4 th Grade 2013-2014

1. Feel free to read the poem your child wrote about the way the world should be while you’re waiting and to write him/her a note.

2. 4th Grade 2013-2014 Mrs. Cheryl Ruetz • 25+ years experience in 4th or 5th grade • Student councilor coordinator • Husband, Todd Ruetz, Hamilton Co. Magistrate • 3 sons, 1 daughter and 1 daughter-in-law My Expectations and Goals • Homework on Monday – Thursday (between 30 – 60 min.) • Responsible, Respectful, and Ready to Learn Students • Students will learn how to study for themselves • The transition to 5th grade will be smooth • 4th grade information packet is linked to my website: http://myccs.ccs.k12.in.us/teachers/cruetz/

3. WebGrades • You will have the ability to check your child’s progress through myCCS on an application called “WebGrades.” • The purpose of WebGrades is to communicate your child’s progress towards mastery of 4th grade standards. • Please contact me when questions or concerns arise. • The grades usually show up on myCCS within a week of the assignment’s due date.

4. 4th Grade Grading Scale 93-100 A 90-92 A- 87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-82 B- 77-79 C+ 73-76 C 70-72 C- 67-69 D+ 63-66 D 60-62 D- 0-59 F

5. Two Purposes of Assessment

6. Formative AssessmentsThis type of assessment is for practice only. These will not be averaged for the report card grade.

7. Examples of Summative Assessments • End-of-Unit Tests • Performance Tasks • Presentations and Projects

8. Special Schedule

9. Daily Schedule

10. Behavior Expectations PBIS Weekly Log PBIS reward for the end of each 9 weeks for Hawk Honor tickets. Three Basic Rules: Be respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. Mini Economy-$$

11. Language Arts • Rigby Reads • Book Clubs • Small groups and whole class instruction • Research/writing intertwined with reading • Vocabulary built from words in text • Reading requirement: PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! • 2 books at their reading level per nine weeks • Book report forms available or oral reports

12. Math • Everyday Math • Games played with parents often used as extra credit • Everydaymathonline.com is a great place to go for instruction, practice, online SRB (Each child will have a login soon) • Multiplication facts mastered by February at the latest • Fractions and Geometry are key 4th grade concepts

13. Science • Hands on curriculum- mainly during the 2nd and 3rd grading periods • Note taking skills/science journaling • Our standards this year • Animal Adaptations and Habitats • The Earth’s Surface • Design and Motion • Magnetism and Electricity • On report cards a “NG” no grade may appear sometimes

14. Social Studies • Mostly during the 1st and 4th grading periods • Indiana History • Geography • Famous Hoosier Project • State House tour • Tour of Benjamin Harrison’s home • TCI online access available for the first 2 chapters only

15. Special Events Mini economy auction/9weeks Chinese New Year celebration Medieval Festival Ruth Lilly talk/video Trip to the Motor Speedway End of year auction Field Day Special Requests • Snacks; no spoon required please, healthy, minimal mess, • Donations of saltine crackers • Items from the Wish Tree on the door-magic erasers • A sock • $6.00 for the magazine subscription for Indiana Studies Weekly (see sample on the board)

16. From the office • Transportation widget RULES! • Bike permits available • Please be sure to call the attendance line before 8:30 • Minimize deliveries to school especially of homework 

17. Contact information • Email is quick for simple questions: cruetz@ccs.k12.in.us • Check out the class webpage for key information: http://myccs.ccs.k12.in.us/teachers/cruetz/ • Phone calls are fine; however, it may take a day or so for me to return your call. • Notes from home are great (assuming your child delivers it to me). • Parent conferences are available all year by appointment • Good communication is vital! Please ask if you have questions!