Fabulous Fourth Grade Ms. Matias and Mrs. Carter-Rush Language Arts & Social Studies

1. Fabulous Fourth Grade Ms. Matias and Mrs. Carter-Rush Language Arts & Social Studies Mrs. Rauch and Mrs. Poynor Math & Science

2. Level of Expectation We have faith that every student can work hard to achieve their fullest potential. Our students are not competing with anyone other than themselves—who they are and what they have already shown us they can do. Your child’s hard work, support from home, and support from school will help ensure their success. Poynor

3. Tadlock Expectations • Keep hands feet and objects to yourself • Follow directions • Be prompt, prepared, and ready to learn • Respect yourself and others Poynor • \ Rush

4. Consequences for fourth grade • 1st- Warning • 2nd- $5 Fine • 3rd- Partial loss of recess & • Sign Behavior Calendar • 4th- Call Home • 5th Office Referral Rauch

5. Important Information Snacks A mid-morning snack is allowed at Tadlock. The snack should be HEALTHY, QUICK, & EASY. Snacks should also be finger friendly! Suggestions of appropriate snacks are pretzels, cheese cubes, crackers, granola bars, and easy to eat fruit (apples, bananas, grapes, peeled oranges, etc.) Candy and sugary snacks are discouraged. Cell Phones We understand a child may need to have a cell phone with them at school for various reasons, however, cell phones are the responsibility of your child and will need to be turned off during the school day and will need to be kept either in his/her backpack. If a cell phone is seen or heard during the day, the teacher will confiscate the phone. On the first occurrence the student will be allowed to pick up the phone at the end of the day. After that, parents will be asked to come and pick up the cell phone from the teacher. Rauch

6. Communication • Daily Folder • Planners & Tadlock Choice Chart • Email or Phone • Monthly Calendar – sent home monthly • Conference Time (9:00-9:50) M,T& F • Website:http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/Tadlock_4thGrd/index.cfm • Matias

7. Student Planner and Choice Chart • All homework will be given on Mondays and due on Fridays. Check nightly for homework. If there is no homework in a subject area that night the planner will say “NH” (no homework) All homework sheets can be found in their homework folder. • Parent/guardian must sign/initial citizenship calendar if there are any comments from the teacher. If the comment section is left blank, then that means everything was okay for that day. • Poynor

8. Math • Math Journals • UPSCk • Multiplication Facts • Homework – Given Mondays, due Fridays • CBA’s – Curriculum-based assessments • Games – Centers, small group instruction • Manipulatives • STAARS: April 24th • Poynor

9. Social Studies • Texas History • Regions • Texas Native Americans • Explorers • The Alamo • Current Events • Citizenship • Matias

10. Science • Experiments/Labs • Scientific Process • Life Science • Plants • Vertebrates/Invertebrates • Physical Science • Electricity • States of Matter • Earth Science • Cycles (rock & water) • Fossils • Science Journals Mrs. Rauch

11. Language Arts • Writing • Grammar • Spelling • Handwriting • Homework • Writing Workshop • STAARS: March 27th&28th Carter-Rush

12. Spelling • Pretests will be given the first day of the instructional week. • Students who miss no more than one word on the pretest will be given the challenge list. • All spelling tests will be given on the last day of the instructional week. • Spelling homework is given on Monday and due on Friday • Students have the opportunity to take home a challenge list to earn extra credit Carter- Rush

13. Reading • Stone Fox (required) • Novels • Guided Reading Groups • Multiple Genres • Homework – Read 20 min a night M-Th • Reading Workshop • STAARS: April 25th • Take home reading books!!! • Matias

14. STAAR Testing – 4th • What is it? • State Test to enhance Rigor for students & get them “College Ready” • Timed Test (4 hours) – Just like SAT/ACT • Assesses previous grade level objectives to current grade (K-4th) • Reading STAAR- emphasizes critical analysis & less literal understanding • Math STAAR- Problem solving skills • Writing STAAR- 2 days; 1 composition each day (expository/narrative) • No School ratings this year; standards set Fall 2012 • Writing (March 27-28), Math (April 24) & Reading (April 25) • No visitors FISD Google Site: https://sites.google.com/a/friscoisd.org/staar/home • FAQ, Overview, Updated periodically by FISD

15. Attendance • Under Texas Education Code 25.094 a student is in violation of the Compulsory Attendance law if the student is absent (unexcused) 3days or parts of day in a four-week period or 10 days or parts of days in a six-month period. Tardiness and leaving early is considered part of a school day. • Children can copy notes or make up assignments, but they can never get back what’s most important; the discussions, the questions, the explanations by the teacher, and the thinking that makes learning come alive. Matias

16. Attendance Procedure • If your child is absent, you can email Niki Jackson at jacksonn@friscoisd.org or click on the “Report an Absence” link on our Tadlock Website. • A note or email should be sent to Niki Jackson within 3 days of returning to school for the absence. After 3 days without a note or doctor’s documentation, the absence(s) will be considered unexcused. • By law, we have to notify you when your child has accumulated a combination of 5 tardies, unexcused absences, or early dismissals. A letter will be generated by the computer system when your child has missed 5, 8, and 10 combinations of any of the above absences. At 10, our district Truancy Specialist will contact the parent(s).

17. New School Hours • 7:50-2:50 • Please make sure your students are here one time • We pick students up at 7:30- Feel free to bring your children at this time!!! Matias

18. Thank you for ALL that you do to help make your child’s 4th grade year a SUCCESS!