Welcome to the Fourth Grade Mrs Ball Room

Welcome to the Fourth Grade! Mrs. Ball Room 103 Open House 2012

Ø Welcome! Please feel free to explore your fourth grade classroom, using the scavenger hunt on the table next to the door. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the upcoming year!

Classroom Supplies Ø Tissues and hand sanitizer may go on the back table in the labeled containers. Ø If you brought notebooks and folders, you may place them at your seat. Ø Each student has a numbered box on the shelves. Please match your desk number to your box and place your supplies in the box. You may replace the box on the shelf.

Specials Supplies Ø If you brought supplies for specials, please mark them with your name and put them into the boxes on the table next to the classroom door.

Classroom Rules Ø Respect the feelings of others. Ø Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself. Ø Raise your hand wait to be called upon. Ø Stay in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.

Discipline Policy Ø We use a numbered card system in this classroom which is displayed in the rear of the room and explained in detail in a letter in the yellow folders. Ø All students start at the green Wonderful Work level and strive to stay there! Ø If you have any questions about the policy, please ask Mrs. Ball.

Tuesday folders Ø Every Tuesday your student will come home with a folder that includes samples of student work, graded assignments, behavior communications, and important letters from the principal and classroom teacher. Ø It is important to check folders and return signed materials every week!

Morning Routines Ø Breakfast Students not eating will have morning assignments to work on and time for self-selected reading. Ø Announcements/Morning Practice Work Ø 8: 15 Calendar Math

Calendar Math Ø Calendar Math 8: 15 -8: 25 Each morning we complete mini-math lessons that go along with our Daily Math series. These lessons reinforce topics that we have already covered in class and serve as an excellent introduction for ones we will learn later in the year.

Math Ø We engage in a very hands-on Math program in which the students use many manipulatives and educational games to master math skills.

Language Arts Block Our Language Arts block focuses on whole and small group lessons on Reading and Writing skills and strategies with independent work and center work time for students.

Reading lessons Ø Our reading program uses a Basal Reader, Text Sets, Chapter Books, Making Meaning skills, and SOL prep workbooks to teach students the skills necessary to become excellent readers and pass the Reading SOL test. Ø We use a four-block reading approach that combines working with words, self-selected reading, guided reading, and writing to empower strong readers.

Spelling Ø Students will be individually assessed in September to determine which specific phonics feature he or she needs to work on to become a stronger speller and reader. Ø We complete numerous spelling sorts and phonics reading stations that will help all students become stronger readers. Students will practice spelling sorts for homework throughout the school year.

Writing Centers Ø We use graphic organizers and the writing process to enhance student writing skills. Our topics often center around our reading text and related topics at the time and reinforce our reading SOLs.

VA Studies Ø Fourth graders study a specific Social Studies curriculum that focuses on the history and geography of the state of Virginia.

Science Ø Our Science curriculum consists of hands- on activities in which students explore the scientific process in a way that expands students’ knowledge of each topic. These items will be tested in 5 th grade.

Lunch Ø Anytime you want to join your student for lunch, please remember to sign-in through the office first. Ø Remember-we have 2 family lunches a year at Thanksgiving and Christmas times and we would love for you to join us!

Recess Ø Fourth grade exits the building through the door in the fourth grade hall and stays on the basketball court during recess. Ø Our students enjoy kickball and court games when weather permits, otherwise each classroom has indoor recess activities.

SSR/Remediation Ø SSR-Self-selected reading-this is a time when students may read a book of their choice or from a teacher selected author. It is an independent and silent reading time although students have opportunities to reflect on literature and share what they read with the teacher and classmates. Ø Remediation-teachers work with students to help them master past or current skills of study in one -on-one or small group settings.

Specials Ø Days 1 and 5 –P. E. Ø Day 2–Library Ø Days 3 and 7 –Computer Lab Ø Days 4 and 8 –Art Ø Day 6 –Music

Agendas Ø Each day students fill out assignments in their agendas and gather necessary materials to take home for homework. Please try to check agendas each night when you go over your child’s homework!

Homework Ø Homework is very important for your child to complete each night in order to master the skills we go over in class. Ø We fill out agendas each day in class, so please look at it at night when you go over your child’s homework and sign by my initials. Ø Use a homework plan to help your child set up a station in your home.

Grades Ø We grade on a different scale in in fourth grade than your child had last year. We assign A, B, C, D, or F to each assignment based on a 8 point scale. Ø Please take and post the Evaluation Codes in your home until the students get used to this new grading scale.

AR Ø Our school’s Accelerated Reader program is an excellent motivational tool to get students excited about reading. Many books in our classroom, in our school library, and our community libraries are marked with AR point levels and students will be able to start taking reading quizzes for points and prizes in October. Ø We read many chapter books in class that will help students earn AR points as well. Please read with your child for 20 minutes each night.

Bus Notes Ø Bus notes must be received in writing by 1: 00 pm using the following format: l l l Child’s first and last name Homeroom teacher The bus number they will be riding The physical (911) address where they are to be droppped off The adult’s name who will be receiving the child

Allergies Ø Please inform me personally if your child has any food allergies. Ø Also, indicate allergies on the backside of your child’s yellow card.

Thank you! Ø I hope you have a better understanding of the expectations of our classroom and how our school day flows. Ø Questions? ? ? I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and thank you in advance for helping us have a productive school year!