WELCOME!!!! 4 th Grade Curriculum Night at Whitlow Elementary Ms. Rowand, Ms. Stephens, Mrs. Martin, Ms. Hall, Mrs. Reynolds, Ms. Grindle, Mrs. Crumpton, and Mr. Hawlk

BEFORE YOU LEAVE…. SIGN UP FOR A CONFERENCE TIME! Sign up sheet is on the clipboard (coming around)! Week of Oct. 14 th. Write your child’s name in the slot !

Our Philosophy We believe each child has the ability and right to achieve personal success-academically, socially, and emotionally. We the teachers are here to facilitate children in their endeavors. Our goal is to open their minds to new ways of thinking as well as to challenge what they think to be true. We want all students to walk away not only prepared for their advanced grades, but also prepared for what the future may hold for them.

Grading and Reporting We will use two types of classroom assessments: formative and summative. Formative grades are daily grades that will receive a 1, 2, 3, or 4. – A “3” consistent achievement within the standard – A “4” exceeding within the standard. Summative grades are percentage grades. – A C – B 69- Below- F Study guides only given for Culminating Assessments; class notes for Assessments All assessments signed and return

Summative Assessment Retests Allowed ONE retest for each summative assessment (Math, & ELA/Reading). Science and Social Studies are excluded from retakes. Students eligible for a retest must complete a retake ticket, which may include practice activities and correcting assessments. Retests will be issued to students who need a bit more time to show mastery of the standards. Your students retest ticket will show the date of the retest. Retests must given within the same quarter they are assessed. This means that some reassessments may not be given until the last two weeks of the quarter to give students a longer period to master a standard. Please remember this is not the (oops I forgot we had a test today retake policy.)

ELA Retake Ticket Your child has made a ________ on the ELA test given on _________. Whitlow Elementary School policy states that they will have an opportunity to earn additional points to improve their score. The student will participate in a re-teaching session The student will be given an opportunity to correct their errors. Maximum score possible on a retake is 80%. Parents will see the test after corrections are made by your student. I understand the policy. Signed :_________________________

Math Re Test Ticket Student Name: Teacher Name Title of Summative Score: Scheduled Date for Retest Time: Reason for taking the Retest Please choose at least two of these helpful ways to prepare for the retest, and staple ALL of your work to this paper. Indicate your choices by checking the boxes. Check your choice Choice I have attended re-teaching sessions offered by the teacher. (Number of sessions determined by teacher based on student need.) I copied, reviewed, or rewrote notes from class. I re-read pages _____ in my textbook (hardback, paperback, or on-line) and took notes, answered questions, or re-worked the problems. If you choose #4 you must choose two of these options: I studied by: Making flashcards and reviewing with someone. (Name of helper: ____________________) Studying with a partner. (Name:_____________) Explaining the information, skill, or concept to an adult (Name:__________________) Having my parent or another adult re-explain the information, concepts, or skills. Playing an educational game (Name of game:_______) approved by my teacher. I understand that it is my responsibility to prepare for the retest. I understand I need to attach my work to this form. Student signature: ______________________________ Date:______________ I have monitored my child’s preparation for the retest and I feel he/she is prepared for the retest.I also understand that the maximum score my child can earn is 80% Parent Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________

School Hours 8:20 AM - 3:00 PM Students may be dropped off in the rear of the building in the car rider line no earlier than 7:50 A.M. After 8:20, parents must take students to the front office to be signed in. No check outs after 2:45 P.M. School will begin dismissing at 3:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE An absence must have a written excuse within 5 days to be excused. Students will have 5 school days to complete missed work. The attendance fax line is or

Breakfast and Lunch Money Students may eat breakfast at school every day. Breakfast is $ Students will have six choices for lunch most days. Lunch is $2.25 and $3.25 for guests. Money in a student’s account can be spent in any way the child chooses unless you put a block on the account.

Ice Cream Your child may purchase ice cream. –The cost for ice cream this year is $1.00. –If you have a block and would like your child to buy ice cream, please send in money on those days.

Guests for Lunch According to the “Forsyth County Wellness Policy”, all snacks and food brought to school for a class must be commercially prepared. We have many students with allergies and need to be able to verify ingredients in food products. Parents should enter and exit from the door located next to the front office. Please wait for us in the cafeteria. We will be there shortly. Our Lunch time is : ___11:10-11:40__ You may sit with your child at the parents’ table. Sorry…no friends allowed!

