2015-2016 4th Grade Handbook
Welcome to fourth grade! We are glad to have your child in our classrooms this year!
Throughout this school year, your child will be learning many things. All instruction in our classrooms will be based on the new Common Core State Standards as well as the Colorado State Standards for fourth grade. There are state standards for the following subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics, history, and geography. These standards may be found at the Colorado Department of Education’s website: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/OSA/k12_standards.html and at www.corestandards.org. Your child should always understand what he/ she is learning and why. It is our goal for all students to meet or exceed every standard for fourth grade.
Given that our goal is proficiency in all standards, it is important that we work as a team to help your child learn as much as possible. Learning does not stop when school stops. There are many things you can do at home to help your child be a better learner and progress towards standards. Please make sure that your child comes to school unless he/she is ill. Also, many fourth graders come to school without enough sleep. It is recommended that your child gets around eight to ten hours of sleep each night. Coming to school prepared allows your child to learn more effectively in our classrooms.
At times your child may have difficulty meeting a standard. In this case, we will meet with your child in a smaller group setting and try to teach the same standard in another way. If your child is struggling with something, please contact us so we can alter our instruction to benefit your child as well as give you suggestions on how to help your child at home.
During the school day, we work with your child approximately six hours a day. During these hours, your child will be in two different classrooms, one for math, science, and social studies, and another room for literacy.
During the different parts of our day, we expect your child to follow our classroom expectations. We do not have time to constantly redirect any student. So it is our expectation that rules are followed 100% of the day.
SCHOOL TIMES
4th grade lines up outside of the south doors. Pick up and drop off is at this spot!
1. The bell rings at 8:55 a.m. We will meet the students outside and walk them into the classroom.
2. Dismissal is at 3:45. Your child will be brought to the office at 3:55 if you are not here.
3. Please provide WRITTEN permission if you child is allowed to walk, scooter, bike etc. home alone. If we do not have written permission, your child will not be able to leave school alone. (One note is good for the entire school year).
Academic Year at a Glance:
Mathematics:
1: Place Value and Addition and Subtraction of Multidigit Numbers
2: Multiplication and Division
3: Extended Multiplication
4: Division
5: Fractions
6: Decimals
7: Fractions and Decimals
8: Perimeter and Area
9: Geometric Figures, Measuring Angles, and Symmetry
10: Weight, Volume, and Capacity
Science:
Ecosystems
Physical and Chemical Properties
Changing Earth
Social Studies:
Regions of the Country
Colorful Colorado
Literacy: Expeditionary Learning Curriculum
Module 1-Reading Closely and Writing to Learn: Poetry, Poets and Becoming Writers
Module 2- Reading Closely and Writing to Learn: Animal Defense Mechanisms
Module 3-Considering Perspectives and Supporting Opinions: Simple Machines
Module 4-Susan B. Anthony, Suffrage and the Importance of Voting Rights
+Each module consists of 3 units based on Common Core State Standards.
Planned Absences:
If you know your child will be missing school, please contact the school and your child’s teachers will plan accordingly.
Thursday Folders:
•Each Thursday your child will bring home a folder full of homework and updates as well as school and district-wide information. Your child’s homework will be in these folders as well to be returned completed the following Thursday in this folder.
•Please look inside your child’s Thursday Folder each week, go through every single item in the folder!
Please return the folder the following week as part of the homework.
Homework Policy:
· All homework will be assigned Thursday and due the following Thursday.
· Help your child set up a consistent organized, quiet place for homework to be done.
· Math: Homework will consist of unfinished classwork as well as online assignments. Students MUST use paper and pencil while completing online math homework.
· Literacy: There is a reading log that your child needs to complete each week to get credit for her/ his reading at home. This is a very important part of your child’s daily practice. Your child may read independently, take turns with you, or listen to you as you read aloud. Each student will be expected to read 150 minutes per week. A parent/ guardian must sign the reading log each week.
· Attached to the reading log will be additional literacy work. This is also due on Thursday.
· Throughout the year students will be bringing home additional long term projects in all subjects.
· Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with her/him and do the homework with her/him. This should be independent. The purpose of the homework is for your child to practice and use what she has learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the homework, please contact the teacher.
· Although there might be exceptions, the minutes your child should spend on homework should equal approximately 10 times the grade level (a third grader would have 30 minutes, a fourth grade 40 minutes, and a fifth grader 50 minutes).*The reading log minutes are additional.
· If your child is struggling to finish within 40 minutes, please let us know.
Classroom Expectations:
· Attend school daily.
· Come to school on time (the bell rings at 8:55 a.m.). 4th grade lines up outside of the south doors.
· Come into the classroom prepared with all material needed for the day.
· Come to school with a positive attitude, and be ready to work to your full potential.
· Complete all assignments each day to the best of your ability.
· Be motivated to learn and expand skills and knowledge.
· Work independently for long periods of time without disturbing others learning.
· Work cooperatively and productively in small and large groups.
