Parent Handbook
Posted by polstona | 6 Sep, 2007Fourth Grade Parent Handbook
Home Folder
A Home Folder will be sent home with your child each day and should contain notes, homework, and corrected work. Please keep corrected papers at home, but send back homework (in the home folder) and the planner daily. As an additional communication resource, we will have our individual Blog sites available by the end of next week. We are requesting that all homework be completed and returned the following day, unless indicated otherwise. When homework is forgotten, students will be allowed three one-day grace periods. However, if work is not returned on the second day, students will be required to complete the work during recess periods.
Student Planner
Students complete an assignment page each day. Unfinished work or homework should be listed on the assignment page. If you would, please initial the assignment page each evening as a way for us to know that you have seen it. (Planners have been delivered, but we will not actually begin to use them until next Monday.) We are requesting a $2.00 donation to help cover the cost.
Reading
We use the Houghton Mifflin anthology (divided into six main “themes”) throughout the school year. Several classroom novels will also be read. Each month students will be given an independent reading assignments.There will be more information to follow concerning the specifics. As well, monthly book orders will be available. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Books. The books are usually delivered within two weeks. If you would like the books as a gift, please feel free to notify us. We are all about surprises!
Accelerated Reader
Students are expected to read and acquire at least 10 Accelerated Reader points each marking period (about 5 per month). This will be one part of your child’s overall reading grade each marking period. A computer generated report will be attached to the report card each marking period. The majority of the books in our library are AR books, but students may also receive credit for books without AR labels. Students will be required to com-plete a short writing assignment to receive AR points for those books without labels.
Writing
Most of the students’ writing will be collected in a portfolio and kept at school to be shared with you during conferences. Though the majority of the students’ writing assignments will be completed during the day, some pieces might need to be polished or completed at home. We will be using various approaches in teaching writing this year, with our primary focus on the Six Traits writing program.
Discipline
On the first day of school, we discussed rules and procedures and wrote classroom constitutions in each of our classrooms. Whenever possible, we like to emphasize the positives of getting along and producing quality work. Students who struggle with the classroom constitutions (of which were both written and signed by students) need to meet with us during recess to discuss ways in which given behaviors could improve and change. Students lose 15 minutes of recess for a second infraction. A rule broken for the third time will result in missing all recess privileges for the day and a note sent home to be signed by the parent(s).
Math
As most of you are aware, Rosy Mound School uses a math program published by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project called “Everyday Mathematics”. It recognizes and builds on students’ capabilities by expanding the range of experiences and ideas pertaining to mathematics. Due to time constraints, it is not always possible for us to review/correct math boxes in class; your child would greatly benefit if you could do so at home. Student Reference Books will be sent home with your child to help guide you through various algorithms and vocabulary. Typical-ly, we review journal pages in class, but any time that you review at home is sure to be beneficial as well. Please keep encouraging your child to memorize the multiplication facts. It will truly save on the amount of time spent on homework if they do so.
Science
In fourth grade we start the year learning about the “Sun, Moon and Earth”. Other units of study this year will be “Properties of Matter”, “Motion”, and a Physical Science unit called “Magnetism & Electricity”. Mrs. Polston will be teaching the various units listed to all of the fourth graders.
Social Studies
Michigan History will be emphasized, using various ap-proaches and skills during each unit (‘topic work”, outlining, SQ3R, Anticipation Guides, etc.) Field trips are being planned to coordinate with our study of Michigan lumbering and Michigan government. Mrs. Lampen will be teaching all of the Social Studies lessons.
Spelling
Words Their Way is a new program we will be using throughout the Grand Haven Area Public School system this year. We plan to begin using it here at Rosy during the last week of September. Word lists will be sent home with additional information at that time. Student of the WeekStarting next week, we will be selecting a child each week to complete an “All About Me” poster and (if they choose to do so) share a favorite healthy snack with the class. We use this opportunity to learn more about each other and to practice listening and speaking skills. You might want to encourage your child to practice their sharing prior to Friday to help ease any nerves they may have about speak-ing in front of their peers. The “All About Me Poster” will be sent home on Friday and will be presented by the student on the following Friday. The posters will be displayed in our classrooms for the entire school year.
Miscellaneous
Morning breaks will be taken (on most days) at around 10:30. Children may choose to have a snack at that time if they so desire. Please encourage your child to also have a water bottle handy each day. Our lunch time is from 12:35-1:15. CommunicationIt is very important to us that we keep the lines of communication open. If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. The best way to get in touch with us would be to call after school or send an e-mail. Mrs. Polston can be reached at 850-6759 or postona@ghaps.org. Mrs. Lehnert can be reached at 850-6758 or lehnerta@ghaps.org. Mrs.Lampen 850-6760 or lampenk@ghaps.org. We will be sending a monthly newsletter to keep you informed and up-to-date with what is going on in the classrooms. Meanwhile, it will be helpful to you to check the Blog sites and planners for daily or weekly updates.
Birthdays
If your child would like to celebrate a birthday, you can choose to send in a treat or donate a book to our classroom library. For our part, we promise to give a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday!