Welcome to Fourth Grade!An At-a-Glance Guide

for Parents

Fou!

Fourth Grade Staff:Room 102—Mrs. Allison WandreyRoom 103—Mrs. Monica Holmi StankRoom 104—Mr. JR GradelRoom 132B—Mr. Eric Vivoda

Art: Mrs. Lisa CheungGym: Mr. Jack OsieczanekMusic: Mrs. Jennifer GrosseLibrary: Mrs. Barb Duenk***Other special education aides

Schedule:Morning: Afternoon:Literacy Block Science•Brain Warm Ups Social Studies•Reading Math•Writer’s Workshop Words Their Way•PoetryIntervention Groups

Afternoon:Specialists•Physical Education•Music•Art

•Change in lunch time: 11:30-11:55

LiteracyBlock

Components of Literacy Block:

•Whole Group Instruction•Small Group Instruction•Independent Work Time•Independent Reading Time

READING RECORD

Graded at the end of each monthGrade based on the number of minutes student has readVariety of materials to read

•Chapter books•Magazines•Pamphlets•Newsletters

Parent initials required for each entryAt the end of each month—add total amount of minutes for the month

Reading Record Grading Scale:

480 minutes or more = A460-479 minutes = A-441-459 minutes= B+

440 minutes = B420-439 minutes = B-401-419 minutes = C+

400 minutes = C380-399 minutes = C-361-379 minutes = D+

360 minutes =D321-359 minutes = D-

320 minutes or below = F

BOOK REPORTS:Three per year—1.Non-Fiction: Photo Album2.Historical Fiction: Quilt3.Biography: Presidential Poster

One per trimesterRotation BasisRubrics and examples provided

BRAIN WARM UPS

Morning routine—students work on it themselvesLanguage arts—variety of topics

•Correcting grammar in sentences•Correcting mechanics•Spelling•Phonics•Alphabetizing

Correct together on that dayTest on Friday

POETRY

Reason—great for comprehension, vocabulary, oral reading, intonation, author’s purpose, specific reading skills, and patterning

Writing

Lots of opportunity to write !!!! Formal and informal

opportunities~

Begin with structured activities and gradually students become more and more independent….

MATH

*24 Topics*5 to 6 days per topic*Recursive/Spiral Curriculum*Emphasis is on problem solving not computation*Math Log--monthly

Basic Math Facts:September—Addition and SubtractionOctober-January---MultiplicationJanuary and “beyond”—Division***District testing for multiplication and division begins in September

Math Topics1. Exploring Mathematics 13. Manipulating Money2. Investigating Length 14. Multiplying by Tens3. Using Addition and Subtraction 15. Exploring Polygons and Circles4. Investigating 5 Digit Numbers 16. Investigating Decimal Fractions5. Investigating Shapes and Angles 17. Dealing with Data and

Probability6. Finding Fractions 18. Multiplying by 2 Digit Numbers7. Multiplying by 1 Digit Numbers 19. Investigating Area8. Working with Time 20. Dividing Large Numbers9. Exploring Shapes and Perimeters 21. Using Decimal Fractions10. Working with Fractions 22. Exploring Volume and

Capacity11. Linking Multiplication and Division 23. Working with Weight12. Investigating Large Numbers 24. Thinking Visually

Color indicates a “spiral curriculum” (topic revisited several times throughout the year).

SCIENCE

Science Topics

1)Rocks and Minerals2)Motion and Design3) Animals4) Body’s Delivery System

Assessments:Tests/District BenchmarksAssignmentsProjectsTeacher Observation

SOCIAL STUDIES Topics:1.Maps and Globes2.Government3.Wisconsin

State SymbolsGeography of WisconsinNative AmericanExplorersFur TradingEconomics of Wisconsin Lead Mining Farming Farming and Railroads Lumber and Paper Inventions and IndustryFamous Wisconsinites

Assessments:Tests/District BenchmarksAssignmentsProjectsTeacher Observation

Homework Policy:**District Policy

Approximately 60 minutes per nightMonday through ThursdayWeekends–continue to complete reading record and math

log

Grading Scale

Letter Grades:A 100-90B 89-80C 79-70D 69-60F 59 or below

Number “Grades”:4 Exceeding Standard5 Meeting Standard6 Progressing Towards Standard1 Beginning to Understand Standard

Ways of Communication:1. WebGrader—

*on line access*updated on a monthly basis

2. Report Cards (trimesters)3. Parent Teacher Conferences4. Website5. Phone6. Email7. Assignment Notebook8. Note9. Room Parent

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Classes begin PROMPTLY at 8:47am• Healthy Snacks!!• Water Bottles• Safety Issues:

*Before School—8:35 Supervision beginsand permission needed*Notes after school for dismissal different than bus

Volunteers: We Need You!!!

There are many opportunities for you to be an active part of your child’s education….We rely on parent volunteers. Here is a list of possible ways to help this year:

1.Room Mom/Room Dad2.Math Facts Checker3.Reading Helper4.Computer Assistant5.Clerical6. Book Order Person

**If you are interested in helping, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Looking Forward to a Great Year!• Please contact your child’s classroom teacher with any questions:

• Mr. Gradel jgradel@germantown.k12.wi.us• Mrs. Holmi mholmistank@germantown.k12.wi.us• Mrs. Wandrey awandrey@germantown.k12.wi.us