HIS Parent Academy 2013-2014

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

P.E. 10:00-10:30

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.

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 http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/tchampion/4th-grade-math-video-clips/. The password is sc4math.

Lunch 11:35-12:00

Recess 12:00-12:20

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Questions