Behavior Expectations

Graded Work  Be sure to check folders each Tuesday.  Review work you see your child having trouble with.  Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.  There are many great resources available on the Internet. If you search for a specific concept or skill, you can find many practice pages, online games, background information, etc.

Homework *Assigned Monday-Thursday *Up to 40 minutes a night *Used to review skills *Students should be reading (or on Istation) minutes every day outside of school hours *It is important to set up a regular routine for doing homework and making sure it is returned to school the next day.

Conferences *Ms. Carandas and I are available by appointment Mondays and Fridays from 9:55-10:25. Please contact either one of us to schedule an appointment.

Schedule Important times to know: First bell – 7:40 Tardy bell - 7:45 Instruction begins immediately Magnet – 9:50-10:35 (M, T, Th, F) P.E. – every Wednesday Recess – 11:10-11:40 Lunch – 11:42-12:18 (staggered by teacher) Dismissal – 3:00

Testing Dates for 4 th Grade  STAAR Writing – April 1/2  STAAR Math – April 22  STAAR Reading – April 23

Accelerated Reader Individualized point goal and reading level (Students may read above their level as long as they demonstrate comprehension on quizzes.) Not graded Incentives for those who reach their goal each 9 weeks Points earned on books below reading level don’t count (with some exceptions)

IStation Letters were sent home today with installation and login information. Istation is a program to help with a variety of reading skills. It is individualized and assesses the student’s progress monthly. I would like each student to be on Istation at least 30 minutes per week at home.

C A F E Comprehension Accuracy Fluency Expand Vocabulary

STAAR Writing Test 2 day test (April 1 / 2) 4 hours each day 1 composition each day + multiple choice revision and editing questions 2 styles of writing– Personal Narrative and Expository 1 page/26 lines Parent Information Writing Night

Magnifying This is a strategy for narrowing focus on a personal narrative. One of the biggest mistake students make is ‘listing’ everything that happened rather than telling about one part of an experience in detail. Write down 3 ‘big’ ideas in response to the prompt. Pick one. Write down 3 ‘smaller’ ideas about the idea you picked. Write a central idea sentence for each idea. Pick one.

Magnifying Step 1 Prompt: Write about a favorite memory.  college graduation  visiting the Great Wall of China  getting a new puppy Pick one idea to write about.

Magnifying Step 2 Write 3 ‘smaller’ ideas about the idea you picked.  driving to get the puppy  picking the puppy from the litter  driving home with the puppy in my lap

Magnifying Step 3 Write a central idea sentence for each.  As we drove down the street, my heart beat with excitement at the thought of getting my new puppy.  The fluffy puppies tumbled over each other, and my heart melted when I caught sight of a small brown and white bundle of fur I knew would soon be mine.  The puppy squirmed in my arms as we drove home.

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