WELCOME TO 4th GRADE!!
I am excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year! This will be a unique year with many learning curves and challenges. I am ready to do what I can to make the most of this year and maximize your child’s learning. I ask for your patience and support as we navigate this year together.
Fourth grade is a big year for growth and independence. Your child will learn many things! I look forward to getting to know each child and to working with you this school year. Please read through this packet carefully with your child. If you have any questions regarding anything listed, please let me know as soon as possible.
Virtual Space: Norms for virtual learning will be discussed with students. Important notes to consider: Always enter a meeting on mute! (This will reduce feedback.) Designate a quiet, workable learning space with materials readily available. Dress appropriately (uniforms not required, but appropriate clothing is!) Be prompt; school begins at 8:00. Chat box is for math related questions, not student conversations. I do not mind students having a quiet snack during instruction, just be mindful if it becomes a distraction. Be flexible….things will not always go as planned, but that is OKAY! Patience, Flexibility, and Grace…
Departments: Your child will have 3 teachers this year! I will teach your child math. Mrs. Jacobs will teach reading/language arts and composition, and Mrs. Armstrong will teach science/social studies. Organization is a huge part of keeping up with three classes. Please help your child maintain an organized binder or space for each subject.
Email: Email is the easiest way to communicate with me. I check my email in the morning and in the afternoon. My email address is: [email protected] If you email regarding a homework assignment after 3:15, I cannot guarantee that I will get back to you prior to the next morning.
Weekly Newsletters: Newsletters will be posted to Richland’s website by Sunday of each week. Please check Richland’s website to understand the week’s lesson plans/expectations.
Important Updates: All teachers will use REMIND app to keep you aware of necessary updates/info.
Koch: Send text to 81010 ; Message @32kd928
Homework: Homework is a required SCS grading category. It comprises 5% of your child’s average each quarter. I must take a minimum of 4 homework grades. Homework is graded for completion, not accuracy. During virtual instruction, homework will be kept minimal. Expect a bit more homework (not much), if/when we return to school in person.
Graded Papers: Graded papers, unfortunately, cannot be sent home during virtual instruction. However, you will be able to access your child’s grades via PowerSchool. Be sure that you are able to login to your child’s PowerSchool account. If you need assistance, you will need to contact the main office.
Grading Policy: Grades 1-5:
The basic grading system for knowledge / subject area is expressed by the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F” with the following numerical values except for 1st grade science and social studies which will be expressed by the letter “S” or “N”.
A ........................................................ 93-100
B ........................................................ 85-92
C ........................................................ 75-84
D ........................................................ 70-74
F ........................................................ Below 70
Homework: 5% (minimum four grades)
Class Participation: 5% (minimum four grades)
Classwork: 40% (minimum four grades)
Projects, portfolios, or presentations: 5% (minimum one grade)
Tests: 45% (minimum four grades)
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent conferences will be held virtually. There are two designated conference dates. However, it is not necessary to wait until conference days. You are always welcome to contact me about scheduling a conference. I will try to work with you to schedule a time to meet. Please do not expect a conference during live instruction. I will be unable to answer parent questions during school hours when live instruction is taking place.
Science and Social Studies: Due to the overwhelming amount of content knowledge in these subject areas, 4th grade will split the subjects during each nine week period. Students will spend a few week in science, then will switch to social studies.
Math Facts: 4th grade math is built on the foundation of knowing basic multiplication facts. All students should have multiplication facts mastered by February of this school year. Each week, students will take a 2 minute timed fact quiz. We will begin the year with the 2x fact family. We will move to the 3x fact family the second week, and so forth. Following the 12 x fact family, quizzes will have mixed facts. PLEASE practice math facts with your child on a daily basis. I cannot express enough the importance of knowing basic multiplication this school year. I am still working on how to incorporate math facts quizzes in the virtual setting.
Discipline Plan: Each classroom will develop specific classroom rules for their class. However, consequences for breaking these rules are the same grade wide. From quiet warnings, to time outs with reflection time, to loss of privileges, a range of interventions will be used depending on the severity of the rule that is broken. Students will be given 3 chances to correct “minor incidents” before a referral to the office. (Parents will also be made aware.) Very serious problems will be sent to the office with a disciplinary form and a notation will be entered in the principal’s computer files. Virtual instruction will follow the same SCS behavior protocol.
Make up work: If your child is absent, please send an email excuse. A note is required for excused absences. These notes MUST be sent to school within 3 days. After the 3rd day of returning to school, the secretaries will no longer have the option of changing the unexcused absence to excused. I will give students their make-up work. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the work and submit it.
Supplies: Thank you for purchasing the supplies suggested on the 4th grade list. Throughout the year, please remember to check with your child to see which supplies he or she has run out of, especially after the holidays. Also, make sure your child always has a working expo marker. Dry erase expo markers do not last all year and we use them DAILY in math.
Lunch: 1:00-1:30
Recess will be the last 20 minutes of science/social studies daily.
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00-8:15: Good Morning (Homeroom check in)
8:15-9:00: BOOST
9:05-10:35: Block 1 (Science/SS)
10:35-11:25: ENCORE
11:30-1:00: Block 2 (Math)
1:00-1:30: LUNCH
1:35-3:00: Block 3 (Reading/Language Arts)
***WEDNESDAY SCHEDULES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT DUE TO COLLABORATIVE PLANNING.
I am excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year! This will be a unique year with many learning curves and challenges. I am ready to do what I can to make the most of this year and maximize your child’s learning. I ask for your patience and support as we navigate this year together.
