Welcome to Parent Orientation 2013 – 2014

1. Welcome to Parent Orientation 2013 – 2014 September 10, 2013

2. Steiner BasicsSafe, Respectful, and Encouraging • Students are expected to follow the Steiner Basics for proper behavior while in school. These guidelines are used to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. The “Steiner Basics” are practiced and applied for the following situations: • Lines * Bathrooms • Lunch/Recess * Personal Space • Hallways * Dismissal • Assemblies

3. Our Schedule • 8:00 – 9:15 – Math • 9:15 – 10:20 – Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Spelling) • 10:20-11:10 - Specials • 11:15-12:05 - Science • 12:10 – 12:40 - Lunch • 12:40 – 1:10 - Recess • 1:10 – 1:40 – Flex Time • 1:40 – 2:30 – Finish L.A./Social Studies • 2:30 – 2:45 – Close of Day/ Dismissal

4. Attendance • Students must arrive in their classroom prior to the 7:45 bell, otherwise they will be tardy. • Per school policy, students are allowed one day for each day of an absence to make up work they may have missed.

5. Communication • Teachers are asked to check their emails and phone messages at the end of the school day. • If there are any urgent messages please call the office at (512) 570-5700. • If there are any changes in student transportation, the office needs a written note from you at the beginning of the day. • Our daily conference time is 10:20-11:10.

6. Events • Holiday Party – Friday, Dec. 20th from 11:15-12:00 • Valentine’s Party – Friday, Feb. 14th from 11:15-12:00 • If you choose to take your child home after either party, don’t forget to sign your child out. • Field Trip – Alamo field trip in May • Birthdays – you may send in birthday treats for the class if you would like. Please be aware of student allergies. Thanks!

7. Folders/Planners • Wednesday Folders contain corrected homework, graded papers, notes, and information from the school. Please review and return any necessary paperwork the following day. • Each student was given a planner from the PTA. Students are writing their daily assignments in it.

8. LISD Dress Code  No low necklines or spaghetti straps.  No see-through or tight tops.  Tops must meet the beltline.  Dresses and shorts must be modest in length.  Pants, jeans, and skirts must meet shirt at the waist. Source: Elementary Handbook

9. Units of Study • Each nine weeks involves a different unit of study. The following slides will outline a portion of the curriculum. • Students will receive a progress report in the middle of the first, second, third, and fourth quarters only if they fall below 70 in a subject area. They will receive a report card at the end of each nine weeks.

10. Science • Fourth Grade Units of Study • Properties Matter • Making Connections • Changing Earth • Ecology

11. Language Arts Understandings Students will understand that… • The classroom has systems or processes to make the classroom run effectively and facilitate optimal learning. • Writing is a process. • Readers apply strategies to decode and comprehend text. • Active listening is an important life skill used for different purposes. • Clarity in spoken language enhances communication.

12. Writing • This is the first year students will be tested on their writing skills using STAAR. • The students will need to write two, one-page compositions; a personal narrative and an expository piece. They will also answer questions over the various writing objectives for this test. • In fourth grade, there is a major emphasis on the improvement of writing skills by using the 6+1 traits of writing, as well as correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

13. Six Traits of Writing 1. Ideas Are my ideas thoughtful or insightful? Will the reader understand what I am trying to say? Did I try hard to make it interesting? Do I have enough information? Is the reader able to visualize my story? Is my story focused? 2. Word Choice Are my words interesting? Do they express my thoughts clearly? Is the reader able to visualize my story?

14. Writing Traits 3. Organization Did I tell things in a logical order? Did I repeat myself? Does everything link together with meaningful transitions? Is there a good beginning, middle and end? 4. Voice Will the reader be engaged? Does this writing sound like me? How do I want my readers to feel? Is it authentic and genuine?

15. Writing Traits 5. Sentence Fluency Are my sentences easy to read aloud? Do I use interesting word patterns and creative language? Do my sentences vary in length and structure? 6. Conventions How does my capitalization, usage, punctuation and spelling look? +1. Presentation Is my handwriting neat and easy for someone to read? Do I have appropriate spacing?

16. Reading • The students need to read at least 100 minutes per week and record what they have read. • Reading will focus on comprehension strategies, oral fluency, and accuracy. • We will utilize whole class novels, book club groups, guided reading, and the Journey’s textbook throughout the year.

17. Social Studies • Our TEKS cover Texas history from Texas long ago to present day. • Our goal this year is to integrate Social Studies into Language Arts through reading, writing, and “Document-Based Questions.” • We will be doing several Texas history based projects throughout the year.

18. Math 1st Nine Weeks: • Utilizing Place Value • Generating equivalent fractions including decimals • Comparing and ordering fractions • Analyzing Number Lines and Patterns • http://eduplace.com Textbook and Math support. The students can access the student textbook. • Log-in “steiner_student” • password is “student”

19. Math continued • In fourth grade we utilize a variety of strategies to teach math including CGI, number talks, hands-on, Lone Star Math, manipulatives, small group, Texas Math, Skills Tutor, whole-class and one-on one instruction.

20. Homework • The students will have weekly homework assignments in spelling, writing, and reading. These language arts assignments are given out on Mondays and due on Fridays. • The students will have math homework. Please work with them on practicing their multiplication and division facts.

21. Grading • Each subject will be weighted: • 50% - Classwork • 40% - Tests/Projects • 10% - Homework • Late work – 10 points will deducted each day an assignment is late, down to a 70. • Redo Assignments – Students will be given an opportunity to re-do an assignment that falls below an 80. It will be the student’s responsibility to turn in the corrected assignment within five days to receive a grade no higher than 80. (Exception: PACE redoscan only receive a grade up to a 70.)

22. BYOT • Steiner Ranch Elementary participates in LISD’s BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) • Students, with parent permission and signed BYOT contract, are able to bring in their own electronic devices for lessons and educational purposes only • If you have not already done so, please sign a BYOT contract tonight before you leave. Thanks!

23. Other notes… • Each student has a writing journal and a science journal that we keep at school. • Weekly updates are sent home through email. • STAAR dates: (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) Writing, April 1st and 2nd Math, April 22nd Reading, April 23rd

24. Thank You for Attending! We are going to have a wonderful year!