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7:35:
Fourth grade students are sent to the classroom.
7:40:
Students enter the classroom and our school day begins.
Please be punctual! We
begin morning assignments at the bell and tardiness will cut into the time
students have to complete these assignments. It is also a disruption to the
rest of the class.
Excessive tardiness will
result in a parent conference with the principal.
Absence:
It is the responsibility of the student to request and complete all
missed assignments on the first day back to class. Students will get two
days to make up work for every day they miss.
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On the supply list, you are required to bring a communication folder that
will be the homework folder. This must be purchased from the Fulbright
Supply Cart prior to the first day of school.
-The homework folder will contain notes,
important information, homework, behavior reports, and graded papers.
-Each night, please check the folder and
remind the student to complete all homework.
-Students turn in their homework folder
each morning. I check them, remove all notes and homework, put in new
homework, and return it to the student.
-Please include any personal notes to me in
the homework folder. If you are sending money, please put it in a
labeled
envelope or baggie.
-Each Monday, students will receive their
stapled graded papers from the week before in their homework folders.
Look for these graded
papers EVERY MONDAY to keep up with the student’s progress. If the student
is absent on Monday or if there is no school that day, graded papers will be
sent home the first day back of that week. If the student made below a C on
a test you will need to sign and return it. Students will receive behavior
documents if a signed paper isn't returned in a timely manner.
-The front pocket of the folder will contain the weekly newsletter. It will
be updated every Monday. For more information about the newsletter, click
here.
-The back pocket of the homework folder will contain the weekly behavior and
homework report. Check this nightly to see the student's homework assignment
and behavior for the day. At the end of the week, you will sign this report
and return it the following Monday. When students do not return the signed
report, they must pull a card. For more information about the discipline
plan, click here.
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Classroom Newsletter
Our class will have a weekly
newsletter that will be sent home on Mondays with
information about that week. The newsletter will contain vital information
about:
-upcoming events
-what we’re studying
-projects
-tests that week
-academic objectives
The Newsletter is kept in the
front pocket
of the homework folder to reference throughout the week. I will remove and
recycle it each week.
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Assignment
Notebook/Agenda
Fulbright requires that each student in
grades 4-5 purchase and use an assignment notebook/agenda sold in the school
store. The students will be given adequate time each day to write
assignments in this book. Check the assignment notebook frequently to keep
up with the student’s assignments.
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PTA
The PTA makes many of our programs
possible. We would not be the school we are without the support of our
wonderful parents! Please take time to join the PTA. Our classroom goal is
100% membership in our PTA. Don’t forget - friends and relatives can join,
too! PTA information will be distributed at the beginning of the year.
You can visit the Fulbright PTA page by clicking
here.
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Homework
Policy
LRSD policy states that fourth grade
students should have nightly homework. Homework will be assigned every
night except Friday and will not exceed one hour. Homework is to be
completed and returned to school the very next day. Remember, homework is an
extension or enrichment of daily learning activities.
Homework is graded together or by me.
Students receive participation points for completed homework. If homework is
not returned, students will make up the assignment during their recess time
for deducted points. If homework is missed due to an unexpected event, a
parent can write me an email or note for the assignment to be excused.
In addition to assigned homework, if a
student does not finish their work during the day, it must be taken home,
completed, and returned the following day. Students will have an adequate
amount of time during the day to complete work if time is used wisely.
You can see what homework is assigned each week by clicking
the homework link on my Home Page or by checking the
homework report in the back pocket of the homework folder.
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Visitors
All visitors will need to report to the
office before coming to the classroom. Visitors will be given a visitor tag
to wear for the safety and security of all children in the building.
Visitors will not be allowed in the classroom without a visitor tag obtained
from the office. Again, this is for the student’s safety.
If you need to speak with me, please refer to the section on
conferences.
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Edline
www.Edline.net
Edline is an online service that Fulbright
utilizes for recording grades and attendance. It is aimed at improving
communication between parents, students, and teachers.
-Each morning I upload a list of absences
and tardies that is also sent to the office.
