1. Mrs. Matthews’ 4th Grade Class 2017-2018
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Mrs. Matthews’
4th Grade Class

2. A Final Thought … I DREAMED I STOOD IN A STUDIO
AND WATCHED TWO SCULPTORS THERE
THE CLAY THEY USED WAS A YOUNG CHILD’S MIND
AND THEY FASHIONED IT WITH CARE.
ONE WAS A TEACHER; THE TOOLS SHE USED
WERE BOOKS AND MUSIC AND ART;
ONE WAS A PARENT WITH A GUIDING HAND,
AND A GENTLE, LOVING HEART.
DAY AFTER DAY THE TEACHER TOILED,
WITH TOUCH THAT WAS SKILLFUL AND SURE,
WHILE THE PARENT LABORED BY HER SIDE
AND POLISHED AND SMOOTHED IT OVER
AND WHEN AT LAST THEIR TASK WAS DONE
THEY WERE PROUD OF WHAT THEY’D WROUGHT
FOR THE THINGS THEY HAD MOLDED IN THE CHILD
COULD NEITHER BE SOLD NOR BOUGHT.
AND EACH AGREED THEY WOULD HAVE FAILED
IF THEY HAD WORKED ALONE,
FOR BEHIND THE PARENT STOOD THE SCHOOL
AND BEHIND THE TEACHER, THE HOME.
I am blessed to begin this journey with you in 4th grade! I will work to build character, citizenship, and education within each boy and girl who steps foot into my classroom! I look forward to working with your child this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Matthews 
A Final Thought …

3. Reading
This year in Reading, we will use the McGraw-Hill Wonders Series. We will dive deep into a lot of different non-fiction texts that incorporates our learning in Science and Social Studies. We will conduct several different literature studies where students will use strategies to understand increasingly challenging vocabulary. Your child will be tested on the SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) soon and a level of reading will be established. We will take this test throughout the year in hopes to see improved growth in our reading.
Writing
Students will learn to write several different genres of writing; including narratives, informative, and opinion writing with research embedded within each genre! Students will use various forms of technology and digital media as they conduct research and publish their final writing pieces.
Spelling
The McGraw-Hill Wonders Spelling curriculum will be used this year. A pretest of 20 words will be given on Monday and then will be sent home that same day as a way to study the words throughout the week. During the week, we will have activities that practice the spelling and context of each the 20 spelling words and a test will be given on Friday.
Math
Math will be taught using the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Series: Math Expressions. Math will be an exploratory subject where students are allowed to work with strategies that best fit their individual needs. Multiplication and division facts are very important at this stage! Students will be working with an online math fact fluency program called Reflex and will be tested on their basic facts on a consistent basis. Extra work at home is a huge help in helping your child master these facts!!!
Science
In our Science curriculum, students will be exploring and investigating in the following 5 different units…
Energy, Organisms, Waves, Earth Systems, and Earth & Human Activity
Social Studies
Our Social Studies curriculum allows us to learn about our government, different regions of the United States, economics, and Missouri history!
Curriculum

4. Possible Consequences Classroom Expectations
Hyde’s School-Wide Behavior System
At Hyde, we believe in the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Systems) approach to school discipline. A “matrix” of expected behaviors was created that ALL students are to abide by. These behaviors will be taught the first few weeks of school and revisited as needed throughout the school year.
Our Classroom
Our Big 5 Classroom Rules are…
Follow Directions Quickly
Raise Your Hand For Permission to Speak
Raise Your Hand For Permission to Leave Your Seat
Make Smart Choices
Keep Your Dear Teacher HAPPY! (my favorite )
Students can earn WARRIOR BUCKS and BRAG TAGS throughout the school year for following our school and classroom expectations.
Possible Consequences
Because we all have a bad day occasionally, here are some examples of possible consequences if rules are broken; verbal warnings, change of seat, loss of privileges, time out, letter of apology, note or phone call home. I believe almost all problems can be solved within our classroom. Students will go to the principal’s office for severe situations only.
Classroom Expectations

5. Scholastic Book Orders
Book Reports
Each quarter, students will be required to complete 3 fiction and 2 nonfiction book reports.
Students will earn these book reports by successfully completing Reading Counts quizzes.
Reading Circle requirement for 4th grade is 12 fiction and 6 nonfiction book reports.
Scholastic Book Orders
Throughout the school year, I will send home Scholastic book orders. If your family chooses to purchase books, please make checks payable to Scholastic. Please do not send cash with your child. You will also have the opportunity to make an online order.
Book Reports

6. Birthdays Birthdays Birthday Guidelines
A child’s birthday is important and should be celebrated!
If you wish to send treats with your child, they must be store bought.
If your child is having any type of party, they must bring an invitation for everyone in the class or every boy or every girl. (This will help to eliminate any hurt feelings amongst students.)
Birthdays
Birthday Guidelines
A child’s birthday is important and should be celebrated!
If you wish to send treats with your child, they must be store bought.
If your child is having any type of party, they must bring an invitation for everyone in the class or every boy or every girl. (This will help to eliminate any hurt feelings amongst students.)
Birthdays

7. Friday Folders & Remind 101
Every Friday, students will bring home a red Friday Folder. It will contain their weekly behavior report, graded papers, and any other important papers from school. Please sign the behavior report and return to school on the following Monday.
Remind 101
Remind 101 is a great way to receive reminders and updates of things happening in our classroom and school. Please sign up if you have not already done so.
Friday Folders & Remind 101
Friday Folders
Every Friday, students will bring home a red Friday Folder. It will contain their weekly behavior report, graded papers, and any other important papers from school. Please sign the behavior report and return to school on the following Monday.
Remind 101
Remind 101 is a great way to receive reminders and updates of things happening in our classroom and school. Please sign up if you have not already done so.
Friday Folders & Remind 101

8. School Hours and Specials School Hours and Specials
Start and End Times
School will begin at 8:40 and dismiss at 3:40.
Specials
MONDAY – MUSIC/PE
TUESDAY – LIBRARY
WEDNESDAY – ART
THURSDAY – PE/MUSIC
FRIDAY – (ROTATING DAY) RED-MUSIC WHITE-ART BLUE-PE
School Hours and Specials
Start and End Times
School will begin at 8:40 and dismiss at 3:40.
Specials
MONDAY – MUSIC/PE
TUESDAY – LIBRARY
WEDNESDAY – ART
THURSDAY – PE/MUSIC
FRIDAY – (ROTATING DAY) RED-MUSIC WHITE-ART BLUE-PE
School Hours and Specials

9. Contact Contact Contact Mrs. Nicole Matthews Hyde Elementary
School Phone Number: (816)
Cell: (816)
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have a question, comment, or concern. will be the best form of communication. However, don’t hesitate to call me, just as I will call you.
Contact
Mrs. Nicole Matthews
Hyde Elementary
School Phone Number: (816)
Cell: (816)
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have a question, comment, or concern. will be the best form of communication. However, don’t hesitate to call me, just as I will call you.
Contact
Mrs. Nicole Matthews
Hyde Elementary
School Phone Number: (816)
Cell: (816)
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have a question, comment, or concern. will be the best form of communication. However, don’t hesitate to call me, just as I will call you.
Contact