4th GRADE SCHEDULE
*tentative schedule subject to change
8:45-9:00 Agenda, Spelling, Independent Reading
9:00-9:50 Grammar, Writing
9:50-10:40 Special (STEAM, Gym, Art, Music)
10:40-11:00 Snack Break
11:00-12:00 Math
12:00-12:20 Class Meeting
12:20-1:00 Recess/Lunch
1:00-1:40 Interventions
1:40-2:15 Science/Social Studies
2:15-2:35 Recess
2:35-3:35 Reading
3:35-3:45 Dismissal
COMMUNICATION
CLASSROOM COMMUNITY
Rules in our classroom are few and will be established together as a community of learners during the first week of school. All students are different and all actions and reactions are very personal in nature. Situations are dealt with as they arise with the focus on enabling the child to grown and learn from his or her actions.
When a problem arises in our classroom I will always ask for the 4 following questions:
GRADING:
Student assignments and assessments are all graded on a 3, 2, 1 scale. This is the same grading scale you will see on your child’s report card and followed by all Hudsonville Public Elementary Schools.
3- Student is proficient in this area of study; your child is able to complete the work independently.
2- Student is progressing in this area of study; your child understands what has been taught but may need some guidance before becoming proficient.
1- Student is beginning to understand this area of study; your child is beginning to understand the new skills being taught, but is unable to show their understanding without a lot of guidance.
In order to become proficient, students need a lot of practice. When learning a new skill we will complete many activities together or with a partner, these assignments are simply graded with a star or sticker.
SNACKS
Researchers tell us that if we are hungry and/or dehydrated learning can’t take place. Therefore your child is encouraged to bring HEALTHY snacks and a water bottle to school each day. Students will be given time to enjoy their snack during the school day and they may keep their water bottle with them all day. Fruits, veggies, cheese, granola bars, popcorn, etc are healthy snack choices.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating birthdays is so much fun, after all it is the celebration of you! We will celebrate your child’s birthday in class and share your child’s birthday treat, if you choose to send one. For health reasons, we are limiting birthday treats to pre-packaged food items or non-food items such as stickers, erasers, pencils, etc. Please email me in advance of sending in pre-packaged snacks so you can be advised of any health allergies. Students will not be allowed to bring treats to siblings or other staff members in the building. If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or on a holiday we can celebrate anytime around the special date. If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to celebrate at the half-year mark.
FUN FRIDAY
One or two times a month, the entire fourth grade will have a Fun Friday for 25 minutes. For Fun Friday we will have different activities, like watching a short movie, playing a class game, having extra recess, etc. Students may attend Fun Friday if they have no missing work and if they have had no behavior issues. If students do have missing work they will be able to use this time to make up the work. Students who have had behavior issues will use this time to reflect on ways they can change their behavior. Our Fun Fridays help to reward students who have been doing well in class and encourage students to keep working hard.
AGENDA
This year your child will have an agenda that will come home nightly. Students will keep track of the learning goals, any homework they have, and write important notes in their agenda. The agendas will be written in daily and will serve for an excellent form of communication. Please check the agenda with your child daily and initial in the space provided.
HOMEWORK
I realize that many fourth graders are very busy outside of school time. So, I try to keep the workload of homework reasonable. Research has shown again and again there is a significant relation between academic achievement and independent reading. While we read a lot during school hours, students REALLY need to read outside of school as well. In fourth grade, students will be expected to read at home for 100 minutes each week.
Occasionally, I may ask your child to practice math facts at home, as well. Students who know their math facts at a quick rate generally do better with all math concepts. In fourth grade, we really focus on learning our multiplication and division facts. This can be done verbally, with flashcards, using worksheets, or playing various fact games found on the Internet or using an App. Here are just a few websites your child can use:
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=5468
http://www.gamequarium.com/multiplication.html
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm
From time to time, your child might bring work home that he/she did not get finished during class time. If your child brings class work home, it needs to be completed and returned the next day.
