BACK - TO - SCHOOL NIGHT Sarah Schwartz [email protected] [email protected] Fourth Grade 2015-2016 Sarah Schwartz [email protected]

BACK - TO - SCHOOL NIGHTBACK - TO - SCHOOL NIGHT

Sarah Schwartz

[email protected]

Fourth Grade

2015-2016

Sarah Schwartz

[email protected]

Fourth Grade

2015-2016

I. Introduction I. Introduction

A. Personal

B. Classroom environment

1. Reinforcements and rewards-Marble Jar Treats,

Caught Ya’s, and 100% Homework Club

2. Consequences- Refocusing- Time to Teach

A. Personal

B. Classroom environment

1. Reinforcements and rewards-Marble Jar Treats,

Caught Ya’s, and 100% Homework Club

2. Consequences- Refocusing- Time to Teach

II. Common CoreII. Common Core

A. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them.

A. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them.

II. Common CoreII. Common Core

B. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.

B. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.

III. Schedule III. Schedule

A. Reading- 1. Goal is for students to be able to read and understand material and to enjoy reading. 2. Reading Materialsa. Selected Novels: Tales of a Fourth Grade

Nothing, Island Of the Blue Dolphins, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, and By The Great Horn Spoon

b. Open Court- (One story over two weeks.)

A. Reading- 1. Goal is for students to be able to read and understand material and to enjoy reading. 2. Reading Materialsa. Selected Novels: Tales of a Fourth Grade

Nothing, Island Of the Blue Dolphins, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, and By The Great Horn Spoon

b. Open Court- (One story over two weeks.)


3. D.E.A.R Time- Drop Everything And Read a. This should be completed daily both in class and at home.

b. Reading log must be completed by your child and signed by a parent/guardian. c. All 4th graders must read a minimum of three

nights a week for 15 minutes each.

3. D.E.A.R Time- Drop Everything And Read a. This should be completed daily both in class and at home.

b. Reading log must be completed by your child and signed by a parent/guardian. c. All 4th graders must read a minimum of three

nights a week for 15 minutes each.


d. Reading logs will go home Friday night and are due the following Friday

morning. If the completed reading log is not returned

Friday morning, this will count as a missed assignment for the week and will affect the student’s grade.

d. Reading logs will go home Friday night and are due the following Friday

morning. If the completed reading log is not returned

Friday morning, this will count as a missed assignment for the week and will affect the student’s grade.


4. Read Aloud 1. This will occur daily and may be read by

us, the students or you (if you want to be a guest reader!)

4. Read Aloud 1. This will occur daily and may be read by

us, the students or you (if you want to be a guest reader!)


5. Accelerated Reading a. Students should be reading books at their

level and taking AR tests. AR goals and prizes have changed and we are waiting to hear from mrs. Brooding about what the updates will be.

5. Accelerated Reading a. Students should be reading books at their

level and taking AR tests. AR goals and prizes have changed and we are waiting to hear from mrs. Brooding about what the updates will be.


B. Writing 1. Focus on writing process a. Prewriting, drafting, conference, revision, editing,

and final draft.

2. Writing Types of Essays a. Literary response, expository , summary,

narrative, speech, and mission reports

B. Writing 1. Focus on writing process a. Prewriting, drafting, conference, revision, editing,

and final draft.

2. Writing Types of Essays a. Literary response, expository , summary,

narrative, speech, and mission reports


C. Spelling 1. Student book focuses on teaching patterns, skills and

following directions based on common spelling rules.

2. Students should learn to apply patterns to daily writing.

C. Spelling 1. Student book focuses on teaching patterns, skills and

following directions based on common spelling rules.

2. Students should learn to apply patterns to daily writing.


3. We will introduce and start working on the spelling unit for the week each Monday. Students will write the words in their agendas and start the first page in class and complete that page for homework. Tuesday in class and at home we will complete the page. Wednesday they will complete the next page. Thursday they will proofread a story in their spelling book (no need to rewrite the entire story, just the words spelled correctly and complete a practice test with a parent signature.

