Welcome Parents Class 4A 2016-2017

WELCOME TO CLASS 4 My name is Mary Collins and I will be your child’s class teacher this year. I am looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. I recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. I believe a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education.

WE ARE A TEAM As partners, we will share the responsibility for our children’s success and I want you to know that I will do my very best to carry out my responsibilities. TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE

My Aims Teaching the necessary material and skills required for their future accomplishments Cooperative learning- learning to work together as a group and a class. Individual learning- learn at their own pace with their own learning style A HAPPY, FUN, LOVING, CREATIVE CLASSROOM

Children should… Be ready to learn when class begins. Be prepared Have the necessary materials and know due dates. Be a polite and positive participant Speak in a normal tone of voice, and listen attentively. Be productive Turn in work on time, and always do their best.

Children's Responsibilities Bring notebook, textbook, homework diary, and appropriate writing tools to class. Know due dates for assignments Submit all coursework on time. All assignments/ tests will be posted on the class web site but children should also write it down. Bring their tablets fully charged every day.

Homework Textbooks will mostly stay at school Homework mainly from: worksheets/booklets tablet internet links /websites Encourage your child to be responsible with his/her homework Homework should be completed and returned

Tablets Your children and I are very excited to have tablets this year! Endless possibilities for them to CREATE Enhance 21st century skills Not to be used only for games!! Please make sure they are fully charged and brought to school every day. Encourage your child to do what is assigned on the tablet

WEBSITES http://4agjs.weebly.com Please check this website for announcements, homework, web site links and events. Safety first…I will always check the web site links before I post them on the site Feel free to comment or ask a question on our website IXL Studyladder.com Tasks will be assigned. The completion of these tasks ensures a better performance in all subjects.

Tests and Grading Children will be given Tests in all subjects after each main concept has been taught. They will be notified of any test a week in advance. Quizzes based on something we have been covering may occur without warning, mostly to see what the children have learnt. Grades are based on class participation, effort, homework completion, enthusiasm, presentation of work, class projects, tests and quizzes.

English Creative writing Comprehension Grammar Spelling Develop writing skills by following structure given Skills to be built over the school year Comprehension OXFORD ENGLISH BOOK End of unit Test Grammar NEW ROUND UP Worksheets/booklets/CD On line activities Spelling Look-say-cover-write method Weekly quiz of specific word list

Reading The magic finger Christian the lion activities and worksheets to enhance both books The magic finger Christian the lion Encourage your child to read Develops fluency Enriches writing skills and vocabulary

Math Abacus books in class Worksheets/study ladder for homework ixl website Mental maths Marking – The children will mostly mark their own work. I will collect their books at random to check. I will mark their tests and quizzes and check their work by moving around the classroom. Revision worksheets will be given prior to tests.

Secondary Lessons Art Science Explore materials and concepts! Have fun! Science Geography History Use of websites, videos and games to enhance learning. Please have an A4 file for worksheets. Projects, test and quizzes will also be assigned.

Technology in the classroom Apart from the applications we will be using throughout the year, we will be participating in various projects. We are currently participating in a project I’ve created called The View From Outside My Window. https://education.microsoft.com/Story/SkypeLesson?token=a23Ej This lesson plan has been published by the Microsoft Educators Community and aims to connect with classrooms across the world to discuss different environments. It also develops 21st century skills such as communication and collaboration.

Skype in the classroom I will arrange various Skype sessions throughout the year in which the children will be able to collaborate and communicate with other children from all over the world. We will also be taking virtual tours to places of interest and meet authors and explorers. All these activities are related to our curriculum and I believe they will add and benefit our learning process.

Skype in the classroom Mystery Skype is definitely one of my favourite activities. It enhances map skills, collaboration and communication. It assists children in thinking and asking questions. Mystery Skype is a game in which two classes connect and try to find which country they are in based on twenty questions that are answered with yes or no. Each child has a role in this activity: mappers, questioners, answerers, photographers are only a few.

Contact me Mary.Collins@thegrammarschool.net http://4agjs.weebly.com Visiting hour Thursday: 11.20-12.30pm