Welcome to Parent Night

1. Welcome to Parent Night September 11, 2008

2. Meet the Teachers • Erica Artho – Writing and Science • Todd Evers – Math, Social Studies, Science • Kathy Tomecek – Reading and Social Studies • Emilee Ashenfelter – Science and Social Studies • Janice Mateleska – Math • Tammy Humphrey – Reading • Autumn Lockett – Writing

3. E-mail Addresses • erica.artho@midwayisd.org • emilee.ashenfelter@midwayisd.org • todd.evers@midwayisd.org • tammy.humphrey@midwayisd.org • autumn.lockett@midwayisd.org • janice.mateleska@midwayisd.org • kathy.tomecek@midwayisd.org

4. Daily Schedule • 7:50 Arrival • 8:00 Tardy/Announcements • 8:00 – 9:00 1st Period • 9:00 – 10:00 2nd Period • 10:00 – 11:00 3rd Period • 11:00 – 12:00 Specials • 12:00 - 12:30 Scategories • 12:35 - 1:20 4th Grade Lunch • 1:20 - 1:40 Recess/Tutoring/Study Hall • 1:45 – 2:15 4th Period • 2:15 – 2:45 5th Period • 2:45 - 3:00 Homeroom • 3:05 Bus riders & Kindergarten pick-up, walkers, & bike riders • 3:10 Everyone else – Car signs on hangers please!!!!!!!!

5. Snacks • All students may bring a snack. The snack should be healthy, a small portion, and not take longer than 5 minutes to eat. They may bring water only as a drink – NOTHING WITH COLOR.

6. Assignment Cards and Purple Folders • Assignment cards and purple folders should come home everyday. It is the students’ responsibility to copy assignments from the board each day. Any incomplete work or homework should be placed in the purple folder to be completed that evening.

7. Home Folders • RED home folders will come home on Tuesdays. Please look over the papers with your student. Check the folder for special letters. Sign (not initial) the student’s assignment card and the signature page by the appropriate date. Send the folder (NOT THE PAPERS) and card back with your student on Wednesday. (Please do not sign cards and signature page in advance.)

8. Conduct • Classroom conduct is based on the rules listed on the behavior chart in the purple folder. When a rule is broken it is recorded on the behavior chart. Additional notes regarding conduct can be found on the student’s assignment card. Good conduct is rewarded with special activities at the end of each nine weeks.

9. Special Events • Good Conduct Party • Kids Biz (this helps pay for field trips and special events at school) • End of Nine Weeks Celebration • Field Trips • Celebration Day

10. Miscellaneous • Homework and Late Work Policies • These were provided in the Meet the Teacher packet. • Dress Code • Book Covers • Pg. 2 Student handbook • STATE LAW requires the students to keep their books covered. • Curriculum • www.midwayisd.org (curriculum alignment)

11. Math • DRILL, DRILL, DRILL on the addition/subtraction/multiplication facts. Students should know them backwards, forward, upside down, and inside out! Review each night for about 10 – 15 minutes. We will begin the school year learning about place value, geometry, problem solving, addition/subtraction/multiplication.

12. Reading • Story selection will correlate with topics covered in Science and Social Studies. Vocabulary words are introduced along with a story on most Mondays. Students will be working on various Reading objectives. On Friday, students will be given an assessment to see if objectives and vocabulary words have been mastered. Periodically, students will read novels. Participation in the Accelerated Reading Program is required, monitored, and is a grade. Students should read 30 minutes a day.

13. Spelling • Spelling words are given on most Mondays. The list may include words that are phonics pattern based and reading stories with challenge words that come from math vocabulary. A brief homework assignment is assigned on Monday and due on Thursday. Spelling tests are given on Thursdays.

14. Writing • Fourth grade students will take a Writing TAKS along with Reading and Math. This year writing will be taught using the Lucy Calkins’ Writing Workshop. This program builds proficient, confident writers. Encourage your children to identify small moments that could become great stories.

15. Science • Our Science curriculum reflects preparation for the 5th grade TAKS Science test by introducing new concepts and bridging the gap between 3rd and 5th grade Science Objectives. There are many opportunities for hands-on experiences to reinforce concepts within our curriculum. We may ask you to supply some materials for labs.

16. Social Studies • The major emphasis for Social Studies in the fourth grade is on the study of Texas. Our curriculum follows closely with our textbook. There will be times when lessons are extended beyond the book through the use of primary documents, videos, and biographies. Artifacts, field trips, music, foods, computer programs, and the internet will add to the curriculum. We will begin the year with a basic review of geography skills. Next, we will explore the different landforms and regions of Texas.

17. Before you leave: • Make sure you have signed that you were here on the appropriate sign-in sheet. • Make sure you have signed up for a conference time for Oct. 13th. • Don’t forget the TAKS Parent Meeting on Nov. 4th.

18. Thank you, and have a great evening.