· Practice good organizational skills.
· Respect everyone at all times.
· No bullying
· Follow classroom and school rules at all times.
· Have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for yourself!
· Ask questions and be engaged.
· Exhibit personal Success Factors
· Dismissal at 3:45. Your child will be brought to the office at 3:55 if you are not here.
Communication:
Parent/ teacher communication is essential to student success. In order to keep you posted on all the happenings in the Fourth grade we will frequently update our 4th Grade Blog, http://wce4th.weebly.com/. Below you will also find the best ways to contact us with any questions or concerns about your child.
· We are at school each day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, we are only available to talk with parents from 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and after dismissal at 3:45 p.m. If you need to speak with us at other times, please be aware that the time would be taking away from your child’s daily instruction, and that phone calls or interruptions may not be the best way to contact us during the day. Emails are not checked during teaching!
· The most efficient way of contacting us is through school email. We will check our emails each day in the morning and in the afternoon. We will try to always respond to all emails within 48 hours. How to contact us:
§ Mr. Rabinowitz: [email protected]
§ Mrs. Whitbeck: [email protected]
§ Mrs. Culver: [email protected]
§ Miss Grant: [email protected]
§ Please note: there is an _ between first and last names.
o Phone: the school’s phone number is : (720)-424-3160
o School Website: http://westerlycreek.dpsk12.org
Dress Code- Weather appropriate attire.
Birthdays- In 4th Grade we will be having Birthday Breakfasts on the day of the birthday. On the day of the birthday or the closest school day you may bring in breakfast snacks for your child’s homeroom class. Each 4th grade class has around 30 students. There are some allergies, so please try to avoid nuts and please bring in snacks that have a label of ingredients so students with allergies can be sure they can have the food. If you are bringing snacks for a birthday, please bring them in the morning at 8:55 or just send them to school with your child. Please let us know in advance if you will be bringing in a treat.
Snack- healthy snacks- 2 a day! We do not eat lunch until 1:35 pm. This is very late, and your child will get hungry! Please send in a snack every day!!!! No candy or desserts. SNACK DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
Toys/Personal Electronics: Not permitted at school. All confiscated toys and electronics will only be returned to parents/guardians. All phones must be turned off and left in your child’s backpack during the day. This includes: kindles, nooks, ipads etc.
Discipline Policy:
In 4th Grade this year, we have a whole class behavior system as well as individual student behavior systems.
For general school expectations please refer to the WCE Handbook.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact us.
We look forward to a great year!
The 4th Grade Team
Welcome to fourth grade! We are glad to have your child in our classrooms this year!
Throughout this school year, your child will be learning many things. All instruction in our classrooms will be based on the new Common Core State Standards as well as the Colorado State Standards for fourth grade. There are state standards for the following subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, science, civics, history, and geography. These standards may be found at the Colorado Department of Education’s website: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/OSA/k12_standards.html and at www.corestandards.org. Your child should always understand what he/ she is learning and why. It is our goal for all students to meet or exceed every standard for fourth grade.
Given that our goal is proficiency in all standards, it is important that we work as a team to help your child learn as much as possible. Learning does not stop when school stops. There are many things you can do at home to help your child be a better learner and progress towards standards. Please make sure that your child comes to school unless he/she is ill. Also, many fourth graders come to school without enough sleep. It is recommended that your child gets around eight to ten hours of sleep each night. Coming to school prepared allows your child to learn more effectively in our classrooms.
At times your child may have difficulty meeting a standard. In this case, we will meet with your child in a smaller group setting and try to teach the same standard in another way. If your child is struggling with something, please contact us so we can alter our instruction to benefit your child as well as give you suggestions on how to help your child at home.
During the school day, we work with your child approximately six hours a day. During these hours, your child will be in two different classrooms, one for math, science, and social studies, and another room for literacy.
During the different parts of our day, we expect your child to follow our classroom expectations. We do not have time to constantly redirect any student. So it is our expectation that rules are followed 100% of the day.
SCHOOL TIMES
4th grade lines up outside of the south doors. Pick up and drop off is at this spot!
1. The bell rings at 8:55 a.m. We will meet the students outside and walk them into the classroom.
2. Dismissal is at 3:45. Your child will be brought to the office at 3:55 if you are not here.
3. Please provide WRITTEN permission if you child is allowed to walk, scooter, bike etc. home alone. If we do not have written permission, your child will not be able to leave school alone. (One note is good for the entire school year).
Academic Year at a Glance:
Mathematics:
1: Place Value and Addition and Subtraction of Multidigit Numbers
2: Multiplication and Division
3: Extended Multiplication
4: Division
5: Fractions
6: Decimals
7: Fractions and Decimals
8: Perimeter and Area
9: Geometric Figures, Measuring Angles, and Symmetry
10: Weight, Volume, and Capacity
Science:
Ecosystems
Physical and Chemical Properties
Changing Earth
Social Studies:
Regions of the Country
Colorful Colorado
Literacy: Expeditionary Learning Curriculum
Module 1-Reading Closely and Writing to Learn: Poetry, Poets and Becoming Writers
Module 2- Reading Closely and Writing to Learn: Animal Defense Mechanisms
Module 3-Considering Perspectives and Supporting Opinions: Simple Machines
Module 4-Susan B. Anthony, Suffrage and the Importance of Voting Rights
+Each module consists of 3 units based on Common Core State Standards.
