Welcome to Room 35 Mr. Jerry Loisel
Classroom Expectations
· Students will spend at least 80% of classroom time reading and writing.
· Students will actively participate in reading and writing during this time.
· Students will expend appropriate effort to complete assignments in class.
· Students must take responsibility for their own learning.
Citizenship
· Behavior reports will be done using ClassDojo (weekly)
· Please don’t message me through ClassDojo email me at jloisel@FUSDk12.net
· Parents can check ClassDojo daily for their child by downloading the app and logging in
· Most behaviors receive verbal warnings before they are recorded in ClassDojo,
· The deductions on classroom ClassDojo are only documented by the entry given within the system. Most behaviors will be addressed through ClassDojo.
· Please don’t email me about specific point deductions on Classroom Dojo
· If your child is consistently receiving low scores on his weekly reports, we can conference
· Class Dojo is the primary method which homework is recorded as turned in a timely manner. Examples for behavior and homework
Not Following Missing ELA Homework
Class Rules
· ClassDojo is for most behaviors (as outlined in the Ardenwood Students of Character Plan).
· I will email any serious behaviors in the classroom or playground as appropriate.
· Students often receive a verbal warning before I deduct point off Classroom Dojo for behavior.
· Students are always told why they are having points deducted for behavior.
· The list below is some of the behavior and homework deductions for classroom Dojo.
· The list maybe modified at any time by myself
Classroom Dojo List for Behaviors
“fidgeting” -playing with items on or in your desk or desk area
“not working” -sitting and doing nothing and not asking for help
“distracting others” -in any way
“out of seat” -wondering around the classroom during class time, not getting to their seat in a timely manner in the morning or after recesses
“running to recess or lunch” “running in the classroom”
“not following line rules” – not walking with the class, not paying attention to the what happening and listening to teacher instruction
“not following classroom rules” -any behavior not listed above i.e. not keeping hands to oneself
“not participating” when appropriate participation isn’t being followed
Classroom Dojo List for Homework
“Missing Vocabulary”
“Missing Reading Log”
“Missing Math”
“Class Project Missing”
Classroom Dojo
Your child’s “Traits for a Successful Learner” grades are determined by the percentage grade they have in Classroom Dojo. This includes whether or not they receive “4s” in the final trimester. “Traits for a Successful Learner” grades are non-academic and based on your child’s behavior and responsibility.
Chromebooks
• Students will use these daily in class to support learning.
• Students are expected to be using their Chromebooks in a productive manner to support their learning.
• Students are not allowed to be doing any activity on the Chromebook not approved by their teacher,
• Students are expected to memorize their Google login credentials.
Classroom behavioral expectations for students (waiting for instruction to start)
· stay seated.
· look at the written schedule.
· takeout materials needed.
· if you’re unsure what to do look at the other students are doing
· wait for the teacher’s directions.
· review materials while you wait.
· they should be prepared to answer if called upon.
· do not get distracted by what other students are doing around you.
Grading Policy
We are using a standard-based grading system. Grades of “1” are primarily from incomplete work or no attempt. Most grades are going to be “2” approaching standards, “3” meeting standards. Some students may receive “4s” on their final report card to receive this grade they must have demonstrated that they have exceeded this standard for the entire year. I-Ready are the primary source for helping to determine if a student is exceeding grade level standards. PE, computers, and the music teachers can give out 4s for each trimester as they are assessing a narrower set of standards i.e., typing speed.
Grading is done in a multiple part system:
· Publishers test scores (i.e., math) each test generating scores to selected standards contained within the unit.
· Demonstration of growth and effort - a culture of explanations not answers – work quality expectations – on task behavior.
· Demonstration of standards mastery by tactile-verbal-written skills assessments and observations
· Specific skills test may be done with individual students by the teacher over time.
