Miss Smith's Class - News & Homework

Newsletter:

Dear 4th Grade Families,

We made it to Fall Break! Our students have worked so hard during Quarter 1, and we are excited for everyone to have the next two weeks to rest, recharge, and enjoy some quality time with family and friends.

Before we head into break, I wanted to share a few important updates about what to expect when we return.

ENJOY FALL BREAK!

We hope your family has a wonderful and relaxing break! Encourage your child to read, spend time outside, enjoy family time, and most importantly, get some rest.

When we return, we will take some time to get everyone back into our school routines and expectations. After two weeks away, it is completely normal for students to need a little reminder!

OUR FIRST WEEK BACK

Our first week back will include a big reset of classroom routines and procedures. We will review and practice things such as:

Entering the classroom and getting started independently
Completing classwork and morning work
Using and organizing materials
Transitioning between activities
Asking for help appropriately
Hallway and classroom expectations
Turning in assignments
Technology expectations
Cleaning up and taking responsibility for our space
Working appropriately with partners and groups
Responding to teacher directions and attention signals
Dismissal procedures

We will be reteaching, practicing, and reinforcing these expectations rather than assuming students remember everything after break. Our goal is to get everyone comfortable and confident again so we can have a strong start to Quarter 2!

Families can help by reminding students that the first week back is a fresh start and encouraging them to come to school ready to listen, learn, participate, and follow directions.

ELA — FARMER BOY

When we return, we will continue reading Farmer Boy, Chapters 5–9.

Students will also have:

A Farmer Boy test
A vocabulary test
A Farmer Boy packet grade

These will be completed during the first part of the quarter, with the packet/test work scheduled for Friday, 10/12.

VETERANS DAY WRITING

We will also begin our Veterans Day writing assignment.

This will be an independent writing assignment, meaning students will be expected to demonstrate what they can do on their own. More information and directions will be shared with students once we begin the assignment.

MATH — MODULE 6

We will begin Math Module 6 when we return.

There will not be a math test during our first week back. Instead, we will spend that week reviewing, reteaching, and making sure students understand the material before moving forward.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue with Symbols & Landmarks as we begin Week 5.

SCIENCE

We will continue with Defining and Developing Energy Solutions during Week 9.

DAILY GRAMMAR

Beginning in Quarter 2, Daily Grammar will count as a classwork grade. Students will continue completing their daily grammar practice as part of their regular classroom work.

TUTORING UPDATE

Please note that our tutoring schedule has changed.

If your child participates in tutoring, please make sure you have the updated tutoring days and times so that everyone is prepared when we return from break. Reminder, tutoring is by invite only!

Tuesdays: Reading Tutoring with Mr. Jomo @ 7:30

Thursdays: Math Tutoring with Mrs. Fuentes @ 7:30

THANK YOU!

Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to all of our families for your continued love, support, communication, and partnership. Your support at home makes such a difference in your child's success at school, and I am incredibly grateful for everything you do.

Quarter 2 is going to be a busy one, but I am excited about everything our students are going to accomplish. We have so much to look forward to, and I know that with our students, families, and teachers working together, we can make it a great quarter!

For now, though, enjoy the break!

Rest, have fun, make some memories, and enjoy the extra family time. We will see everyone back refreshed and ready for a fantastic Quarter 2!

Have a wonderful Fall Break!

Warmly,

Weekly Assignment Layout:

WEDNESDAY:

Social Studies Test/Assignment

THURSDAY:

Phonograms Test
Pre-Spelling Test (100% = no final test or spelling homework)

FRIDAY:

Spelling Test
Word Analysis Test (intermittent)
Grammar Test
Science Test/Assignment
Vocab Test (intermittent)
Reading Test
Math Test (may vary - refer to emails)

Q2 Book Report

Virtue Reminder: Perseverance

Long Term Assignment Due Dates (non-negotiable):

Book Report: 12/11

Book Log: 12/11

Poem Passed-Out: 10/28

Poem Due Date: 11/18

Homework Expectations:

Spelling:

Mondays/Tuesday: Write spelling words for the day TWICE

Wednesdays: Word Scramble

Thursday: Write MISSED words ONCE (100% on pretest = no homework!!)

Math:

Monday-Thursday: Homework Page/Review Page/Study Page

Grammar:

Monday-Thursday: Grammar Activity

Recommended Practice:

Math Facts:

Suggestions: Flashcards, Timed Drills (3 mins, 100 questions), etc.

Phonograms: Check Spalding

Reading: 10 pgs a Night (for Reading Log) + Study Vocab

Science/Social Studies:

Other:

Cursive Practice

Any Permission Slips Sent Home

Long Term Assignments:

Policy: These assignments do not get extensions unless there is an extenuating circumstance as determined by teacher & school policy. They will be -10% for every day late after graded.

Poem: Students will not receive extensions on this assignment (illness and other extenuating circumstances at teacher discretion). They will be expected to perform what they know before the class and will receive prompting from the teacher to finish the recitation. This practice is not to humiliate your student; it is an assignment that requires a submission and therefore students must turn something in (i.e. a best attempt/prompted recitation). This enforces that students cannot "get out of" an assignment because they didn't do it.

Book Report is due @ 8:30 a.m. for full credit.

*Note* Book must be 150 pg FICTION book.

Book Log is due @ 8:30 a.m. for full credit.

Egg Drop: February 22. 2027

PLEASE make sure you are SIGNING your student's homework slips EVERY night! Thank you!!

Homework Grading Policy (from family handbook):

"Homework is directly related to daily instruction and will be reviewed by the teacher daily. Standards of neatness and accuracy are to be maintained regardless of the subject matter area. Completion grades rather than accuracy grades are kept in the area of homework. Homework grades may be included as part of each content area grade for students in 6th grade and some students receiving exceptional student services. Homework grades are included on report cards at the end of each grading period."

State Testing:

Testing Policies (NO EXCEPTIONS):

NO Parent Volunteers on test days.

Students CANNOT begin the test if they arrive late to school and cannot continue the test if they leave early - therefore, please ensure you move/reschedule all appointments that may impede upon our testing time. Testing begins promptly at 8:30. If you child is late, they will be required to work in the office and test another time/location which cause undo stress on the student.

Please direct all questions and concerns to administration.

Policy Regarding Make-Up Work:

Students will receive all make-up work the day they return in one large packet with a due date. Anything added that is not typically homework WILL be taken for a grade. Students and families have two days for every day absent to make up work (i.e absent for 7 school days you will have 14 total days (including weekends/breaks) to make work up). All make-up tests will be taken at teachers discretion. Any work missed in the final week of a quarter will be made-up the first week of return (as final week of a quarter's grades go into the next quarter).

Into Math Test Corrections Policy.pdf