Fourth Grade Open House Welcome, Parents!

Fourth Grade Team Vickie Benoit – Reading Kim Lord – English and Writing Sherrie Elsasser– Math Kala Woodruff – Science and Social Studies Jennifer Pastor– Gifted/Talented Brent Craig and Ashley Smith – Self-Contained

LEAP Information Phase I Testing (Writing and Math Constructed Response) will be given March 18, Phase II Testing (remaining test items) will be given April 7-10, All work done at school is LEAP oriented Homework is preparation for LEAP Test Brochure on “PASS” and “Newton’s Classroom” LDE website:

How to Access Teacher Websites 1.Go to Rapides Parish School Board website: Click on “Our Schools” 3.Select Elementary, then A-L Schools; choose J. I. Barron Elementary 4.Click on “Teacher Websites” 5.Choose your child’s teacher

PBIS Virtues Instead of infractions, students earn points for exhibiting good virtues Honesty Cooperation Responsibility Respect Self Discipline Generosity Compassion Perseverance If students have a daily score of 6 or less, they will have KIR. Students will be rewarded for good virtues each month and at the end of each semester.

Science One project per nine-week grading period Notes will be given at the beginning of each chapter. Students are to study each night. On-line textbook through Discovery Education More information will be sent home at a later date. Tests given every Thursday.

Social Studies One project per nine-week grading period Tests given on Tuesdays Please see Mrs. Woodruff’s website to access valuable free online resources

Math Math Skills Test each Friday Currently a multiplication fact test each Friday Daily Math 4 Today Common Core State Standards High expectations for all students Concepts and skills developed over time Balance among Math strands Dynamic applications Multiple methods and strategies for solving problems Concrete modeling as a pathway to abstract understanding Collaborative learning in partner and small-group activities Please come see me or me if you have a question!

English Daily bites done each day Daily Bites tests on Wednesday Shurley English Test days vary – check planner and Mrs. Lord’s webpage for updates

Writing Journaling done daily Writing will be done in each subject Move from complete sentences to paragraphs to short essays Why so much writing? Constructed response questions are on each section of the LEAP Test! Essay Math Constructed Response Reading Constructed Response Social Studies Constructed Response Science Constructed Response

Spelling Done throughout the content areas S, NI, and U Spelling instruction based on needs presented in Writing, and other content areas Spelling and Vocabulary City

Reading Vocabulary (meanings) test each Wednesday Reading (skills, vocabulary, story) test each Friday Test questions are formatted with testing in mind Skill examples: vocabulary, context clues, drawing conclusions, main idea, predicting, inferring, sequence Not enough reading books to send home with each student There are available to be checked out on first come/first serve by parents in the library to keep until the end of the year. You may send a note to Mrs. Benoit.

Fourth Grade Testing Schedule *Major English, Math, Science, and Social Studies tests will fall on various days, depending on completion of each unit of study. These tests will be announced well in advance. Please check planners for notice of major tests. TuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Social StudiesReading Vocab.ScienceMath 4 Today English Daily BitesReading Skills

Homework Written homework should not take more than one hour each night. Time is given at the end of each day to work on homework. Fourth grade teachers do not give much written homework. Time needs to be spent studying! Homework planners are to be initialed – but please check that all work is completed! Check teachers’ websites for homework assignments. If the planner says something different, go with planner instead of website.

Keeping Binders Organized Pencil Bag – with up to five pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpener Planner Blank Loose Leaf Paper Dividers – in order of your child’s classes Please check binders each night during homework time for organization. Don’t throw away any materials! Help your child keep their materials organized behind the correct section.

How Parents Can Help Make sure homework is completed. Initial planners each night. Set aside study time each night. Motivate students to read AR books. Send donation for treats, AR awards, PBiS parties, etc. Replenish your child’s supplies as needed (pencils especially!). Help keep binders clean and organized. Find websites that offer fun practice on various skills. Practice handwriting skills with your child. Work on writing skills. Sign graded paper envelopes and return on Wednesdays. Look for progress reports in middle of each nine-week grading period. Have children at school on time and encourage them to be at school. Call or send a note anytime you have a question or a concern.

Let’s Have a Great Year!