Community



The A B C ’s of Fourth Grade

media type="custom" key="3259530" Printer Friendly Version Welcome to our class. Fourth grade is an exciting and challenging year. The children will be expanding on all that they have learned in school thus far and applying these skills to gain new knowledge and develop more complex ideas.. Below, you will find some important information about what to expect in Grade Four. **// TEAM //**** -//T// ** ogether **//E//**veryone **//A//**chieves **//M//**ore
 * __Absences/Tardy __**__: __ If a student misses a day of school, please send in a note the following day. School begins at 9:00, don’t be late! If you are absent please call the office at 508-580-7235.
 * __ Assessment Packet: __** All assessments will be returned on Wednesdays. They will be sent home in a folder named “Progress Packet.” Assessments will include tests, quizzes, and in class writing assignments. This packet is a form of communication. Please sign the top sheet and return to school the following day. In addition, parents/guardians are encouraged to write notes to the teacher on this sheet. This is a great way to keep the lines of communication open between school and home.
 * __Bathrooms: __** Because fourth grade is such a critical year with so much to learn, it is necessary that learning time be maximized in all possible ways. Therefore, they should be utilized only when necessary. Students are allowed to use the bathroom during transitions (between lessons and instruction), and while at specialists, recess, and lunch. If an emergency should arise, students are given an emergency bathroom card to be used when Miss O’Brien is in the middle of teaching a lesson or during workshop time.
 * __Community: __** The classroom is built and run like a community. Students are given jobs for which they apply. They are involved in the development of the “Classroom Code of Conduct.” Students are treated like citizens of this community and are expected to behave in the same manner as they do in society. As the year develops, students will take on more responsibilities that prepare them to become independent learners and develop skills that they will be able to use in “real life” situations.
 * __Conferences: __** Conferences are held twice a year: Fall Conferences are November 20-21, 2008 and again in the Spring, April 16-17,2009. The conference time is meant to be a three-way conference between parents, teacher, and child. Parents will receive information about baseline testing data, learn about academic and social progress, and discuss questions and concerns. I do have an open door policy and will be willing to schedule other meetings throughout the year to discuss your child’s progress. I do ask that you make an appointment, as the school day is very structured and before and after school is best for parent meetings.
 * __Discipline/ Behavior Management __**** : ** Children need boundaries and structure in their everyday life. Students need to understand that the choices they make have consequences, both good and bad. My goal for every child is for them to feel safe and secure in our school community. Thus, certain behaviors will not be tolerated. Our classroom community is monitored using the “Behavior on Target” system and holds students accountable for the choices that they make. Everybody always begins their day on the “bull’s-eye” regardless of the prior day’s events. In room 103, students are given three colors to identify their behavior.
 * ** Red ** = Good behavior/ Making Good Choices!
 * ** Yellow ** = Student has been warned about their behavior and reflects during recess or homework through completing a Responsibility Journal.
 * ** Blue= ** Student receives the above consequence, after-school detention, and a parent/guardian is notified.
 * __ Dismissal- __** Please let me know how your child is getting home. It is important for me to know if your child will ride the bus or if they are being picked up by you. I must hear directly from you about any changes in their pick-up. Please send in a note or call the school//. **PLEASE DO NOT HAVE YOUR CHILD RELAY THE INFORMATION!**//
 * __Extra Credit __**: Extra Credit is offered through the **//Wise Owl Challenge//** activities. Wise Owl Challenge Questions provide students with the opportunity to investigate concepts using classroom resource books and websites. Students may work on their **//Wise Owl Challenge//** when they are finished with their work or during Homework Club. Completed tasks will receive extra credit points and be averaged in to the subject to which the challenge question corresponds.
 * __Extra-Help/Homework Club __** : I hold a Homework Club **Monday**, **Tuesday**, and **Thursdays** **after school** from **3:15pm** - **4:00 pm** for students who would like support on their homework, current learning concepts, or assigned projects. In addition, students may come to school **30 minutes** **before school** for assistance. Students must have a note from home signed by a parent permitting them to attend Homework Club and stating how they will be getting home or whom will be picking them up. Form letters are available for this purpose, as well as a sign-up sheet to ensure availability.
 * __Folders: __** Students were given a purple folder for homework. This should be used to bring papers to and from school. All other folders are color coded by subject to help maintain organization. I have provided all necessary materials to students. Should your child misplace their folder, they will be responsible for replacing it. I urge students to keep all other materials in their backpack, or at home as they tend to be distracting.