4. Final test given on Friday.

3. We will introduce and start working on the spelling unit for the week each Monday. Students will write the words in their agendas and start the first page in class and complete that page for homework. Tuesday in class and at home we will complete the page. Wednesday they will complete the next page. Thursday they will proofread a story in their spelling book (no need to rewrite the entire story, just the words spelled correctly and complete a practice test with a parent signature.

4. Final test given on Friday.


H. Go Math!1. Each chapter is focused on a single specific

concept. 2. Children must first understand the skill at a conceptual level, using concrete materials and

models before simply being taught the procedures or rules for solving a specific problem.

H. Go Math!1. Each chapter is focused on a single specific

concept. 2. Children must first understand the skill at a conceptual level, using concrete materials and

models before simply being taught the procedures or rules for solving a specific problem.


3. Children will now be required to illustrate and explain their understanding of a concept before being instructed to demonstrate understanding more abstractly using algorithms.

3. Children will now be required to illustrate and explain their understanding of a concept before being instructed to demonstrate understanding more abstractly using algorithms.


I. Science and Social Studies 1. Each subject will be taught two days each week.

Mrs. Cornejo- Social Studies & Ms. Schwartz- Science.

2. Will inspire excitement, curiosity and awe about their world.

I. Science and Social Studies 1. Each subject will be taught two days each week.

Mrs. Cornejo- Social Studies & Ms. Schwartz- Science.

2. Will inspire excitement, curiosity and awe about their world.


3. Social Studies focuses on California. 4. Science focuses on earth, physical and life

science.

3. Social Studies focuses on California. 4. Science focuses on earth, physical and life

science.


5. Study guides and index cards with vocabulary words will often be provided for tests. Students will need help studying for tests. Also, you might want to re-read the chapter and it may count as their nightly reading.

5. Study guides and index cards with vocabulary words will often be provided for tests. Students will need help studying for tests. Also, you might want to re-read the chapter and it may count as their nightly reading.

IV. GradingIV. Grading

1. Achievement Grading Scale: A 94-100% C+ 77%-79% D- 60-63% A- 90-93% C 74-76% F Below 60 B+ 87-89% C- 70-73% B 84-86% D+ 67-69% B- 80-83% D 64-66%

1. Achievement Grading Scale: A 94-100% C+ 77%-79% D- 60-63% A- 90-93% C 74-76% F Below 60 B+ 87-89% C- 70-73% B 84-86% D+ 67-69% B- 80-83% D 64-66%


2. Some items will be graded for letter grades and percents and some will be graded for credit/no credit.

3. Trimester 1 ends 11/20/2015. Trimester 2 ends 3/4/2016. Trimester 3 ends 6/13/2016.

2. Some items will be graded for letter grades and percents and some will be graded for credit/no credit.

3. Trimester 1 ends 11/20/2015. Trimester 2 ends 3/4/2016. Trimester 3 ends 6/13/2016.


a. Look for mid-trimester reports halfway through each trimester.

b. Report cards will come home the Friday immediately following the end of the trimester.

a. Look for mid-trimester reports halfway through each trimester.

b. Report cards will come home the Friday immediately following the end of the trimester.

V. Homework V. Homework

1. Homework should be written in the planner. This is the responsibility of each student to complete, not the teacher’s.

a. Homework is nightly, except on Fridays or before holidays.

b. Work not completed during the day will be extra homework for that night.

