2013-2014

WelcomeOur goals for tonight are -

1. to familiarize you with what your fourth grader is learning and experiencing each day at school.2. to answer any questions you might have concerning our classroom and procedures.

My Bloghttp://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/ahoward/I post the weekly newsletter, all PowerPoint

presentations used in class, parent letters for math units, and at least one website each week that goes along with what we are studying.

Morning Work7:30-8:00Math Review (QMR) and Paragraph Writing

QMR and Paragraph Writing Unit 5.pdf

Reading8:00-9:00Whole Group Reading Lesson

- Phonics- Vocabulary - Comprehension Skills- Strategies

● Small Group Instruction

I encourage your child to read at least20 minutes each night at home.Reading is graded like last year with an S, P, and N.

Writing9:00-10:00Learning the writing processStudying various types of writing- narrative,

informative, argumentative, andresearch reports

Writing is graded like last year with an S, P, and N. Your child will not receive a grammar gradein 4th grade.

P.E.10:00-10:30

Math10:30-11:30Whole Group and Small Group InstructionFact tests will not count as a grade this year,

but please start studying multiplication facts now. It will make your child’s life much easier when we start multiplication and division!

The multiplication fact test this nine weeks willhave 50 facts in 3 minutes.

Math (Continued)10:30-11:30I have 3 pages on my blog for math. The math

facts page has links to practice basic facts. The math websites page has math games for your child to play. The math units page contains a parent letter for each unit and review PowerPoints that may help your child study for tests.

Shelby County’s Intermediate Program Area Specialist, Tracy Champion, has a blog with excellent videos demonstrating many of the skills we discuss in math. It could be very beneficial to you as you help your child at home. It can be found at http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/tchampion/4th-grade-math-video-clips/. The password is sc4math.

Lunch11:35-12:00

Recess12:00-12:20

Tier II Math Instruction12:20-12:50Reteach concepts from classRetest anyone making below a 70 on a math

testLevelized Instruction

Tier II Reading Instruction12:50-1:15Independent Reading/Journal ResponseSmall Groups

Specials 1:15-1:55Art – MondayMusic – TuesdayGuidance – every other ThursdayComputer – Friday

Social Studies1:15-1:55 (Wednesday and Thursday)Your child is studying Alabama History this

year.A study guide will be completed and checked

in class at least 2 days before a test.You will know a full week in advance before

any test.All teaching PowerPoints that I use in

class can be found on my blog under theHistory PowerPoints page.

Science1:55-2:35A study guide will be completed and checked

in class at least 2 days before a test.You will know a full week in advance before

any test.All teaching PowerPoints that I used in

class can be found on my blog under theScience PowerPoints page.

I try to keep science hands-on with manyexperiments and activities.

Snack2:35-2:45Please send water onlyTry to send a healthier snackNo candy allowed

Other InformationI rarely use the textbook in science and history.

The PowerPoints that use are located on my blog. You will receive at least a week’s notice before a test and will always receive a study guide in every class.

I am part of a netbook pilot project in Shelby County. I have 10 netbooks that we will use regularly for math games and research.

Friday FoldersWill be sent home on FridaysPlease sign the graded papersReturn the graded papers in the folder on

Monday

Howard’s HighlightsNewsletter sent home on MondayIt is posted to my blog on the newsletter pageI will send a parent email letting you know

our test schedule and any other reminders for the week

All homework for the week is on the newsletter

AgendasLets you know of any homework or testsYour child should copy it exactly like I have

written it on my boardI check and sign the agenda at the end of the

dayPlease sign the agenda each night

Conduct Conduct chart is located at the front

of the binder3 conduct marks in a week = early morning

detentionI use a behavior chart system in which

students are also rewarded for good behavior. If you child moves down to a warning, they are able to move back up to a higher level.

If your child receives a conduct mark, please sign their conduct sheet that night.

Questions