· Teacher created tests each test generating scores to selected standards contained within
the unit
· I-Ready test scores are used as the primary indicator if you child has exceeded grade level standards. As this is an adaptive test that allows you child the opportunity to score outside the 4th grade range i.e. 5th grade or higher. Here is an example:
VOC LIT INFO
Grade 7 Grade 7 Grade 7
· Some standards will only receive a “3’ grade at the end of the year. This is when they have no objective way to determine if a student is exceeding grade level. There can be a variety of reasons why students may not be able to show they are exceeding standards in certain domains. Including too few opportunities to demonstrate the standard with above grade level materials. Remember all materials taught in the course of study are leveled
to 4th grade. The following four standards fall into this category RL 6, RL 9, RI 6, RI 9.
Testing
All test materials are considered secure. This is due to past practices of parents keeping and copying tests for their child’s siblings or sharing them with other students in other classrooms. We ask parents not to share tests materials sent home. After each test cycle I will send home your child’s test for your review. Your child will have an opportunity to review their test with me before test(s) are sent home. If you would like further information about your child’s test score please email me, and I will attempt to answer your questions.
State Testing
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress / Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is the state standardized testing program for 4th grade. This test will be given during the month of May. This is also that time in which regular homework will start coming to an end as we finish the course of study for 4th grade.
Homework Policy and Expectations
Students will write down the homework each day and take home all materials necessary for its completion. Students will hold on to all homework until is checked and reviewed.
Students should have about 40-60 minutes of homework a night on average. If your child is varying greatly from this either spending not enough or too much time on homework, please contact me. This time includes 20 minutes of sustained reading from a reading level appropriate chapter book documented through the students weekly reading log. Homework should consist of reading, vocabulary, and math.
Homework will be corrected in class so that each student can correct individual mistakes. At this point there is an opportunity to ask questions and clarify concepts. Corrected homework should be kept in the student’s binder and should be used as a study guide for upcoming quizzes and tests. I will be checking that homework is returned and will be marking students with missing or incomplete homework down in ClassDojo.
Homework is generally not assigned on Fridays. Homework consequences are based on a student’s merit. Failure to complete homework will be reflected on the report card.
The weekly progress reports with Classroom Dojo will also contain marks for missing / incomplete homework.
I will attempt to post the homework daily on Google Classroom. This is a reference for students and parents not to be used as a substitution for students writing down their homework at the end of class. Students should be writing it down in a predestinated location at the end of the school day.
So, what should your child’s nightly homework look like?
- Vocabulary word(s)
- Math 10-30 problems
- Reading 20+ minutes
- Reading skill practice writing or worksheets 1-2 per week
- Benchmark ELA worksheets 2-4 per week.
- Typing practice – there will be no class time offered for this activity
- Doing research for science and social studies papers and projects as assigned
- If students don’t utilize class time appropriately this can lead to excessive amounts of homework
especially with our literature units.
Benchmark Reading Program / i-Ready Reading
Reading curriculum follows the Benchmark Advanced reading program supplemented by i-Ready reading activities. Students will read stories on a weekly basis. They will be tested on analytical skills through reading tests. Students typically receive direct reading instruction at this time.
Vocabulary homework will be daily. I will introduce a new vocabulary word every day, except for Fridays. Students will record their answers in their Cognitive Content Dictionary (CCD). In addition, they will receive weekly Greek and Latin roots as a worksheet activity. They should study and know these words for their vocabulary quizzes. Keeping the journal updated and being responsible for the journal (not losing it) is your child’s responsibility. This should make up at least 10 minutes of your child’s homework. There grades for English Language Arts are derived primarily from the weekly Benchmark tests. In addition, their i-Ready test scores also play an important role in grade calculation as a point of reference value. Students will receive weekly practice in English Language Arts. Classroom Dojo mark for all ELA work is “ELA work incomplete/missing”.
In addition, students will read multiple chapter grade level literacy sets. The first book we will be reading is Ranger in Time. I am unsure what book we will be reading next, but I will inform you via Google Classroom when I decide. My choice is contingent on the students’ overall performance with this book.
