Welcome 4th Grade Explorers!

1. Welcome 4th Grade Explorers! We are glad you are here!

2. Duo Schedule • 8:30-9:35Block 1 • 9:40-10:30 Specials • 9:45-11:30Block 1 • 11:30-12:34Block 2 • 12:34-1:074th Grade Lunch • 1:10-1:30 Recess • 1:35-2:05 ELT • 2:05-3:30 Block 2 • 3:30-3:40 Dismissal

3. Contact Information Ms. Karissa Bolin Math and Science (281) 234-1785 karissakbolin@katyisd.org Ms. Brooke Baker Math and Science (281) 234-1846 brookeabaker@katyisd.org Ms. Karen Walcher Reading, Writing, & Social Studies (281) 234-1783 karenmwalcher@katyisd.org Ms. Amelia DeLane Math & Science (281) 234-1786 ameliacdelane@katyisd.org Ms. Hailey Harkins Reading, Writing, & Social Studies (281) 234-1781 haileysharkins@katyisd.org Ms. Meghan Lauhoff Reading, Writing, & Social Studies (281) 234-1744 meghanlauhoff@katyisd.org Ms. Angie Sticker Math and Social Studies (281) 234-1784 AngelaDSticker@katyisd.org Ms. Erin Long Reading, Writing, & Social Studies (281) 234-1756 erinalong@katyisd.org

4. 4th Grade Math You will love 4th grade math! We use a guided math approach that involves mini lessons, hands on exploration, small group instruction, and differentiated independent practice.

5. 4th Grade Math We will focus on the following concepts: • Place value up to the billions place (including how places relate to each other) • Estimation • Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division word problems (multi-step) • Fractions: comparing, ordering and equivalency • Decimals: reading, writing, and comparing up to the hundredths • Measurement: perimeter, area, volume, capacity, mass/weight and conversions • Elapsed Time • Geometry: 2D/3D figures, angles, lines, transformations, and symmetry • Relationships and data tables • Problem solving skills (answer statements)

6. Fact Fluency The Fast Fact program will be the same as last year. Students will no longer be given a graded weekly quiz that used to be counted as 10% of the grade. However, students will be practicing each week in class and/or at home. Once per 9 weeks, students will be given one graded Fact Fluency quiz that will be weighted as a major grade (averaging in as part of their 90% grades).

7. 4th Grade Science 4th Grade Science ROCKS! We will be doing many explorations that lead to self discovery of science concepts. Our investigations will focus on the following topics: • Nature of Science: safety and scientific processes/reasoning. • Earth science: water cycle, importance of the sun, weathering, erosion, deposition, soil properties, weather patterns, shadows, tides, moon phases, and resource conservation. • Physical science: properties of matter, changes in physical properties, mixtures and solutions, forms of energy, effects of forces, electrical circuits, and conductors/insulators. • Life science: comparing life cycles, food webs, ecosystems, inherited/learned traits, adaptations, body systems and functions..

8. 4th Grade Social Studies Howdy ya'll! This year in social studies, you'll focus on Texas history. We will be learning about the following: • Regions of Texas • George Ranch Historical Park Field Trip-May • Comparing the Native Americans in Texas • Junior Achievement (learning about entrepreneurship) • European exploration & Colonization of Texas • Conflicts leading to the Texas Revolution • Republic of Texas and the annexation to the U.S. • Immigration effects • Texas plantations • Industrial Revolution: cattle, railroads, and oil

9. 4th Grade Reading We are passionate about reading in 4th grade! We utilize a reading workshop format that encompasses not only independent reading, but also includes small-group guided reading and collaborative literature study. Some of the topics covered during the reading block are: • Using context to determine meaning of unfamiliar words. • Making connections (including thematic links and author analysis)across the different genres • Improving overall reading fluency and comprehension • Analyzing, making inferences and drawing conclusions within the different genres. • Understanding how to get and use information from various texts and supporting their findings with text evidence. • Expressing opinions and facts, stating main ideas, summarizing, and comparing and contrasting across the genres.

10. Word Work / Spelling We will continue the word study curriculum that is mandated by KatyISD. We will focus on spellings words correctly, but we will also include instruction on word patterns and origins, as well as prefixes and suffixes. Word work will involve students working with word sorts instead of whole class spelling lists, and graded tests will only be given once every 5 weeks.

