Fourth Grade Orientation
August 21, 2014
NUMBER WHERE I CAN BE REACHED
Fall Creek Elementary 281-641-3400
Conference Time9:15 – 10:00
Mrs. Russell’s school number281-641-3448
Email:
SCHOOL HOURS8:00 – 3:10 (doors are not unlocked until 7:30 am)
CAFETERIA INFORMATION
7:30 – 7:50Breakfast$1.30
Lunch$2.00 (students) $3.00 (adults)
$0.40 milk
To speak to the cafeteria manager call 281-641-3408
ABSENCES
Voice mail: 281-641-3419
Please phone in by 9:30 a.m. to notify the school if your child is going to be absent. Leave your child’s name, teacher, and reason for absence.
Please remember to send a note or email regarding an absence the day your child returns to school.
CONFERENCES
Fall conferences are scheduled for October 29, 2014 & October 30, 2013. A conference will be scheduled for each student. Conference times will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. If you need a later time or a different day I will be happy to accommodate you. Early release will be at 12:00 on those days.
SPECIALS SCHEDULE
Mon.- Library/Art
Tues.-PE (sneakers required)
Wed.-Computer
Thurs.-Music
Fri.- PE (sneakers required)
DAILY SCHEDULE
7:50-8:05Organization12:25-1:25Lunch/Recess/Read Aloud
8:05-8:20Morning meeting1:25-3:00 Block II
8:20-9:10 Block I3:00-3:10 Organization
9:10-10:10 Specials 3:10 Dismissal
11:35– 12:25 Block II
C.A.T.C.H. Break
Students may bring a fruit/vegetable snack to eat during the morning, but it should be a snack that is ready-to-eat. We have the last lunch this year so a good breakfast and a fruit/vegetable break will help them make it through the morning. Our break time is after specials at 10:10.
MATH
Students are expected to know multiplication facts (no product larger than 50) when they enter fourth grade. Facts through 12x12 must be mastered this year. Problem-solving and critical thinking will be emphasized in all of the mathematical strands taught this year: measurement, probability & statistics, geometry, logic, patterns, and number concepts. All strands will be first introduced using manipulatives, which will help develop and reinforce the mathematical processes.
READING
While learning to read was the emphasis of reading instruction in the primary grades, the focus of reading will now become reading to learn. We will spend much time developing reading strategies to use before, during, and after reading that will aid in comprehension. Nightly reading (20 min. or more, at least 4 times a week) is imperative for reading growth. Please keep the Fall CreekReading Log current and sign it nightly. It is a part of our campus literacy plan and will be checked once a week for reading progress.
WRITING
Writing will occur in all subject areas. We will also have a Writing Workshop which will give students many opportunities to write creatively while developing effective communication, conferencing, revising, and editing skills. They will learn the components of process writing.
ENGLISH
The correct use of punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure will be taught and reinforced by developing proofreading skills. The parts of speech will be taught through writing. The use of specific nouns, adjectives, and verbs encourage clear, concise communication.
Word Study(spelling)
A wordlist will be sent home on Monday. There will be a Tuesday and a Thursday homework assignment, each to be returned the following day. Most children will need nightly practice with the words. Most of the tests will be given every other Thursday. The lists will emphasize spelling patterns, phonics, and high-frequency words. The tests will consist of 20-25 list words and a few new words that follow the spelling pattern.
HANDWRITING
Students will be expected to be proficient in handwriting and use it for their daily work.
TUTORING
We will not request tutoring for any student unless we see a real need. We make every attempt to tutor students using alternative resources. Math Tutoring will be available from 7:25 to 7:50 on the following days Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
If you feel your child would benefit from tutoring even though I may not have requested it, he/she is welcome to join us.
STAAR
Your child will be taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness in English usage, writing (composition) in March, reading and math in April. Since this is a criterion-based test, the tested objectives are taught in the course of daily lessons. In January, you will begin to see STAAR-related worksheets coming home. These worksheets are used to familiarize the children with the testing format and develop good test-taking skills so they may perform to the best of their abilities on the actual test.
SCIENCE / SOCIAL STUDIES
Occasionally long-term projects may be assigned. Notification of these assignments will be sent home. Social studies topics will be based on Texas history and science topics will be related to the physical science areas.
During the course of the year we will be asking for donations of supplies so that the children will have the opportunity to participate in activities that will enhance their understanding and enjoyment of content material. Anything that you can send in will be greatly appreciated. We are also requesting a $15.00 lab/activity fee to supplement any special materials we may need.
LUNCH / RECESS
We hope that you will have an opportunity to have lunch with your child. It is a Fall Creek policy that you and your child sit at the Reserved table located on the stage during lunch so you can enjoy this special time with your child only. Please note that school policy does not allow carbonated beverages for lunch.
Please make sure your child comes to school appropriately dressed for the weather. Students with shorts and no jackets are not allowed outside to play in cold weather. It can get cold in our room so a light weight jacket for classroom use would be great.
Birthday frozen treats (ice cream) must be purchased through the cafeteria. No cupcakes can be sent to school. Birthday invitations may not be passed out during class time.
HOMEWORK FOLDER
Your child should bring his/her red homework folder home nightly. In it you will find math , spelling, and any other nightly assignments he/she may need to complete. You will find homework assignments and important notes written in theDaily Planner. It should be initialed and returned to school daily.
TUESDAY FOLDER
The Tuesday Folder is sent home each week. It will contain graded assignments. Graded papers should be kept at home unless a signature was requested.
CONDUCT
Our classroom rights and responsibilities are displayed in the room. Weekly conduct marks based on classroom expectations as well as teacher observation of overall behavior will be reflected in the conduct grade. Please know that we care for your child and want to help them learn to make responsible choices in life.
Fall Creek has 3 expectations for our students.
We are safe.
We are responsible.
We are respectful.
BOOK ORDERS
When ordering, please send a check made out to the Scholastic BookClub for the amount of purchase. Scholastic will not accept cash. One check may be written for the total of both an Arrow and a Lucky order. On-line ordering is also available if you prefer not to send a check. Please send the order form and check in an envelope with the child’s name on the outside.
CLASSROOM PARTIES
There will be two parties during the year, a Winter Party and Valentine's Day.
MEDICATION
A note should be sent to the nurse for all medications specifying amount and time of dosage to be given. Please try to consider your child’s schedule when making doctor appointments.
DISMISSAL
Students will not be allowed to leave campus in any manner not specified on the dismissal form without written or verbal notice. A note or email would be great.