1. Homework should be written in the planner. This is the responsibility of each student to complete, not the teacher’s.

a. Homework is nightly, except on Fridays or before holidays.

b. Work not completed during the day will be extra homework for that night.


c. Assigned homework should not exceed 60 minutes, typically 30-50 minutes unless they have work that was not completed in class that day.

d. Most homework will be checked for credit/no credit; however some will be graded for points.

c. Assigned homework should not exceed 60 minutes, typically 30-50 minutes unless they have work that was not completed in class that day.

d. Most homework will be checked for credit/no credit; however some will be graded for points.


e. Parents should check and initial the planner.f. Please write a note in the planner when unable to

understand directions, in case of family emergency or if child is working hard and spending much longer than normal on an assignment.

e. Parents should check and initial the planner.f. Please write a note in the planner when unable to

understand directions, in case of family emergency or if child is working hard and spending much longer than normal on an assignment.


g. Be specific and consistent when establishing

reasonable consequences for failing to complete the

assignments.

h. Essential tools for at home: calculator, ruler,

dictionary, pencils, crayons or markers, protractor

g. Be specific and consistent when establishing

reasonable consequences for failing to complete the

assignments.

h. Essential tools for at home: calculator, ruler,

dictionary, pencils, crayons or markers, protractor


i. The level of homework in Fourth Grade may be

more difficult that what your child is used to. They

may need your help getting started and some parents

find it beneficial to look over their child’s completed

homework before it is turned in.

i. The level of homework in Fourth Grade may be

more difficult that what your child is used to. They

may need your help getting started and some parents

find it beneficial to look over their child’s completed

homework before it is turned in.

VI. Friday Fun VI. Friday Fun

1. Weekly reward system for completed

assignments and appropriate behavior.

2. If students meet all requirements, they may

choose movies, art/inside or outside games.

3. Students may not miss ANY class or homework

assignments for that week in order to attend.

1. Weekly reward system for completed

assignments and appropriate behavior.

2. If students meet all requirements, they may

choose movies, art/inside or outside games.

3. Students may not miss ANY class or homework

assignments for that week in order to attend.

VI. Friday Fun VI. Friday Fun

4. If not completed in Study Hall, missing work will

be taken home to complete over the weekend and is

due at 8am Monday morning.

4. If not completed in Study Hall, missing work will

be taken home to complete over the weekend and is

due at 8am Monday morning.

VI. Physical Education VI. Physical Education

1. We have PE every day and students will be running laps and should wear sturdy shoes.

2. Physical Education will focus on developing skills, cooperation, fitness and good sportsmanship.

3. If students receive less than two refocusesduring the week, they will get to earn Free Choice PE on Fridays.

1. We have PE every day and students will be running laps and should wear sturdy shoes.

2. Physical Education will focus on developing skills, cooperation, fitness and good sportsmanship.

3. If students receive less than two refocusesduring the week, they will get to earn Free Choice PE on Fridays.

VII. MiscellaneousVII. Miscellaneous

1. Volunteers

a. Sign-up

1. Please come for allotted time, find a

replacement or send in a note or email with

one days notice if possible.

1. Volunteers

a. Sign-up

1. Please come for allotted time, find a

replacement or send in a note or email with

one days notice if possible.


2. Art will be integrated into classroom themes.

3. Music is Tuesday. Library is Wednesday and Computer Lab is Friday.

2. Art will be integrated into classroom themes.

3. Music is Tuesday. Library is Wednesday and Computer Lab is Friday.


4. Book orders a. About 1 time per month. b. Please make pay online or make checks out

to Scholastic, not to the school or teacher. c. Our online order code is: GTPY2

4. Book orders a. About 1 time per month. b. Please make pay online or make checks out

to Scholastic, not to the school or teacher. c. Our online order code is: GTPY2


5. Visitors and student checkout a. Visitors must sign in at office and be wearing

visitor's pass before coming in to class. b. Students must be checked out from office.c. Office will call the classroom or send you with a

sign out slip.

5. Visitors and student checkout a. Visitors must sign in at office and be wearing

visitor's pass before coming in to class. b. Students must be checked out from office.c. Office will call the classroom or send you with a

sign out slip.


d. If going home plans change throughout the day, email me and if I reply, then I received it in time to make the change.

6.Classroom instructional assistants are Mitzi Fishman, Debbie Garber Angelina

Gerster, Marjorie Overmire and Margaret Jacob.

d. If going home plans change throughout the day, email me and if I reply, then I received it in time to make the change.

