WELCOME TO 4 TH GRADE AT O’ROARKE ELEMENTARY Wendy Embleton Tammy Kralick Roxie Schuler Miria Shain

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS  We have high expectations for behavior so that every child has the opportunity to learn.  We focus on showing respect for self, peers, and adults.  There are varying consequences for the severity of the action and if the offense is repeated. We will call home after we have made attempts to correct the behavior at school.

BEHAVIOR CONTINUED…  Please leave personal items at home such as: recess equipment, play erasers, toys, etc...  Cell phones are allowed at school, but should be powered off during class time. They can be used during recess. If a phone is used during class time parents will be asked to pick it up in the office.

BEHAVIOR CONTINUED…  To maximize learning and cut down on disruptions, we take restroom breaks throughout the day. Please let us know if your child has any health issues that require more breaks. Students are allowed to go if there is an emergency.

BEHAVIOR CONTINUED…  We currently have large classes in fourth grade. Although we make every effort to catch students’ confusion, it can be missed.  Please encourage your child to talk to the teacher if he/she is confused about concepts taught in the classroom.

BEHAVIOR CONTINUED…  With consequences also come rewards.  We will reward students for good behavior.  Field trips, Midnight Madness, Fun Fridays for behavior cards, and a monthly meeting will all focus on students who have shown respectful and productive behavior.

HOMEWORK  Students are expected to complete homework nightly.  Math 4 Today and Daily Language Review will be checked and reviewed each day.  The other math worksheets will be reviewed on Fridays. Please try to complete them each night.  Students are expected to read nightly for 20 minutes and write a journal entry for 10 minutes about the reading.

AGENDAS  Agendas are to be signed by an adult each night.  Please make sure you review the agenda with your child. Important information about curriculum and upcoming events will be listed in the agenda.  If you have questions they can also be written in the agenda.

GRADES  Grades are weighted based on the support that is needed by an adult to complete the assignment. Tests are weighted most heavily because students should be completing them on their own after adult support.  Missing assignments will be put into the grade book as a 0. Students can turn in missing work for up to 2 weeks following the initial due date for partial credit.  Please remember that “C’s” are average and perfectly acceptable grades. “A’s” and “B’s” are earned when a student is performing above expectations.  We will update Parentlink a minimum of every two weeks, but most likely weekly. We will also be sending home progress reports biweekly.

CURRICULUM  Curriculum is based on Common Core State Standards. These were developed to ensure students would be prepared for college and career expectations.  Our goal is to increase the rigor in our classrooms so each student has the ability to grow and meet the increasing demands required to succeed in the future. 

MATH EXPECTATIONS Number and Operations in Base 10  Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers.  Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

MATH CONTINUED… Operations and Algebraic Thinking  Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.  Gain familiarity with factors and multiples.  Generate and analyze patterns.

MATH CONTINUED… Number and Operations – Fractions  Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering.  Build fractions from unit fractions.  Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions.

MATH CONTINUED… Measurement and Data  Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements.  Represent and interpret data.  Geometric measurement: understand concepts of angle and measure angles.

MATH CONTINUED… Geometry  Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.

LANGUAGE ARTS Reading Literature and Informational Text  All of our stories are themed around the ideas taught in Social Studies and Science. These subjects will be taught in conjunction with each other.  Key Ideas and Details  Craft and Structure  Integration of Knowledge and Ideas  Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

LANGUAGE ARTS CONTINUED… Reading: Foundational Skills  Phonics and Word Recognition  Fluency

LANGUAGE ARTS CONTINUED… Writing  Text Types and Purposes (Informative, Opinion, and Narrative)  Production and Distribution of Writing  Research to Build and Present Knowledge  Range of Writing

LANGUAGE ARTS CONTINUED… Speaking and Listening  Comprehension and Collaboration  Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

LANGUAGE ARTS CONTINUED… Language  Conventions of Standard English  Knowledge of Language  Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

ACCELERATED READER  We are going to stress the use of Accelerated Reader this year.  We are challenging Antonello to see who can read the most points.  Each child will be expected to read and take tests on their Accelerated Reader books. Students will receive a grade for their points and overall average each trimester.

SOCIAL STUDIES  In fourth grade we cover Nevada History.  Topics include: Symbols, Physical Features, The First People, Discovering Nevada, Westward Expansion, Development, Government, and Modern Times.  In the spring we will have a Mountain Man Morning, where the students will have an opportunity to participate in mountain man activities.  Take the time to explore Nevada. True life experiences always make learning more meaningful.

SCIENCE  Topics will include:  Heredity and the Human Body  The Nature of Science: Scientific Process  Magnetism, Electricity, Light, and Heat  Water Cycle  Forms of Matter  Solar System

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE   Or go to the O’Roarke website, pull down Staff, go to 4 th Grade, and choose one of the website icons.