My name is Karen Smith and I teach 4th and 5th grade Social Studies. I am excited to have your child in my classroom this school year! Our Social Studies curriculum involves learning about history, government, economics, civics, cultures and geography. I love teaching Social Studies and, through a variety of activities, I hope to develop an excitement for Social Studies in my students. I try to instill in them the idea that Social Studies is around them in their every day environment.
In the 4th grade, our main focus will be learning about Texas. We will learn about topics such as Native Americans, Texas maps, government, explorers, the Civil War, settlers, and the Texas Revolution. In the 5th grade, our main focus will be learning about the United States. We will learn about topics such as explorers, the 13 colonies, the American Revolution, the Civil War, government, World War I and World War II.
Grading Policy: Per district policy, tests will make up 60% of the student's grades while daily work makes up 40%. I will take a minimum of 8 daily grades and 2 test grades per six weeks. Graded papers will be sent home at the end of the six weeks. Brookeland ISD's Parent Portal is a helpful way of keeping up with your child's grades as they are posted.
Corrections: In the event that your child makes less than a 70 on a test, he or she will be given 5 days from the date the test is graded to make corrections. Corrections can be made in the morning in my classroom between 7:30 and 7:50. If a child does not come to my room to make corrections during the allotted time, the original grade will go in the grade book.
Make-Up Work: Students who miss work in class due to excused absences are permitted to make up that work prior to or within three school days from their last absence. This includes school-sponsored activities as well. It is the student’s responsibility to check with each teacher for make-up work. Zeros will be given for work not made up. If a student missed, they can check in Google classroom for assignments. No extended time will be granted. Tests will be made up as scheduled by the teacher. (The teacher or the principal may grant exceptions for the extenuating circumstances). Some daily work may be sent home to complete, but MUST be returned to receive a grade. Tests will be made up at school only.