1. Unity By Cleo V. Swarat
I dreamed I stood in a studio And watched two sculptors there, The clay they used was a young child’s mind And they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher: The tools she used were books and music and art; One was a parent With a guiding hand and Gentle loving heart. And when at last their work was done, They were proud of what they had wrought. For the things they had Worked into the child Could never be sold or bought! And each agreed she would have failed If she had worked alone. For behind the parent stood The school, And behind the teacher stood the home!

2. Welcome Back! Dear students and Families,
Welcome to the 4th grade! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer vacation and is ready to have fun learning! I am very excited to be your teacher and I look forward to us having a safe and productive school year.
Parents, as you already know, open communication is crucial to your child’s education and learning. For this reason, it is important that we work together to provide continued supper throughout the year. One way of keeping in touch is through your child’s agenda. These agendas are my primary source of communication and are checked daily. Please check and initial daily for homework assignments or notes from the teacher. I also encourage you to feel free to write any notes in return. Furthermore, if you have any issues, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via or telephone.
On another note, we have many exciting things planned for our year including field trips. On occasion we will be seeking volunteers to assist us during these outings. If you wish to volunteer, it is important that you have a valid code of conduct completed and on file in the main office. Please contact me if you require an application.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Inder

3. My Belief
I am a teacher and a mommy-to-be! I have been teaching for 8 years and have enjoyed so many wonderful moments in learning. I believe in following curriculum outcomes and strive to teach children to learn, explore, question and push themselves to succeed to the best of their abilities each and every day. I also believe that children are children and we need to help them feel smart, strong and important in our classroom, school and community. I will promise to teach with respect and kindness for each student is deserving of that. I do hope this year of school brings joy in learning and some fun for you and your children.

4. Curriculum Notes
Art, Social Studies, Health, Religion, French, Language Arts, Math, Science – Taught by Mrs. Stephanie Inder
Physical Education – Taught by Mr. Ed Traverse
Music – Taught by Mr. Chris Hillyard
Technology – Taught by Mrs. Naomi Young
Reading Buddies – With Ms. Healey’s Kindergarten classes

5. Language Arts Balanced Literacy Approach:
Program will be organized through:
Reader’s workshop
Mini-lessons taught through use of children’s literature
Student reading and teacher conferencing
Sharing time
Novel studies
Letter writing to share what students have read
Writer’s Workshop
Mini-lessons based around a specific topic
Writing and conferencing time
Sharing time of personal writing
Raz Kids

6. Mathematics Whole class discussions and demonstrations
Small group instruction
LOTS of ‘hands-on’ using manipulatives
SMART Board interactive websites
Student Text/Work booklet Seatwork
Math Journals
Math Games
Children’s Literature
**Multiplication Facts

7. Science
A hands-on approach to scientific activities that supports content knowledge.
4 BIG ideas:
Habitats
Light
Sound
Rocks and Minerals

8. Social Studies Program content is pertaining to exploration
3 main ideas of exploration
Research project on an explorer

9. Health Focus is on the following concepts: Getting to Know Yourself
Getting Along with Others
Moving Food through Your Body
Keeping Fit
Deciding about Drugs
Summer Safety
Guarding your Health
Making a Healthy World

10. Religion Focus on caring and fellowship
-Learning about religions of the world

11. French Units of study include: Découvrons notre école
Souvenirs de ma famille
Bonne fête â tous
Logos - animaux
Bonne collation, bonne nutrition

12. Art Various aspects to be studied (line, color, shape…)
Will be integrated through cross-curricular activities as well as holidays

13. Assessment
Assessment in Grade 4 takes place in many different forms such as: informal observations of classroom activities, discussions, mini projects, quizzes (20%), portfolio work, self-assessments, teacher and student conferences, reading records as well as the daily samples and efforts in classroom work.
We will be organizing our work and keeping it in our portfolios (folders in the classroom) for each report card term. After which, I will send it home for you to enjoy and start fresh for term 2 and term 3. I believe a fresh start is always helpful and sends a message that we can always improve on our work and success in learning.
Quizzes/projects will be marked with a rating scale that will be clearly explained on each piece of assessment as well as a list of the outcomes being assessed.

14. Homework
Our reading program encourages reading of print material each evening for 20 minutes. Reading is the core of learning and we would like to take every opportunity to remind students to read and enjoy reading, hopefully for a lifetime.
Our O.W.L (organized weekly learning) folder will go home once a week and will be expected to be returned one week later. It is an extra resource and is intended to support the in-class learning of a particular outcome with extra practice. It is important to remember that if your child is unsure of a questions, it is best to send it back incomplete, with a little note of how or where he/she seemed unsure. I will then conference with your child to ensure understanding.
Unfinished work may go home from time to time for completion. Please rest assured that I will make every effort to encourage work to be completed in the classroom.
Study guides will be going home a week before a Science or Math quiz is assigned. Reviewing these study guides and completing the questions will be a big part of preparation at home.

15. Just a few quick notes…
Please do not send snacks with nuts or those that may contain nuts, mushrooms, eggs, fish and kiwi! We want to keep each and every student safe and healthy!
Registration Forms: Please check to ensure information is complete and up-to-date. Make any necessary changes before returning the form.
Water-bottles: spill-proof water bottles are permitted and encouraged in class but should be taken home at the end of each day to be cleaned.
Please be advised that there is no supervision for students prior to 8:30am and 12:55pm.
Milk orders are available daily during recess. If you would like your child to take part in this program please send along money for purchasing milk coupons at the office. They are $0.55 each.
Outdoor play areas are in the front of the school and in the back of the school on the soccer field. If the weather is appropriate we will be going outdoors for recess. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather with sweaters, hats, mittens, etc.

16. (Notes Continued)
Please help students to organize their book bags with pertinent books, agendas, homework folders, music book and recorder. We are working hard to keep ourselves organized in school and would love your support at home as well! Organizational skills are necessary in many areas of school success!
Please be sure to have indoor sneakers for phys. Ed. class that are provide ankle support (no skate shoes) and are non-marking.
Please put your child’s name on all footwear and outdoor clothing.
Electronics are the responsibility of the student and not the teacher or school. Please send in at your own caution.
Scholastic orders –please pay with correct cash or by cheque made payable to Scholastic Canada.
There is a breakfast program available at our school each morning before classes begin.

17. (Notes Continued) New report card to be distributed this year
4 point rating scale (1, 2, 3, 4)
Still in draft form so we do not have all information as of yet
District will provide parents with a handbook for this transition
Further questions can be directed to Mrs. Young
Mathletics program for students in grade 4, 5, 6
Online Math program for students to develop and enhance skills
More information to follow
Maternity Leave