1. Mrs. Elizabeth Messier Fourth Grade
Back To School Night
Mrs. Elizabeth Messier
Fourth Grade

2. Welcome to 4th Grade!! About Me My Methods of Teaching
Cooperative learning, seating arrangements, Think Pair Share, Small Groups
Hands-on Learning
Science experiments, role playing, research, technology integration, manipulatives

3. Communication Student – Teacher Parent – Teacher Classroom Rules
“Think About It”
“No H.W. Slip”
“While You Were Out”
“I Need Help…”
Parent – Teacher
Friday Folders –
Parent – Teacher Conferences
Notes to/from Home
Website

4. Classroom Management Tokens Thermometer Desk Squares
Individual
Group
Thermometer
Desk Squares
Rewards and Consequences
“What Should I Do Now?”
Read
Write
Challenge

5. Homework Policy 30 – 40 minutes/day “No H.W. Slip”
Please let me know if homework is regularly taking longer.
“No H.W. Slip”
Please sign slip(s) in the Friday Folder.
Missing assignments are due the next day.
Homework Incentive Chart

6. Specials Monday – P.E. Tuesday – Art Wednesday – Music Thursday – P.E.
                                                                                                
Specials
Monday – P.E.
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday – Music
Thursday – P.E.
Friday – Computers/Library

7. Classroom Events Star Student Birthdays Author’s Tea Holiday Parties
*We are a nut-aware environment.*

8. Morning Routine Unpack Copy the homework
Show me the assignment pad and last night’s homework
Smart Start

9. Math 300 minutes per week Go Math Series
Focuses on fewer concepts but in greater depth
Place Value and Operations with Whole Numbers
Fractions and Decimals
Geometry, Measurement, and Data
Develops a deep and complete understanding of grade level skills
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards at every grade level

10. Writing 300 minutes per week Writing Workshop
Students learn a skill and practice it during the writing process
Tools
Writer’s Notebook
Graphic Organizers during the pre-writing stage
Dictionary and Thesaurus
Computers
Varied vocabulary
Writing Process
Prewriting
First Draft
Peer Edit
Revise
Edit
Teacher Conference
Publishing
Words Their Way

11. Reading 300 minutes per week Reader’s Workshop Read Aloud
Shared Reading
Buddy Reading
Guided Reading
Literature Circles
Vocabulary
Book Talks
D.E.A.R.
Reading Logs due every month (400 minutes per month)

12. Science Hands-on experiments
Discovery learning – form hypothesis, make observations, analyze data, draw conclusions
Units
Motion and Design
Magnetism and Electricity
Earth Minerals
Ocean ISearch

13. Social Studies New Jersey: Past and Present
“New Jersey” by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publisher
We will study New Jersey’s history
Native Americans
Colonization
Revolutionary War
Road to Statehood
Geography/ Map Skills

14. Health
Great Body Shop Kids
Learn how to be healthy in mind and body

15. Latin 30 minutes per week During Content Units Intro Mathematics
Mythology
Latin Vocabulary/Phrases
Roman Life

16. Quizzes and Tests
Tests are always announced in advance and will have study guides for Math, Science, and Social Studies
Quizzes are sometimes announced, but not always
I will provide extra help to students before/after school or at recess if the student asks me
Please review for tests with your child. We will be working on answering open-ended questions.
More than one test may occur in the same day or in the same week

17. Friday Folders Bring home on Friday Sign or initial all graded work
Return graded work in the folder on Monday

18. Assessment/Evaluation Criteria
Assessment (announced test) – all subject areas
Checking Progress (unannounced quiz) – all subject areas
Reader’s Responses/Comprehension Checks to Novel
Writer’s Notebook
Portfolio Assessment
In Class/Home Projects and Reports
Homework
Self-Assessment – reflections
Approaches to Learning (attitude and social development)
Look at developmental level of individual – beginning, developing, secure

19. 4th and 5th Grade Grading Scale
A+ 100% C 77 – 73%
A 99 – 93% C- 72 – 70%
A- 92 – 90% D+ 69 – 68%
B+ 89 – 88% D 67 – 63%
B 87 – 83% D- 62 – 60%
B- 82 – 80% F 59% and below
C+ 79 – 78%

20. Technology
Smartboard
Computers
Type to Learn

21. School Rules about Bullying (Olweus Bullying Program)
We will not bully others.
We will try to help students who are bullied.
We will try to include students who are left out.
If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
We will make our school a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment.

22. Classroom-Level Components
Post and enforce school-wide rules against bullying
2. Hold regular class meetings
3. Hold meetings with students’ parents

23. Take-Home Message Stopping bullying takes a team effort.
Approach the process in steps.
Change happens in small increments.

24. Thank you for coming!
I look forward to a great year!!! 