4th Grade Curriculum
4th Grade Syllabus: 2017 - 2018
Teacher: Mrs. Rodgers Room Number: 403
*Please note that this is a working document. Changes will be made by the teacher as necessary throughout the year.
COMMUNICATION
Please know that I am always interested in your questions, concerns, thoughts, and feedback. If you call me during the day, your call goes directly to voicemail to avoid interruption of instructional time. I will call you back as soon as possible. I will communicate with you regularly through weekly newsletters, my website, student agendas, phone calls, or notes home. As always, please feel free to contact me any time throughout the school year. Here are some additional notes about communication:
· Newsletters will be emailed or sent home by Monday of each week.
· Student agendas are filled out daily. Please review and initial daily.
· Graded work will typically be sent home on Wednesdays. Please sign the sheet to let me know that you have reviewed the work and return the packet to school the following day. You will get the graded work back after report cards are issued.
· Please contact me by phone or email. My email address is arodgers@greenville.k12.sc.us. My phone number is 452-0260.
· Conferences are held towards the end of the first quarter. Additional conferences are held as needed.
· Please visit the school website and my site regularly for useful information.
https://sites.google.com/a/greenvilleschools.us/arodgers/
STANDARDS
A complete listing of standards can be accessed through the Greenville County School District website and the South Carolina State Department of Education website. http://ed.sc.gov/instruction/standards-learning/
4th Grade Curriculum Timeline
*Changes are made as needed throughout the year.
Instructional Materials
Math: Go Math, Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt, Hands on manipulatives, Daily Math
Reading: Journeys, Houghton Mifflin 2011
· In addition, classes will read novels throughout the year relating to Social Studies curriculum and some additional fiction novels. These titles will depend on material availability and class interests. Individual readers will also be used according to level ability.
Science: Discovery Education online text; Science Kits
Social Studies: My World Social Studies: Building Our Community, Pearson 2013
Handwriting by Zaner-Bloser
Our Daily Schedule
7:45-8:15 Math Review Morning Work and Calendar Math
8:15-9:00 Related Arts
Monday - Art w/ Ms. Welbrock
Tuesday - Library- Week A, Science Lab- Week B(alternating weeks of library lessons with Mrs. Maggio & science lab w/Mr. Rank)
Wednesday - Computer Instruction
Thursday - PE w/ Mrs. Beitel (formerly Ms. Wooten)
Friday - Music w/ Mrs. Bence
9:00-10:10 Math
10:10-11:50 ELA Block: Shared Reading, Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Language Arts, Writing
11:50-12:15 Physical Activity
12:15-12:40 Lunch
12:40-1:40 Science
1:40- 2:30 Social Studies
2:30 Dismissal
**All times are subject to change with regard to special school activities such as assemblies.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework is typically assigned Monday through Thursday nights. Homework should not take longer than 40 minutes to complete. Please communicate with me if it is taking your child longer than this. Students write homework in their agendas daily; parents should review and initial this. Studying for major tests should be done on a regular basis leading up to a test. It is not wise to wait until the night before to prepare for a test.
Homework is collected each morning. If homework is incomplete or not turned in, the student will lose free time or privileges. Missing work should be turned in the following day.
DAILY GRADES, QUIZZES, AND TESTS
· Spelling tests will be given on Thursdays unless notified differently in the weekly update. A new spelling list will be sent home on Fridays. We complete activities in class daily to learn the new words, and practice at home is necessary for students to reach proficiency with the words. Suggestions for practicing spelling words are included on a Spelling Menu that each student received. They can also be found on my website.
· Grades in all other subject areas will be taken on a regular basis through daily work, quizzes, and tests. You will be informed of any major tests in advance to allow for adequate study time. Please be sure to utilize study guides that are sent home.
· Grades are calculated based on the following percentages:
o Math, Science/Health, Social Studies, Reading – Daily Grades 60%, Test Grades 40%
o Language Arts – Spelling 10%, English/Writing Daily Grades 50%, English/Writing Test Grades 40%
o Grading Scale: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 50-59 F
SCHOOL ARRIVAL TIME AND ATTENDANCE
Class begins promptly at 8:00 and ends at 2:30. Students arriving before 7:45 can either go to the cafeteria for breakfast or go to the holding area in the 4th grade hallway. Students arriving after 7:45 but before 8:00 should go directly to their classroom. Any student arriving after 8:00 will need to go to the office to obtain a tardy slip before entering the classroom. Early dismissals need to be prior to 2:00. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time and at school every day except in cases of illness or emergency.
MORNING ROUTINE
Students will enter the classroom quietly, unpack backpacks, sharpen pencils, choose lunch, turn in homework and other necessary items, and begin their morning work.
MONEY
Students often bring money for lunch or field trips. Please make sure this is in a sealed envelope with your child’s first and last name along with the purpose of the money. Checks should be written in blue or black ink. Please do not bring money after 10:00 a.m. – just send it the following day. We are required to receipt money prior to 10 a.m.
RESTROOM PROCEDURES
Students are provided with restroom breaks throughout the day. Students should always leave the restroom clean for the next visitor and should always wash their hands after using the restroom. During instructional times, students are asked to wait for a transition time (when possible) for restroom breaks.
TRANSPORTATION
If your child will be riding home with someone different than their usual routine, please send me a note that day. We must have written documentation of this to ensure each child’s safety. Emails may not be read in time, and therefore should not be used for transportation changes the day of the change.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
The cost of a student lunch is $2.40 this year. Breakfast is universally free. Extra milk is 65 cents. Please put money in a sealed envelope with your child’s first and last name on it. If you prefer to deposit money online, go to www.myschoolbucks.com. On occasion, the cafeteria manager may have to change the menu without prior notice. Due to our schedule, please be aware that students will not be allowed to call home if the menu changes. Please send a doctor’s note if your child has a food allergy.
SNACKS
Students are encouraged to bring a quick, healthy snack each day to eat during our daily snack time. Students should not bring candy for snack time. If your child chooses to bring a snack, please send something quick and healthy that can be eaten in 5 minutes or less.
PARTIES & BIRTHDAY TREATS
Our school policy requests that you not send birthday treats for the entire class. Your child is welcome to bring a treat in his/her lunchbox just for themselves. Students are not allowed to bring birthday party invitations for select students. If you are sending birthday party invitations to school, there are three options. You may invite the entire class, all of the girls, or all of the boys. If you need to invite only a few children, please distribute the invitations outside of school.
We will have 2 parties this year. RGES requests that younger siblings not attend the parties. Only store bought items may be donated for our parties. We cannot have any homemade items.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We will work together this year to create an exciting learning environment for every student.