4M Classroom Handbook
Classroom Discipline Plan
Learning in 4th grade is our main goal; however, interruptions in the learning process do occur from time to time. If this happens, the behavior is addressed immediately. If a classroom rule is broken, the student will have to move their number. The behavior chart will be reset at the end of each day for the following day. The behavior chart is as follows:
Great Work! (Start here each day)
Warning
Note Home (Notes must be signed by parent and returned within 2 days)
Pink Slip
In cases of severe discipline problems (fighting, insubordination, etc.), students will be sent directly to the office. Also, whenever a parent signature is required on teacher-parent communication, the student must return the signed communication the following day; otherwise the student will receive related consequences.
Classroom Rules
1. Respect Yourself
2. Respect Others
3. Respect Property
4. Do Quality Work
5. Have Fun!!!
Folders
It is very important that you keep up to date on your child’s progress. Every day, your child will bring home his or her “Take-Home Folder.” Inside the folder there will be homework they need to finish or complete for the day and returned the following day. Each student is responsible for putting their homework in their Take-Home Folder and writing their assignments in their agenda at the end of the day.
Agendas
In your child’s agenda, assignments and homework should be written daily by them. The agenda also serves as a communication tool between home and school. Please sign your child’s agenda nightly, in order to ensure your child’s success. If I need to communicate with you for any reason, I will write in your child’s agenda or send an email. It is each student’s responsibility to write their assignments on the correct day every afternoon. If this is not happening, please let me know. I can begin checking/signing the agenda at the end of the day to ensure they are writing everything down.
Parent Signatures
Whenever a parent signature is required on teacher-parent communication, the student will have two days to return the signed communication (unless otherwise stated). This pertains to Purple Data Folders, Homework Notification Forms, Behavior Notes, Mid-Quarter Progress Reports, Report Cards and any other form that requires a parent signature. If a student does not return the communication within two days, the student will move his/her number and earn related consequences.
Grade Percentages
Grades are weighted in 4th grade. Tests are 60% of your child’s grade and student work is 40% of your child’s grade. Student work will consist of class work and homework.
Grading Scale
A 100%-92%
B 91%-85%
C 84%-75%
D 74%-70%
F 69%-Below
Homework Policy
In 4th grade, students will have anywhere from one to three homework assignments a night. Homework will depend on the concepts or skills being taught each day and which ones we feel the students need to practice. Homework will be written down in their agenda at the end of each school day. Homework should take no longer than an hour each night. If it is taking your child longer, please make an appointment to come in, and together, we can figure out a solution. Please remember homework is practice for your child. Family members should help with homework only when your child is having difficulty understanding the concept.
Late Work
In 4th grade, we focus on building personal responsibility and organization. I expect all homework and class work to be turned in on time. If an assignment is one day late, 20% credit will be deducted. If an assignment is two or more days late, 50% credit will be deducted. Students have until the end of the unit or chapter to turn in any missing assignment(s). Any assignment submitted after the chapter test or unit assessment has been taken will result in a zero. This late work policy pertains to all class work and homework assignments, per the Shiloh School Handbook.
Homework Notification Form
In order to keep parents informed of their child’s homework habits, whenever a student fails to turn in homework by the due date, I will send home a Homework Notification form. The student should complete the form, get a parent’s signature and return the note within two school days.
Test and Preparation
A newsletter will be e-mailed the last day of each week to let you know further details about our classroom in the upcoming week. Newsletters can also be found on my classroom website. These newsletters are a very important part of our communication. The newsletter will have information pertaining to our classroom as well as dates of upcoming tests. Tests will include a variety of formats (multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, etc.). Parents and students will be informed of test dates at least one week before the test. Below is a short description of tests in each subject.
Reading: Students will get their weekly vocabulary words and prefix words on the first day of each week. Each week they will take a prefix quiz. It will count as a class work grade. They can use the word list for the quiz. Students will also take a reading test every week. The type of test will alternate each week. One week, we will read a story out loud together from the reading book. Then the students will take a test over the story. This type of test will have a section with vocabulary and prefix words. The other week, the students will take an independent reading test. This test will require the students to read a story, or stories, that they have not previously read and answer questions. This type of test will not include a section on vocabulary or prefix words.
English: Students will complete review pages in the book prior to the test. These review pages in the book are excellent pages to study. These pages can be studied as soon as we start the English topic.
Spelling: Spelling lists will be e-mailed out with the newsletters on the last day of the school week. At the beginning of the week, the students will receive another copy of the words. They will then take the Spelling test on the last day of the week.
Math: Students will complete review worksheets or review pages prior to the test. The review pages are excellent pages to study. Students should also review questions throughout the topic that we did not complete together. These pages can be studied as soon as we start the Math topic.
Science: Students will fill out a study guide the week before the test. This will allow them to study over the weekend and prepare for the test.
Social Studies: Students will fill out a study guide the week before the test. This will allow them to study over the weekend and prepare for the test.
Student Organization
In 4th grade, organization is very important. The students will use colored folders to organize their work and notes for each subject. Each folder is labeled with the name of the subject. Therefore, it is important for your child to have each colored folder listed on the supply list. Once the students have been tested over the material learned in class, they may clear out their folder before starting a new unit or chapter. This will help them keep their papers organized throughout the year. The folders should be organized with the following colors:
Reading Folder: Yellow
English/Writing Folder: Red
Take Home Folder: Any color/design
Data Folder: Purple
Band
In fourth grade students are able to participate in Band for the first time. Please understand that if your child decides to participate, they will miss 30 minutes of class each week for their private band lesson. The fourth grade teachers will do their best to review what the student has missed and help get them back on track when they return. While this is not a significant amount of time missed, please be aware that students may need additional help with their homework that night. If your child has any trouble with their homework due to missing class time, please have them ask for help at the beginning of the next school day.
*COVID*
Face covering worn at all times (refusal will be subject to disciplinary action.)
Please have a backup mask in the student’s backpack always available.
Assigned seating in the classroom.
Hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the classroom.
Water bottles are permitted in 4M. Water bottles need to be clear in order to see ONLY water. If the water bottle is not clear, it needs to be brought to school empty to be filled at the water fountain.