Wycallis Elementary 4 th Grade

1. Wycallis Elementary4th Grade Welcome Families!

2. Contact Information • Phone: 674-7283 (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM) • E-mail: • kecenrode@dallassd.com • nvalkenburg@dallassd.com • kkovaleski@dallassd.com • mjones@dallassd.com • Website: you can e-mail us through the website.

3. Website • How to Access Our Websites: • Through the Dallas School District website: • http://www.dallassd.com • Click on “Our Schools” • Click on “Wycallis Elementary School” • Click on “Faculty” • Click on “K.Ecenrode”, “N.Valkenburg”, K.Kovaleski”, or “M.Jones”.

4. Subjects Taught • The subjects we cover during fourth grade: • Math (homeroom) • Spelling (homeroom) • Reading (we switch) • Science (Mrs. Valkenburg and Miss Kovaleski) • English (Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Ecenrode) • Social Studies (Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Ecenrode)

5. Math • Math is taught in homeroom. • Math is tested on the PSSAs in fourth grade. • Students will learn about a variety of topics in math throughout the year including: geometry, graphing, multiplying, dividing, fractions, decimals, etc. • Questions about algorithms? Contact us. • Students will receive a checklist for Math with each assessment instead of receiving a numeric grade on their report card.

6. Math Facts • It is EXTREMELY important that your child knows their +, -, x, ÷ facts. • Students are given 3 minute fact tests. • Students are expected to be secure with all facts but division by the end of the first quarter.

7. Math Facts • SECURE: 90% AND ABOVE • DEVELOPING: 80%-89% • BEGINNING: 79% AND BELOW • * PERCENTAGE MUST BE CONSISTENT

8. Spelling • Spelling is taught in homeroom. • Students will have a spelling test every week. • They will be tested on about 20 words per week. • Spelling Menu: Students are required to complete 100 points by Friday. They are given 15 minutes or more each day to work on this menu. If it is not finished in school, they are required to work on it at home. • If they hand their menu in on Monday, they are deducted 20 points. Any menus not handed in by Monday will result in a zero. This grade counts as a test grade. • They may complete extra points. • Any questions?

9. Reading • Students switch for Reading class- their teacher is determined by a number of factors. • Reading is tested on the PSSAs in fourth grade. • Depending on the reading teacher, assignments will vary. • Students will be assessed on reading comprehension skills. • We require students to read for a minimum of 15-20 minutes each night, five days a week. This should be recorded on their reading log. Reading logs are due on at the beginning of each week.

10. Accelerated Reader • Each student will have a different point total goal for every quarter. • However, in order to participate in the AR reward, students must earn their points as well as meeting an average of 85% or higher for comprehension.

11. Reading Checklists • Students will receive a checklist for reading in their report card instead of a numeric grade. • Students will be reported as: • Meeting Expectations (ME) • Approaching Expectations (AE) • Below Expectations (BE)

12. Science • Miss Kovaleski and Mrs. Valkenburgteach Science. • Miss Kovaleski will teach her homeroom and Mrs. Ecenrode’s homeroom class. • Mrs. Valkenburg will teach her homeroom and Mrs. Jones’s homeroom class. • Science is tested on the PSSAs in fourth grade. • Students will be learning about the scientific process through content and experimentation. • Topics that will be covered include: life cycles, adaptations, habitats, weather, sun-moon-earth relationships, matter, force and motion, etc.

13. English • Mrs. Ecenrode and Mrs. Jones teach English. • Mrs. Jones will teach her homeroom and Mrs. Valkenburg’s homeroom class. • Mrs. Ecenrode will teach her homeroom and Miss Kovaleski’s homeroom class. • Students will complete a variety of assignments throughout the year that will focus on narrative, informative, and persuasive writing. • Students are not tested in writing on the PSSAs in fourth grade, but they are in fifth grade. • They will be graded based on the fifth grade writing assessment rubric. • Students will be assigned homework in writing. • All major writing assignments will be completed at school.

14. Social Studies • Mrs. Ecenrode and Mrs. Jones teach Social Studies. • Mrs. Jones will teach her homeroom and Mrs. Valkenburg’s homeroom class. • Mrs. Ecenrode will teach her homeroom and Miss Kovaleski’s homeroom class. • Social Studies is not tested on the PSSAs. • Students will cover a variety of topics throughout the year. • Students will also be taught map skills. • Writing may be incorporated into Social Studies.

15. Classroom Rules • Students helped create the rules for the classroom. • We expect all students to learn and follow the classroom rules at all times. • We will let you know if there is a problem through notes in their planner, emails, or phone calls.

16. Homework • Homework is an extremely valuable aid to reinforce what was taught in school. • Please set aside a quiet area for your child to complete his or her homework if possible. • Homework assignments will vary every night. • Homework time will vary each night. • This will depend on how your child completes his or her homework.

17. Homework Continued • If a student does not complete homework, they will have to make it up at recess. • Certain circumstances will be accepted if a student does not complete homework, but after-school activities are not included. • While we feel that after-school activities are very important for students to develop other skills outside the classroom, we ask that homework is a top priority.

18. Homework Continued • Planners • Please sign your child’s planner each night so that you are aware of their homework assignments and any notes written in it. • The No Homework Binder • If homework is not completed, students will sign the homework binder. If homework continues to be an issue, you will be contacted.

19. Conferences • Conferences will be held on Monday, November 11th. • Please fill out the conference sheet in your folder. This will help us to do our best to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

20. Homeroom Teachers • If you would like to see your child’s classroom and meet the teacher, feel free to stop by after the presentation. • If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher for a conference, please schedule an appointment for a later date. • Thank you!!

21. Any Questions?