Class Handbook. Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Wilkes

Transcription

1 Class Handbook Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Wilkes Fourth Grade

2 Greetings from the Fourth Grade Teaching Team! I am so happy to be teaching fourth grade at CHCA for the 13 th year. I have previously taught first grade in Mobile and Texas. I also served as a preschool and children s ministry director in a church in Montgomery. I received a Bachelor s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a Master s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama. My husband, daughter, son, and I have lived in several places in the United States and other countries, but we call Mobile home. After returning to Alabama, our daughter completed her MBA from the University of Mobile. Our son graduated from CHCA then Auburn University and completed his Master s degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Both of our children have married, and we are delighted to have welcomed three precious grandchildren to the family with another due to arrive soon. We have an awesome year ahead of us! I am excited to be teaching Reading, Language, Spelling, and Science to both groups of fourth graders! Please let me hear from you from time to time, especially if you have a question or concern. Debbie Hughes hughesd@chbss.org I am thrilled to be teaching fourth grade this year. This is the beginning of my 9 th year at CHCA. I received my Bachelor s degree from Liberty University in Elementary Education. I am married to Jeff Wilkes and God has blessed us with two wonderful children; both attending CHCA. Thomas is a freshman this year and loves playing basketball and soccer for the school. Maggie is in 8 th grade and is excited to be playing volleyball for CHCA this fall as well as soccer. We are members of First Baptist Tillman s Corner where we are active in a variety of ministries. I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. I can t wait to see what the Lord has planned for all of us! If you ever have a question or concern, please feel free to contact me. Kim Wilkes wilkesk@chbss.org

3 FOURTH GRADE HANDBOOK A. CURRICULUM/GOALS/MATERIALS 1. Students are guided through a fourth grade curriculum in which God s Word is integrated in every subject area. A study of the history of Alabama in Social Studies includes projects, activities, and field trips to enhance student understanding. A variety of math skills are presented, using McGraw-Hill materials. A-Beka Language, A.C.S.I. Spelling, Purposeful Design Science, and B.J.U.P. Reading round out the fourth grade academic program. 2. Accelerated Reader (AR) plays an important role in our curriculum. At the beginning of the school year, students will take a STAR reading test to determine their reading level, helping teachers set individual quarterly reading goals. Students are required to read books on their level and take tests in order to achieve the quarterly goal determined by teachers. This usually requires at least twenty minutes of reading per day. In addition to books from our school library, AR books may be found in the Mobile Public Library. The school website has a link to Renaissance Home Connect, allowing parents to view students progress. 3. Our Study of God s word will include how the Bible came to be and how to study the Bible. Students will learn about God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and God s wonderful plan for His creation. Students will be assigned a passage of scripture to memorize each week. The meaning of the passage will be discussed at school and parents are encouraged to do the same at home. We will use Purposeful Design Curriculum materials in our study. The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible will be used in class. 4. Instruction in Computer, Spanish, Art, Music and Study Skills broaden student experiences. Daily participation in physical education provides opportunities for exercise as well as competitive teamwork. B. HOMEWORK 1. Homework will be assigned to reinforce, review, and practice classroom learning. 2. Not all homework is in the form of written work to be turned in. Each day, students should: (1) Review multiplication facts, spelling words, vocabulary words, and Bible memory verse. Suggested website for spelling review: >find a list>enter search term: Taylor Hughes>search by: teacher name>select one of the spelling activities from the free activities list on the left side. Spelling word lists are also on our school website. (2) Work toward completing long-term assignments such as book reports or other projects. (3) Prepare for tests listed on the goal sheet. (4) Read at least 20 minutes to reach AR reading goals. 3. Parents are encouraged to assist with homework as needed and check homework assignments their child has completed, but the work must be done by the student. 4. Homework is to be done on time and brought to class on the assigned day. 5. Homework should always be done in pencil unless otherwise stated.

