Mrs. Bopp

4th Grade

Classroom Handbook

2014-15

Table of Contents

Welcome to Fourth Grade 3

Meet the Teacher 4

Class Schedule 5

Content area info 6-8

On the Web 9

Classroom Policy Form

10

Expectations/Discipline 11

Incentives 12

Homework 13

Communication 14

Birthdays/Box Tops 15

Playground Rules 16

Cafeteria Rules 17

Bus Rules 18

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

I am excited about starting this new school year with you and your child!

One of my main goals this year will be to motivate the fourth graders to become

lifelong readers and learners. I feel that reading is the key to success. I will do my

best to learn the interests of my students to help develop their love of reading and

learning. In Math, I will extend their ability to problem solve at higher levels by

teaching them effective problem-solving strategies. I will also encourage them to

set learning goals and together we will develop a plan to reach them.

I am looking forward to working with you this year. I would like to keep

the lines of communication open in order to best benefit your child. I always

welcome your input and support. You can reach me by phone (937-4017), e-mail

(boppl@crystal.k12.mo.us), or by sending a note in your child’s planner or red folder.

I also send out homework and event reminders through Remind. Just text

@mrsbopp

to (636) 481-471 and you will be signed up to receive class reminders.

Please take a few minutes to read through the following classroom

information and policies.

Thanks,

Mrs. Bopp

3

Meet the Teacher

My name is Laura Bopp. This is the beginning of my

twelfth year of teaching. I taught sixth grade for two years and have

been teaching fourth grade since 2005. I taught one year of fourth

grade in Farmington School District and the rest has been right here

at Crystal City Elementary.

I attended Central Methodist University and graduated in

2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I earned my

Masters Degree in Education in 2010. I am continually reading

professional articles and books, as well as researching strategies to

improve my teaching and help my students be more successful.

Teaching is not just a career for me, it is my passion.

4

Class Schedule

School begins: The first bell rings at 7:30, the tardy bell rings at 7:40

School dismisses: 2:40 p.m. (12:30 p.m. for early release days)

Lunch: 12:06-12:28

Recess: 9:25-9:55

Monday: Art 1:50-2:40

Tuesday: Library 1:50-2:40

Wednesday: P.E. 10:20-11:10

Thursday: Music 1:50-2:40

Friday: Computers 1:50-2:40

5

Focus Skills/Information

Communication Arts

* Apply skills and strategies to increase reading comprehension and thinking

about reading on a deeper level

* Use text details from a variety of genres to explain thinking

* Fine tune grammar skills in order to become better writers

* Write for a variety of purposes and audiences

Spelling

* Students will have individualized spelling lists based on their knowledge of

high frequency and grade level words.

* Each student will bring home a list of fifteen words in their planners on

Monday.

* Spelling tests will be given on Fridays. Spelling tests will include the fifteen

words they have studied and five that follow the spelling pattern, but were not

studied. This is to assess their ability to apply their learning of the spelling

pattern.

Book Reports

* We will be implementing Accelerated Reader this year.

* Students will have quarterly AR goals to meet. These goals will be

individualized based upon their reading level and fluency rate.

* Students who meet individual Accelerated Reader goals each quarter will

receive their Reading Dog Tag and be invited to participate in a reward

party.

* The Reading Circle Certificate will be awarded to students completing at

least 12 fiction and 6 nonfiction AR quizzes.

6

Focus Skills/Information

Math - We will be using Saxon Math this year. Students will have homework

Monday-Thursday.

