Fourth Grade Parent Survival Guide

1. Fourth Grade Parent Survival Guide A guide for parents to aid in navigating Fourth Grade at Norton Elementary 2014-2015 M.W.

2. Meet your Guides Mrs. Dreher– Language Arts

3. Meet your Guides Mrs. McGraw–Science, SS

4. Meet your Guides Mrs. Wheeler– Math

5. Meet your Guides Mrs. Walker – Language Arts

6. We believe our job is to… Inspire Excite Challenge Appreciate S.W.

7. Tip #1:Always work with a buddy In fourth grade we team teach. Your child has three teachers this year. Walker/Wheeler/McGraw Dreher/Wheeler/McGraw S.W.

8. 7:55 Begin (Students need to be in classroom by this time.) • 8:15-8:45 Castle time • 8:55-9:40 Specials • 9:45-11:45 ELA 9:45-10:45 Block 1 (Wheeler/McGraw) • 10:45-11:45 Block 2 (Wheeler/McGraw) • 11:50-12:20 Lunch (Walker, Wheeler) • 11:55-12:25 Lunch(Dreher, McGraw) • 12:25-12:45 Recess • 12:50-2:50 ELA 12:50-1:50 Block 3 (Wheeler/McGraw) • 1:50-2:50 Block 4 (Wheeler/McGraw) • 2:55 Dismissal Daily Itinerary The schedule for each day will be as follows… S.W.

9. Tip #2:Stay Organized and have a Plan Fourth graders use their binders to keep them organized. We set this up together on the first day of school. Binders are to come to school each day! Binders contain agendas which students write in each day! Please check nightly for notes and homework assignments. S.MG.

10. Tip #3:Complete Nightly Missions Fourth graders have homework almost every night. Homework will consist of: Math worksheets and/or technology Reading a minimum of 30 minutes, four nights per week, and Grammar and spelling practice packets Reading response journal Studying for social studies and science tests Some long term projects. Download CITRIX for your child to complete work at home. L.D.

11. Tip #4:Communicate with your team If your fourth grader will be absent, please e-mail your homeroom teacher and she will gather any missed work If requested, she will place your child’s make-up work at the front desk by 3:20pm. Your child will have one day for each day missed to makeup work. If there is a change in plans during the school day, contact the office. M.W..

12. Tip #4:Continued…. If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail your child’s content specific teacher. We welcome communication from you. Please understand that it may take 24 hours for a response. S.MG.

13. Tip #5: Stay Connected Wednesday Folders contain communication from school, and completed graded work. Codes, Reading Logs, and Agendas: are to be viewed and signed on Wednesday nights. Fourth Grade Newsletters are emailed weekly and posted on webpages. L.D.

14. Tip #6: Know the Lay of the Land Language Arts Writing Spiraling Process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing Word Work (grammar, spelling) Reading Reading is Thinking!! M.W&L.D.

15. Tip #6: Know the Lay of the Land Continued… L.D.&M.W.

16. Tip #6: Know the Lay of the Land continued… Math Drill and Practice- Need to know multiplication facts!!! Problem Solving- critical thinking and multi-step problems Content Instruction –modeling and guided practice (Many new skills this year.) Learning Groups- assessments, work stations , reinforcement of skills Math Journals- concepts, examples, strategies on solving problems. Website has many resources to help your child. S.W.

17. Tip #6: Know the Lay of the Land continued… 1. Science Scientific Processes Properties of Matter Mixtures & Solutions Energy, Force, & Motion Shadows, Seasons, Moon, & Tides Weather & Water Cycle Soil, Weathering, Erosion, Deposition Natural Resources Life Cycles, Inherited Traits, & Adaptations Food Chains & Food Webs 2. Social Studies-Texas History S.MG.

18. Tip #6: Know the Lay of the Land continued… CASTLE TIME 30 Minute block from 8:15-8:45 Time for Intervention and/or Enrichment Access to various teachers and resources including, SSI, Dyslexia, ESL, and Speech Students will move between groups as needed throughout the year M.W.

19. Tip #7: Avoid An Ambush AKA: Don’t be Caught off Guard at report card Time Skyward is available for students and parents to view grades at any time. Access Skyward through the family access link on the district website. http://www.allenisd.org/domain/73 L.D.

20. Tip #8: Identify Friend or foe Conflicts occasionally arise in a classroom of 20+nine and ten-year-olds. Talk with your child about concerns. Share concerns with teacher. Teacher cannot discuss another child with you. M.W.

21. Tip #9: Use Technology Fourth graders use a variety of technology during the school day and for homework. Consider downloading CITRIX on your home computer. S.W.

22. Tip #10: Plan for excursions We will be taking several field trips this year including: Connemara – 2-3 times (Science) ASI Gymnastics – Brain Gym (Math) Mesquite Rodeo (Social Studies) S.MG.

23. Tip #11: Prepare for the Final Climb Fourth graders take 3 STAAR tests. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Math– April 21; rigorous math problem solving Writing– March 30 & 31 (two days): consists of revising/editing and writing two compositions (narrative/expository) Reading – April 22: rigorous reading and comprehension They will also have benchmark and simulation testing days as well – we will have the dates posted in our newsletter and they will be on the Norton Website. Please be aware of these dates when making appointments. S.W.&M.W.

24. Q & A Thank you for attending tonight’s session. We look forward to a fun year. M.W. S.W. L.D.S.MG.