-Each week, I upload the student’s grades
in all subjects to Edline.
-Use the same login information from last
year to access Edline.
If you are unfamiliar
with Edline, I will be happy to provide you with more information.
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Conferences
LRSD has two scheduled conferences per
year.
This year they are:
*Friday, October 14, 2011
*Friday, February 10, 2012
I will send a note and email home to schedule your time prior to the
conference day. If at any time you would like to have an additional
conference, please call or e-mail me to schedule a time.
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Snack Policy
Because lunch isn’t until 12pm, students
are permitted to bring a quick, healthy snack.
-Snack time is approximately 10am every
morning
-Only healthy snacks will be allowed
-No drinks
-Snacks cannot be shared
-It is wise to send something quick and easy to eat. We often have snack time
while we work.
-Sending snacks like pudding and yogurt are okay, but don't forget a spoon.
-Cookies, chips, candy, etc. will absolutely NOT be allowed.
-Snacks are kept in the child's desk each day. Therefore, please do not send
something that takes up a large amount of room.
Some easy ideas are:
-100 calorie packs
-sliced fruit or vegetables
-pretzels
-crackers
-animal crackers
-fruit chews
-GoGurt®
-string cheese
-granola bars
-trail mix
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Book Orders
Periodically, I will send home Scholastic Book Clubs order catalogs with
your child. This is an excellent way to build an inexpensive, at-home
library. It’s also a great gift idea! Additionally, the classroom earns
points for each book ordered! This is how I build our classroom library as
well as book sets that we use throughout the year. Look for the first book
order to come home soon!
You can order anytime online by visiting
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
and log in using your user name and password.
If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class
Activation Code (GK22Y) to get started.
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Cursive Policy
Cursive handwriting review will begin at the beginning of the school year. All
students will be expected to complete and turn in spelling and writing
assignments in cursive. NEAT print is acceptable in all other cases. Cursive
handwriting was a skill taught in third grade. In fourth grade, the focus is on
legibility.
Many stores offer cursive handwriting practice
books. Try Mardel, Knowledge Tree, Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar Tree or K-Mart.
You can print cursive writing sheets
here.
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Accelerated Reader
AR is a reading
program at Fulbright. It encourages students to read books and then take a
test on the book to earn points. When students quiz over the books, its a
strong indication of their reading comprehension ability.
AR is strongly encouraged in my classroom.
Here is how it works:
1. Students take a simple vocabulary quiz to determine their reading level.
2. Students choose books based on that reading level.
3. Students log on to the AR Website (Renaissance Place) and search for
their book.
4. Students take a quick quiz usually containing 5 or 10 questions about
what happened in the book.
5. Each book is worth points. By answering 60% or more of the questions
correctly, the student will receive points based on the length of the book
and its reading level. The better a student performs on an AR test, the more
points they'll receive. For example, a short picture book might only have 5
questions and be worth half a point. But many chapter books will have 10 or
more questions and could be worth 1 or more points.
6. At the beginning of each quarter, I look at their reading level and
conference often with them to determine a goal of how many points they'd
like to receive that quarter. A child's goal does not reflect their reading
level but rather reflects their reading interest. Every
child will get a goal of at least 10 points. That's earning roughly a point
a week. Goals can be adjusted throughout the quarter as necessary.
7. As students take AR tests, Renaissance Place begins to keep an average
score for them. Every student's goal is for their average score to be 85% or
higher. That's like having a B+.
8. Sometimes I take grades on AR tests. But overall the program is not
recorded in my grade book.
9. At the end of the nine weeks, if a child has kept an 85% average or
higher and has met the point goal I gave them, they go to the AR Store. Our
PTA generously donates high demand products and runs the store for us.
Students will treat the points they've earned as cash They will be able to
"spend" their AR points on various items at the store. If a child doesn't
meet their average or point goal, they won't be shopping. =(
10. Students can check their progress at school by logging into Renaissance
Place or at home by logging into Renaissance Place Home Connect. I also keep
a bulletin board posted in my classroom that will track their progress. Each
student receives an O.S.C.A.R. (Our Students Care About Reading) They will
move their O.S.C.A.R. as they travel towards their goal. Check out the
bulletin board below:
11. You will find
all of the AR tests listed by title, author, and book level at
www.ARBookFind.com.