Some of our key skills for this year:

* Apply problem solving strategies to a variety of mathematical situations

* Recognize and demonstrate equivalent number representations (Ex: 438 =

four hundred thirty-eight = 4 hundreds 3 tens 8 ones = 400 + 30 + 9 _= 500-

62 = 146 x 3, etc)

* Demonstrate fluency with the relationships between multiplication and

division facts up to 12 x 12

* Multiply up to 4-digit by 1-digit and 2-digit by 2-digit numbers

* Divide up to 4-digit by 1-digit

* Fractions: equivalent representations, add and subtract, multiply by whole

numbers, and relate to decimals

* Classify triangles, quadrilaterals, angles, and lines

* Measure and draw angles

* Find and draw lines of symmetry

* Perimeter and area

* * * * Upon mastery of fourth grade objectives, students will have the

opportunity to practice and learn content above fourth grade level

7

Science/Social Studies

Science

* Rocks and soil * Mixtures and solutions

* Force and motion * Electricity

* Food chains * Plant and animal adaptations

Social Studies

* Map skills * Physical regions of Missouri

* Missouri History (main focus) * US and MO Government (basic)

* Economics (basic)

8

On the Web

Class Website

You can find the class handbook, the Saxon Math textbook and links to online

games and activities that support the fourth grade curriculum. You can find it

on the elementary tab of our school website, www.crystal.k12.mo.us or at

www.ccbopp.wikispaces.com

Study Island

Study Island is a school-subscribed web based program that is directly tied to

grade level objectives. I strongly recommend students practice 4th grade

learning objectives using Study Island at home, if you have access to a

computer and internet. Students will get some opportunities to practice at

school. However, an additional quiz or two a night will only take a few minutes,

but can make a huge impact on student knowledge of fourth grade content. In

addition, Study Island can be used for extending student knowledge by

practicing above grade level material once they reach mastery of fourth grade

content. Tests can also be taken in a game mode at home. Study Island is

accessible at www.studyisland.com or from the link on our class webpage at

www.ccbopp.wikispaces.com.

9

Classroom Policy Form

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On the following pages are the policies and procedures used for

communication, discipline, homework, and other activities that will occur in

the classroom. As you read about each policy, please check the boxes below

so that we know you have been informed about our classroom procedures

and return it to school.

Also, we have enclosed a “Student Information” sheet that will

need to be filled out and returned. This sheet will give your child’s teacher

quick, important information of guardians, phone numbers, and how your

child gets home from school. We want the safest environment possible for

our children, so we appreciate your time in filling this out.

Thank you,

Mrs. Bopp

I have read and discussed the following classroom policies with my child.

Classroom Policies/Information

Discipline Policy

Homework Policy

Bus Rules

Playground Rules

Cafeteria Rules

Student Signature_________________________________

Parent Signature___________________________________10

Discipline PolicyClassroom Expectations (Whole Brain Teaching)

1. Follow directions quickly.

2. Raise hand for permission to speak.

3. Raise hand for permission to leave your seat.

4. Make smart choices.

5. Keep your dear teacher happy.

Reinforcements

1. LEARNING

2. Positive praise and encouragement

3. Hornet Bucks and DoJo points

Consequences

!st- Warning is given to student

2nd- Student loses 10 minutes of recess

3rd- Student loses all recess and completes a reflection sheet

4th- Depending on the situation, any combination of the following consequences will follow:

* **Loss of recess or recesses

* Sent to a buddy teacher for a time-out

* Parents contacted

* Think Sheet sent home to be signed

* Office Referral

Severe disruption: Student sent to office immediately.

11

Incentives

Dog Tags

Students will have the opportunity to earn Dog Tags each quarter in 5 areas:

Zero Late Assignments, Zero Behavior Infractions, Perfect Attendance, Honor

Roll, and Reading (meeting individual AR goals). Students receiving all 5 dog

tags in one quarter will receive a special, metal Principal’s Award dog tag. All

students receiving the Principal’s Award dog tag will go on a special field trip

with Mrs. Roper at the end of the year. Some of their past field trips have

included skating, bowling, the Bonne Terre Family Fun Center and Incredible

Pizza. Additionally, students receiving the Principal’s Award all four quarters

will receive an extra special reward.

Classroom Incentives

I will be giving out Hornet Bucks and Class DoJo points to students for various

actions throughout the school day. Students can earn them for good behavior,

participation, academic progress and/or achievements etc. The Hornet Bucks

earned can be exchanged for special privileges and/or rewards in the

classroom.

Hornet Buck

Hornet Buck

12

Homework Policy

Homework Expectations

* Students are expected to produce quality work for every assignment, no exceptions. This means students will need to redo/revise any work that does not meet this requirement.