Birthday Celebrations All birthday celebrations will take place during lunch time. The items can be brought up to the school and dropped off or you can bring them to lunch. Only Store-bought, sorry no homemade goodies ! We have 31 students in our class!

DAILY SCHEDULE 7:50 – 8:30 Morning Work 8:30 – 9:15 HOWL Time 9:15 – 11:10 -BLOCK 1 11:10 – 11:35 Lunch 11:35 – 12:00 Recess 12:15 – 1:00 Specials 1:05 – 2:55 Block 2 3:00- Dismissal

STEMSTEM S cience + T echnology + E ngineering + M ath = STEM For additional information on Whitlow’s STEM Program, visit with Dr. Castleberry on Tuesday, September 3 rd from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose room for her #principalchat. You can also follow the meeting live on Twitter at WhitlowES

Special s Choice STEM Specials: Students chose from 14 teachers each quarter they get to make a new class focused on SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATH skills. Session 1: August 8 – September 9 Hawlk Mon.- PE Tues.- Science Wed.- PE Thur.- Science Fri.- STEM CHOICE Rowand Mon.- Science Tues.- PE Wed.- Science Thur.- PE Fri.- STEM CHOICE

Snack We eat snack daily after Specials. Please send your child with a “healthy” snack each day. Please leave candy and soft drinks at home.

School and Class RULES 1. Be Ready! 2. Be Respectful! 3. Be Responsible! 4. Be Safe! Hands and feet to yourself One behind the other Walk silently

R.O.A.R. Cards The Conduct Card is a behavior monitoring system and daily communication between home and school. The categories on the card align with the conduct section of the report card. The conduct card needs to be signed over the weekend. Each nine weeks the students will receive a new card. Punch cards are an opportunity for students to earn rewards based on positive choices they make in the classroom. Punch cards are an incentive only. Teachers will always be on the lookout for good deeds!

Consequences The first time a child breaks a rule in the classroom, he/she receives a verbal warning. The next time the child breaks the rule, a check is given. 1 st check mark – 2 Wisdom Walks 2 nd check mark – 2 additional Wisdom Walks 3 rd check mark – (previous consequences, Silent Lunch and parent contact.) Missing homework assignments will be marked in the conduct card also. Conduct Cards should ONLY be signed over the weekend.

AGENDAS Each student should have an agenda to keep track of daily assignments. Check agenda every night to help the students learn responsibility for completing homework. Agendas should be signed (2x). 5 min of Flashcard Practice 20 + mins of Reading Practice

HOMEWORK Homework will be assigned nightly. Homework assignments should take approximately 40 minutes each night (this does not include the reading time). Homework not completed will be marked on your students conduct card. Check out the 4 th Grade Curriculum Website online engaging activities.

Friday Folders Your child will bring home a Friday Folder at the end of each week with graded work, conduct card, and any notes/fliers. Important work that needs to be signed and returned back to school will also be sent home in the folder. Sign and return the conduct card each Friday. This will help me to know that you’re aware of your child’s behavior and any information the school is sending out.

SCIENCE  Earth Science - Solar System - Weather  Physical Science - Force & Motion - Simple Machines - Light & Sound  Life Science - Water Cycle - Ecosystems

SOCIAL STUDIES Map skills/Geography The Native Americas Explorations and Encounters Our Colonial Heritage The American Revolution The New Nation Our Nation Grows War Divides the Nation

MATH Houghton Mifflin program includes: Place Value & Rounding Multiplication Division Fractions Algebra Geometry Problem Solving It is essential that students be able to explain their thinking in math. They should be able to compute, model, and write about the operations they do in class.

Reading & ELA Curriculum that will be covered: Leveled Readers Grammar Reading comprehension- Evidence Based Supported With Texts Literature Circles Vocabulary Fluency The integration of reading, writing, listening, grammar and speaking are fundamental to learning and thinking.

Students will be involved in Writer’s Workshop daily. During this time student will work on writing activities to boost their skills as thinkers and communicators. Narrative Writing Informational Writing Opinion Writing Writing within the Content Areas Cursive Writing Writing

For More Information  Visit the county web page (  There you will find helpful information about Forsyth County’s Grading and Reporting.  For more info on Common Core Standards  Check out-