Mrs. Steinacher Fourth Grade Welcome, Parents!

Welcome to Fourth Grade!  I will introduce you to Fourth grade and to our classroom.  If you have any questions during my presentation, please write your questions on a sticky note and I’ll answer them at the end.

Introductions- Mrs. Steinacher  My background  I grew up in Lancaster, CA.  Loved fourth grade! I had trouble with cursive and times tables.  My experience  This is my 9 th year teaching.  I have also taught second and third. Fourth grade is my favorite!  Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction  Technology  Mentor Teacher

My Family  My husband  GJ  Our pets  dog, Starlight  fish, Ransom

4 th Grade Curriculum  Our classroom texts  California standards for fourth grade Go online and print them out tonight!

Our Schedule  Language Arts, a new story a week  Math, a new lesson a day  Social Studies/Science, study one at a time  P.E., Tuesday and Thursday  Library, Friday  Planet Bravo,  Snack Time

Attendance  School starts at 8:15 A.M. Tardiness interrupts our classroom. Please be on time.  Attendance every day is important! If you are absent you miss out on important instruction.  If you are absent please the teacher or send in a note to excuse your absence.  No tests will be made up! Attendance is important.

Homework  Assigned Nightly! Every single night!  Late Homework not counted for credit  See planner or online for assignments  Books go home, return the next day!  Reading logs  More info. -See Homework Policy Page

100% Homework Club  All homework turned in!  Students join the 100% Homework Club.  Classroom posting/online  Classroom recognition Monthly 100% Homework Whole Trimester 100% Homework Whole Year 100% Homework Captain’s Club Admiral’s Circle Armada Club Posting in class/online Lunch with the teacher Posting in class/online Lunch with the teacher and treat Posting in class/online Something really special!!

No rules, High Expectations  Students are expected to act according to our list of High expectations  Student determined expectations  See No rules, High Expectations page

On Board Behavior Log  Students who don’t meet our classroom High expectations complete a behavior log  Logs are sent home to be signed and are to be returned the next day  Successful Student Behaviors on report cards + Displays strong performance Demonstrates appropriate development N Needs practice and support 1 or no On Board Behavior logs 2-4 On Board Behavior logs 5 or more On Board Behavior logs

Mystery Readers Sign up to be a mystery reader! Each Friday at 1pm our class will host a mystery reader. Please sign up secretly on our schedule in our classroom. I look forward to seeing who mysteriously shows up!

Crew Spotlight A chance to get to know the students in our classroom. Each student is featured on our Crew spotlight (see our schedule). Students should return information about our get to know you questions and pictures. Display stays up for one week.

Crew Shout Outs Oral question of the week activity Students research and prepare at home oral presentations on selected topic Students are assigned a color that corresponds with what week they will share A list of shout outs are attached Please see crew shout outs instructions page

Grading- New Standards Based REPORT CARD  Let’s take a look at the report card.  These are not all the standards being taught. We do much more!  Our grading scale.

Technology Goals  Learn to type  Microsoft word  Access  Use online sources for research  Blog with pals  Create online website  Create a powerpoint

Technology use at home Technology parent survey Technology student survey Students need access to a computer at home (if possible). They will be given work that will use technology for homework. If your child doesn’t have access to technology please see me and I can arrange to have your child stay after school or during recess/lunch to work on classroom computers. I recommend the following tools for home: Internet access Printer Encyclopedia software like Encarta Word processing program like Microsoft word

Student accounts The first day that the computer lab is open, each student will sign up online for a gmail account. Each account will be for students to use this year. I will homework assignments. Having access to a gmail account is important because we are able to use other google tools. Students will be assigned homework by at home. They will each other and hopefully pen pals too!

Our Classroom Website A work in progress! I’ll make updates daily. You can find information on the website that is up to date. Parent permission form for classroom website Let’s check it out!

Scholastic Book Club  Book orders monthly  Earn bonus points to build our classroom library  Technology software orders too!  More information to follow!

Supplies-We need!!  Sticky notes  Postcard stamps  White copy paper  Wide ruled lined paper  Treasure box items  Hand sanitizer gel  Thanks for all the items we have so far!  Check our classroom website for updates!

Holidays, Birthdays I’ll work with our room parent to decide which holidays we will celebrate with a food party. We’ll both keep you posted about special holiday events! Your chance to come and visit our room! Birthdays! Our classroom will celebrate birthdays for each month the first Thursday of the month. Each student who has a birthday in that month is invited to bring in a special item from home to share with the class. These items may include a memento from a special birthday, a toy, or other special item related to his/her birthday. Each child will be given time to share and we’ll create a special birthday gift for them. No food items please!

Multicultural Celebration A Thanksgiving Celebration. Let’s celebrate the many cultures of the students in our classroom! Should be really fun! I am looking for great cooks to help with this day, clothing from your culture, and artifacts. More information to come!

Gold Rush Day Do you have any special hidden talents?? Any gold panning equipment? Coming up in December! Keep your fingers crossed!

Dr. Suess Day Coming up in February. A special celebration of Dr. Suess. I am on the committee to make it a special reading celebration all day long. Let’s throw out our normal schedule and READ, READ, READ!!! We’ll need lots of parent volunteer readers on that day.

Field Trips As a fourth grade team, we are deciding on what field trips meet fourth grade standards. I’ll keep you posted and let you know as they come up. I know we’ll take some great trips this year in fourth grade! Thank you to the PTA for funds to pay for buses. We get $1500 for our grade level.

Communication/  is the best!  Expect lots of s from me! Tell me if they are too much! Tell me your ! Sign our clipboard.  My  Phone calls work too and notes.

Other Important Info. PTA membership 100 % GOAL!! Project Pal Counseling!

Questions

Let’s Have a Great Year!

Parent Permission for Website Parent Technology survey Mystery Readers Sign up Please Return!! Fill out tonight