2. Welcome to the Sikes Super Stars!

3. What makes 4 th grade great? New Common Core standards. More rigor. Grades (A, B, C, etc.) Big text books More responsibility-Parents have to let go!

4. Additional Support This Year! Two teachers in the room Provides for differentiated instruction Provides opportunities for small groups Provides opportunities for individualized instruction for ALL students Mrs. Julia Schoeb (co-teacher)

5. Our Daily Schedule A copy is included in the parent packet A calendar for specials is sent home monthly Specials are 8:50 – 9:35 AM Snack is 9:35 AM Lunch is 11:54 – 12:24 PM Recess is 12:30-1:00 PM Media will be once a week scheduled monthly.Guidance is every other Monday, 12:30- 1:00 AM Book Buddies- TBS- Mrs. George’s 2 nd grade

6. Homework Red take-home folder goes home each day Agenda goes home daily and should be signed DAILY when homework is COMPLETE. (Rarely on a Friday.) Signed papers go home on Thursday with a weekly evaluation attached. Sign and send the ENTIRE packet back to school the next day. (Papers are returned at the half year and end year marks.) Students should work on IXL 20 minutes a week and record reading on the monthly Reading Log (RL). Reading log is due at the end of the month. IXL & AR participation are checked weekly. Homework completion is recorded and is reflected on the report card under work/study habits. Please don’t make excuses for your child’s homework.

7. Daily Agenda Check and sign daily! Parent Signature on bottom each day except Fridays.

8. Reading and Language Arts Vocabulary Building: workbook. Units last for 1 to 2 weeks. Tests generally on Wednesdays. Spelling program: Words Their Way. Tests on Fridays. Routine homework posted on BLOG. Guided Reading: students are in groups of the same reading level. Shared Reading: 4 th grade level with skill work.(Storyworks) Writing: writer’s workshop. 6 + 1 Writing Traits. Cursive- using the Zaner Blozer method. Book studies (Read-a-louds) AR goals- AR points checked every Wednesday afternoon. Social studies and science topics incorporated.

9. Math Problem solving is a key component. Students should be able to explain work orally and to write about the problem/solutions as well. IXL practice required weekly at home. (20 min) Reflected on weekly evaluation. Student has until Saturday night to get their 20 minutes completed. Multiplication speed drill goal: Scoring 80/100 basic multiplication facts in 5 minutes by end of 4 th grade

10. Social Studies Economics Map and Globe skills Native Cultures Early Exploration Colonization American Revolution-poster contest -Bottle Buddies Government Westward Expansion Reform Movements

11. Science Water-Ally Allatoona Contest Weather Force and Motion (simple machines) Light Sound Space- Space hats project Ecosystems Protective Adaptations Science Fair project required in fall.

12. A Big Thank You! Many starswere taken from the “Wish Upon a Star” board at Meet and Greet. The students and I appreciate how quickly the items have come in. Some of them are used around the classroom while others are actually for curriculum activities. What a gift for the class!

13. Communication The agenda Email: tracy.sikes@cobbk12.orgtracy.sikes@cobbk12.org Call Mount Bethel and leave a message at 770-578-7248 My BLOG: –http://cobblearning.net/tsikes/http://cobblearning.net/tsikes/ –Will be up and running by Monday.

14. A Few Last Tidbits Water bottles- yes, Yes, YES! Birthdays: let me know if you want to send in a treat. Treats are welcome! Napkins please. We have several children with serious NUT allergies. If there is a change in your child’s afternoon transportation, it must be done in writing or by phone call to the school. No emails anymore. Healthy snacks this year please. Please send a snack. They’re hungry! Remember nut allergy! Head lice: We have a cozy reading area. Please let me know. This is VERY important. I’ll respect privacy. Sick policy: no fever for 24 hours before sending your child back!

15. “Every child is a star with the ability to shine!” Organization Responsibility Self-discipline Enrichment These are my goals for your child.