ABSENT WORK
In the case of an absence from school, we will set aside work to be completed by the student. If there is an older or younger sibling in the building, please let us know if you would like missing work sent home with him or her.
DISMISSAL
If your child is going home a different way than he or she normally does, please send a note indicating this change. We cannot allow your child to go home with anyone else, or stay after school for an activity without your written instructions.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Please label your child’s school supplies, mask, coat, hat, gloves, boots, gym shoes, lunch box, backpacks, etc. This will allow the items to easily be identified if they are lost. Toys of any kind are NOT allowed at South Elementary, as mentioned in the school handbook.
RECESS/LUNCH
Students are expected to go outside for recess when it is not raining and the wind chill factor permits (as determined by the office). Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. Our recess/lunch time is 12:20-1:00. Students will go out for recess before their lunchtime. Students also have an afternoon recess 2:15-2:35.
LUNCH MONEY
You will need to send separate slips for each of your children with their first and last name, indicating how much money you would like to put into that child’s account. Please send all slips in one envelope with the children’s names, grades, and teacher’s name on the outside. It is recommended that money be sent early in the week, but it will be accepted on any day.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
I would appreciate knowing about any special circumstances (sickness or death of a family member, death of a pet, etc.) that you feel may affect your child at school. Sometimes things that happen outside of school cause students to need extra TLC, and I want to care for your child the best we can.
NEWSLETTER
Please look for a newsletter every Friday. This newsletter will be sent via email. Please be sure to provide us with a current email address if you haven’t yet. Each newsletter will contain our current learning goals and other important information.
REPORT CARDS AND PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Report cards will be issued two times a year. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in November and March.
*tentative schedule subject to change
8:45-9:00 Agenda, Spelling, Independent Reading
9:00-9:50 Grammar, Writing
9:50-10:40 Special (STEAM, Gym, Art, Music)
10:40-11:00 Snack Break
11:00-12:00 Math
12:00-12:20 Class Meeting
12:20-1:00 Recess/Lunch
1:00-1:40 Interventions
1:40-2:15 Science/Social Studies
2:15-2:35 Recess
2:35-3:35 Reading
3:35-3:45 Dismissal
COMMUNICATION
- The absolute BEST way to reach me is thru email, which I check several times a day. My email address is [email protected]. You may also reach me by calling 669-9362. During school hours, you will need to leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible. I will try to respond to your questions and concerns quickly. I want to work with you as a team to help your child have a successful year. Please contact me as needed.
- I will also communicate information to you through daily agenda entries and our classroom blog.
- Notes for me, lunch money, office papers, etc can be placed in your child's agenda or take home binder, as I check them daily. Likewise, I will place notes, graded assignments, completed work, or important school papers in your child's take home binder. Checking these daily, will be helpful to stay informed.
- It is helpful for your child to have his/her agenda and take home binder every day. Signing the bottom of the agenda, lets me know that you have seen your child's work for that day.
CLASSROOM COMMUNITY
Rules in our classroom are few and will be established together as a community of learners during the first week of school. All students are different and all actions and reactions are very personal in nature. Situations are dealt with as they arise with the focus on enabling the child to grown and learn from his or her actions.
When a problem arises in our classroom I will always ask for the 4 following questions:
- What are you doing?
- What are you suppose to be doing?
- Were you doing it?
- What are you going to do about it?
- Think About it
- Teacher's Choice
- Loss of Recess
- Office Referral
GRADING:
Student assignments and assessments are all graded on a 3, 2, 1 scale. This is the same grading scale you will see on your child’s report card and followed by all Hudsonville Public Elementary Schools.
3- Student is proficient in this area of study; your child is able to complete the work independently.
2- Student is progressing in this area of study; your child understands what has been taught but may need some guidance before becoming proficient.
1- Student is beginning to understand this area of study; your child is beginning to understand the new skills being taught, but is unable to show their understanding without a lot of guidance.
In order to become proficient, students need a lot of practice. When learning a new skill we will complete many activities together or with a partner, these assignments are simply graded with a star or sticker.