11. Everyday Editing Instead of rehearsing errors and drilling students on what's wrong with a sentence, teachers invite students to look carefully at their writing along with mentor texts, and to think about how punctuation, grammar, and style can be best used to hone and communicate meaning. These sentences are studied over a ten day period. Throughout the ten day period, students are working individually, and with partners, in order to critically think about the grammar embedded in the sentence. Throughout the cycle, they also mimic, in their own sentences, the grammar and sentence structure that is being taught. The goal is that they will then transfer these skills into their writing.

12. Focus Poetry Provides students with an opportunity to study poetry in a warm and inviting environment. Students are encouraged to make predictions, discuss the meaning of the poem, and make connections that are relevant to their lives. Concepts such as rhyme, meter, line break, stanza, and many more are taught and reinforced throughout the year. Figurative language is another end goal for teaching Focus Poetry. Our hope is that students will be inclined to pick up on these key elements in a comfortable setting. They can then use these examples as mentor texts for their own writing!

13. 4th Grade Writing Writing is inspirational! We also utilize a workshop format during our writing block. Throughout writing workshop, students will focus on writing in a variety of genres and content areas. Writing workshop provides specific writing instruction to small groups of students and allows all students to organize, draft, rethink, revise and edit their writing. Some of the concepts that we focus on are: • Planning, organizing, drafting, elaborating, revising, editing, and publishing stories about personal experiences. • Writing brief compositions that establish a central idea with supporting sentences and facts, details, and explanations. • Understanding the function of the parts of speech in the context of reading, writing, and speaking. • Writing persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific audience

14. 4th Grade Homework Homework will usually be assigned Monday and due Thursday/Friday according to the following schedule: • Math: independent practice due Friday. • Writing: work will vary as needed and be due on Friday • Reading: reading log/journal due Monday • Social Studies and Science are not typically assigned for homework, but may be from time to time. Please check your child’s planner nightly. Homework should average about 60 minutes each night. All homework will be checked in class and approximately 5 assignments (per each subject) will be recorded in the gradebook per nine week period.

15. Grading and Weighting of Grades Major grades account for 90% of the overall grade • Common assessments may count twice. • Reteach/Retest average cannot exceed 70% and will only be given for common assessments (if counted twice). Homework grades account for 10% of the overall grade

16. STAAR Dates Writing: March 30th and 31st Math:April 21st Reading: April 22nd On STAAR dates, the campus will be closed to all visitors. Please ensure that your child gets a good night's rest and has a healthy breakfast. More details will be provided closer to testing dates.

17. Technology Students may bring their electronic devices to read or do classroom activities (initiated by teacher direction). These may include ipad, kindle, phone, etc. KatyISD will not be responsible for any damages done to devices or the loss of any devices. Please send with your child at your own discretion. You may refer back to the KISD Telecommunications Guidelines if you have any questions or concerns.

18. Thursday Folders, Expectation Cards and Planners Graded student work, expectation card and communication flyers will be sent home every Thursday. Please review all contents of the folder with your child. Folders and expectation cards must be returned to school on Friday with parent signature. Failure to do so will result in a mark for organizational skills on the expectation card (if not turned in by Monday). Student planners will be sent home daily. It is suggested that these planners be checked nightly.

19. Discipline and Rewards We believe in rewarding students for hard work and good behavior. We use a ticket system in our classes, where students earn tickets and can trade them in for various rewards. In addition, our school rewards Whoo-Rays to students who exhibit superior behavior.

20. Arrival Instruction begins promptly at 8:30 am. Our tardy bell rings at 8:20. If the student is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings, he/she will be sent to the front office for a tardy slip.

21. Changes to Transportation Student safety is always a priority at Ray and Jamie Wolman Elementary. Please make sure that all transportation changes (including temporary) are provided in writing and include the parent's signature. The front office personnel will then notify your teachers of the change. Teachers cannot accept transportation changes directly from parents via phone or email.

22. Attendance Reporting Attendance Reporting Link http://www.katyisd.org/campus/RJWE/Pages/Absence.aspx

23. Field Trip This year, we are going to George Ranch and the Outdoor Learning Center (OLC). George Ranch April 29th Outdoor Learning Center October 16th and 17th More information to come regarding chaperones.

24. Parent Conference Day Parent conferences will be scheduled beginning in October through Sign-Up Genius. Look for more information coming up in E-news.

25. Stay Informed Be sure to stay "plugged in" to what's happening in our school by frequenting our school website and by reading our e-news. Teachers + students + parents = Success!