* All assignments will be started in class and students will have some class time to work on them.

* Any assignments not completed in class are to be completed at home and returned to school the following day.

* Students should set aside time daily for independent reading, studying spelling words and math facts. These do not have to take a long time. Just 10 to 15 minutes a day can significantly improve your child’s academic performance.

* Students who are absent are responsible for asking about and making up any assignments missed

Consequences for Late/Missing Assignments

All homework is due at the beginning of each day, Otherwise it is considered late.

** Students will be held in at recess to complete late/missing work.

*** Frequent late work will result in parent conference/contact.

If your child is doing more than an hour of homework each night, PLEASE contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss the concerns and propose some solutions.

13

CommunicationNewsletters

Newsletters will be sent home each Friday.

Class Dojo

I will be using Class Dojo this year. It is an online

behavior management software. Parents and

Students will be able to create an account to see

how the student is doing in class in regards to behavior and late work. Weekly

reports will also be automatically sent to your email to help keep you updated.

Remind

Remind is a one-way text messaging and email system that will help me keep

you up to date with class information such as homework and tests, as well as

other class/school reminders. To receive messages via text, text @mrsbopp to

(636) 481-4711. You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying,

“unsubscribe@mrsbopp.”

Hornet Folders (Red - school issued)

This folder will go home every day and should be returned to school each

morning. Students will put any unfinished work, graded papers, and newsletters

in this folder. Please use the folder if you need to send any letters or lunch

money to school with your child.

Planners (school issued)

Assignments are written on the board daily. Students will write down all

assignments/topics covered for the day and highlight homework. Please

check your child’s planner and Hornet folder each night.

14

Birthdays

We are always happy to help celebrate your child’s special day! You may send

store purchased, pre-packaged treats to school for your child’s birthday if you

wish. We will have the treats at 2:10 on that day. However, I would like to

have at least one day in advance to adjust my plans.

Box Tops

We will be collecting box tops this year. Please tear these off and send them

to school if you buy the products that carry them. Please put them in an

envelope with your child’s name. Individual students, as well as individual

classes will receive prizes for the most collected.

15

Playground Rules

1.Walk to the playground on the sidewalk holding balls, jump ropes, etc.

2.Tornado Slide- One at a time on the ladder. First in line waits at the

bottom of the ladder until the child on the slide comes down. The poles are

not for climbing.

3.Red Climbing Equipment- Climb up the ladders to go on the monkey bars

or taller bars. Slide straight down the poles. No jumping off the bars. No

sitting on top of the monkey bars. No flipping on the bars.

4.Snake- You can sit or stand on the snake. No flipping on the snake. No

jumping off the snake.

5.Gray Equipment- Climb up the ladders to get to the slides. Slide down the

slides on your bottom. No climbing the spiral slide. No jumping off the

equipment or climbing on top of the tunnel.

6.Wall- You can sit on the wall with your feet inside the playground. No

walking or running on the wall. If a ball goes over the wall, notify a teacher.

Stay on the playground.

7.Balance Beam- Walk on the beam.

8.Air Conditioning Units- stay away

9.Steps and ramp by library- This is the way to get in and out of the building.

No playing or hiding in this area.

16

Cafeteria RulesRemember to have good manners and Behavior when in the cafeteria. This should be a pleasant time for everyone!!

1.No food is to be eaten anywhere except in the cafeteria or under the supervision of a teacher.

2.Students who bring lunches will enter the cafeteria and be seated as instructed by the supervising teacher.

3.Students are never to take food or drink from other students.

4.All students must take a tray if they do not bring a lunch from home.

5.No food or drink is to be taken from the cafeteria by any student.

17

Bus Rules

1.The bus driver may assign seats

2.Be courteous

3.No profanity

4.Do not eat or drink on the bus

5.Violence is prohibited

6.Remain seated

7.No smoking

8.Keep your hands and feet inside the bus

9.Do not destroy property

10.For your own safety, do not distract the driver through misbehavior

18