Welcome to Meet the Teacher

Night!

Grade 4

Fourth Grade Teachers•Mr. Fink

•Mrs. Davis•Mrs. Getz

•Mrs. McKnight•Mrs. Toto

Together, as a class, we have discussed a Classroom Discipline Plan that we have all agreed to follow. The rules are posted on the wall. We want a safe, positive environment in which we will all look forward to coming to each day. Our class is a place where students can learn and grow.

A Cooperative Classroom

Monthly Reward Movies We have a reward system in place for those

who consistently follow the rules and complete all work. A reward movie will be shown at the end of each month.

Students are given five chances per month. If a student breaks the rules or does not complete homework, he/she will earn a strike against an end of the month reward movie. Movie privileges will be lost after 5 strikes are earned.

In addition we will have a discipline notebook in the classroom to hold students accountable for their own behavior.

Consequences for Breaking the Rules

• Unfortunately, if a student breaks the rules or fails to complete assignments, the following consequences may be implemented:

• 1. Incident recorded in discipline log.

2. Loss of some recess / loss of privilege

3. Note in agenda / phone call home

4. Discipline referral

• Students are required to record assignments in agenda book and have it signed each night.

• Nightly homework will include:– Math Study Link (SRB page)

and fact sheet– Studying Spelling words – Guided Reading Homework (excluding weekends)– Fluency Passages/PSSA Word Drills– * Homework may be given in other subjects occasionally

• Projects and Tests will be given advance notice. • Students need the necessary materials at home and a quiet

environment to complete assignments.• Students will receive consequences for incomplete homework

HOMEWORK POLICY

Home-School ConnectionTOGETHER, WE ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS!

• Notes in agenda• Monthly School Newsletter• E-mails(You may give us your email.• Report Cards• Progress Reports (as needed)• Friday Folders• Phone Calls home to parents • Discipline Referrals• Parent Connect

Friday FoldersEach Friday, your child will bring a folder home

with any graded work from the week. Please take the time to look through your child’s work. Sign your name on the appropriate date and return the folder on Monday. You may keep your child’s work. If you have questions or concerns about any of your child’s work, please contact us. At the end of each month, a comment card will be included about your child’s progress.

Students will meet the PA Academic Standards through basal stories(Harcourt Series), novels, and guided reading, and independent reading. We will also read selections and do activities from other texts, such as poetry books. In addition, students will enjoy self-selected reading through books from our library. They will be responsible for an Independent Reading Folder. READING with your child at home is essential for success. Please be sure to read with your child EVERY NIGHT.

READ, READ, READ!

Fourth Grade CurriculumReading

Each night your child will bring home a guided reading folder which will include the assignment and signature sheet. They may have a guided reading assignment and/or a fluency assignment. Please listen to your child read his assignment and sign the signature sheet. Ask your child questions as he/she reads.

Please be aware that Guided reading signature sheets need to be signed. This is the only way to verify that the students completed their assignment. If the signature sheet is not signed, then the student will receive a strike for the monthly reward movie.

In addition, in your child’s folder there may also be fluency or word drills. Please have your child read the passages or lists to you on a daily basis.

Fourth Grade CurriculumGuided Reading

Independent Reading• Students will be given a reading log to record daily and

weekly goals. • Students will be given time in class to complete the assigned

pages.• Any pages not read in class will need to be done at home. • All pages for the weekly goal will need to be read prior to

our Friday group discussions. • Students will be held accountable for this reading by

receiving consequences for not reading. They will also be given an exit slip when the book is completed that will be used as a reading grade.

To meet the needs of students, we also have established Centers that students will be required to complete. These Centers are leveled so that students can work independently. The various centers may include:a) Word Workb) Science/Social Studiesc) Writingd) Discoverye) Listeningf) Literature Response. Students will be required to complete each center and all work

will be graded. During center time, we will then be able to pull small groups of students to work on fluency, guided reading, or any other skill that students need to work on.

Centers

Writing

We will be working on improving

our writing in the five domains:

Focus, Content, Organization, Style, and Conventions while working on becoming proficient in writing a five paragraph essay. We will focus on informational, persuasive, and narrative essays. In addition, we will be integrating grammar skills into the writing curriculum.

All writing projects will be kept in a portfolio in the classroom. This portfolio will be available for you to see during conferences.

Cursive writing will also be part of our writing curriculum.

Math ClassWe are continuing to use a series called Everyday Math.

The children will have the opportunity to experience math concepts in various ways. Games offer a great reinforcement of concepts. After every lesson, there is a homework practice sheet and a fact sheet. The homework is to be done independently. The children may use their Student Reference Book for help with homework. A family letter is sent home at the beginning of each unit to inform parents of the concepts that will be learned throughout the unit. On each homework assignment you can locate the page number of the SRB if you need to refer back to the day’s lesson.

Spellography

What is Spellography? Spellography is an expertly

designed spelling and word-study program . It was designed to improve not only your students’ spelling but also their word attack, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension at the word level.

SpellographyEach day we will practice with:• phonemic awareness activities• word sorting• exercises on word usage• syllable structure• alphabetical order• timed reading exercises for reading fluency• dictation sentences

SpellographyIn each lesson you will find 24 words. Your child may

have a reduced list due to differentiation.

Your child will also be tested on 2 dictation sentences which are included on the lists.

Your child may have a reduced list one week, but not another. Don’t be alarmed because all of the words follow the same spelling concept being taught in the lesson .

Spelling tests will be announced on the agenda. Tests may be given any day of the week, NOT just on Fridays.

Science/Social StudiesScience: The children will learn how to conduct Scientific Investigations and how to become ‘student scientists.’ Students participate in hands-on activities in class. We will continue exploring with a unit on WATER, METEOROLOGY, MOON PHASES, EXPLORING LIVING THINGS, HUMAN BODY, and ELECTRICITY!

Social Studies: We will be covering economics and history standards, and a Pennsylvania Unit. Concepts are integrated into Reading using leveled text.

SPECIAL SUBJECTS• Physical Education (2)•Music•Instrumental Music•Library•Art•Computer(Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Powerpoint)

RecessPlease make sure your child has

the appropriate clothing for outside recess (sneakers, gloves, hats, coats). Proper attire is strongly encouraged! Please read the parent handbook concerning dress code.

Parent ConferencesNovember 8-11

As much as we would like to talk with each of you personally this evening about your child, time does not allow that. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child’s progress at conferences. Please contact us for individual comments or concerns.

Book Orders• Will be sent home periodically• Encourage children to want to read independently.• Provide students the opportunity to own self-

selected materials from a variety of genres.• Make a great reward for students.• Help the class earn points towards the purchase of

more books for our classroom library.• Please make checks payable to: Scholastic, NO

CASH

Questions or Concerns ?? Positive Comments ??

If at any time you have any questions, concerns, or other comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. We want to hear from you!

It is easiest to reach us by e-mail. You can link to our e-mail from the TASD website. You can also call us. During the day, our extensions automatically go to voice mail unless it is before or after school. You’re welcome to leave a message and we will address it as soon as possible.