What a program, huh? But we don't read just for AR in my class. We read for
many purposes. So what does free choice reading look like in my classroom?
Each student has a book bin where they will keep up to three books.
Anytime a student finishes work early or during Individualized Daily Reading
(IDR) time during the day, students get their book and go to their book nook to read for an uninterrupted period of time.
Book Nooks are places around the room where students can curl up and read. I
have a book nook for every student and we rotate the book nooks weekly.
I hope this gave you a clear idea of this program. Encourage your child to
participate and READ!
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Academic Improvement
Plan
Early in the year, I
will begin looking at test data from last year’s Benchmark exam. If the
student scored below proficient, it will be necessary to develop an Academic
Improvement Plan (AIP) that will include biweekly tutoring during the day.
Please be sure to attend any conferences related to the AIP. We must have at
least two throughout the year, and failure to participate may result in
retention of the student.
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SOAR Tests (Student Online Achievement Report)
SOAR is a
computerized assessment program that will be utilized throughout the year.
Students will take benchmark tests sent from LRSD each month (known as the
SOAR test). We will utilize this testing information to track the student’s
progress and to help guide remediation and instruction. We have found this
information invaluable as well as a direct influence on student achievement.
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Scholastic News
I believe it’s important for
students to keep in touch with national and world news. However, adult
newspapers are difficult for students to read, and they often contain material
that is inappropriate for children. That’s why I’m excited to be using
Scholastic News. This is a leading educational news magazine for kids
discussing current events, book reviews, sports, games, quizzes, television,
movies, music, etc. We will read and discuss the magazine throughout the week
and grades will be taken for participation and comprehension. This is a fun
activity that the kids really enjoy. Because this magazine is a part of the
classroom supply list, it is necessary for you to purchase a subscription for
the student. The cost will be $5 per child. Please send cash or check as
soon as possible. Students will bring home their magazine each week so take a
look at it with them!
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/scholasticnews/index.html
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Projects
In the fourth grade,
a heavy emphasis is placed on students working independently. We understand
that the nature of our curriculum can be monotonous at times. Because of
this, we incorporate projects into our class studies. Depending on the
assignment, projects are to be completed at school or at home.
If a project is to be
completed at school, all resources and materials will be provided. Students
will be given the option to work on their project at home or bring supplies
from home, but it will never be required. Parents’ help in the classroom is
always encouraged during these times.
Projects to be
completed at home assess the child’s ability to work independently and
responsibly, as well as knowledge of the content. You will receive the
assignment sheet within 2-3 weeks of the due date. Parents are allowed to
assist their child, but we strongly recommend that the child complete the
project on their own. Some assistance may be required if use of the Internet
is needed. If a student does not have access to resources to complete the
project, the parent or guardian MUST contact the teacher immediately through
a note, phone call, or email, and arrangements can be made.
Projects must
be turned in on the due date. No unexcused late projects will be accepted.
Depending on the particular circumstances, I reserve the right, in my sole
discretion, to accept a student’s late project the day after the due date
for half credit. Projects range in point values of 100-500 points. In some
cases, this could be ¼
of your child’s grade in a subject area. See my webpage link:
Projects for examples and explanations of
projects as they are assigned. Creativity is highly valued in projects and
in some cases earns a student bonus points.
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Child Nutrition
- Lunch and Breakfast in the Cafeteria
Cost of Meals
Breakfast
Students (Elementary & Secondary) $1.25
Reduced-Price $.30
Adults $1.75
Lunch
Elementary Students $2.25
Secondary Students $2.50 (who have a choice of menu items)
Reduced-Price $.40
Adults $3.00
This month's breakfast and lunch menu.
To put money in your child's lunch account, click
here.
The information above is from the
LRSD Child
Nutrition homepage.
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