SNACKS
Researchers tell us that if we are hungry and/or dehydrated learning can’t take place. Therefore your child is encouraged to bring HEALTHY snacks and a water bottle to school each day. Students will be given time to enjoy their snack during the school day and they may keep their water bottle with them all day. Fruits, veggies, cheese, granola bars, popcorn, etc are healthy snack choices.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating birthdays is so much fun, after all it is the celebration of you! We will celebrate your child’s birthday in class and share your child’s birthday treat, if you choose to send one. For health reasons, we are limiting birthday treats to pre-packaged food items or non-food items such as stickers, erasers, pencils, etc. Please email me in advance of sending in pre-packaged snacks so you can be advised of any health allergies. Students will not be allowed to bring treats to siblings or other staff members in the building. If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or on a holiday we can celebrate anytime around the special date. If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to celebrate at the half-year mark.
FUN FRIDAY
One or two times a month, the entire fourth grade will have a Fun Friday for 25 minutes. For Fun Friday we will have different activities, like watching a short movie, playing a class game, having extra recess, etc. Students may attend Fun Friday if they have no missing work and if they have had no behavior issues. If students do have missing work they will be able to use this time to make up the work. Students who have had behavior issues will use this time to reflect on ways they can change their behavior. Our Fun Fridays help to reward students who have been doing well in class and encourage students to keep working hard.
AGENDA
This year your child will have an agenda that will come home nightly. Students will keep track of the learning goals, any homework they have, and write important notes in their agenda. The agendas will be written in daily and will serve for an excellent form of communication. Please check the agenda with your child daily and initial in the space provided.
HOMEWORK
I realize that many fourth graders are very busy outside of school time. So, I try to keep the workload of homework reasonable. Research has shown again and again there is a significant relation between academic achievement and independent reading. While we read a lot during school hours, students REALLY need to read outside of school as well. In fourth grade, students will be expected to read at home for 100 minutes each week.
Occasionally, I may ask your child to practice math facts at home, as well. Students who know their math facts at a quick rate generally do better with all math concepts. In fourth grade, we really focus on learning our multiplication and division facts. This can be done verbally, with flashcards, using worksheets, or playing various fact games found on the Internet or using an App. Here are just a few websites your child can use:
http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=5468
http://www.gamequarium.com/multiplication.html
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm
From time to time, your child might bring work home that he/she did not get finished during class time. If your child brings class work home, it needs to be completed and returned the next day.
ABSENT WORK
In the case of an absence from school, we will set aside work to be completed by the student. If there is an older or younger sibling in the building, please let us know if you would like missing work sent home with him or her.
DISMISSAL
If your child is going home a different way than he or she normally does, please send a note indicating this change. We cannot allow your child to go home with anyone else, or stay after school for an activity without your written instructions.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Please label your child’s school supplies, mask, coat, hat, gloves, boots, gym shoes, lunch box, backpacks, etc. This will allow the items to easily be identified if they are lost. Toys of any kind are NOT allowed at South Elementary, as mentioned in the school handbook.
RECESS/LUNCH
Students are expected to go outside for recess when it is not raining and the wind chill factor permits (as determined by the office). Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. Our recess/lunch time is 12:20-1:00. Students will go out for recess before their lunchtime. Students also have an afternoon recess 2:15-2:35.
LUNCH MONEY
You will need to send separate slips for each of your children with their first and last name, indicating how much money you would like to put into that child’s account. Please send all slips in one envelope with the children’s names, grades, and teacher’s name on the outside. It is recommended that money be sent early in the week, but it will be accepted on any day.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
I would appreciate knowing about any special circumstances (sickness or death of a family member, death of a pet, etc.) that you feel may affect your child at school. Sometimes things that happen outside of school cause students to need extra TLC, and I want to care for your child the best we can.
NEWSLETTER
Please look for a newsletter every Friday. This newsletter will be sent via email. Please be sure to provide us with a current email address if you haven’t yet. Each newsletter will contain our current learning goals and other important information.
REPORT CARDS AND PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Report cards will be issued two times a year. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in November and March.