Welcome to Back-to-School Night September 25, 2014

1. Welcome to Back-to-School NightSeptember 25, 2014 4th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Burton

2. Information about Grading Grade Percentages: 100-93 A 92-85 B 84-77 C 76-66 D 65 & below F • Grade Weight: • Homework: 10% • Classwork: 10% • Comprehension 15% • Writing/Grammar/Quizzes: 25% • Tests: 40% Writing Rubric: 5= A 4= B 3= C 2= D 1= F

3. Dates for Interims & Report Cards Interims: Report Cards: -Oct. 3rd -Nov. 14th -Dec. 12th-Jan. 30th -Feb. 27th -April 2nd -May 8th -June 16th * Please access your child’s grades on Power School weekly to check their progress. Interims and report cards will no longer be printed. Your child has a list of passwords in their homework book.

4. Homework Policy • Students will be assigned homework Monday-Thursday. There may be homework over the weekend if there is a test to study for, a project, or Book Report. Each night students should study their spelling words and robust vocabulary. • The assignments will always be written in their Assignment Book each day. Please review these assignments with your child, and then initial or sign the book. • Homework is a reinforcement of the skills taught in class that day, so it is important that it be completed at home independently. Please assist your child if they need help. Students need to learn responsibility, and put it back in their homework folder and return the assignments the following day.

5. Homework Policy • Missed homework is still expected to be complete and points will be taken off accordingly. Each student is given one “Oops Pass” per marking period. • If your child is absent, please make arrangements to have his or her work picked up ASAP. If you call the office early in the morning, I will be more than happy to have your child’s work ready for you. I don’t expect it to be completed when they return from being out sick. We will make arrangements for a due date. • Try to set aside a routine each night for homework. You have to find a schedule that works best for your family. • Try to provide a comfortable and quiet place at home where your child can complete their assignments. • Graded assignments will be sent home in your child’s homework folder. Try to praise them for good work and help them correct any mistakes.

6. Behavior Policy(See Classroom Rules on chart) • Start Student Behavior Plan: -Each child has a punch card with his/her name on it which is displayed in the front of the room in a pocket. -1st offense: Verbal warning -2nd offense: Name on board -3rd offense: Stick is pulled -4th offense: Stick is put in cup & a note is written home about behavior. -5th offense: Sent to the principal • Once the punch card is full, student will receive a homework pass.

7. Mrs. Burton’s Website • Go to www.somerdale-park.org • Click on Departments • Click on Grade Level • Click on 4th Grade • Scroll down to Mrs. Burton • Click on Class Website • You will need to enter your child’s 365 username and password • This website will have important information and the weekly What’s Happening in Language

8. Weekly What’s Happening

9. Language Arts & Writing • New Language Arts program called Reading Street • Reading Strategies to strengthen comprehension • Whole Group & Small Group Instruction • Story Elements • Read Alouds: Sleuth • Literary Devices • Selection Vocabulary & Amazing Words • Grammar lessons • Mini-lessons to enhance writing • Realistic Fiction • Expository • Personal Narrative • Descriptive Writing • How To • Speculative • Friendly Letters • Informational Writing • Open-Ended Questions • Poetry

10. Reading Street Website • www.pearsonrealize.com • (please use the assign username and password) • You can access the textbook on-line. • You can access the Reader’s & Writer’s Workbook and other resources. • You can access the leveled readers as well.

11. School & State Tests • Measures of Academic Progress which is aligned to the state CCSS. • This test is given in the fall, winter, and spring on tablets. • MAP testing results are reported in RIT scores which is an estimation o a student’s instructional level and also measures student growth progress. • When making important decisions about students, school staff will consider MAP test results along with other data such as classroom performance, other test scores, and input from parents and teachers. • https://www.nwea.org/assessments/map/ • Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers • This test is given two times per year on tablets. (March & May) • It measures whether students are on track to be successful in college and their careers. These high quality, computer-based K–12 assessments in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy give teachers, schools, students, and parents better information whether students are on track in their learning and for success after high school, and tools to help teachers customize learning to meet student needs • http://www.parcconline.org/ MAP Testing PARCC State Test

12. Birthday Celebrations & Parties • Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday! • Nutri-Serve Food Management would like to help serve a healthy snack for your child’s birthday. You can purchase a “BIRTHDAY TREAT” for your child, teacher and classmates. • Our cafeteria will provide each student in your child’s class with one of the snacks below: • Please circle your snack choice • 1. Soft Pretzel for $ .75 each • 2. Popcorn bag for $ .75 each • 3. Fresh Baked Cookies (2) for $ .75 • 4. Special Request ( please discuss with Cafeteria Staff • 100% Fruit Juice or Milk may also be purchased for $ .55 each • You have the opportunity to choose the birthday treat for your child’s class. In addition, the birthday child will receive a birthday surprise from the “Birthday Box”. All snacks will be delivered to your child in the cafeteria during their lunch period. • Please contact: Linda Mackara at: som@nsfm or call 85-783-6261 x117 • Please enclose payment with order. • ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ • ORDER FORM • PLEASE RETURN TO THE CAFETERIA AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE PARTY DATE • Halloween Party & Parade • Thanksgiving Feast • Winter Party • Valentine’s Day Party • Spring Party • End-of-the Year Party • Class trip: In June 2014 to the Franklin Institute

13. Contact Information • E-mail: mburton@somerdale-park.org • Call: (856) 783-6261 and speak with the secretary to contact me. • Write: In the daily planner or send in a note in the homework folder. *Please contact me if your child is leaving early, or if his/her dismissal procedure changes.