daily basis, in addition to the
instruction provided by the teacher. Therefore, please use this pacing guide to help you
with planning your daily ELA instruction. I will be working with students on some work
together in class, but what is not completed in class, is up to you to complete with your
child as the parent/teacher. All recordings/conferences of class sessions expire two
weeks after the date of class. Please make sure your student completes the work and
fully understands the material each week. We are a team in your child’s education and
your child’s success depends on all members giving 100%.

Please do not copy or use any part of this syllabus for purposes other than it is intended;
for Casey Blair’s registered students’ reference only. Please email Casey Blair at
cblair@cwcharter.org if you wish to use any part of this syllabus for reasons other than
stated above.