Mrs. Corcoran’s Class Maple Elementary 2013 / 2014

1. Welcome to Fourth Grade Mrs. Corcoran’s Class Maple Elementary 2013 / 2014

2. Mother of two children B.S. in Elementary Education from Purdue University Master’s Degree in Elementary Science Education Reading Endorsement from Indiana University Enjoys reading, knitting, traveling, outdoor activities, and going to the theater Strongly believes that each child has the potential to be a successful student. Mrs. Corcoran

3. Formal Assessments • ISTEP + - Early March (Written Responses), Early May (Multiple-choice • Questions) • DIBELS (Fluency) – Fall, Winter, Spring • NWEA(Northwest Evaluation Association) – Fall, Winter, Spring

4. Reading • Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Reading Series • Poetry of James Whitcomb Riley • Self-selected reading material • Class Book Clubs • Novels

5. Independent Reading • Each student in fourth grade will have a lexile reading range after the NWEA testing is complete. Once students know their lexile range, they will be strongly encouraged to select reading material within their lexile range. This will allow the students to select books that are neither too easy or too difficult.

6. English • 6 + 1 Writing Traits • Creative Writing • Friendly Letters • Poetry • Journals (All Subject Areas)

7. Word Study • Spelling patterns will be examined and mastered • Identification of prefixes and suffixes will be practiced • Correct spelling on daily work emphasized • Spelling grades will no longer be given, but weekly spelling quizzes will be given and used for a portion of the reading grade.

8. Mathematics • Daily math assignments in or related to the enVision Math series • Pentathlon Games • Frequent math writing opportunities • Integration into other subject areas • Math fact quizzes • Weekly problem solving activities.

9. Indiana History • Map Skills • Prehistoric Indians • Historic Indians • Pioneers • Indiana’s involvement in major events in the history of the United States. • Indiana Government

10. Earth’s Changing Surface Magnetism and Electricity Structures of Life Motion and Design Science Notebooks Science

11. Grades • Standard Grading Scale • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 59-0 F • Special Classes • O (Outstanding) • S (Satisfactory) • N (Needs Improvement) • U (Unsatisfactory) • F (Failing)

12. Student Progress • Parent /Teacher Conferences will be held during the first nine weeks (September 9th – September 13th) • Progress Reports will be sent home half way through the second, third and fourth grading periods.

13. Power Parent This year you will be able to track your child’s grades on Power Parent. This program will allow you to view your child’s grades weekly.

14. Reports Cards • Grading Periods: July 31 – Oct. 4 Oct. 7 – Dec. 20 Jan. 7 – Mar. 14 Mar. 17 – May 30

15. Possible Fourth Grade Field Trips • Benjamin Harrison Home – March 19, 2014 • Indiana State Museum - ? • Clowes Hall - April 17, 2014 • Conner Prairie – September 18, 2013

16. Special Events • Fourth Grade Musical Program • Entrepreneur Day • Field Day • Invention Convention • Fourth Grade Pioneer Day • Farm Day • Colt’s Day

17. Daily Morning Schedule • Morning Message / Community Circle • Language Arts (Literacy) - Speaking & Listening, Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Phonics, and Grammar • Math • Specials

18. Daily Afternoon Schedule • Lunch and Recess • SST • Writing • Science • Indiana History

19. Specials Monday – Gym Tuesday – Art Wednesday - Library Thursday – Music Friday – FAB Friday

20. Homework • Each child is expected to complete unfinished class assignments as homework. These assignments are due on the following school day. • Students who fail to complete homework will be required to complete the work during recess time.

21. Daily Homework • Read for at least 20 minutes each evening. • Practice math facts for 10 minutes. (At this time, students should be very comfortable with addition and subtraction facts. They should be working on multiplication facts.) • Complete unfinished school assignments.

22. Mini-Economy • Students will earn money for appropriate behavior and completed school assignments. • Students will be paid for room jobs. • Students will be allowed to buy products and privileges with their accumulated money.

23. Assignment Books • Each student is expected to record all assignments that are completed during the school day. (These are listed on the board by the teacher at the end of each day.) • Each evening the assignment book is to be signed by a parent or guardian. • The following day the assignment book will be checked by the teacher or another student.

24. Social Activities • Students may have three parties during the school year. One party will be an end of the year celebration. • The other two will be determined by the Grade Level. • Students may not bring treats to school on their birthdays. • Students may not hand out invitations at school.

25. Water Bottles • Water bottles are to come to school filled with water. • Water bottles may be refilled once during the school day. • Water bottles are to be thrown away or taken home at the end of the day.

26. Cell Phones • Students are not allowed to use cell phones at school during school hours. • If students have cell phones, they are to be turned off and left in back packs during school hours.

27. Maple’s Positive Behavior Plan • Based on Maple’s Motto: • Be Respectful • Be Responsible • Do Your Personal Best • Based on Maple’s Behavior Expectation Matrix: • Follow directions first time given. • Keep hands and feet to self. • Use a quiet voice and walk inside the building • Use materials and equipment appropriately. • Demonstrate respect for others and self. • Take responsibility for actions and schoolwork completion. • See Behavior Matrix for more information

28. Matrix continued

29. Behavior Expectation Matrix

30. Maple Behavior Plan • Color-based system • Each student has a clothespin • Starts on green each morning • Can move up to blue, purple, or even beyond = rewards given • Purple = automatic “I Got Caught” card • Poor choices can make clip move down to yellow, orange, or red. • Orange = consequence • Red = family contact, consequence

31. Weekly Behavior Sheet • Stays in Parent Communicator (maroon) folder in the clear pocket on the front • Students color in box daily, comments from teacher if needed • Parent/Guardian reviews behavior with child daily • Parent/Guardian signs sheet at end of week, turned in to teacher every Monday. On Monday students will be paid for turning in their behavior sheet.

33. Rewards • Blue: When students end the day on blue they will be first in their class through the lunch line the next day. • Purple: Automatic “I Got Caught” card; After 10 days of ending up on Purple the student’s clip will be moved to the clip hall of fame and receive a new clip, plus a surprise.

34. Consequences • Yellow is just a warning. • Orange will result in 10 minutes lost from recess. • Red will result in parent contact and the loss of recess.

35. Box Top Fund Raiser If you use items related to the Box Tops for Education Program, please save the Box Tops for us. Most of our playground equipment is purchased with money earned through this program.

36. Communication • When you have questions or concerns, you may write a note or contact me during school hours at 544-6400 ext. 6490 • You may email me at lhcorcoran@avon-schools.org • You may learn about class assignments, activities, and special events by visiting the class web page. (Currently under construction, ready for public viewing by August 5th.)