Open HouseOpen HouseMason Creek Elementary School

Mrs. Shipp’s Class2014-2015

Where Wolf Cubs are Way Cool!

Welcome to 4th Grade!

We are going

to have an interesting and productive year

filled with exciting

activities!

About Mrs. Shipp My background

•Bachelor’s and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from West Georgia

•Specialist’s in curriculum and instruction from Piedmont College

My experience

• I have been teaching for 7 years.

•I’m thrilled about teaching 4th grade this year!

• Please visit my school webpage to read more about me, my classroom, and fourth grade.

Behavior Expectations

One of the most important aspects of to maintain a comfortable, productive, and safe classroom

is to establish behavior expectations.

We feel that the best way to accomplish this is by focusing on the development of leadership

qualities of every student.

.

Behavior, cont.We will be establishing procedures in the classroom that encourage:

•Proactive behaviors•Student accountability and responsibility•Focus on the most important things that will help them achieve their goals.•Positive attitudes

ConsequencesA color system to help students monitor their behavioral success for the day.

Each student will move a clip with his or her name for exceptional or inappropriate behavior.

Guidelines for this system follows:

Behavior Plan• Start each day – Green = “Great Behavior!” • Super Behavior – Purple = “Exceeds Expectations!“ • 1st Offense – Blue = “Warning.” • 2nd Offense – Yellow = “Warning.”• 3rd Offense – Orange = “Action Plan.” Written

during 10-minute time out at recess.• The Action Plan will be stapled inside the agenda for a

parent’s signature, and is expected to be returned the next day.

• 4th Offense – Red = “Time Out.” Sent to another 4th Grade teacher’s classroom.

• Physical misconduct or continued misconduct = Automatic office visit!

4th Grade Agenda

• Parents: Please check and sign your child’s agenda EVERY NIGHT!

• The signed agenda should come back to class EVERY DAY!

• Your child should write his homework in his agenda daily, and complete all assignments for the next day.

Homework

Homework is given every night except Friday.

It is your child’s responsibility to write down the homework in their

agenda. There are consequences for not completing homework unless there is a note from the

parent.

Wolf Cub Pack Facts• All information will be sent home in

the Wolf Cub Pack Facts on Tuesdays• Student work should be signed and

returned• Please review any work in the folder

with your child. • Return the empty folder SIGNED the

next day.

Special Areas PE

Your child will have PE 2-3 times a week. Appropriate PE shoes are important for participation and

safety. Music and Art

Music and Art will alternate weekly in-between PE classes.

Conferences

• We will have two conferences during the school year.

• If you need to meet with me before the conference time, just call or send an email.

• For your convenience, conferences may be telephone calls, or in person.

Money• Send ALL money in a

sealed envelope with reason for money, student’s name, and homeroom teacher’s name.

•Any money must be collected or turned in during morning assembly by 7:45 AM.

Breakfast/Lunch

Breakfast 7:15 - 7:45Lunch 11:25 – 11:55

Absences/Tardiness• Morning Assembly begins in the

gym at 7:45 AM.• School begins promptly at 8:00 AM.• Students must be physically in the

classroom when the 8:00 bell rings, or they will be marked tardy.

• Absences require a written note.• Check the MAES parent handbook

for more information.

Who will facilitate learning in 4th

grade?• ELA, Writing, Social Studies – Mrs.

Shipp • Math & Science – Mrs. Jiles

Your child will switch everyday between us.

What do we learn in 4th grade?

Writing – Mrs. Shipp• We are very excited about our new Lucy

Calkin writing program this year. Every student will grow and be enthusiastic about writing!

• Each student will have a 3-ring writing portfolio binder to contain their in-process writing.

Writing, cont.• Since one way to grow in reading is

through writing, we have fun with writing workshop daily.

• Students will have multiple opportunities to express themselves through writing during the day.

• Writing homework involving research and reading will support in-class writing this year.

Reading Mrs. Shipp

The Focus is to grow your passion and fluency with Reading!

• Key Ideas & Details – Determining meaning, making inferences and making connections.

• Craft & Structure – Comparing texts, developing vocabulary, and growing Lexile.

• Integrating Knowledge & Ideas

Math – Mrs. Jiles

• There will be daily problem solving activities.

• We will use Calendar Math everyday, which helps with repetition of important Math

concepts.• Mastery of all basic facts is

imperative for success!

Social Studies- Mrs. Shipp

Science – Mrs. JilesOur Social Studies and Science

units are thematic. Students may be assigned monthly projects to complete

at home, to reinforce what they have learned.

BYOT• Bring Your Own Technology at

Mason Creek will be integral to instruction this year.

• Please visit the media center for more information.

Math Night

• Please plan on attending Math Nights this year to get a better understanding of what your student is learning and how to help them with math homework.

• You will have the opportunity to see and practice some of the math concepts that your child will be learning.

Daily Schedule• 8:00-8:10-Unpack and Prepare for the Day• 8:10-9:00- Specials• 9:00-10:10- Math with Mrs. Jiles• 10:10-11:20- Reading with Mrs. Shipp• 11:25-11:55- Lunch• 11:55-12:10- Recess• 12:10-12:40- Writing with Mrs. Shipp• 12:40-1:35- Social Studies with Mrs. Shipp• 1:35-2:30- Science with Mrs. Jiles

Contact Information• Email

Samantha.Shipp@douglas.k12.ga.us• Voicemail (770) 651-4941• MAES Office number (770) 651-4900• Notify Me