1. CURRICULUM NIGHT FOR 4TH GRADE 2015-16
Welcome to Mrs. Toro’s Class!

2. My pledge to you…
I pledge to treat your child as if he or she were my very own. Everything I do, I do with their best interests at heart. It often takes a village to give the students all they need to be successful. I will be their teacher, their cheerleader, and sometimes even their “mom” while they are with me. I will do my very best to make sure they receive the very BEST education academically, socially, and emotionally. By working and communicating together, you and I will be vital parts of their success team. This year will be the most challenging they have had yet. There is a huge strive for independence and responsibility but they also need to be supported and encouraged. They will be asked to take notes and truly study to do well on tests and quizzes. I expect quite a bit from them! Mediocre is not OK.

3. COMMUNICATION
Communication is a vital part of keeping on top of all we will be doing this year. The best ways to reach me are:
Website:
School phone:

4. OUR SCHEDULE
Our daily schedule looks like this: 7:45-8:15 Breakfast/morning work 8:15-8:25 Morning announcements 8:25-9:30 Math Workshop 9:30-10:00 Science 10:00-10:35 Social Studies 10:35-11:00 Recess 11:05-11:50 SPECIALS 12:00-12:25 LUNCH 12:30-1:30 Reading Workshop 1:30-1:45 CQI 1:45-2:35 Writing Workshop 2:35-2:40 Pack up and dismissal

5. Important Information
Transportation changes must be made in writing.
Absences must also be excused in writing.
You may join us for lunch any day. Please wait for us on the benches outside the cafeteria at 12. No outside food or drink is permitted. Thank you in advance for helping us maintain healthy choices!
Birthdays: You are welcome to send in snacks or cupcakes for birthdays. We will either have them during our regular morning snack time or at lunch. You may also purchase ice cream for the class for $1.00 each. Please do NOT send in balloons or other decorations. They are a distraction and cannot be taken on the bus.
Please let me know of any allergies or health concerns your child may have.

6. GRADING
Grading Scale: *9 – 18 grades will be taken per subject A = per quarter. Grades may be accessed B = through the Parent Portal 24 hours/day. C = D = **Re-teaching opportunities will be U = 69 and lower available for students not mastering AKS. I am here for tutoring Monday through Friday Conduct and Effort Grades: from 7:15 – 7:45. E = Excellent S = Satisfactory ***Progress reports will be sent home every N = Needs Improvement 3 weeks. Students will have a one week “grace” U = Unsatisfactory period to turn in any missing assignments.

7. TESTING
This year we will take benchmark tests each quarter. They will count for up to 5% of your child’s classroom grade for each subject. (like an end-of-course test) The Georgia Milestone Assessment will be taken at the end of April. Classroom assessments will be given throughout the quarter. Practice writing test will be taken in February or March. We will be using a new program called Write To Learn to help our students become more proficient writers.

8. DISCIPLINE
3 PART SYSTEM:
Passports
Student Management Plan ( 7 steps)
Administrative Referral
Detention – Friday mornings from 7:15 to 7:45am
Saturday School (ISS)

9. How can you help our class?
There are several ways for you to help us the most.
Communicate with me often but definitely as needed. Make sure I have your most current working phone numbers and addresses.
Provide snack for your child or our class if possible. We will have snack during recess every morning. Snacks must be ready to eat without a utensil. Examples: granola bars, cookies, pretzels, a piece of fruit, cheese stick. We will not stop instruction to eat, so please do NOT send something that needs to be eaten with a spoon or fork. Every student may have a water bottle. NO fruit juice, soda, colored water, etc.
Support and encourage your child this year. Fourth grade is extremely curriculum rich and promotes independence. Check their homework and help them study.

10. HOMEWORK
Homework is an expectation this year. Students will be required to write down all assignments in their agenda book, which in turn, should be signed or initialed by you on a daily basis. This promotes good study habits for them as well as keeping you informed on what we are currently working on in class. There will be a standing reading assignment of 30 minutes nightly, including weekends and holidays. Students will be required to keep an ongoing log to record their reading progress and to respond to the literature that they read. Check my website for response ideas. Please read with your child! They need to hear reading modeled well and they also need to practice reading aloud for fluency. Keep them engaged by asking deep questions. There may not be homework in every subject every night, however, it should be standard practice to review class notes in science and social studies and read something of their choice. Have your child teach you what they have learned each day! Math practice may be written or done through approved websites on our ShilohES.org webpage. Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. (reading is required EVERY DAY)

11. Acceleration and Remediation
Acceleration: Accelerated Reading and Math Classes Saturday Enrichment Program Clubs: Witzzle Pro Math, PTA Chess Club, Reader’s Rally Black History Month Wax Museum, Essay Contest, & Quiz Bowl Patriot Superstars Math Program Think Tank math special area class Parent Center materials for parent check-out Remediation: After school tutoring Wednesday morning math help/study hall Saturday Tutoring Program March Math Madness

12. Differentiated instruction
Shiloh uses the workshop method of instruction for reading, writing/grammar, and math. Small groups are pulled daily for concentrated instruction at your child’s learning level. These are flexible groupings and will change often as ability fluctuates. Students also work independently or with a partner on different aspects within a subject area. Reading is key to everything else we do. If your child can read well, they will be successful in every other area, especially science and social studies, but also math with word problems and critical thinking skills. Comprehension is key! It is something we will work on all year.

13. Friday folders
Please sign and return your student’s behavior sheet for the week.
Graded work/completed homework will be sent home weekly.
Please review these papers. Sign any that indicate “Sign & Return.”
You may keep ALL other papers.

14. Questions and evaluation forms
1.)On an index card please jot down any comments, concerns, or questions you may not have had time to ask tonight. I will respond to you as soon as possible. 2.)On the second index card, please write a note to your child and place on their desk. (Remember to write their name!) 3.)After that, please complete the Title I Curriculum Night Evaluation Form. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING!!!!!!