6.Classroom instructional assistants are Mitzi Fishman, Debbie Garber Angelina

Gerster, Marjorie Overmire and Margaret Jacob.


7. Awards a. Student of the Month, Accelerated

Reader, and Citizenship are given each month. Honor Roll is given each trimester for students who earn a 3.0 or above.

8. Supplies a. Voluntary- sign up if you want to

contribute.

7. Awards a. Student of the Month, Accelerated

Reader, and Citizenship are given each month. Honor Roll is given each trimester for students who earn a 3.0 or above.

8. Supplies a. Voluntary- sign up if you want to

contribute.


9. Recess a. Later this year so your child may want

a healthy snack for recess. We have emergency snacks if kids forget their snacks and are

hungry.

9. Recess a. Later this year so your child may want

a healthy snack for recess. We have emergency snacks if kids forget their snacks and are

hungry.


10. Notes to teachera. Absences, bus passes, changes in transportationb. Please remind them to hand notes in

first thing in the morning.

10. Notes to teachera. Absences, bus passes, changes in transportationb. Please remind them to hand notes in

first thing in the morning.


11. Absences

a. All missing work must be made up. If you know

your child will be missing work for a vacation,

please send in a note three days in advance.

b. For every day they miss, whether they are sick or

on vacation, students will be given one day to

make up the work when they come back.

11. Absences

a. All missing work must be made up. If you know

your child will be missing work for a vacation,

please send in a note three days in advance.

b. For every day they miss, whether they are sick or

on vacation, students will be given one day to

make up the work when they come back.


12. Student Pick-upa. Students must be picked up at the front of the school unless you park your car and come and wait for them.b. Students must have a note to go home on a different bus or with a different person.

12. Student Pick-upa. Students must be picked up at the front of the school unless you park your car and come and wait for them.b. Students must have a note to go home on a different bus or with a different person.


13. Character Counts

a. Each month we will learn about different character

traits and what they look like in the classroom and

on the playground.

b. Students will be selected and awarded monthly

when they show examples of that character trait.

13. Character Counts

a. Each month we will learn about different character

traits and what they look like in the classroom and

on the playground.

b. Students will be selected and awarded monthly

when they show examples of that character trait.


14. Thursday Folders

a. Contain weekly assignments and tests.

b. It is very beneficial for students to review the

contents of the Thursday Folder with you.c. Please review and return by Monday

morning.

14. Thursday Folders

a. Contain weekly assignments and tests.

b. It is very beneficial for students to review the

contents of the Thursday Folder with you.c. Please review and return by Monday

morning.


15. Medicine

a. All medication (prescription or over the

counter) must be kept in the school office

with a doctor’s note. This includes cough

drops.

15. Medicine

a. All medication (prescription or over the

counter) must be kept in the school office

with a doctor’s note. This includes cough

drops.


16. Birthdays

a. You are welcome to send in treats for your child’s

birthday.

b. Please use class address list to send invitations

unless you are inviting the entire class.

16. Birthdays

a. You are welcome to send in treats for your child’s

birthday.

b. Please use class address list to send invitations

unless you are inviting the entire class.

VIII. Important WebsitesVIII. Important Websites1. Alta Sierra Elementary

http://altasierra.prsd.edlioschool.com

2. Think Central

http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do

3. PowerSchool

http://ps.prsd.k12.ca.us/public/

4. National Park Free Pass Sign Up http://www.nationalparks.org/ook/ekiap-signup

1. Alta Sierra Elementary

http://altasierra.prsd.edlioschool.com

2. Think Central

http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do

3. PowerSchool

http://ps.prsd.k12.ca.us/public/

4. National Park Free Pass Sign Up http://www.nationalparks.org/ook/ekiap-signup

Documents

BACK - TO - SCHOOL NIGHT Sarah Schwartz [email protected] [email protected] Fourth Grade 2015-2016 Sarah Schwartz [email protected]