Students should read at least 20-30 minutes per night for enjoyment at their enjoyment level. This means that students should be reading books which they are not struggling to the point of frustration to read. If you are unsure if the book is at your child’s level of reading, have them read it aloud. They should sound fluent and not be spending too much time decoding or sounding out words. Student weekly reading logs are given out on Monday and collected on Fridays. Students should be filling these out nightly and answering in complete sentences. I use the following Classroom Dojo marks for the weekly reading logs “Reading Log missing/late” or “Reading Log turned in but incomplete”.
Students will also have leveled reading groups which will involve literature books and books provided by the Benchmark reading program. These groups will be given different tasks as they progress through their books.
Writing
Genres for fourth grade writing are narrative, opinion pieces, summary, and informational report. Writing is taught using Benchmark Language Arts.
Writing assignments will consist of summary, narrative, opinion pieces, and research papers. These genres are regularly tested in the Benchmark unit assessments. Missing reading assignments are marked in Classroom Dojo as “Writing Homework missing/Incomplete”
Generally, most writing standards will not receive a “4” at the end of the school year. It is very difficult to objectively assess a student to have exceeded grade level standards. Language Arts is the domain that students who exceed standards for language arts will be given a “4” regarding their writing grade.
Here are the report card priority standards:
Language Arts
L.1 Grammar (conventions)
L.2 Mechanics (capitalization, punctuation, spelling)
L.6 Vocabulary (word meaning)
Writing
W.1 Writes opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
W.2 Writes informational texts about a topic to convey ideas and information clearly
W.3 Writes narratives to develop real or imagined events with descriptive details and clear event sequences
W.7 Conducts short research projects that build knowledge through investigation
Math
The math curriculum this year is Math Expressions. I will be following the curriculum laid out in the book as it follows a logical sequential order. The object of math is for students to determine answers with a high degree of certainty. Math homework will be given nightly--approximately 30 minutes per night. We will not be covering chapter 1 in the math book as it is not a priority standard for 4th grade. This will allow us time to complete the SBAC practice math book before testing starts. Math homework is reviewed in class and students keep their work for review before the tests and quizzes.
Social Studies
• We will cover California history starting with Pre-Columbian settlements and people continuing through California Missions, Gold Rush, Transcontinental Railroad and ending with modern California.
• We will be using both TCi social studies and EEI social studies throughout the year.
• Student workbooks are the primary source for preparing for the social studies assessments. Parents should be aware that I only check their workbooks during their work time during class. The primary function of all social studies workbooks both EEI and TCi are to practice and prepare for the unit tests.
Here is a list of social study units in sequential order:
• Social Studies grades are derived from their test scores.
• TCI California Golden Landscape
• EEI Indians Peoples and the Management of Natural Resources
• EEI Cultivating California
• TCI Mexican California
• TCI California Becomes a State
• EEI Witnessing the Gold Rush
• TCI Connecting California to the Nation
• EEI Reflections of Where We Live
Science
• We will be covering the Homan Machine, The Birth of Rocks, Waves of Sound, and Energize Everything using Mystery Science (will be updated when we receive the Amplify Science curriculum). Students’ science notebooks and end of lessons questions are the primary means to prepare for these assessments.
• Student workbooks are the primary source for preparing for the science assessments.
• Student workbooks and their science journal are the primary source for preparing for the science assessments. Parents should be aware that I only check their workbooks and science journals during their work time in class. The primary function of the science workbook and science journals in both EEI and Amplify Science are to practice and prepare for the unit tests.
• Science grades are derived from their test scores.
CHPSE
Comprehensive Health, Puberty and Sexuality Education for fourth grade will happen at the end of May or early June. This is an opt out only program. All students are automatically opted in unless they are opted out by their parents. Please see the district website where all the curriculum is available for your preview. If you wish to opt-out your child, you need to return the opt out letter to the front office before this program begins (date to be determined}.
Scholastic
Ordering books for you child from https://scholastic.com/ and using our classroom code HG92B will directly benefit our classroom and students.
Email Information
My email address ijloisel@FUSDk12.net and I am available most of the time via email. Students are not allowed to email teachers per board policy.