4th+Grade+Handbook



__Student Expectations: __ 1. Follow directions.  2. Complete assignments. Work is assigned each day. Usually there is sufficient time to complete work in class if students use time wisely. Assignments are due the following school day, unless otherwise stated.  3. Keep hands, feet, body and objects to yourself.  4. No bullying - this includes rude gestures, teasing, bad language and putdowns.  5. Use technology appropriately. We are surrounded with technology tools in our classroom - laptops, iPads, Promethean board, etc. - and students are expected to use the technology with care in order to continue the privilege of using it.

 We have various positive rewards and systems that will encourage the students to accept responsibility for their own actions. We value learning about good character, and our school uses the Character Counts program to learn about showing trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and perseverance.

__Daily Homework: __ Your child will benefit from spending a few minutes each night practicing his/her reading and math skills. Studies recommend that 4th graders should spend about 40 minutes a day practicing their new academic skills at home to help them "stick" in their brains. We recommend that your child spend a little time practicing math facts or skills, a little time working with spelling words, and a little more time reading. (If your child chooses to participate in the Pizza Hut Book-It Reading Incentive Program, the reading calendar to track that time is based on their AT HOME reading minutes. That program requires 100 minutes/week every week in order to earn the coupons for free pizza.) This expectation will not only help your child to develop and maintain his/her academic abilities, but will also be a great way for you to be involved with nurturing your child's education and abilities. Flashcards and online practice games are both great ways to practice. We have a new math curriculum this year that includes math homework, so your child will sometimes be bringing home math worksheets that are specifically designed as homework practice.

=__Late Assignments:__= In most cases, assignments are due the following day. If your child has homework, he/she will note that in his/her agenda. (The purpose of this is to ensure that you know when your child has homework, and to help both me and you notice if he/she is not getting work done.) The signed agenda must come back to school the next day, along with the completed assignment. If the assignment isn't completed, your child will lose recess until the assignment is turned in. I will keep a copy of any late assignment notes to be reviewed together at conferences.

=__Make-Up Work Folder:__= When your child is absent, an assignment folder can be filled out for you to pick up after school, or it can be sent home with a sibling or a neighbor at your request. Your student will have the same number of days that he/she was absent to complete the assignments. = = =__Technology__= Our classroom has been given several engaging technology tools to use - a few iPads, a few laptops, a Promethean Board, a document camera. With this privilege comes extra responsibility. Every family signs an Acceptable Use policy at enrollment. This policy outlines the technology expectations and restrictions in our district. ANY violation of policy will results in a loss of technology privileges for a time determined by the school. Some student assignments will be submitted online directly to the teacher for grading. This means that not as many paper assignments will be coming home. Be sure to ask if you have any concerns about your student's grades or progress.

=__Reading Awards:__= Sunflower Reader - This is a reading award your child receives if he/she chooses to read 16 books on his/her reading level during the school year. It is required that these books be "worth" at least one point each. During the first semester, your child may choose to read two 1/2 point books to fill in a category, rather than a one point book. During the second semester, every book read for Sunflower Reader must be worth at least one point. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> The required books must be from specific genres; for example, mystery, poetry, fiction, biography, information, folk tale/fairy tale, and William Allen White award nominee. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Participation in this program is optional; however, the rewards for completing it are very motivating for some children. I will happily "coach" your child if you decide that you'd like for him/her to follow the traditional timeline for finishing all 16 books for Sunflower Reader. The plan calls for your student to read at least 4 qualifying books each 9 weeks - roughly one book finished (with a passing AR test) every two weeks.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Book It & Braum's Book Buddies: <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> Both of these programs are extras that your child MAY CHOOSE to participate in. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">For the Pizza Hut Book-It program, students receive credit by recording the amount of time they read each night on a calendar provided by the teacher, having parents sign the calendar each week, and handing it in at the end of each week to be recorded. Students need to read 20 minutes a night on 5 nights/week in order to receive credit. The pizza certificates are handed out once a month to students who meet the requirements every week. In order for a student to have his/her name read aloud at the end of the year celebration (as a Pizza Hut Book It participant), your student must complete the reading calendar at least 7 out of the 8 months that we do it. <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">For the Braum's Book Buddies program, students receive credit according the number of AR tests passed. For every 6 books passed, the student receives a coupon for a free ice cream at Braum's.

=__Grading:__= <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS",cursive; font-size: 14.3px; line-height: 21.45px;">Last year our district moved to Standards-Based Grading. This system takes the place of letter grades. For each specific skill (standard) that your student learns in 4th grade, he/she gets a score of either 1,2, or 3. A 1 means that he/she isn't yet entirely comprehending the concept, a 2 means that he/she is making progress and demonstrating at least a partial grasp of the concept, and a 3 means that he/she completely and fully understands the concept and can apply it in all situations.

=__Midterm Grades:__= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Midterm grades will be sent home half way through each nine week period. This will let both you and your student know where he/she is at academically. It will give your child a chance to work harder to change a lower grade, if needed, before it becomes permanent on his/her report card. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">You are encouraged to check your child's grade on PowerGrade at any time <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">. You will receive a letter from the school with your username to access the online system.

=__Birthdays:__= <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Your child may bring treats for his/her birthday celebration. If your child has a summer birthday, we would be happy to celebrate it on his/her "half birthday". June birthdays would celebrate in December, July in January, and August in February. This eliminates a rush of treats at the end of the year and allows each child to have his/her own special day. Celebrations will normally occur around 2:50 p.m. We have 25 students in our class. = = =__Classroom Parties:__= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">In 4th grade, we celebrate Halloween, Christmas and Valentines Day. We will be looking for volunteers to coordinate refreshments for each of these holidays. If you would like to volunteer to help with one of our celebrations, please contact the school or email Mrs. Goertzen.