1. HIS Parent Academy

2. Welcome
Our goals for tonight are - 1. to familiarize you with what your fourth grader is learning and experiencing each day at school. 2. to answer any questions you might have concerning our classroom and procedures.

3. My Blog http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/ahoward/
I post the weekly newsletter, all PowerPoint presentations used in class, parent letters for math units, and at least one website each week that goes along with what we are studying.

4. Morning Work 7:30-8:00 Math Review (QMR) and Paragraph Writing
QMR and Paragraph Writing Unit 5.pdf

5. Reading 8:00-9:00 Whole Group Reading Lesson - Phonics - Vocabulary
- Comprehension Skills
- Strategies
● Small Group Instruction
I encourage your child to read at least
20 minutes each night at home.
Reading is graded like last year with an S, P, and N.

6. Writing 9:00-10:00 Learning the writing process
Studying various types of writing- narrative, informative, argumentative, and
research reports
Writing is graded like last year
with an S, P, and N. Your child
will not receive a grammar grade
in 4th grade.

7. P.E. 10:00-10:30

8. Math 10:30-11:30 Whole Group and Small Group Instruction
Fact tests will not count as a grade this year, but please start studying multiplication facts now. It will make your child’s life much easier when we start multiplication and division!
The multiplication fact test this nine weeks will
have 50 facts in 3 minutes.

9. Math (Continued) 10:30-11:30
I have 3 pages on my blog for math. The math facts page has links to practice basic facts. The math websites page has math games for your child to play. The math units page contains a parent letter for each unit and review PowerPoints that may help your child study for tests.
Shelby County’s Intermediate Program Area Specialist, Tracy Champion, has a blog with excellent videos demonstrating many of the skills we discuss in math. It could be very beneficial to you as you help your child at home. It can be found at The password is sc4math.

10. Lunch 11:35-12:00

11. Recess 12:00-12:20

12. Tier II Math Instruction 12:20-12:50
Reteach concepts from class
Retest anyone making below a 70 on a math test
Levelized Instruction

13. Tier II Reading Instruction 12:50-1:15
Independent Reading/Journal Response
Small Groups

14. Specials 1:15-1:55 Art – Monday Music – Tuesday
Guidance – every other Thursday
Computer – Friday

15. Social Studies 1:15-1:55 (Wednesday and Thursday)
Your child is studying Alabama History this year.
A study guide will be completed and checked in class at least 2 days before a test.
You will know a full week in advance before any test.
All teaching PowerPoints that I use in
class can be found on my blog under the
History PowerPoints page.

16. Science 1:55-2:35
A study guide will be completed and checked in class at least 2 days before a test.
You will know a full week in advance before any test.
All teaching PowerPoints that I used in
class can be found on my blog under the
Science PowerPoints page.
I try to keep science hands-on with many
experiments and activities.

17. Snack 2:35-2:45 Please send water only Try to send a healthier snack
No candy allowed

18. Other Information
I rarely use the textbook in science and history. The PowerPoints that use are located on my blog. You will receive at least a week’s notice before a test and will always receive a study guide in every class. I am part of a netbook pilot project in Shelby County. I have 10 netbooks that we will use regularly for math games and research.

19. Friday Folders Will be sent home on Fridays
Please sign the graded papers
Return the graded papers in the folder on Monday

20. Howard’s Highlights Newsletter sent home on Monday
It is posted to my blog on the newsletter page
I will send a parent letting you know our test schedule and any other reminders for the week
All homework for the week is on the newsletter

21. Agendas Lets you know of any homework or tests
Your child should copy it exactly like I have written it on my board
I check and sign the agenda at the end of the day
Please sign the agenda each night

22. Conduct Conduct chart is located at the front of the binder
3 conduct marks in a week = early morning detention
I use a behavior chart system in which students are also rewarded for good behavior. If you child moves down to a warning, they are able to move back up to a higher level.
If your child receives a conduct mark, please sign their conduct sheet that night.

23. Questions