Fourth grade is a big year for growth and independence. Your child will learn many things! I look forward to getting to know each child and to working with you this school year. Please read through this packet carefully with your child. If you have any questions regarding anything listed, please let me know as soon as possible.
Virtual Space: Norms for virtual learning will be discussed with students. Important notes to consider: Always enter a meeting on mute! (This will reduce feedback.) Designate a quiet, workable learning space with materials readily available. Dress appropriately (uniforms not required, but appropriate clothing is!) Be prompt; school begins at 8:00. Chat box is for math related questions, not student conversations. I do not mind students having a quiet snack during instruction, just be mindful if it becomes a distraction. Be flexible….things will not always go as planned, but that is OKAY! Patience, Flexibility, and Grace…
Departments: Your child will have 3 teachers this year! I will teach your child math. Mrs. Jacobs will teach reading/language arts and composition, and Mrs. Armstrong will teach science/social studies. Organization is a huge part of keeping up with three classes. Please help your child maintain an organized binder or space for each subject.
Email: Email is the easiest way to communicate with me. I check my email in the morning and in the afternoon. My email address is: [email protected] If you email regarding a homework assignment after 3:15, I cannot guarantee that I will get back to you prior to the next morning.
Weekly Newsletters: Newsletters will be posted to Richland’s website by Sunday of each week. Please check Richland’s website to understand the week’s lesson plans/expectations.
Important Updates: All teachers will use REMIND app to keep you aware of necessary updates/info.
Koch: Send text to 81010 ; Message @32kd928
Homework: Homework is a required SCS grading category. It comprises 5% of your child’s average each quarter. I must take a minimum of 4 homework grades. Homework is graded for completion, not accuracy. During virtual instruction, homework will be kept minimal. Expect a bit more homework (not much), if/when we return to school in person.
Graded Papers: Graded papers, unfortunately, cannot be sent home during virtual instruction. However, you will be able to access your child’s grades via PowerSchool. Be sure that you are able to login to your child’s PowerSchool account. If you need assistance, you will need to contact the main office.
Grading Policy: Grades 1-5:
The basic grading system for knowledge / subject area is expressed by the letters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F” with the following numerical values except for 1st grade science and social studies which will be expressed by the letter “S” or “N”.
A ........................................................ 93-100
B ........................................................ 85-92
C ........................................................ 75-84
D ........................................................ 70-74
F ........................................................ Below 70
Homework: 5% (minimum four grades)
Class Participation: 5% (minimum four grades)
Classwork: 40% (minimum four grades)
Projects, portfolios, or presentations: 5% (minimum one grade)
Tests: 45% (minimum four grades)
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent conferences will be held virtually. There are two designated conference dates. However, it is not necessary to wait until conference days. You are always welcome to contact me about scheduling a conference. I will try to work with you to schedule a time to meet. Please do not expect a conference during live instruction. I will be unable to answer parent questions during school hours when live instruction is taking place.
Science and Social Studies: Due to the overwhelming amount of content knowledge in these subject areas, 4th grade will split the subjects during each nine week period. Students will spend a few week in science, then will switch to social studies.
Math Facts: 4th grade math is built on the foundation of knowing basic multiplication facts. All students should have multiplication facts mastered by February of this school year. Each week, students will take a 2 minute timed fact quiz. We will begin the year with the 2x fact family. We will move to the 3x fact family the second week, and so forth. Following the 12 x fact family, quizzes will have mixed facts. PLEASE practice math facts with your child on a daily basis. I cannot express enough the importance of knowing basic multiplication this school year. I am still working on how to incorporate math facts quizzes in the virtual setting.
Discipline Plan: Each classroom will develop specific classroom rules for their class. However, consequences for breaking these rules are the same grade wide. From quiet warnings, to time outs with reflection time, to loss of privileges, a range of interventions will be used depending on the severity of the rule that is broken. Students will be given 3 chances to correct “minor incidents” before a referral to the office. (Parents will also be made aware.) Very serious problems will be sent to the office with a disciplinary form and a notation will be entered in the principal’s computer files. Virtual instruction will follow the same SCS behavior protocol.
Make up work: If your child is absent, please send an email excuse. A note is required for excused absences. These notes MUST be sent to school within 3 days. After the 3rd day of returning to school, the secretaries will no longer have the option of changing the unexcused absence to excused. I will give students their make-up work. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the work and submit it.
Supplies: Thank you for purchasing the supplies suggested on the 4th grade list. Throughout the year, please remember to check with your child to see which supplies he or she has run out of, especially after the holidays. Also, make sure your child always has a working expo marker. Dry erase expo markers do not last all year and we use them DAILY in math.
Lunch: 1:00-1:30
Recess will be the last 20 minutes of science/social studies daily.
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00-8:15: Good Morning (Homeroom check in)
8:15-9:00: BOOST
9:05-10:35: Block 1 (Science/SS)
10:35-11:25: ENCORE
11:30-1:00: Block 2 (Math)
1:00-1:30: LUNCH
1:35-3:00: Block 3 (Reading/Language Arts)
***WEDNESDAY SCHEDULES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT DUE TO COLLABORATIVE PLANNING.