Our Reading will consist of a variety of resources: a basal that consists of classical literature, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, class novels, and flexible reading groups. Depending on your child’s reading capabilities, he/she will have the opportunity to develop his/her reading skills at his/her own rate. In addition, we will continue with the Reading Renaissance program.  Students will continue to set point goals for each nine weeks and read a variety of genres.  I encourage students to read by offering rewards for each “milestone” met during the nine weeks.  Students can receive rewards for weekly progress and reaching specific other goals.  It is very important to make sure to encourage your child to keep on track throughout the nine weeks.  From time to time students may be required to read at home and/or during recess if they are behind on their AR goal.

   Accelerated Reading:

        It is recommended that each child spend one hour daily being read To, reading With, or reading Independently (TWI).  New goals are set each nine weeks.  I conference with students and update AR folders weekly.  Students are informed of their weekly target goal – there should be no surprises.  By being informed of weekly target goals, the students should reach 100% of their AR goal by the end of the nine weeks with 85-92% accuracy.  I ask students to read at home each night for at least 20 minutes.  Rewards are given for reaching 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of their goals.  Students who reach 100% of their AR goal qualify for a special activity at the end of the nine weeks.

        Since Reading Renaissance consumes 40-60 minutes daily, your child’s AR progress will be used as part of his/her Reading grade.  I will take grades at mid-term and at the end of the nine weeks for the percent of goal met and the percent correct on tests. 

        This year we will be using “Mathematics” by Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley. The series provides “hands-on”, real-life applications.  The format will consist of concepts being taught in chapters.  Within each chapter, there will be check points to ensure student understanding.  In addition, reviewing prior concepts are imbedded throughout the text to ensure students are retaining what they have learned.

        The students will “warm up” with daily math practice called – ADD (Arithmetic Done Daily) and math fact timed tests. In addition to using the “Mathematics” series in our classroom, supplemental activities will also be used to teach the concepts and as reinforcement activities. 

         I will give as much time as I can allow for students to work on homework in class.  It is very important that your child have his/her homework completed each day. Your child may bring his/her assignment home to be checked.  I consider this an additional learning opportunity.

         I am a strong believer in learning from our mistakes.  Therefore, if your child receives below an 80% on an assignment in math, your child will be responsible for “redoing” the entire assignment.  This assignment will be due in addition to the current day’s assignment unless otherwise noted in their agenda. I am sending the message that your child should take his/her time and check his/her work in order to avoid doing this. 

         We will continue working on the basic math skills.  I will have a variety of activities to help reinforce these skills.  It is suggested that your child practice his/her basic math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at home as well.  This will ensure that your child will have a strong math fact foundation.

         The 4^th grade students will take the State Math Assessment each year during March and April.

        This year in Spelling, we will use a series called Instructional Level Spelling.  This spelling series will consist of study words appropriate to instructional spelling levels.  The students will participate in meaningful word study activities and develop a spelling consciousness when writing.  We will begin each week with a pretest.  The list will then come home to be studied for the post-test at the end of the week.  During the course of the week, your child will enhance his/her spelling capabilities by working on various spelling activities. 

Writing:

        During the course of the year, your child will become very familiar with the Writing Process.  We will do writing activities and journal writing. Your child will also become very familiar with the Six Trait + 1 Writing Method. This is a method in which his/her writing is scored based on six different traits.

             In addition to our writing, the students will work on the parts of speech, editing, grammar usage, etc. on a daily basis.  Our class will do Daily Language Review (DLR) to work on various concepts.   From time to time, quizzes will be given as well as end of the nine weeks tests.  Other aspects of grammar will be incorporated from other supplemental activities.

        Science will be a research and hands-on experience.  I will try to incorporate activities in which the students will be doing hands-on, discovery learning.  We will be doing several mini-themes in science.  These themes will also be integrated with other subject matter.  At the 4^th grade level, students will take the State Science Assessment on alternating years during March and April.

        Our Social Studies curriculum consists of learning about the various regions in the United States.  We will study each region and do a variety of activities within each.  Students will be responsible for learning the states and capitals in each region. 

Computers:

        Because I am strong believer in the use of a computer, I will incorporate a variety of activities in which your child will use the computer.  Students will also have the opportunity to use the computer during centers.

Computer Lab:

        Our school district has developed a Technology curriculum which will be incorporated this year.  We will have the pleasure of having a technology para to help learn about computers, teach typing, and learn other multi-media programs. Students will spend 2 twenty-five minute periods during Music learning the curriculum. Students will learn typing skills in grades 3-5.  In addition, teachers will be able to use the technology para to help with individual class projects. 

     Welcome to 4^th Grade!  My name is Matisha Stanton.  I’m very excited to meet you and be a part of your child’s 4th grade year!

     This website is to inform you of our classroom information and procedures.  Please note that this is a supplement to the Holcomb Elementary School Student-Parent Handbook.  You might want to keep them both as a reference throughout the year.

     If at any time you have questions, feel free to contact me after school.  Your child’s education is extremely important to me; therefore I have an open door policy to my classroom. 

BEFORE SCHOOL:

      Your child should not arrive prior to 8:00 a.m., unless he/she is eating breakfast

      Breakfast is served from 7:45 a.m.-8:10 a.m.

      If you must drop your child off early, he/she will need to sit in the hallway by the office.

      Students will be release at 8:05 a.m. to their rooms.

      School will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will dismiss at 3:25 p.m.

ATTENDANCE:

   If your child is sick, please notify the office.

   If you are going to be out of town, please notify the office and myself to ensure your child is given any assignments he/she will miss.

CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PLAN:

    My classroom discipline plan will consist of using behavior cards.  Each student will start out the day with all of their cards. 

