Welcome to the 2025 -2026 School Year!
Ms. Ryder
4th Grade Syllabus
My Contact Information
Email: hryder@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-355-1339
I will also be using Remind this year to stay in touch! (text @hryde to 81010 to join)
Office Hours: Monday - Friday from 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM (office hours are closed on holidays)
Missed Work/Make-up Policy: All assignments need to be completed within five days after students return to school in order to receive credit. If it is not turned in within five days, it will be a zero in the gradebook. Students will be given their makeup work the day they return to school. Every student will have a folder where they can find make-up work once they return to school. Students are responsible for their make-up work.
Homework Policy: Home will be sent home every week. Homework will be given on Mondays. Students will have a variety of practice for math, reading and weekly spelling words to work on related to what we are learning in class that week or previous weeks. Homework will be turned in each day for review. Study guides will go home before major tests.
Grading System: The grading for Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies will consist of major grades – 40% (unit tests and projects) and minor grades – 60% (Daily assignments and weekly quizzes). For Language Arts major grades = 30%, minor grades = 60% and Spelling Tests are worth 10%. Please see the GCSD Parent Portal for additional grading information.
Grading Scale:
A - 90-100
B - 80-89
C - 70-79
D - 60-59
F - 59 and below
Graded assignments: Graded papers will go home as seen fit. All grades can be checked in your child’s BackPack account. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about grades.
Student Records: Permanent records will be kept in the office at all times unless the teacher has checked them out upon parent request.
Attendance and Tardy Policies: All students in South Carolina are expected to attend school 170 days of the 180 days in a school year in order to be promoted to the next grade. Excuses for absences from parents and doctors must be turned into the office within two days after the student returns to school.
Students will be allowed no more than 10 tardies or they may not receive credit for the class that is missed. Students will not be given perfect attendance certificates if tardy more than three times or if the student has an early dismissal more than three times per report period.
Also, Greenville County Schools are allowed 5 eLearning days to use at our discretion. You will be informed in advance if one will need to be taken for any reason.
Parent Communication: I will be communicating with you in the following ways:
Class Dojo for any announcements and upcoming events.
BackPack for your child’s grades and attendance.
Phone calls, emails, and parent-teacher conferences as needed.
Chromebooks: Chromebooks and chargers are checked out to your student for educational purposes only. They will need to be completely charged each night so they are ready for school. There is a fine for lost Chromebooks.
Presentation of Rules and Procedures: Our class will be using the Whole Brain Teaching Model this year which emphasizes student responsibility and using multiple ways to learn new material activating every part of the brain. The rules/procedures are explained and rehearsed on the first day of school and frequently throughout the first quarter. These rules are revisited as new students enter the class or as needed. Students will be made aware of the consequences when rules and procedures are repeatedly not followed.
Our Classroom Guidelines
1. Listening Bodies - I will listen and follow directions the first time I am asked!
2. Raised Hands - I will raise my hand to share my ideas or ask questions!
3. Quiet Voices - I will use a soft voice in the classroom!
4. Helping Hands - I will use my hands for helping others and not hurting!
5. Caring Hearts - I will use kind and encouraging words!
6. Respectful attitudes - I will treat others the way I want to be treated, respectfully!
Positive incentives:
Individual
Class Dojo Points
Daily Behavior Chart
Group
Brownie Points
Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines:
Mornings: Students wait sit quietly outside in the hallway by their classroom door studying on an assigned educational program. Attendance is taken in the mornings at 8 AM while students complete Morning Work.
Restroom: We will have 3 bathroom breaks a day. Students will be allowed to go during transition times, not instructional times, except during emergency situations. If a student has to go during instructional time, they will need to sign out and sign back in.
Supplies: At each table group, students will be provided with caddies that contain supplies necessary for the day (pencils, scissors, glue, pencil sharpeners, erasers, etc.). Students will be provided with more supplies as necessary. Students are expected to come prepared each day.
Lunch: Students are to go through their designated lunch line quietly. Students must have their lunch I.D everyday. They are to get everything they need as they go through the line. We will be eating in the cafeteria this year.
Water bottles: Students are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles for WATER ONLY to have at their desks. They will take them home each day to be washed. Any other type of beverage can only be consumed during lunch.
Birthdays/Parties: We love to celebrate in our class! Students will receive a birthday treat. For parties, there will be a SignUp Genius sent to you with items that we need. If you would like to bring in treats, you may send in snacks that are prepackaged. You’re the best!
Dismissal: Bus and day care riders are to be dismissed at 2:15 PM to the bus loading area. Car riders will be dismissed as they see their name on the Promethean Board. Everyone will remain in their seats quietly on Lexia or Dreambox until they are dismissed. Please send in a note or call the office if dismissal for your child changes that day.
Emergency Situations: If there is a fire drill, the students are to immediately get quiet, stand up, and line up at the door. The students are to follow their teacher to the back of the track and are to stay absolutely quiet. The first person in line is in charge of the emergency bag. This backpack is taken with the class whenever they leave the room. This includes related arts, lunch, and recess.
With weather related emergencies students remain in the building and calm and quiet as the teacher calls the class roll. All students sit on the floor with their hands protecting the neck area. In the event of an earthquake students are to quickly protect themselves under their desk and remain calm and quiet. During a lockdown, all students remain in the classroom in a designated corner of the room. Students are to remain still and silent until notification that all is clear from the office.
Field Trips - We will go on at least 3 field trips this school year, including our big Atlanta trip! You will be informed well in advance of the dates and payment information. If you are interested in being a chaperone, you must complete a background check with the office.
Fourth Grade fun!: What will your child be learning?
Science Outline
Unit 1 - Introduction into SEPs and CCCs
Unit 2 - Energy Resources
Unit 3 - Changes in Geosphere
Unit 4 - Waves in Action
Unit 5 - Energy in Motion and Collision
Unit 6 - Senses and Survival
English Language Arts Outline - We are thrilled to begin using a new Reading curriculum called HMH that combines Reading, Writing, Word Study and Phonics!
Module 1: August 11 - 29
Module 2:
Module 3:
Module 4:
Module 5:
Math Outline:
Unit 1: Math is...
Unit 2: Generalized Place Value Structure
Unit 3: Addition and Subtraction Strategies and Algorithms
Unit 4: Multiplication as Comparison
Unit 5: Number and Number Patterns
Social Studies Outline
First Nine Weeks: Native Americans, Exploration, Settlement of the United States
Second Nine Weeks: Colonies Unite and a Nation Emerges
Third Nine Weeks: Motivations to Expand and Effects of Expansion
Fourth Nine Weeks: A Nation Divided, Rebuilding a Nation