Welcome to 4th Grade

1. Welcome to 4th Grade Romans 12:7 “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” Thank you very much for coming tonight! I appreciate all of your support and collaboration. Please take a look at all the items at your child’s desk!

2. About Mrs. Sullivan! • This is my 9th Year teaching, 7th year in 4th grade! • Previous schools that I have worked at: • Millburn School District 24 (Student taught 5th grade) • Prince of Peace Catholic School Lake Villa (4th) • Northbrook District 30 (3rd grade) • I believe strongly in a Catholic Education and appreciate that you have a choice in your child’s education • Graduated with honors from Winona State University MN, B.Ed • In May graduated with a M.Ed. from Loyola University Chicago

3. Beyond Teaching: • I am an avid and competitiverunner! • Completed 7 marathons (taking this year off!) • Run for MMRF, in support and on behalf of my Mom who is a 7 year cancer fighter • I coached for 10 years JV/V Boys Track and Field at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein (Where I went to High School) • I also love... • DABEARS • Soccer • All thingsDisney!

4. My Family: • I am very, very close to my family! • My husband Sean and I have been together for almost 9 years, married for 3 this December • We have a dog Hera! • I have two amazing brothers, a sister and brother in law and two adorable nieces

5. Why 4th Grade is such an important year: • 4th Grade is a transition year. Students are no longer “elementary” but not quite into middle school • I am firm, but fair • It is our job as a team to work to help students transition, but also to foster independence and work on those executive functioning skills that are critical for them to be successful not only in middle school, but beyond that. • It is my job to help you in this transition as well :) • Organization and routine is Key: • Assignment notebook • Personal spaces (locker & desk) • Expandable folder • Responsibility and Respect for all!

6. My expectations for my students are: • They behave in a way that does not prevent themselves or others from learning, or me from teaching. • They come to class prepared. This means that their homework is finished to the best of their ability, they have the correct supplies, and that they are well rested and eager to learn. • They respect themselves, their peers, their teacher, and their school community. • Students are to abide by the Sacred Heart School handbook and rules. • They accept challenges with open minds and hearts and never doubt that they can do something! • They learn and grow academically as well as spiritually. • They ask lots of questions! And together we can explore answering them together as a class! 4th Grade Rules and Expectations:

7. Expectations for parents:I ask that the parents assist me in the education of their children. This means: • Reading and signing their assignment notebook nightly. • Great communication tool • Helps with executive functioning • Signing their behavior sheet on Friday to be returned on Monday. • Feeling free to contact me about any behavioral issue that you may be concerned about. • Feeling free to contact me about any academic or personal issue! My door is ALWAYS open to you! • To keep open lines of communication. • Working as a team to help support your child and their educational needs. • Continuing to foster the academic and spiritual growth in your child. 4th Grade Rules and Expectations:

8. What you and your child can expect from me: • To create a safe, welcoming, engaging, and respectful classroom environment. • I will always be reinventing myself and asking myself how I can make lessons, materials, and academics more accessible and understanding for you child. • I will make a point of getting to know each of my students and incorporating their interests into our lessons. • Everyone learns differently. I will always do what I can to make sure student needs are being met. • I will set high expectations and help them achieve them. • I will do my best to help them to be better organized, well respecting individuals with good morals who can move confidently through 4th grade and into 5th grade and beyond. • I will have an open door policy where I am always accessible to students to ask for help when needed. 4th Grade Rules and Expectations:

9. Behavior & Management: • Card System • Green, Yellow, Red • Behavior Sheet • Filled out every Monday, taken home and signed Friday • If a student moves to yellow, it will be noted on their sheet • Parent only contacted if I am seeing a pattern of behavior • Feel free to contact me if you have concerns after receiving the sheet home on Friday or to touch base • If a student moves to red, they note it on their sheet and have to fill out a reflection form, • Parent contacted • Homework Binder • Signed when homework not completed • Homework Heroes at the end of every month • Fun Friday • Friday class reward for good behavior :) • POD points! • Viking Bucks • We will be doing a Viking buck collection in 4th grade as well. As students collect bucks, and we reach certain number goals, they will receive rewards for their good behavior and positive citizenship. • Assignment Notebook • Student responsibility to get it signed

