Ms.Belger’s and Ms. Gordon’s and Mrs. Cole’s Fourth Grade Class Welcome

Welcome to Fourth Grade Daily Schedule 9:00-9:10am Morning Work 9:10-9:30am Morning Meeting 9:30-10:40am Math 10:40-11:40am Readers Workshop LA/Word Study 11:40-12:40pm Recess/Lunch 12:40-1:20pm Specials 1:20-2:00 Writers Workshop 2:00-3:10 Social Studies/Science 3:10-3:20 Pack up/dismissal

Our Goals To give your children the academic and social skills they need to progress and be successful in fourth grade. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To provide opportunities for students to gain self confidence in themselves and their academic and social abilities. To help your child make new friends and discover new interests.

Classroom Community Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. Our class rules are: Be respectful and responsible. Be organized and follow directions. Be prepared.

Language Arts Balanced Literacy Approach using the Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop Integrated Units: Native American Literature, Poetry, Non-fiction Literature Circles Author Studies Spelling /Word Study/Vocabulary Grammar and Punctuation Preparation for the ELA in April

Math Geometry Place Value Rounding and Estimation Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers Multiplication and Division Fractions and Decimals Probability and Statistics Measurement Problem Solving NYS Math Assessment in May

Science Hands On Inquiry Based Approach Chemical Tests Plants and Bees Buoyancy

Social Studies Research based New York State Native Americans Explorers Colonial times Revolutionary War Branches of Government DBQ’s (Document Based Questions)

Special Schedule 12:40-1:20pm A day - PE B day- Library C day- PE D day- Music E day- PE F day- Art Monday/Tuesday *Chorus/ Band (9:00am) *only for those students participating

Homework We will assign homework Monday- Thursday. Students who are missing homework without a note from home will stay in at recess to complete missing assignments. Students will also keep track of missing assignments in our “No Homework” binder. We will also circle missing assignments in the student planner and ask for a parents signature. If your child is struggling please write us a quick note/email so we can help them with it the next day. Students are given time each day to copy their HW into the student planner. Please check and sign each night. The student planner is also a great way to send us notes or express concerns, in addition to sending us an email.

Birthdays We would like to celebrate your child’s birthday. If you would like to send in a special snack, please let us know. You can drop it off to either our classroom or the office. We usually celebrate in the afternoon between 2:00pm-3:00pm.

Field Trips and Events We have lots of fun field trips planned for this year! Teatown Reservation- Native Americans Pride of the Hudson Boat Trip Reis Park for the Fourth Grade Picnic Fourth Grade Events Thanksgiving Pie feast Holiday Handicrafts Writers Celebrations Colonial Day Revolutionary War Day Spelling Bee NYS ELA in April NYS Math test in May NYS Science test in May/ June

Class Rewards We have many positive reward systems in place. Students who complete work, follow classroom rules ,demonstrate good behavior, and are attentive and cooperative are allowed to put their name in the star jar for a reward at the end of the week. Students are also given the opportunities to “Clip up”/ or “Clip Down” on our Making good choices chart. Tables are also rewarded table points for their listening skills and cooperation. The table with the most points on Friday is rewarded. Class points are given to the entire class for good behavior and cooperation, both within our classroom as well as with special area teachers and in the hallway. When the class receives 10 points they are allowed to play “Mum Ball”.

Let’s Have a Great Year! If you need to contact us please send an email or note. (email is preferable) LBelger@somersschools.org and KGordon@somersschools.org Email is the best way to contact us as we check it throughout the day and will usually be able to respond promptly with an email or phone call if necessary. Please send all correspondences to both of us.