4 C. HANDWRITING Fourth graders are expected to use cursive handwriting. Spelling and other written tests must have correctly formed letters to be counted as spelled correctly. D. MULTIPLICATION Students who have not yet memorized all multiplication facts from 1 s-12 s need to do so as soon as possible. DAILY practice at home will certainly help students recall these faster. A set of multiplication and division flash cards, used often, is a great investment. Another wonderful source is the following website: E. WEEKLY TEST SCHEDULE Unless otherwise noted, tests will be given on the following days: Monday- Bible Verse Friday Spelling and Reading Vocabulary All other tests will be announced on the weekly goal sheet. Reading is evaluated by combining 4 areas: a.oral reading skills (Fluency)- random days b. Vocabulary tests - Lists are given on Monday and tests are usually given on Friday. c. Comprehension d. Reading skills Quizzes, daily work, homework, and classroom participation grades will be also be used to evaluate student progress in all subjects. F. PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1. Student assignments pages in the front of students binders are filled out each day by students listing homework assignments. Parents are encouraged to check these. 2. Folders with graded papers go home every Tuesday. Parents, please review papers, sign the signature page in front of the folder, and return the folder and papers on Wednesday. These will help show when extra practice or review is needed in a specific area. 3. Parents are encouraged to check the INOW portal on line for current grades. 4. Goal sheets will go home every Friday, along with other important papers. 5. Parents are requested to present any concerns or questions in writing via , or written note. For the efficient use of our daily schedule and the safety of all students, please refrain from parent/teacher discussions after 7:45 or in the after-school pick-up area. Parents are encouraged to schedule conferences with teachers throughout the year. 6. On the school website, you can find the lunch menu, calendar of events, and much more information. For weekly goal sheets, spelling word lists, and other information for each class, click School staff and find the teacher s name.

5 G. IMPORTANT TIMES Our school day begins with pledges and announcements at 7:40 and PE at 7:45. If a student arrives after that time, he/she must go to the office for a tardy slip to enter class. Students who arrive before 7:35 are to wait in the Before School Care room until dismissed to class. Students will walk to the fourth grade carpool area at 2:45 each day. Students who are not picked up by 3:00 will be taken to the After School Care room. H.CONDUCT Students are expected to obey the following classroom rules: 1. Raise your hand and wait to be given permission before speaking. 2. Listen and follow instructions. 3. Show respect for school authorities. 4. Demonstrate kindness in words and actions. 5. Use school facilities with care, avoiding actions which would cause damage to any part of the building or grounds. Rewards Good behavior will be rewarded through various methods. Some of these are listed below: Praise Movie and popcorn playground time game time coupons for special privileges Treasure Box items (small toys, pencils, candy or coupons) Consequences If a student harms another student, damages school or others property, uses unkind or disrespectful behavior, or is otherwise disruptive, he/she will write a note to his/her parents describing the action. This note will be sent home to be read and signed by parents and returned the following day. If the disruptive behavior continues or is severe the first time, a parent conference will be requested and/or the student will be sent to the office with a discipline report. I. UNIFORMS 1. Uniform policies are listed on the school website. Please review the approved list and guidelines. PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHES AND SHOES!! If all articles of clothing are labeled on the tag, this avoids the loss of valuable class time when items are lost or found. Please check throughout the year to be sure names have not washed or worn off. Lost and Found items turned in to the office or found in PE changing rooms can be returned to owners if they are labeled. 2. Boy s ties can be kept in the classroom and sent home at the end of the school year. 3. P.E. uniforms will be sent home every Friday to be washed. Our PE time is at the beginning of the day, so students may wear PE uniforms to school and bring their regular uniform to wear after PE. This does not apply to Thursdays. Students will only change shoes on that day since Chapel follows immediately after PE. Students should have a small bag to hold PE clothes every day. When the weather gets colder, please send long sweatpants for students to wear during P.E.

6 J. SUPPLIES See the school website for a list of supplies. Please check often to be sure your child still has supplies. Pencils, erasers, red pens, high-lighters, and notebook paper need to be replaced often throughout the year. It is helpful to keep extras at home and replace regularly. K. SNACK Students will have time for one small snack and drink each day. Please do not include soft drinks. L. BIRTHDAYS Students may bring a special treat for the class to celebrate their birthday. June and July birthdays may be celebrated in May. Please note: Invitations to private birthday parties may not be distributed at school unless every student in the class is included.