Welcome to fourth grade

Welcome!  I am excited to start a new school year and have the chance to get to know each of your children.  I will do my best to help your child grow socially, emotionally, and academically this year.  My goal is to provide an interesting and safe environment so that each child is able to succeed and do their best.  I believe parent involvement is essential to the success of each child.  Below you will find important information regarding classroom and school rules and procedures for this year as well as my contact information. 

I look forward to a great year!

Contact information

Name: Natalie Richards       Room: 404          Phone: 355-2491     Email: nrichards@greenville.k12.sc.us

Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/richards4thgrade/parents

Curriculum 

Here are resources provided by the district to show what students will learn this year. 

ELA

Math, Science, & Social Studies 

Parent/Teacher Communication

Teachers will communicate weekly with parents through school wide Thursday communication folders, weekly newsletters, emails, Class Dojo messages and parent phone calls. Please reach out to your teacher if you are not receiving communication in these formats.  

Grading Guidelines

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D: 69-60

F: 59 below

Students are given a variety of grades throughout the quarter.  The majority of assessments will be online in preparation for standardized and state testing.  Math, Reading, Social Studies, and Science averages include minor grades which count 60% and major tests which count 40% of the final average.  ELA scores have minor grades which count 60%, spelling grades which count 10%, and major grades which count 30% of the final average

Missed Work and Make-up Policy/retesting

Students will have one week to complete work that was missed due to an absence.  

**Retesting is allowed only for MAJOR assessments that are below the class average.

It is the responsibility of the child to monitor and complete any missing assignments throughout the quarter.  There will be a document that will be updated weekly on missing assignments that is available to the students to keep track of any missing work.  They should notify the teacher when it is completed.

Per our school policy, students have two weeks past the due date of a missing assignment to complete it. If the assignment is not turned in by the two week deadline, students will have a grade of zero recorded in the gradebook. As our purpose for grades is to maintain support of student learning. When assignments are late, they are less likely to perform their best and the support they might need is delayed. This also encourages students to take responsibility and work on time management. Students will have extra time during the week to complete any missing assignments, and any minor grades can also be completed at home. 

Classroom Expectations

At Taylors, we are empowering leaders for today and tomorrow. In order to be a leader, we expect students to be ready to learn, prepared and respectful in order to get the most out of our day socially, academically and emotionally. We monitor this using our Topcat Behavior System. Students will start each day on a 3, which means meeting expectations. Students may move up to a 4 for showing exceptional leadership. Students may also move down to a 2,1, or 0 if behaviors are not meeting expectations. There are consequences outlined for students who are not meeting behavior expectations. More details are included in the information sent home at the beginning of the year and is also available on my website. 

Homework

Homework is distributed out Monday morning for the week. This year, homework is offered as an extra credit opportunity instead of a requirement. Students will receive 5 points added to their lowest classwork grade for each week that they complete the homework for the corresponding subject.  Student homework for Math and Reading will consist of spiral review or previously learned skills. Students have the opportunity to work ahead on their homework if after school activities create time constraints on certain nights. Homework must be turned in on Friday morning each week. Any late or incomplete homework will not be accepted for extra credit. 

Supply list

**If possible, please provide the brand name of the products listed below due to their durability**

Essential Items

• Wood Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (qty 24)

• Expo Black Dry Erase Markers (qty 4)

• Crayola Color Pencils: 12 Count (qty 1)

• Kleenex (qty 2)

• Flat Pink Erasers (qty 2)

• Marble Composition books (qty 2)

• Pocket folders with 3 prongs (qty 1)

• Pencil Pouch

• Headphones

Daily Schedule

7:45-8:10: Habit Huddle/SEL

8:10-8:50: Related Arts

8:50-9:55: Math

9:55-11:30: ELA Block (Reading, Writing, Word Study)

11:30-11:55: Lunch (Table 6)

11:55-12:25: Recess

12:25-1:25: Science

1:25-2:15: Social Studies/Strategy Groups

eLearning Guidelines for Inclement Weather

Directions on when we will have eLearning due to inclement weather will be given from the district.  Students will be expected to get on a Google Meet with their teacher (based on the schedule) to have live or recorded lessons.  They are responsible for completing any work assigned through Google Classroom or by the teacher.  All work must be completed by midnight to be counted present.