10. All assignments are written down every afternoon, even if it is completed. This allows for communication home about all assignments • Signing tests and quizzes • All homework is due the following day, unless noted • I constantly practice re-teaching on homework • Math especially • Teachable moment and makes homework meaningful! • I will always give a heads up, usually 5 days ahead, for a test • I will be in contact if there is a missing homework trend (Homework book, helps to track that) Assignments: It is all about teaching rESPONSIBILITY

11. Math: Differentiated group instruction with whole group and small group student centered learning. IWB usage along with mini lessons on major topic areas, use of manipulative and differentiated station work. Continual spiral review back to what we have previously learned all year with continual use of real word examples and real world application. Daily math homework/reinforcement work (reteaching always). • Number and operations • Numeration • Place value, comparing, rounding • Adding and subtracting whole numbers • Multiplication: facts and meanings • Division: facts and meanings • Multiplying by 1-digit numbers • Multiplying by 2 digit numbers • Dividing by 1 digit divisors • Understanding fractions • Adding and subtracting fractions • Understanding decimals • Algebra • Patterns and expressions • Solving for x, In and Out expressions and equations • Order of operations • Geometry • Lines, angles and shapes • Transformations, congruence, and symmetry • Measurement • Area and perimeter • Measurement, time • Lines and shapes • Data analysis • Data and graphing

12. Guided Reading • Settings • Narrative plot structure • Characterization • Inferencing • Theme • Poetic language • Descriptive language • Knowledge integration • Daily 5: • Read to Self, Read to Someone, Word Work, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading • Cafe: Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, Expand Vocabulary • Writer’s Workshop • Weekend News • Pen-Pal letters • Lucy Calkins Writing Curriculum • Realistic fiction • Persuasive writing • Historical, research writing • Grammar lessons and text • Wordly Wise program • Encourage reading at home as well :) Language Arts: Students receive instruction in a variety of settings which can include whole group instruction, direct instruction, small group instruction, differentiated literature circles, nonfiction studies, and self-selected or student choice reading. The Lucy Calkins method is used to teach, assess and edit writing. All language and reading skills are applied cross curricular, Taking the concepts and applying them regularly into nonfiction reading (such as social studies and science).

13. NEW RELIGION TEXT! Religion : • Understanding of God as revealed in the Scripture and human experience. • Daily readings from our text books that share Scripture along with real world examples • Saint reports • Having students examine the meaning of faith in their life and what it means to be Catholic • Understand and participate in the Sacraments of the church • The parts of the mass • Participating and creating school Masses on Wednesday morning • Understand and live the moral teachings of Jesus Christ • Reading and examining books of the Bible • Old and New Testament examples • Comparing important events (birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ) through the Word of the Apostles • Able to recite prayers • Exhibit silent prayer • Apostles Creed • Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi • Ten Commandments • Beatitudes • Glory Be/Our Father/ Hail Mary • Memorize brief quotes from Sacred Scripture

14. Social Studies: • Group collaboration project on various topics throughout our journey across the different regions • Regional resources, culture, landforms, and history • Region inquiry mini projects • State Report Project! • Current events • Economy • Geography • Map skills • Geography Bee Social Studies: Students explore our society, history, and traditions within it. Textbooks are supplemented with primary sources and trade books to encourage student’s inquiry into the past as well as our future in this country and worldwide. All lessons are aligned with Common Core State Standards.

15. Science: Instruction uses a hands-on, exploratory approach so students are active participants in instruction and research. Ms. Wegner and I have agreed on consistent homework policies, expectations, and management within both of our classes. • Science, Engineering and Technology • Life Science • Plants and animals • Ecosystems • Earth Science • Earth’s resources • Earth and Space • Physical Science • Matter • Energy • Electricity and Magnets • Motion

16. COmmunication: • Communication is key to having a successful classroom and school year. Please feel free to contact me about any concerns, accomplishments, expectations, or questions that you may have. • Best way to contact me is via Email: JSullivan@shwschool.org I will then be able to get back to you quickly!