Dear Parents and Guardians,

            I want to start by welcoming you to fourth grade at Sycamore Creek Elementary.  I hope you all had a wonderful, yet short summer and are as excited as I am to start a new year.  I am thrilled about what this year holds in store and look forward to getting to know each of you as I get to know your child.  I have no doubt this year will be wonderful and our classroom will be an environment where students will learn and grow. 

            This school year will be my fourth year in the field of teaching.  I taught fourth grade for three years at Hilburn Drive Elementary and I am excited to embark on this new journey at Sycamore Creek.  I graduated in May 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and in May 2005 with a Master of Arts in Reading Education, both from Appalachian State University.  I am from Jamestown, NC and moved to Raleigh three years ago.  I completed my student teaching in third grade and have worked with small groups for reading in third and fourth grades.  I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, playing with my dog, Bayden, and watching sports. 

            My room is always open for a visit so please stop by anytime.  I am here if you have any problems or concerns, so feel free to contact me.  The school phone number is 919-841-4333 and my email address is abreedlove@wcpss.net.

            The pages that follow explain and few things about our classroom and our school as a whole.  Please take time to read these policies and review them with your child as well.   Again, welcome!  I look forward to this year and know it will be a great one!!  Thank you.

I believe that every child is unique and has special talents.  My job is to provide experiences in an atmosphere in which these talents will be nurtured and new talents will be acquired and encouraged.  Children have special modalities (ways) of learning best… i.e. visually, auditory, and kinesthetically.  As a teacher, I need to provide options in classroom assignments and learning experiences that will encompass a variety of modes or learning styles.  Differentiation will be used to meet the different ability levels in the classroom.

A major goal will be to help children develop accountability for their learning through time-management practices.  Emphasis will be on quality of work rather than quantity.  In this way I will be able to provide the optimum learning environment.

Parent Volunteers

There are many ways that you can be involved here at Hilburn. Parental involvement is expected. Wake County requires parent volunteers that work in the classroom or attend field trips to fill out a volunteer form to become a level two or three.  You must be a level three in order to chaperone a field trip. This needs to be completed before October 3rd. You can do this on one of the computers in the media center or in my room. Parent mentors (or guest speakers) may present a project to the class, chaperone field trips, or help out in the classroom.  There will be a parent volunteer sheet for you to fill out in the beginning of the year.  This information sheet will help me become aware of your areas of interest in which you can help out in the classroom.  There are several opportunities for you to do at home beside the classroom.  Please feel free to visit the classroom.  YOU ARE WELCOME! 

Attendance

Regular attendance is critical to the learning process.  When your child is absent, he/she misses valuable instructional time. 

1.       Please send a dated, written note of explanation whenever your child is absent. 

2.  State law requires us to code each absence as excused or unexcused. 

3.  Excused absences include illness, doctor appointments, and death in the immediate family.

4.  Unexcused absences include out-of-town trips (not pre-approved), missing the bus, babysitting younger siblings, and sleeping in. 

5.  Students are permitted to make up work missed because of an excused absence. 

Homework

I believe that homework is necessary for practicing skills that have been learned or for enriching the classroom experience.  Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday nights.  Some assignments will require more than one night’s completion time.  Weekend assignments will only be given for a student needing make-up work due to an excused absence.  Students have the responsibility for their own homework.  Our school implements the Wake County Public School System homework policy.  Please refer to the student/parent handbook or www.wcpss.net for the complete policy.

Policy Highlights:

1.       Homework will be specific and based on previously studied concepts, is considered “practice work” and is reflected in a student’s work habit grade.

2.      Research-based guidelines indicate that students in grades 3-5 should receive 50 minutes of homework per day.  Rarely will your child’s homework time exceed this guideline. 

3.       This time does not include self-selected reading.

Student’s Role:

Students are expected to make sure they understand homework assignments and have all required materials before leaving school for the day.  Students are also responsible for returning independently completed homework to school by the assigned time with any required signatures.        

