Overview and some highlights

Students are  "ready to learn" and in the groove which is really demanded by their busy schedule.  They are writing every day in multiple subjects.  They have been learning how to pay attention to detail when answering questions, especially two part questions. They are challenged and responding well to same. 

Science Fair Project

The 5th graders are excitedly working on their class science project. They are making a solar powered village.  So far they have the walls of their houses built.   They will be putting them together and then building their roofs.  In Art class they are also making a school, a church,  a hospital and police station. I am expecting a colorful village. This will all come together in the first week of March just in time for the Science and Health Fair on March 16.

Math

In Math we've moved on from decimals to fractions, and are currently taking daily quizzes covering everything we've completed in fractions.  They are taught fractions in chunks to keep it as simple as possible.  I have been impressed by this class' enthusiasm.  We have really done a lot  in a short period of time.  Next week we will be retracing what has been previously learned in geometry and then everything on measurement.  There is always more to learn in the classroom.

ELA

I have heard high school teachers say that St. Andrew's students know how to write when they arrive in high school.  There is a very good reason for that; they practice by writing book reports and reports with  every quarterly science, social studies, and religion project.  It pays off.  They also become better public speakers by reading their reports in class.

Religion

Catholics in action is my class' theme in religion.  We recently made collages and put them up in the hall. We just completed a chapter on the sacraments and have begun to focus on baptism with its symbols an meaning to all Christians. 

Mark Kobel

Specials schedule

Foreign language A, C, & E days

Phys Ed B & E days

Computer D & F days

Art A & D days

Music C & F days

Theme B & D days

Library A day

Mr. Kobel’s Grading Policy for 5th Grade

Passing is 75 % 

This policy is subject to change. (for example: if no project is assigned weights will change)

Most grading is weighted.  I hope the following explains how weighting works.

Science tests and quizzes account for 65 percent of your grade. 

The homework accounts for 10 percent.

Classroom participation accounts for 5 percent.

Projects account for 20 percent.

The total adds up to 100%.

Example:

If you average 90% on tests and quizzes, completed all your homework on time, participated in class by being prepared to take part in the conversation and asking or answering questions, and earned a 85% on your project, I would figure your grade as follows:

Tests and Quizzes                90 X .65 = 58.5%

Homework                         100 X .05 = 5%

Participation                       100 X .10 = 10%

Project                              85 X .20 = 17%

Add up the each percent for a grade of 90.5%

Each subject is different and midterms and finals count for 10% on the 2nd and 4th semester grades.  When this happens I will decrease the weight of homework and project by 5% each.

Religion, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies all have projects.  Math has no project so the following weights will apply:

tests and quizzes are weighted at 75% (65% with midterms & finals)

homework at 15%, participation at 10%

Mr. Kobel’s Classroom Management Policy 2011-2012

1.  Listen politely while others are speaking. 

2.  Raise your hand to and be acknowledged before you speak.

3.  Follow oral and written directions.  Ask for clarification if needed.

4.  Be respectful to others at all times. 

5.  Be prepared to learn.  Stay organized. It should take about 10 seconds to change from one subject to another. 

6.  Pick up after yourself.

7.  If you know it is wrong, don’t do it!

8.  Follow the school handbook.

9.  Understand how you earn your grades. (Ask your teacher.)

Consequences for inappropriate behavior:

Verbal warning

Note home written by student.

Detention

Students who have consistent behavioral problems will be required to develop a personal action plan to

a: identify the problem

b: figure out the cause

c: come up with a plan to resolve the problem

I will help students get started with this process, but they are responsible for completing the process and following through with it.

We have read and discussed this classroom management policy and will support it at school and at home.

Signed

Student _______________________ Parent __________________

This is my second career.  I am retired from the Air Force and have found this opportunity to teach in a Catholic School to be a blessing.  I’ve earned Associates degrees in Electronic Technology and Liberal Studies. My Bachelor's degree is in Liberal Studies.  My Master's degree is in Elementary Education. I have a permanent Certification in Pre-K through 6th grade. 

My first elementary teaching experience was in 4th grade for two years at North Tonawanda Catholic. Six years ago I came to St. Andrew’s Country Day School and have taught in second grade, fourth grade, and currently fifth grade.  My favorite subjects are Science and Social Studies.  I really like the projects the students can accomplish in both subjects. I have the most fun with science. Last year I received a grant from the Department of Defense to make solar cars.  The students got to build their own battery operated cars and we raced them. They had a lot of fun. We also made solar powered cars in the spring. We raced them as well.  I look forward to the same project this year.   I also run the school chess club where students learn how to play and get to practice their skills against one another. 

My Classroom Objectives

To help students identify what they know, teach them new material, and have them leave my classroom knowing there is more to learn and wanting to learn more.

How I do it.

a. be excited about each lesson

b. introduce lessons cross curricular

c. use Socratic teaching methods often

d. bully free environment

e. work hands on as often as possible 

f. build students self-confidence through character building and self discipline

g. enforce limits on poor behavior

h. be positive while encouraging the students to do their best at all times

i. raise student’s expectations of themselves