 * __High Expectations __**- I have high expectations for my students. We will work hard to create a safe, caring, and respectful classroom community that respects diversity, fosters independence, and encourages a love for learning. It is very important that we all work together to help each child exceed these expectations both at home and in school.
 * __Homework: __** Homework is due the day following each assignment. It is sent home in a purple folder along with notices. If an assignment is not turned in on the due date, it will not be accepted. Homework assignments are usually corrected as a whole class on the due date. A zero will be recorded unless excused from the teacher. As a consequence for a missed assignment, students will be required to complete a Responsibility Journal during recess and complete the assignment for practice. Students will have nightly homework during the week, except for Friday. Some long-term projects may be worked on over the weekend. It is very important to establish routines for completing homework.
 * __ Label __****__ - __** Please label all of your child’s belongings with their first and last name.
 * __Number System: __** Each student is assigned a number and this number coincides with all of their books, coat hook, mailbox, folders etc.
 * __Reading Roadtrip: __** Reading takes you places. This theme is taught to students to help them understand the importance and value of reading. As students complete their weekly reading logs, they will be provided with miles of which they will travel through the United States using a Passport. Students will travel through the United States on a Road Trip, write postcards to share their reading experiences, and receive stamps in their passports. Encourage your child to read, read, read! Any reading you share with them may help them travel through the United States with a few extra miles added on!
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Reward System __****__ : __**  Students are encouraged to do their very best so that they feel successful. Incentives change throughout the year. In September, students earn tickets throughout the week. There is a drawing on each Friday. The winning student picks a prize from the prize box. In November, the Room 103 Community Bank and Trust Mini Economy, will launch and students will earn “community cash” that they will then be able to use to purchase items from the “Community General Store.”
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Snack: __**<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;"> This year we will have a working snack. Lunch does not begin until 12:50 pm. It is important that we fuel our bodies, so we are energized and focused to learn. Please send a healthy snack such as apples or crackers with your child each day. Be mindful of food allergies present in the classroom and please send a peanut-free snack. A list of suggestions will be sent in the upcoming weeks.
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Student of the Week: __** Students are given the opportunity to be a “Citizen of the Week” which runs simultaneously with our idea of running our mini-economy. A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed and a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is appointed. This runs on a schedule which your child will be given in advance, to prepare for and bring in items that they may share with the class to celebrate who they are. Most terms will last two weeks.
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Student of the Month: __** The Huntington School celebrates students who follow their Classroom Code of Conduct and abide by the rules.
 * __ Supplies __****__ : __** The classroom is stocked with all of the necessary supplies. Should we need any additional items to help keep our community running smoothly, a notice will be sent home. Some projects may require additional materials, which will be outlined in the designated assignment. Please encourage students to leave additional materials at home, unless requested. Of course, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, colored pencils, glue sticks, tissues, and antibacterial waterless hand soaps are always welcome.
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Technology __****__ : __** Multi-media is used throughout the year to enhance learning through photographs, videos, overheads, slideshows etc. Students will also be part of multi- media productions. Our classroom is equipped with five student computers and a projector.
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #00b050; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Toys From Home __****__ - __** Please do not allow your child to bring toys or objects from home. We will have special days throughout the school year. NO TOYS /TOY WEAPONS ARE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL OR ON THE BUS! -NO EXCEPTIONS!
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Volunteering __****__ : __** Parents and Family members are always welcome to attend activities and assemblies. Parents or community members who volunteer to assist at school functions, or in the classroom **__must__** complete a CORI form as part of the Brockton Public Schools Policy. During our Friday Community Celebrations, it would be great to have a guest reader join us to share a story with the class. Students would be greatly surprised and excited to see one of their family members in the classroom. Please contact me to arrange a surprise reading!
 * __<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">Water Bottles __****__ : __** Students may bring a water bottle to school. Please have the child’s name written on the bottle. ONLY WATER in the bottle!

Identify good citizens upload slideshare on good citizen words to live by...add this year's words provide overview of how community works

might be better to save some slides as pictures, create a table, and then paste each picture in as a means of providing a clearing explanation