***Remember:  Always do your best!

Please observe the following when completing homework:

1.       Homework is due at the beginning of class on the assigned date.  They may not work on it for morning work.

2.      Generally, a grade is not given on homework assignments, and this system is used:

Complete:  the work was complete (neat, organized, and followed directions) and ready to be turned in on time

Missing/Incomplete:  homework was not turned in or work was not completed according to given expectations.

***Late work and papers without a name are incomplete and not accepted.

Parent’s Role:

Parent involvement is an important part of the total program.  The parent’s role should be one of interest, praise, encouragement, and support.

1.       Provide a quiet place to study that has good light.

2.      See that your child has a specific time set aside to study.

3.      Encourage your child to read daily.  He/she will be required to read at least 20 minutes every night.

4.      Help your child organize his/her books and materials each evening so that he/she doesn’t forget needed materials in the morning.

5.      See that your child gets a sufficient amount of sleep each night.

Grade Specific Guidelines:

1.       Parents may help with directions, but students will need to complete homework independently. 

2.      Homework will be reviewed at school.  As students learn new concepts, teachers expect that parents will not complete or correct their child’s homework so that teachers may better assess student understanding.

3.      Parents are encouraged to use the agenda or email to communicate any problems in understanding or completing an assignment.

4.      Homework is written on the board and students are expected to copy it in their agendas each day.  I will check to see if homework is written down correctly ONLY FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS.  The students need to learn to be responsible for their own learning. 

5.      If a student does not have his/her homework or it is incomplete he/she will fill out a missing assignment slip.  This slip will be sent home for parent signature and should be returned the following day.

Weekly Progress Reports

Inside the weekly folders sent home each Friday will be a weekly progress report.  This sheet is stapled to one side of the folder.  The weekly progress report will inform you about your child’s class work, homework, and behavior for that week.  Please sign the sheet and return it to school the following Monday. Interim reports will go home in the middle of each quarter for children who are at-risk and having trouble making progress.  Every child will receive a mid-quarter progress report in the first and third quarter.

Grades

Each student will receive a 1, 2, 3, 3*, or 4 on graded assignments and assessments.  Scores of 1 or 2 indicate the student has not yet mastered the skill(s).  A 3 means the child is performing on grade level.  A 3* means the student has mastered the skill(s) with evidence of applying the skill(s) over a period of time.  A score of 4 means the child has extended grade level standards.  Practice work will receive a “P” rather than a number score.  Students who are not meeting grade level expectations will receive an interim report each grading period.   All students will receive a report in the first and third quarter.

Homework Agendas

I expect my students to have their homework agendas for class every day.  The agenda has holes in it so they should always reside in their binders.  When they do not bring their materials, they cannot copy their evening homework down.  This can result in many missing assignments.  Please encourage your child to have his/her materials when they need them. I ask that you initial their agenda nightly, which lets me know that you have verified the work is complete.  Agendas may be purchased at the beginning of the year.

Accelerated Reader

The Accelerated Reader program is a reading incentive program.  Students read books from a selected list and then take short computer quizzes to test comprehension.  Students earn points based on the difficulty of the book and their performance on the quiz.  Incentives are offered to students according to the number of points accumulated.  At the beginning of the year, I will administer the Star Reading Assessment which will give the Zone of Proximal Development.  This is the level of books your child should be reading in order to grow.  I will assign AR goals for each quarter.  The goals consist of a point goal, percentage correct and reading level goal.  Your child must meet all three in order to receive AR incentives for the quarter.  Accelerated Reader is a resource used in the classroom.  It is not the reading program in fourth grade.  Although the number of points are important, my main focus will be on the percentage of correct answers and book level.

Classroom Library

I maintain a small classroom library.  Students may check out books one at a time from my library.  To do this, they sign their name in the check out log.  When they return the book they must check their name off the list.  Throughout the year my books seem to disappear from the classroom.  My books are all labeled with my name.  If you find my books around your house please return them to school.  Every week our class will go to the media center.  Each child is allowed to have two books checked out from the Sycamore Creek library.  If your child finishes a book before our scheduled time he/she may go to the media center before the 8:30 bell, or between 2:30 and  3:00(depending on afternoon instruction).  There should never be a reason for your child not to have a book to read each night.

