1. Parent Information Night 2015-2016 4 th Grade Mrs. Bentley and Mrs. Moleres

2. Class Organization & Communication UFO - Students are expected to record homework assignments. Website – We will have assignments and special events posted. Websites are updated every week. COMMUNICATION IS the KEY! Our conference period is from 8:15-9:10. Wednesday folder: Please sign and return blue cards each week. Please read the David newsletter online.

3. Attendance We all want our students to receive a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in kindergarten or in the early years of school will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and receive lower test scores than their classmates. It’s vital that students go to school every day – even in the early years of primary school. We have “Attend to Win” awards for our class that we are trying to earn for 10 days of no absences or tardies.

4. It is our hope that parents model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance. Making sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time will help establish a good habit that will carry through life. Students also have the opportunity to earn money via our classroom economy for perfect weekly attendance.

5. Did you know that attendance rates are used for school state report cards and federal accountability? In 2013-1014 David Elementary had an attendance rate of 97.1%, which put us in Quartile 2 for our rating. The attendance rate needed to put David in Quartile 1 (top rating) was 97.2%.

6. Class begins when the first bell rings at 7:50. Every morning, beginning at 7:50, students will complete a math or writing warm-up assignment. Please call in absences and doctor appointments by 8:00. If your child has a medical appointment, please send in a doctor’s note for absences to be excused. Call the nurse if your child is sick for more than 2 days.

7. Snack Time Students may bring a healthy snack to school each day to be eaten in class, while working. Our snack time will be right after specials, around 9:15 am. Snacks must not be messy (no dips, crumbly foods or items that could easily spill) Please do not send your child with a snack that may contain nuts due to allergies.

8. Birthdays Store bought treats free from any type of nuts or exposure to nuts can be brought and shared with the class for your child’s birthday. All treats will be served after lunch, at the end of the day. You may consider non-food birthday treats as well (pencils, erasers, etc…)

9. Transportation To change transportation, please send a note with your child or call front office BEFORE 2 pm. If we do not receive a note or message, your child will go home the usual way. If you permanently change how your child is going home, please send me a note or email. Walkers- Please establish a meeting point away from the front porch.

10. Rainy Day Dismissal Walker/Bikers must be picked up in a car, from the car line on rainy days. Following this procedure will help expedite the dismissal process. For safety and efficiency, please refrain from parking and walking up to the porch to pick up your child. Please display a car rider sign on your windshield.

11. Social Studies Curriculum An introduction to Texas history concepts that will be covered in more depth during 7 th grade Map Skills Geography of Texas Native Americans Texas Government European Explorers and Missions Mexican Era and Colonization Texas Revolution Republic of Texas and Statehood American Civil War and Reconstruction Cowboy Culture Industry Research

12. Language Arts Curriculum Prepare students to be life-long readers and writers Writing: personal narrative, expository, poetry, persuasive, letter, creative, and research Genre-based units: realistic and historical fiction, poetry, media literacy, traditional literature, literary nonfiction, drama, expository/informational, and research

13. Homework READING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS! Students should record assignments in their UFO. Assignments are also posted on our websites. Homework only counts for 5% of the total grade for each class, but it adds up. Missing homework: -10 points/day late; after 3 days, the grade is a 0

14. Language Arts Homework Independent Reading: Read at least 5 nights a week for 30 minutes and 15+ pages. Reading logs are due every Tuesday for a homework grade. Students need to keep the log in the UFO. Reading Comprehension: homework typically assigned once each week Writing: homework often assigned 1-2 days each week Word Study: homework is handed out on Friday and will be due the following Friday.

15. Independent Reading Each week students may check out up to 3 books from the school library. They should have one from each of the categories below. 1 Nonfiction book (to be read on Tuesday night) 1 Novel 1 Free choice book (if desired) Books must be brought to school everyday. They are used to support many of the important concepts of our Language Arts curriculum. If students are not reading five nights each week (30 minutes/15+ pages), they will go to study hall to read.

16. Accelerated Reader Students have a point goal and a nonfiction book goal each marking period. Major Grade: calculated using the students progress toward the point goal and the test average for the marking period Daily Grade: progress toward nonfiction book goal Tests may be taken during language arts class and after recess.

17. Math Curriculum Math curriculum: -Resources include EnVision consumable textbook and online resources, Motivation Math books, math binders and additional teacher resources -Anchor Stations -Daily Math Review and Fact Fluency -Poster Method math every other Friday Mastery of multiplication facts is critical to student success in 4 th grade. Please work on facts at home to increase fact fluency.

18. Math Curriculum Math curriculum: Data Analysis Place Value Fractions Addition and Subtraction Personal Financial Literacy Multiplication and Division Geometry Measurement STAAR Review Bridge to 5 th Grade

19. Math Homework Homework assignments may be sent home every day, Monday through Thursday in your student’s UFO. Homework is due the following morning. Mrs. Bentley will go over homework in class every day. Late work will be deducted 10 points per day for late days 1-3. On the fourth day, the homework will be a 0.

20. Classroom Economy In connection with our Financial Literacy TEKs in Math, students will be earning, spending and saving money in class for a variety of reasons. Students will have class jobs to earn a “paycheck” for the work they complete. Students are able to earn rewards, bonuses and may also be fined for not meeting classroom expectations.

21. Science Curriculum Safety Matter Force and Motion Energy Weather and Water Cycle Patterns of Change Slow Changes to Earth Soil Food Chains and Webs Life Cycles Environments

22. Science Homework Science homework is assigned as needed. Every few weeks, the science notebook will come home for your review. Please sign the parent signature log at the back of the notebook to indicate you reviewed the notebook with your student.

23. Conferences Please feel free to contact us by email or telephone if you desire a conference. All conferences are with both of us, so you need not schedule two individual conferences.

24. Student Handbook The CISD handbook can be viewed on the district website. Please take a few minutes to review the handbook and discuss important information with your child. After reading through the handbook, please log on to Parent Access and acknowledge that you have reviewed the information. Receipt of the handbook must be completed prior to fall picture day, September 18.

25. Contact Information Websites: Our websites are posted on the Conroe I.S.D. website (www.conroeisd.net) under Schools, David Elementary, Teacher Websites.www.conroeisd.net or Mrs. Bentley: http://david.conroeisd.net/Teachers/abentley/ Mrs. Moleres: http:// david.conroeisd.net/Teachers/smoleres/ David Elementary Phone Number: (281) 298-4700 Email: Mrs. Amber Bentley: abentley@conroeisd.net Mrs. Shannon Moleres: smoleres@conroeisd.net

26. Thank you for being involved in your child’s education!!!