August 29, 2011
Welcome back! I am very excited to be teaching your child! I know that we will have a great year. We are going to focus on working together as a team. There are so many fun things to do and learn in fourth grade, and I can’t wait to get started!
Stay-Tuned: Daily communication between home and school will be done using your child’s assignment notebook. Assignment notebooks will be filled out completely every day and need to be initialed and returned to school the following day. Students will lose half of recess if they do not have their assignment notebook signed. At times, I may write a note for you in it. Your child will bring home corrected work in their take home folder every night. Please review this with your child. In your child’s Friday folder, you will find notes, updates, lunch menus, and weekly newsletters to help you keep up with important happenings in our classroom.
Ask Questions: If you have any concerns or are wondering why something is happening, please feel free to call or email me at any time. I welcome all concerns, ideas, and feedback that affect your child or our classroom. If something is not working, I am more than willing to talk.
Attendance: Daily attendance is very important in fourth grade. If your child does miss a day, he/she will be responsible for making up any necessary work that was missed. One day will be given to make up work for every day missed. It might not always be possible to make up work/activities done during class so please strive to have your child in school every day!
Homework/Grading: You should expect that your child will have some type of homework almost every day. I encourage you to set up a scheduled time with your child for homework every day. Your child should be able to complete most assignments independently, but do help if you feel it is necessary. Homework is expected to be returned the next day.
Any work that is late (left at home, not started, or incomplete) will lose 10 points from the score they earned for each day it is late. Students with late work will stay in for “Lunch Club” to complete it during recess. If you or your child do not understand an assignment, please write a note in his/her assignment notebook and it will not be considered late. (Five points will be deducted for work that does not have a name on it.)
I may, at times, ask a student to come in to redo an assignment at recess. It is important for students to have a clear understanding of skills (especially in math) before moving on to the next lesson. The grade on corrected work will reflect half of the points corrected.
Different tasks will be weighted differently. Although tests and quizzes are weighted less than daily work, there will be fewer so it is very important to take studying for tests and quizzes seriously. Grades will be weighted as follows:
Math Reading
Remembering 35% Daily Assignments 50%
Homework 30% Quizzes 20%
Quizzes 10% Tests/Projects 30%
Tests 25%
Language Arts (Grammar, Spelling, Writing) Science
Daily Assignments 60% Daily Assignments 50%
Quizzes 10% Quizzes 20%
Tests/Projects 30% Tests/Projects 30%
Social Studies
Daily Assignments 50%
Quizzes 20%
Tests/Projects 30%
Snacks: Your child may bring a snack to eat in the afternoon. Please try to send a healthy snack (fruits, vegetables, crackers, etc.). Candy will not be allowed as a snack.
Classroom Behavior: Rules help everyone know what is expected. Proper classroom behavior and respect for ALL is expected so our classroom is a safe place for all learners. There are consequences for not following classroom and school rules.
Students will be expected to follow the “Keys to Success in Fourth Grade”:
- Do what you are asked the first time, by any adult in this school.
- Respect all people and keep your hands and feet to yourself. Do good deeds and say good things.
- Ask permission to speak or leave your seat.
- Be prepared for class and do your best at all times.
- Walk quietly from place to place in a straight line.
- Tell the truth at all times.
If students do not follow these “keys” there will be consequences.
- Students will be given a “free” warning during the first quarter of the school year.
- If they are warned again, they will lose half of their recess, fill out a “Behavior Form,” and have a conference with me. I will write a note in his/her assignment notebook. This form must be signed and returned the next school day. Failure to do so will be considered a late assignment.
- A third incident results in loss of entire recess and a phone call home.
- A fourth incident will be an after school detention.
Participation in monthly incentives will be based on their behavior throughout the month as well as late work.
SPECIALS SCHEDULE (Lunch/Recess 11:50-12:40)
Gym Thursday 9:50-10:20 Art Tuesday 11:00-11:45
Friday 9:50-10:20 Guidance Thursday 11:15-11:45
Music Monday 9:50-10:20 Spanish. Thursday 2:15-2:45
Wednesday 9:50-10:20 Computers Wednesday 11:00- 11:30
Media Friday 9:05-9:50
Please know that I am always available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. I’m looking forward to an exciting and rewarding year! Four Lunch Clubs in a month will result in a loss of a monthly incentive. A detention will also result in a loss of an incentive.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Wegner
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
