All About Fourth Grade!

1. All About Fourth Grade! Mrs. Moeller, room 112

2. Entering the Classroom • Your Jobs when you enter the classroom are: • 1. Choose your lunch • 2. Turn in any homework to the bin on my desk • 3. Turn in any notes from home • 4. Take a seat and read quietly until the announcements come on. Then, Listen.

3. Arrival • Students may enter the building only after 8:15 a.m. • You may enter the room beginning at 8:30 to take care of your morning responsibilities. • Entering after 8:40 means that you are late. Being on time is part of being a learner. • Special begins promptly at 8:50, so there’s not a lot of time!

4. Dismissal • 1. Write down homework. • 2. When you’re done, raise your hand, and I will initial your notebook. • 3. That is your ticket to go to your locker! • 4. Pack up and listen for the busses to be called!

5. Dismissal • Buses will depart in two trips. • Pick-ups will be called at 3:10. • First trip will begin being called at 3:15 • Second trip students will wait in the classroom until 3:30, at which point they will go to the blue gym to await the return of their bus. • If there are any changes in the way you get home, a written note is required.

6. Discussion • 1. Raise your hand! • 2. If we are having a group discussion and someone is talking, put your hand down and listen until they finish. • 3. Listening is active! SLANT to show that person you respect what they are saying! • 4. Be a kind listener. You may not agree-that’s okay!

7. Homework • Homework will be given every night except Fridays. Expect to have about 40 minutes of homework each night! • Reading 20 minutes per night is a fourth grade requirement. • Homework should be done on time. Late work will get partial credit after one day, but after that, NO CREDIT is offered. This is a lesson in responsibility.

8. When you are Absent • You must bring in a written note from a parent excusing your absence. • Check the “While You Were Out” folder to get any work you may have missed. • The number of days you were absent is the number of days you have to make up work.

9. Attendance Policy • If a student is to take an educational trip, please speak to me about obtaining an approval form from the office. • Excuses must include a written signature. • At this time, emailed excuses are not acceptable.

10. I’m Done! I’m Done! I’m Done! • Early finishers will have a choice of activities to do when they are finished. • Reading quietly is always a good choice, but sometimes there will be challenge or extension activities. • Most importantly, please do not disturb others who are still learning!

11. Being Prepared=Being a Learner • Go to the bathroom before school and at lunch. • Sharpen pencils when you come in in the morning. • You may bring a (filled) water bottle every morning. That way you don’t waste time at the fountain. • If you must leave, use a hand signal, and sign out on the board.

12. Lunch Procedures • We will use hand sanitizer before lunch. • Packers will be dismissed to their lockers to get their lunches. • We will walk quietly to lunch and be respectful to everyone in the cafeteria. • After lunch, we will stop at the restroom to wash our hands and form a line outside of the classroom by the lockers.

13. Whoa! Lockers! • Lockers are pretty exciting, but having them is a privilege. • Decorations are not allowed (mirrors, magnets, pictures, etc.) because you should only be at your locker for one reason: to put things in, or take things out. • Keep it organized! Having more space can be dangerous sometimes!

14. Classroom Rules • Classroom Rules will be created by YOU! • We will sign and agree upon the rules you created • Rules apply to all areas of school, from the bus, to recess, to the cafeteria, and so forth

15. Positive Behavior Management • Students who do what they are supposed to will earn tickets to be collected throughout the week. • On Friday, the class will put all their tickets into a jar for a raffle. The winner will get a new car! • Just kidding…but the winner will get to choose from a number of great prizes!

16. Classroom Consequences • 1. Warning • 2. 5 Minutes off recess • 3. 10 minutes off recess • 4. Think sheet/call home • 5. Contact the office • Each afternoon, I will sign your planner with the color you ended your day on. Parents will always know how your day was.

17. Allergy Management • Haine Elementary is an allergy protected school • Allergy-free zone in cafe • No snacks will be permitted this year during the day. We eat at 11:30, so this should not be a problem. • Birthday treats must be non-edible. We will still celebrate in class, just not with food. Feel free to bring another type of treat! • Classroom parties must be from the approved list

18. PTO Involvement • Haine has an active and involved PTO! • If you’d like to join, please look for more information coming home soon • Join as a family for a minimal cost

19. Classroom Schedule

20. Compass Learning • A national program • It provides an individual learning path based on the students’ NWEA scores • It will be used about 40 minutes per week • More information and login numbers to come

21. Field Trips • Fourth grade takes four field trips: Moraine, Lutherlyn, Heinz History Center, Harmony • We are going to Moraine on September 10th. • Field trips occur rain or shine! For Moraine and Lutherlyn, dress appropriately.

22. Literacy Theme • Race Into Reading! • Kick-off assembly to occur in early September • Promotes nightly reading-20 minute minimum in fourth grade • Log reading and sign each night in their reading log. • The more you read the better you read

23. Grading Policy • New grading policy: 90% and up=A, 80% and up=B, 70% and up=C, 60% and up=D, <60%=F • Grading will come from a variety of assessments: tests, quizzes, experiments, nightly reading, spelling journals, in-class work, etc.

24. Organizational Tools • Sign Planners every night • Check take-home folders and send back each night • Different colored folders for each subject • Classroom books are school property. If one is damaged or lost, it is the family’s responsibility to replace it or compensate for it.

25. Home/School Connection • Success begins at home! • Proper rest, homework support, encouraging reading, etc. • The line of communication with me is WIDE OPEN. It’s essential! • Encourage your kids when they succeed and when they struggle. They need to hear positive words every day.