Welcome to Ms. Meninger’s and Mrs. Wenzel’s Fourth Grade Information Night!

1. Welcome to Ms. Meninger’s and Mrs. Wenzel’s Fourth Grade Information Night!

2. Fourth Grade Curriculum • If you would like to view the skills your child is expected to master by the end of this year for each subject, please visit: • http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/ • These are the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) set by the Texas Education Agency.

3. Expectations To ensure success for all of our children, we expect all students to adhere to school rules that promote safety, respect, and responsibility. Students are held accountable for their own social and academic behavior, as we encourage them to assume a larger role of responsibility for their own learning and good citizenship. PBIS (positive behavior intervention system) focuses on acknowledging and reinforcing expected and positive behaviors!

4. Rewards/Consequences REWARDS praise and recognition class/school rewards encouragement positive notes home CONSEQUENCES verbal warnings sitting out fun activities contact with parents apology notes office referral

5. Math Students should know their addition and subtraction facts! Please practice multiplication facts, through the twelves, with your child at home. Students will be given timed tests throughout the year to help with memorization and fluency. Our goal will be to become critical thinkers and efficient problem solvers.

6. Science • In the fourth grade, your child will be studying science units which include: • Matter and Energy • The Natural World • Living Systems

7. Texas History • Students will explore the history, geography, economics, culture, and government of the Lone Star State – • Past • Present • Future

8. Reading Students should read at least 20 minutes each night. Students will be assigned a variety of projects and activities throughout the school year for the books they are reading. Various reading comprehension strategies will be taught to help your child grow as a reader and critical thinker.

9. Language Arts Language arts consists of writing compositions (Personal Narratives and Expository Essays), grammar, and spelling. Our primary writing focus is on the writing process and the six traits of good writers, not handwriting. Please practice handwriting with your child at home, as we are unable to spend a significant amount of time practicing in class.. Good grammar is a huge part of good communication. We will focus on revising, editing, spelling and writers’ crafts as we develop writing skills, and understand the connection between comprehension and composition.

10. STAAR Tests In fourth grade, students will take 3 STAAR tests: • Writing April 9 • Math May 13 • Reading May 14

11. Spelling/Vocabulary Test Language Arts spelling (vocabulary) tests will be given on Fridays. Other content area spelling/vocabulary tests will be given periodically. These are words that your child will use in class and be expected to know how to spell and use correctly context.

12. Important Times PE/Music/Art/Library (based on a color day schedule) Wenzel 1:30-2:15 / Meninger 2:15-3:00 library days: Wenzel-blue/ Meninger-purple Lunch Meninger 11:06 – 11:36 Wenzel 11:09 – 11:39 recess 11:40 – 12:10 Computer Lab - Fridays 9:50 – 10:35AM / 2:15 – 3:00PM

13. Math, Science and Social Studies Homework Math homework is given on Monday and due on Friday, unless told otherwise. Please practice multiplication facts nightly. Science and Social Studies homework will vary.

14. Reading and Language Arts Homework Read each night. Book reports and research projects will be assigned throughout the year. Reading/Spelling/Grammar homework is assigned on Monday and due on Friday each week.

15. Tardies/Absences/Other notes When your child returns to school after an absence, you have three days to submit a written excuse or doctor’s note (a call, text or email notes will not be accepted by the attendance office) before the absence is marked as unexcused. Please send a note if your child will be going home a different way than normal. This is for safety reasons. Permission will not be granted without a parent note or a call to the office before 2:30. If your child receives three tardies (or leaves early), he/she will not be eligible for Perfect Attendance

16. Fourth Grade Grading Policy • All students are expected to complete and turn in all assignments on time. Graded papers that earn below a 70 may be corrected at school and resubmitted for regrading, for a grade not higher than a 70. • This is the student’s responsibility, and regrading is at the teacher’s discretion. • Students may come in before school if they are struggling or need assistance with an assignment of homework.

17. Discipline Red Folders will come home every day. Folders are expected to be reviewed daily at home, and signed once a week on Thursdays.Please keep all papers and notes, but sign and return the folder by Friday. During a nine-week grading period: 0-4 marks = E, 5-9 marks = S, 10-14 = N, 15+ marks = U

18. Open Communication • Students should be recording in their planners daily. Please check this routinely, as this is an important communication tool with you for sending and receiving notes and information. • Challenger Elementary • (281) 485 - 7912 • Keep in touch through email meningerb@pearlandisd.org wenzelt@pearlandisd.org • View our school and classroom webpages for Peeks of the Week and important information and updates

19. SAFETY • Our priority is to ensure our students’ safety. • Immediately report any concerns regarding bullying to school personnel. • Administration will investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action, as needed. • An anonymous report can be made on the district website or the Stop Bullying Now mailbox outside of the counselor’s office.

20. Snacks/Water • Please provide simple, HEALTHY snacks for your child, such as: • Fruits/vegetables • Gold fish crackers • Granola bars • Nuts • Please pick convenient snacks that are NOT messy. Students will consume snacks in about 10 minutes while continuing with their work assignments. • Students may bring water bottles as long as it does not create a problem in class.

21. Parties • We do not celebrate classroom birthday parties at Challenger Elementary • There will be 3 scheduled party days: • Winter (classroom) • Valentine’s Day (classroom service project, student-only party) • End of the Year (sponsored by PTA)

22. Thank you for coming! We look forward to having an exciting and successful year with your child. Challenger’s Fourth Grade Eagles are soaring to success. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!