About once a month I will send home a book order from Scholastic. There are always terrific deals on books.  When you send in the book orders please make the check to the book club (not Sycamore Creek).   Cash is not accepted for book orders.

Language Arts

Students in fourth grade apply reading strategies and skills automatically, flexibly, and strategically to comprehend fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.  They read for literary experience, to gain information, and to perform a task.  They use a variety of strategies and writing process elements to compose fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. They become increasingly proficient in active listening, speaking, and using media and technology.  They deepen and extend their understanding and use of English language conventions in oral presentations and written products.  Students will:

1.        Expand vocabulary through wide reading, word study, exposure to content area words, and discussion.

2.       Routinely spell high frequency words and use resources to check spelling.

3.       Write for a variety of purposes and audiences and use writing as a tool for learning.

4.       Communicate effectively with different audiences through spoken, written, and visual formats.

5.       Use media and technological resources for research and as tools for learning.

6.       Use increasingly sophisticated knowledge of grammar and language conventions in oral and written products and presentations.

7.       Apply comprehension strategies critically, creatively, and strategically.

In order to meet the standards, I will use many different approaches to teach language arts this year.  Wake County has adopted a basil reader which will be used.  The students will also participate in literature circles, small guided reading groups, and independent reading projects.

Math

This year I will continue to utilize Math Trailblazers as a resource for teaching our mathematics curriculum.  This program is based on the idea that mathematics is best learned in real-world contexts that make sense to children, that all students deserve a richer and more challenging curriculum, and that a balanced and practical approach to mathematics learning is what students need.

Your child really has a tough job this year.  In addition to the transition from third to fourth grade, they are also transitioning between completing concrete work (simple arithmetic) into more complex, abstract work (problem solving).  With help and cooperation from home and school your child can be successful.  Encourage your child to CHECK HIS/HER WORK.  At times we think this must be a new concept to our children.  Many careless mistakes are made that could easily be caught if students would check their work carefully.  This is something you can encourage your child to do on their homework.  Check to be sure they are taking the time to go back and look over their calculations. Encourage your child to show their work as well.  Most word problems cannot be solved in their heads, so they need to show the operations of how the problem was solved.  More often than wanting the “right” answer, I look to see if the students can complete the correct processes to solve the problem.  Please encourage this at home.  THEY are permitted to underline or highlight ‘key words’ in each problem.

Communication

What makes a special program work is the mutual respect and support we have for one another as teachers, students, and parents.  I value your opinions in regard to your child.  Your insights and concerns when problems occur are important to me.  I would like to request that:

1.       Students and parents discuss concerns before they become major problems.

2.      If there are questions/concerns, please contact me at school either via a phone call, written note, or e-mail.  I will respond as soon as possible.  Please remember that phone messages will not be received immediately (except for emergencies).  I check my e-mail several times during the day (and at night) and am usually able to respond quickly.

3.      If a homework assignment needs clarification, discontinue working on it and send a note/email to me the next day.

4.      I am willing to set up a conference, at your convenience, to discuss concerns and your child’s progress.  Regular conferences will be scheduled late in the first quarter and third quarter, however, I am more than happy to set up other conferences any time you have questions or concerns.

All students may bring a nutritious snack and a bottle of water to school everyday.  You may also send in a treat for your child’s birthday if you wish.  These will be eaten during our lunchtime.

Materials Needed

1- 1 inch three ring binder

2 packs of wide-ruled loose leaf paper

highlighters

glue sticks

scissors

Clorox wipes

Ziploc bags

1 soft pencil pouch

1 pack of colored printer paper

 colored pencils

box of Kleenex

5 spiral/composition notebooks

5 pocket folders with prongs