Fourth Grade 2025 - 2026 Syllabus
Teacher
Classroom Phone
Jenna Hawkins
jlhawkins@greenville.k12.sc.us
864.355.1048
Mary McDaniel
mrmcdaniel@greenville.k12.sc.us
864.355.1024
Sarah Thompson
sathompson@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-355-1052
Kerry Pilkey
kpilkey@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-355-1039
Communication with Parents:
Parents will receive a weekly newsletter through the communication folder, via email, or through SeeSaw. Weekly newsletters will be posted virtually on SeeSaw. Progress Reports and Report Cards will be sent home according to the district schedule. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in October. Conferences, notes, Seesaw messages, and phone calls will be used as a means of communication throughout the year when necessary. A communication folder and agenda will be sent home weekly.
Grading:
Major Assessments and Minor Assessments:
Math, Reading, Social Studies, and Science tests will be given at the end of each unit of study. Two unit tests will be administered each 9 weeks in reading, math, science, and social studies and will count as major grades. Quizzes will be given periodically throughout all units of study and count as minor grades. Students will also be assessed through the use of writing assignments and projects. Additionally, students’ progress will be assessed through daily grades. Please note that all major assessments will be given on a third grade reading level.
Minor grades in Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies will count as 60% of a student’s 9 week average. Major grades in Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies will count as 40% of a student’s 9 week average. English Language Arts consists of 10% Spelling, 30% Major, and 60% Minor.
Grades will be uploaded into PowerSchool. Parents can check grades by signing up for Backpack for Parents at https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Parents/main.asp?titleid=backpack.
Student Records:
The following items will be utilized to track students’ progress.
Communication Folders will be sent home weekly, which will contain graded papers and other important communication from school.
Online/on grade level benchmark testing will be given through Mastery Connect for Reading and Math at the end of the 9 weeks to track students’ mastery of state standards.
Reading Benchmarks will be given in Fall, Winter and Spring to assess student reading levels based on student performance through AMIRA.
Progress Reports will be sent home midway through each quarter.
Report Cards will be sent home at the end of each quarter.
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59 and below
You may get 24 hour access to student grades and records using the GCS parent portal in Parent Backpack. The front office will need to verify your identification before releasing your login information.
Homework Policy:
Homework will be given Monday – Thursday. Projects will be assigned throughout the year that students may need to work on over the weekend. Students will receive no more than 40 minutes of homework each night. The majority of homework will be in Reading, Math, and Spelling. Students are expected to be reading nightly to help build reading skills and stamina.
Missed Work/Make-up Policy:
Students have 5 days for the day that they return to make up work.
Daily Schedule
7:45-8:00
Arrival/News Show/ Morning Meeting
8:00-8:45
Related Arts
8:45-9:15
Language & Word Study
9:15 - 10:35
Reading
10:35 - 11:35
Math
11:35 - 11:55
Recess
11:55 - 12:20
Lunch
12:20 - 1:05
Writing
1:05 - 1:40
Science/Social Studies
1:40 - 2:05
WIN time
2:05 - 2:15
Dismissal
*Please note that each individual teacher’s schedule may vary from these times*
Instructional Materials and Resources:
Science – Carolina Science Online
Social Studies – SAVVAS My View
Reading – HMH Into Reading
Math – Reveal Math by McGraw Hill
Handwriting - Zaner Bloser
Teachers will be using South Carolina College-and Career Ready Standards. Family Friendly Standards: http://www.scfriendlystandards.org/
Units of Instruction
First Quarter
Science –Energy Resources, Changes in Geosphere
Social Studies – Settlement of the United States, Colonies Unite
Math – Generalized Place Value Structure, Addition and Subtraction Strategies and Algorithms,
Multiplication as Comparison
Writing – Narrative Writing-Revisiting Story Structure; Informational Writing - Books that Teach;
Grammar Skills
Reading – Modules 1, 2, and 3: Modules are based on fiction and nonfiction texts using the
new state standards, GCS pacing guide, and the HMH reading text. THe units are
being developed.
Second Quarter
Science –Changes in Geosphere, Waves in Action
Social Studies – Colonies Unite, A Nation Emerges
Math – Numbers and Number Patterns, Multiplication Strategies with Multi-Digit Numbers,
Division Strategies with Multi-Digit Dividends and 1-Digit Divisors
Writing –Narrative Writing-True Stories; Informational Writing - The Art of Information Writing,
Grammar Skills
Reading – Modules 4, 5, and 6: Modules are based on fiction and nonfiction texts using the
new state standards, GCS pacing guide, and the HMH reading text. THe units are
being developed.
Third Quarter
Science – Energy In Motion and Collision
Social Studies – Motivations to Expand, Effects of Expansion
Math - Fraction Equivalence, Addition and Subtraction Strategies with Mixed Numbers and
Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers, Decimal Fractions
Writing –Informational Writing-The Art of Information Writing; Opinion Writing - Mini-Literary
Essay; Grammar Skills
Reading – Modules 7, 8, and 9: Modules are based on fiction and nonfiction texts using the
new state standards, GCS pacing guide, and the HMH reading text. THe units are
being developed.
Fourth Quarter
Science – Senses and Survival
Social Studies – A Nation Dividing, Rebuilding a Nation
Math – Units of Measurement and Data, Geometric Figures, Proficiency with Power Standards
Writing – Testing as a Genre - Writing; Persuasive/Opinion Writing-Changing the World
Reading – Modules 10, 11, and 12: Modules are based on fiction and nonfiction texts using
the new state standards, GCS pacing guide, and the HMH reading text. THe units
are being developed.
Attendance and Tardy Policies:
When a student is absent, a note is required from the parent or a doctor for it to be an excused absence. Documentation must be turned in within 3 days of returning to school. When students report late to school, a parent must sign them in, and the student must receive a note from the office to give to their teacher.
Inclement Weather:
Make sure to check local radio and news stations in the event of inclement weather.
Please refer to link for district guidelines on eLearning for inclement weather: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rNTQ-Ivw7HfS5yZE-7Vwm2MfTDg5FPyu/view
Behavior Expectations:
AES leadership and staff developed the AES Essentials as well as a Behavior Matrix which outlines our behavior expectations.The AES Essentials and the Behavior Matrix have been posted in each classroom and in all common areas throughout the school as well as gone over with each class so students know the expectations for behavior in each area of the school. Student Handbook Spanish Student Handbook English
Consequences for Violating Class and School Rules/Policies:
Teachers use a series of consequences in the classroom. When a student chooses not to follow a rule, the consequences are as follows:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Disciplinary Action: the student’s seat may be changed, assignment changed, or the student may be asked to go to another teacher’s room for a few minutes.
3. Written Documentation: Either a call is placed or a note is written to the parent/guardian
4. Loss of Privilege: A student may eat lunch alone, in silence.
5. Call Out: an administrator will speak with the child and call home again if necessary.
6. Referral: student will receive suspension after a second referral is issued.
Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines
Attendance will be taken daily at 7:45 am.
Lunch choices are made when students enter the classroom.
All communication for transportation changes should come first thing in the morning or communicated to the teacher or front office as soon as possible. Please make sure to include the child's name, teacher name, and how long change is for on transportation changes.
Presentation of Rules and Procedures
During the first few weeks of school, all rules, consequences, rewards, and procedures will be reviewed with students. Rules, consequences, and rewards are posted in each classroom. Procedures and routines are modeled, explained, and practiced continuously. School-wide rule review days are also scheduled for students, teachers, and administrators to review rules.