    If a student breaks a rule or behaves inappropriate, he/she may have to pull a card. 

    For each card pulled, the student will lose 5 minutes of recess for the following day.  After 3 cards are pulled, the student will lose their entire recess.  If the fourth card is pulled, the student will lose their entire recess and have to write a note to home explaining what they did wrong. 

    If the fifth card is pulled, the student loses recess, sent to the office, and he/she will write a note to home explaining the reasons for his/her poor behavior. 

    To promote positive behavior, I award students with rewards.  Every student who at the end of the day has all their cards will receive a sticker.  Once a student earns 15 stickers, he/she may cash it in for a reward.  I have several rewards posted to choose from.  The student then gets a new card to start all over.

    In addition, I will use the Love and Logic philosophy for discipline problems other than the classroom rules developed.  See my Love and Logic Classroom Discipline Plan below. 

    Love and Logic Classroom Discipline Plan:

Love and Logic Classroom Discipline Plan

Mrs. Stanton

Rules in my classroom are few.  I believe that as all children are different, and all actions and reactions very personal in nature, effective discipline involves a few overriding tenets rather than a long list of specific rules.  Situations are dealt with as they arise with the focus on enabling the child to grow and learn from his or her actions.

Guidelines for Student Behavior   

          1.  You may engage in any behavior, which does not create a problem for you or anyone

             else.         

2.  If you find yourself with a problem, you may solve it by any means which does not cause a problem for anyone else in the world.

3.  You may engage in any behavior that does not jeopardize the safety or learning of yourself or others.  Unkind words and actions will not be tolerated.

In ensuring that the above guidelines are adhered to, I will operate with the following principles as my guide:

          1.  I will react without anger or haste to problem situations.

2.  I will provide consequences that are not punitive but that allow the child to experience the results of a poor choice, enabling him or her to make better choice in the future.

3.  I will proceed in all situations with the best interest of the whole child foremost in my mind - academic, social and emotional well being will be fostered.

4.  I will guide students toward personal responsibility and the decision-making skills they will need to function in the real world.

5.  I will arrange consequences for problem situations in such a way that the child will not be humiliated or demeaned.

6.  Equal is not always fair.  Consequences will be designed to fit the problems of individual students, and they may be different even when problems appear to be the same.

7.  I will make every effort that, in each situation, the students involved understand why they are involved in consequences.

8.  If I at any time act or react in a way that a child truly feels is unjust, that student need only say to me, “I’m not sure that’s fair.”  I will arrange a private conference during which the student can express to me why he or she         feels my actions were not fair.  This may or may not change my course of actions.  I am always open to calm, rational discussion of any matter.

   Please note that our classroom discipline is in addition to the school’s discipline policy.

AGENDAS:

 Fourth grade will use agendas this year.  Agendas put a sense of responsibility and organization on each child.  Your child will be responsible for keeping track of his/her daily assignments, tests, and various other activities that go on throughout the year.  The agenda can be used as a line of communication between home and school.  Feel free to write a note to me anytime.

        Because I feel agendas are very important in a child’s life, each child will need to have his/her agenda signed each day by an adult (unless otherwise stated).  I will require an adult signature this year.  Your child will have a consequence (pulling a card) if his/her agenda is not signed.

HOMEWORK:

 Homework will occur in the 4^th grade. It is my policy to allow your child an ample amount of time to work on assignments during class.  It will be his/her responsibility to use his/her time wisely to get it done.  The 4^th Grade Homework Policy is simple:  Homework is due the following day completed.  If a student does not have their homework done, the student will have until the end of the day (3:25 p.m.) to have it completed and turned in.  Your child will sit out at recess or may even be sent to the office.  If late homework is not turned in by the end of the day, the assignment(s) will receive a “0”.  Notification will be sent home to parents listing the assignment(s) that received “0(s)”.  This homework policy is in place to stress the importance of school and the responsibility of each child to complete assigned homework.  This policy will be strictly enforced.       

        If you are noticing a large amount of homework brought home by your child, please contact me to discuss the possible reasons.  If your child is struggling with school or not getting his/her homework done, he/she may join H.I.P. (Holcomb Instructional Program) See the Student/Parent Handbook for detailed information.

TESTS:

 You will be notified of tests in the weekly newsletter and/or in your child’s agenda. The students will use notes or study guides to help prepare them for their tests.  During the course of this year, your child will take several standardized tests.  You will be notified when they will be taken and of any other pertinent information.

              GRADNG SCALE:

 The grading scale will be the same as the rest of the school.  I feel children learn from their mistakes.  From time to time, I may have your child correct his/her papers.  In making corrections, he/she should gain an understanding to how and why the mistake was made. In addition, I will allow extra credit to be earned.  This will be added in at the end of each nine weeks.  It will be the responsibility of the student to make sure they have extra credit turned in. I will notify students when extra credit can be earned.  Extra credit CAN determine the difference in earning a higher grade.

My philosophy is: I don’t give grades, students earn them.

                             BIRTHDAYS:

 Birthdays will be celebrated in our classroom.  Summer birthdays “can” be celebrated on his/her half-birthday (Please notify me when it is your child’s 1/2 birthday).  Please make snacks that are easy to pass out.  You may check with me for the best time and details prior to bringing the treats.

Parties:

        We will be having parties in our classroom.  Our class will celebrate parties for Christmas, Valentines Day, and an End of the Year party. I will notify parents ahead of time of the items we will need to be donated. These parties will be held during the last part of the day. In addition, I will offer parties for AR and whole class behavior rewards.

Resources

Homework Connections

Math Websites

Language Arts

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Social Studies

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