Welcome to 4 th Grade Mrs. McCartney’s Class

About Me

My Experience School 17 th year in elementary education 11 th year teaching 4 th grade 6 th year at Carroll 1 st year at 4 th grade at Carroll Home Husband, Jeff Two boys Sean, 14, Franklin High School Kyle, 12, Toby Johnson Middle School Both are products of Carroll

My Teaching Philosophy Every child is unique. Every child wants to learn. Every child wants to be successful. Success is not defined in the same way for every child.

Love & Logic Feel free to do anything that doesn’t cause a problem for someone else. If it causes a problem, I will do something. What I will do depends on what you are willing to do to solve the problem. Coordinates well with the Carroll PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) Be Safe, Respectful, Responsible

Curriculum

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Math Go Math Curriculum ELA Open Court ACT Now Scholastic News K12 Reader - Spelling Social Studies Reflections California Studies Weekly

Next Gen Science Standards (NGSS) s/ngss/files/4%20combined%20DC I%20standards% pdfhttp:// s/ngss/files/4%20combined%20DC I%20standards% pdf Continuing to Macmillan/HMH California Science New science standards are very NEW and will be explored during the next two years.

Grading

Graded Assignments Math Mid Chapter Checkpoint (quiz) End of Chapter Test ELA Open Court District Assessment ACT Now Lesson & Unit Quiz Scholastic News Test Prep Quiz K12 Reader – Spelling Test Friday Social Studies Chapter Tests Workbook pages Science Outlines Cloze/Vocab Tests Chapter Tests

Grading Scale A A A B B B C C C D D D F Below 60

Home Expectations

Home/School Communication Weekly Blue Folder Comes home on Monday Contains graded work from prior week Has a parent signature page with an update on any missing homework and classroom news Bi-weekly Newsletter Upcoming important dates, events, curriculum Blog (website) Redone for 4 th grade! Lots of resources for help, homework posts (ideally) and online class publishings.

Suggested Supplies Binder w/ 5 dividers (labeled Math, Spelling, ELA, Science, Social Studies) Pencils (mechanical is great!) Crayons or colored pencils 3 highlighters: green, yellow, pink Pencil pouch or box that can be kept in a backpack Pen (blue, black, or red) Scissors Glue Stick (replenish as necessary) White board marker and eraser (can be an old, clean sock!) Headphones (to be kept in class to use with Chromebooks)

Homework Your child will receive homework each night from Monday – Thursday. Spelling homework may be given Monday and turned in on Friday. Math homework will be given nightly. Typically from the Standards Practice Workbook. A third piece of homework will be given, either in the form of writing, research, or comprehension. Students will read 20 minutes nightly.

How to Help Your Child Some children are naturally successful with elementary school, and at this age require very little support. Check in with them to ask about what they are learning, and have a conversation about how they solved a certain problem in their homework or about the plot of the story they are reading. Keep an eye on their weekly update to make sure homework is turned in on time. Some children struggle with staying on task after school. Give them a brain break after school. Then set a timer or some kind of expectation of worktime. Build in frequent breaks if this helps. If they have completed 40 minutes of on task work, and still have homework undone, stop them and contact me via . Some children become “forgetful” about bringing books home. Establish the expectation that they need to have all their materials. If they don’t know what they need, have them speak with me. If the behavior continues, contact me and we will brainstorm new solutions.

How to Help Your Child Be positive! Fake it if you have to! Students will respond to and emulate your behaviors. If you dread homework, so will they. If you are excited about their learning, they will be too. Bring your child to the library, or the bookstore. Let them select material that interests them. Guide them to appropriate levels based on their Lexile. Every once in a while suggest something outside their typical interests – non fiction instead of fiction perhaps. We’re in 4 th grade! California History is all around us. Take them to museums and historical sites.

How to Help Your Child DON’T be a helicopter parent. Numerous studies are coming out suggesting that kids who are overparented are struggling as they move out on their own. This is the prime time for them to learn there are consequences to their choices! If they don’t study for a test, and get a poor grade on it, they will quickly learn to study. DO hold them accountable. Expect them to do their best. If you think they are capable of earning better grades, ask them why they got the grade they did. DO stay in contact with me. If you feel they are not performing up to your expectations, and you have discussed with your child your concerns, then let’s conference to find out how we can work as a team to support your child.

Field Trips & Fun State Scientist Day IMAX/Capitol Gold Bug Mine Musical Play: Gold Dust or Bust (Spring 2016)

PTA Join!

Classroom Volunteers Yes, please! Go to to sign up. Schedule will come home next week. Volunteers will start the week of August 17. Home correcting is an option as well.

Classroom Donations Yes, please! Tissues, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, pencils $12 per student for Scholastic News & California Social Studies Weekly

Thank you for coming tonight!