1. Welcome to Mrs. Meninger & Ms. Wurm Fourth Grade Meet the Teacher Night 10/22/2015 1

2. FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM  If you would like to view the skills your child is expected to master by the end of this year for each subject, please visit:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/t eks/ http://www.tea.state.tx.us/t eks/  These are the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) set by the Texas Education Agency. 10/22/2015 2

3. EXPECTATIONS  Respect and responsibility are very important concepts stressed in fourth grade. Students are held accountable for their behavior, and will show respect for themselves and others, their school work, their time, and the property of others, as we encourage them to assume a larger role of responsibility for their own learning and good citizenship. 10/22/2015 3

4. 4 What to expect home each day… Each day students will bring home their planner and red daily folder. Bringing home both daily is a part of your child’s daily work habits and responsibilities. Mondays your child is given both the reading and math homework packets. They are expected to place both in the ‘Homework’ pocket of the daily folder. Every Tuesday your child will bring home all graded papers and school notes.

5. REWARDS/CONSEQUENCES REWARDS  praise and recognition  in-class rewards-Bucket Filling slips, Dojo Points  extra recess CONSEQUENCES  warnings or conduct marks  loss of recess  sit out classroom activities  loss of classroom privileges  contact with parents 10/22/2015 5

6. 6 Study Hall We will provide study hall during recess time. If your child is not completing their work, they will go to study hall until they have completed all their assignments. Also, if they need to correct failing grades the teacher will re-teach the skill and they will have one opportunity to pull the grade up to a maximum score of 70%. They may also be assigned study hall to complete work they missed when they were absent. It is not a punishment, but an opportunity to get caught up and avoid zeroes in the gradebook. Study hall is only used when there is no other time to make up work in the school day.

7. MATH  Please practice multiplication facts, through the twelves, with your child at home. Students will be given timed tests throughout the year to help with memorization and speed of recall.  Students also need to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts, and should be able to produce the answers without any hesitations.  Drill and practice at home will be beneficial to their performance in class. 10/22/2015 7

8. SCIENCE  In the fourth grade, your child will be studying science units which include:  Matter and Energy  The Natural World  Living Systems 10/22/2015 8

9. TEXAS HISTORY  Students will explore the rich history of the Lone Star State.  Texas –  Past  Present  Future 10/22/2015 9

10. LANGUAGE ARTS  Language arts consists of reading, writing, and spelling.  Students should read at least 20 minutes each night.  Students will be assigned a book report every 6 weeks for books they are reading at home.  Our primary writing focus is on the writing process and the six traits of good writers, not handwriting. Please practice handwriting with your child at home, as we are unable to spend a significant amount of time practicing in class.. 10/22/2015 10

11.  Mrs. Meninger will send home Scholastic book orders periodically.  There is a link on my webpage to order with a credit card online @ http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/bmenin ger/ http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/bmenin ger/  You may send a check or money order to school with the order form or order online. They DO NOT accept cash. 10/22/2015 11

12. STAAR TESTS In fourth grade, students will take 3 STAAR tests:  WritingMarch 29 th and 30 th  Math May 9 th  ReadingMay 10 th 10/22/2015 12

13. SPELLING/VOCABULARY TEST up to 5 bonus points.  Spelling tests will be given on Fridays. The students will be expected to spell the sight words correctly. For bonus points they will spell the two Latin/Greek stems and at least one of the word trio words. This will give them the opportunity for up to 5 bonus points.  Other content area spelling/vocabulary tests will be given periodically. These are words that your child will use in class and be expected to know how to spell and use correctly context.  I will attach the spelling homework on my webpage to print at home if your student looses their copy. http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/bmeninger/index.cfm? subpage=75890 http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/bmeninger/index.cfm? subpage=75890  There is also a extra homework shelf for the students to get an extra copy. 10/22/2015 13

14. IMPORTANT TIMES  PE/Music and Library 8:15 – 9:00 Wurm homeroom 9:00-9:45 Meninger Homeroom  Lunch Meninger ( homeroom ) 12:15-12:45 Wurm ( homeroom ) 12:18 -12:48  Computer Lab – Fridays, Art Lab-Mondays *Bring headphones from home for computer lab! 10/22/2015 14

15. MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES HOMEWORK  Math homework is given on Monday and due on Friday.  Please practice multiplication facts nightly.  Science and Social Studies homework will vary. 10/22/2015 15

16. READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS HOMEWORK  Spelling/Reading homework is assigned on Monday and due on Friday.  Beginning in September/October, book reports are assigned every 6 weeks.  Research papers will be assigned in December and March/April. 10/22/2015 16

17. TARDIES/ABSENCES/OTHER NOTES three days  When your child returns to school after an absence, you have three days to send in an excuse note before the absence is marked as unexcused.  Please send a note if your child will be going home a different way than normal. This is for safety reasons. Permission will not be granted without a parent note or a call to the office before 2:00. 10/22/2015 17

18. FOURTH GRADE GRADING POLICY  All students are expected to complete and turn in all assignments on time. Graded papers that earn below a 70 may be corrected at school and resubmitted for regrading, for a grade not higher than a 70.  This is the student’s responsibility, and regrading is at the teacher’s discretion.  Students may come in before school if they are struggling or need assistance with an assignment. 10/22/2015 18

19. DISCIPLINE  Conduct Folders will come every day in the red daily folder.  Folders are expected to be reviewed daily at home, and signed at least once a week on Tuesdays. Please keep all papers and notes, but sign and return the folder the next day.  During a nine-week grading period: 0-4 marks = E, 5-9 marks = S, 10-14 = N, 15+ marks = U 10/22/2015 19

20. OPEN COMMUNICATION  Students should be recording in their planners daily. Please check this routinely, as this is an important part of the school day. It will also prepare them for the 5 th grade routines.  Challenger Elementary  (281) 485 - 7912  The best way to communicate is via email: meningerb@pearlandisd.org wurmb@pearlandisd.org  View our school and classroom webpages for Peek of the Week and important information and updates 10/22/2015 20

21. SNACKS  Please provide simple, HEALTHY snacks for your child, such as:  Fruits/vegetables  Gold fish crackers  Granola bars  Nuts NOT  Please pick convenient snacks that are NOT messy. Students will consume snacks in about 10 minutes while continuing with their work assignments. 10/22/2015 21

22. WATER / RESTROOM BREAKS  Students may bring water bottles as long as it does not create a problem in class. They are not allowed any other beverage in the classrooms (even flavored water). all  Students are expected to follow all rules in the bathroom. If they do not they will get a conduct mark or phone call home.  If your child has a medical condition which requires him or her to use the bathroom more frequently, please send in a note. 10/22/2015 22

23. DRESS CODE: There have been some changes in the dress code this year. You can find students dress code information on the Challenger webpage under ‘Parent Resources’. http://www.pearlandisd.org/Challenger.cf m?subpage=72121 Some of the changes are jackets and coats DO NOT have to be solid colored. Some rooms can get very cold. We recommend students always have a light jacket in their backpacks. 10/22/2015 23

24. PARTIES  We do not celebrate with birthday parties at Challenger Elementary. If you would like to send something please make sure it is non-food items.  There will be 3 scheduled party days:  Winter (classroom)  Valentine’s Day (classroom)  End of the Year (sponsored by PTA) ASAP *If you would like to be a classroom volunteer, please complete the background check ASAP. Our field trip will be in December and we will need volunteers. The link is on the Challenger webpage under ‘Parent Resources.’ http://www.pearlandisd.org/Challenger.cfm?subpa ge=72121 10/22/2015 24

25. Thank you for coming! We look forward to having an fun and successful year with your child! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! 10/22/2015 25