WELCOME TO 4 TH GRADE ACADEMIC NIGHT! Mrs. Vitale

USE THE COLORED PIECE OF PAPER ON YOUR CHILD’S DESK TO WRITE THEM A NOTE FOR TOMORROW.

A LITTLE ABOUT MRS. VITALE * I moved to Dallas from Omaha, Nebraska last summer * I am married to my husband Joe and we have a lab named Gertie * I graduated from Creighton University with my Education degree * I earned my Masters in Reading from University of Nebraska-Omaha * I am a certified Reading Specialist * I taught 3 rd grade for 8 years and 5 th grade for 3 years. This is my second year teaching 4 th grade at UP * I’m VERY excited to get to know your family and appreciate you giving me the opportunity to be your child’s teacher this year!

OUR DAILY SCHEDULE (ALSO ON WEBSITE) 7:50-8:15Arrival/Morning Work/KPAW 8:15-9:15Science/Social Studies (Monday – Science Lab 8:15) 9:15-10:20Math 10:20-11:20 Specials 11:25-12:30 Language Arts 12:35-1:05Lunch 1:05-1:35Recess 1:35-3:00Language Arts 3:00-3:10Pack Up/Dismissal Mondays – Art Tuesdays – Library Wednesdays – P.E. Thursdays – Music Fridays – P.E. SPECIALS SCHEDULE

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS Spelling – Weekly assignments with a test each Friday Study as needed Math – skills practice daily Weekly Homework Sheet (Monday – Thursday) Students should have multiplication and division math facts up to 12’s memorized Reading – 30 minutes per night/4 nights minimum (150 minutes weekly) Students should be reading books on their independent level (a book they can read with 98 to 99 percent accuracy and explain thoroughly). Once a week, listen to your child read aloud for about ten minutes. This is a great way to improve fluency, and discuss the books they are reading. Encourage children to keep reading log updated (checked Fridays in class)

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS On-time class attendance Planners filled out daily Returning completed homework Good behavior choices Materials ready Turning in class work in a timely manner Must always have a book to read Clean and organized desks and lockers Record in reading log nightly Parent initials on weekly Conduct Calendar (Fridays)

CLASS BEHAVIOR Students agree to abide by these standards: Kindness Respect Responsibility We have the right to learn and to be safe Rewards Strive for intrinsic motivation Rewards for positive behavior will occur often and be random Consequences Student/Teacher discussion Loss of privileges (recess, choices, etc.) Parent notification Conduct Folders should be reviewed and initialed each week. Conduct folders are used for conduct grades on the report card. Zero to three marks is a 3, four to six marks is a 2, and more than six is a one in the specific conduct categories.

HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR Find safe place for school items Decide best time to work on homework Arrive to school on time Check planner regularly Review work as it comes Encourage them to READ, READ, READ!! Read with your child once a week and initial log Practice multiplication and division facts Sign Conduct Calendar at the end of each week

READING VOLUME – Lots and Lots of Reading! Reading Program: Mini Lesson Guided Reading (small group, partners, book clubs) Independent Reading (Just Right books) Read Aloud Fluency and Comprehension (Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment) Genres Nightly Reading – 150 minutes per week Primary Focus- Individual Growth **Research shows that for your child to simply maintain his/her reading level, he/she must read for at least two hours/day.

WRITING Working through the writing process... Personal Narrative and Expository Writing Writing in all Content Areas Pre-Writing Drafting Editing Revising Publishing Vocabulary/Spelling Patterns

MATH Problem Solving, Problem Solving, Problem Solving! A large majority of math content is NEW Problem of the Day Number Sense Measurement Multiplication and Division Fractions Financial Responsibility Critical Reasoning – Does My Answer Make Sense? Stamina and Perseverance

SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES Organisms & Environments Earth & Space Matter & Energy Force, Motion & Energy Texas History Geography of the Lone Star State Regions of Texas Settlement of Texas Europeans Come to Texas Texas Colonies & Conflicts Republic of Texas The Lone Star State New Challenges for Texas The Close of a Century The Gate Opens to Industry Texans At Home & Abroad Modern Times in Texas Government in Texas

MARK YOUR CALENDARS STAAR Tests: March 29 & March 30 Writing May 9 Math May 10 Reading Other important dates will be communicated through weekly newsletter via …please make sure I have your and that you check often. You can also keep up to date with school functions on the UP website.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION… Parent/teacher conferences held as needed Thursday folder with school information and graded work Send a written excuse for all absences. You can also Please let me know via if your child is leaving early so I can have homework ready Dismissal: Students still waiting at 3:25 will go to front office to wait and/or call home.

TEACHER INFORMATION Conference period by appointment 10:35 – 11:05 (Monday, Thursday & Friday) School phone number: School is the best way to contact me…I will respond as quickly as I can within 24 hours.