Planned Absences:
If you know your child will be missing school, please contact the school and your child’s teachers will plan accordingly.
Thursday Folders:
•Each Thursday your child will bring home a folder full of homework and updates as well as school and district-wide information. Your child’s homework will be in these folders as well to be returned completed the following Thursday in this folder.
•Please look inside your child’s Thursday Folder each week, go through every single item in the folder!
Please return the folder the following week as part of the homework.
Homework Policy:
· All homework will be assigned Thursday and due the following Thursday.
· Help your child set up a consistent organized, quiet place for homework to be done.
· Math: Homework will consist of unfinished classwork as well as online assignments. Students MUST use paper and pencil while completing online math homework.
· Literacy: There is a reading log that your child needs to complete each week to get credit for her/ his reading at home. This is a very important part of your child’s daily practice. Your child may read independently, take turns with you, or listen to you as you read aloud. Each student will be expected to read 150 minutes per week. A parent/ guardian must sign the reading log each week.
· Attached to the reading log will be additional literacy work. This is also due on Thursday.
· Throughout the year students will be bringing home additional long term projects in all subjects.
· Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with her/him and do the homework with her/him. This should be independent. The purpose of the homework is for your child to practice and use what she has learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the homework, please contact the teacher.
· Although there might be exceptions, the minutes your child should spend on homework should equal approximately 10 times the grade level (a third grader would have 30 minutes, a fourth grade 40 minutes, and a fifth grader 50 minutes).*The reading log minutes are additional.
· If your child is struggling to finish within 40 minutes, please let us know.
Classroom Expectations:
· Attend school daily.
· Come to school on time (the bell rings at 8:55 a.m.). 4th grade lines up outside of the south doors.
· Come into the classroom prepared with all material needed for the day.
· Come to school with a positive attitude, and be ready to work to your full potential.
· Complete all assignments each day to the best of your ability.
· Be motivated to learn and expand skills and knowledge.
· Work independently for long periods of time without disturbing others learning.
· Work cooperatively and productively in small and large groups.
· Practice good organizational skills.
· Respect everyone at all times.
· No bullying
· Follow classroom and school rules at all times.
· Have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for yourself!
· Ask questions and be engaged.
· Exhibit personal Success Factors
· Dismissal at 3:45. Your child will be brought to the office at 3:55 if you are not here.
Communication:
Parent/ teacher communication is essential to student success. In order to keep you posted on all the happenings in the Fourth grade we will frequently update our 4th Grade Blog, http://wce4th.weebly.com/. Below you will also find the best ways to contact us with any questions or concerns about your child.
· We are at school each day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, we are only available to talk with parents from 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and after dismissal at 3:45 p.m. If you need to speak with us at other times, please be aware that the time would be taking away from your child’s daily instruction, and that phone calls or interruptions may not be the best way to contact us during the day. Emails are not checked during teaching!
· The most efficient way of contacting us is through school email. We will check our emails each day in the morning and in the afternoon. We will try to always respond to all emails within 48 hours. How to contact us:
§ Mr. Rabinowitz: [email protected]
§ Mrs. Whitbeck: [email protected]
§ Mrs. Culver: [email protected]
§ Miss Grant: [email protected]
§ Please note: there is an _ between first and last names.
o Phone: the school’s phone number is : (720)-424-3160
o School Website: http://westerlycreek.dpsk12.org
Dress Code- Weather appropriate attire.
Birthdays- In 4th Grade we will be having Birthday Breakfasts on the day of the birthday. On the day of the birthday or the closest school day you may bring in breakfast snacks for your child’s homeroom class. Each 4th grade class has around 30 students. There are some allergies, so please try to avoid nuts and please bring in snacks that have a label of ingredients so students with allergies can be sure they can have the food. If you are bringing snacks for a birthday, please bring them in the morning at 8:55 or just send them to school with your child. Please let us know in advance if you will be bringing in a treat.
Snack- healthy snacks- 2 a day! We do not eat lunch until 1:35 pm. This is very late, and your child will get hungry! Please send in a snack every day!!!! No candy or desserts. SNACK DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
Toys/Personal Electronics: Not permitted at school. All confiscated toys and electronics will only be returned to parents/guardians. All phones must be turned off and left in your child’s backpack during the day. This includes: kindles, nooks, ipads etc.
Discipline Policy:
In 4th Grade this year, we have a whole class behavior system as well as individual student behavior systems.
For general school expectations please refer to the WCE Handbook.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact us.
We look forward to a great year!
The 4th Grade Team