HOMEWORK:
Homework is an essential part of developing time management,
responsibility, perseverance, independence, initiative, and
resourcefulness. Students will be assigned two types of homework: daily and
weekly.
Daily - Students will be responsible Monday - Thursday for daily homework
consisting of unfinished assignments, such as math, science, etc.
Weekly - Students will also have weekly assignments to practice
and review skills, such as Daily Geography, Spelling packet, etc.
Homework will go over homework each afternoon and a copy will be posted
on our webpage under Homework. Daily homework is due the next day, unless
otherwise noted. As homework is turned in on time, students receive credit
toward our monthly Pizza Club celebration. If homework is not turned in on
time, a student will receive an Incomplete Note. Both the competed work and
the Incomplete Note with a parent signature are due the following day for
full credit. Work will NOT be accepted after that.
Students can expect about 45 minutes a night (or less), which should
include free reading. The music teachers will also assign homework, which
may add additional time.
BOOK INTERVIEWS:
To help develop a lifelong love for reading and to continue to develop
reading skills, students are to read chapter books at home. At the
beginning of the year and midpoint, students will participate in a reading
inventory and receive a Lexile score. This is a number that will help
students choose books that are in their Independent Reading Level. Each
child will start with a reading goal of 1000 pages per trimester (unless
otherwise noted). Please review the specific details found under Projects
and Worksheets.
ON TRACK:
To create a school and classroom environment where students want to
learn, are willing to take chances, and to be challenged, Brywood has
develped the following acronym focusing on behavioral and academic
expections. I use this system to help students continue to develop
critical thinking and decision making skills, as well as be responsible for
their actions. Being On TRACK means:
T - Treat everyone with compassion.
R - Respect yourself and others.
A - Always give your personal best.
C - Come to class prepared.
K - Keep a positive attitude.
I believe it is important to reinforce these positive behaviors. So,
along with earning credit through timely completion of homework, students
will also earn Pizza Club through making good choices and staying On TRACK.
Part of decision making is to learn from mistakes. If a student makes a poor
choice, we will meet to dicusss ways to make better choices and resolve
issues. If a student continues to make poor choices, s/he will receive an
Off TRACK report, which will be sent home for parent review/signature.
YOUNG-OPOLY:
Throughout the year, we will play a game called Young-opoly. In teams,
students earn houses/hotels weekly as they turn in homework and demonstrate
On TRACK behavior. Teams must work together to stay on task and help each
other. Both teams and individuals can earn Community Chest and Chance
tickets, which help contribute to the overall money a team earns by the end
of the trimester. Both teams and individuals will also receive Loose Change
tickets when they are not working to our expectations. Students and families
can follow along with our Young-opoly board posted in the classroom.
COMMUNICATION:
Each Friday, along with Conduit information and the Friday Folder, a
Weekly Work Letter "WWL" will come home. Classroom conduct, citizenship, and
responsibility will be evaluated. Please spend time with your child to
review his/her successes and discuss strategies to get back On TRACK.
WAYS TO HELP AT HOME:
While children in fourth grade continue to develop independence, they
still need your support. The following suggestions may help establish and
maintain a routine for the year to help your child be successful this year:
1. Review On TRACK expectations.
2. Set a daily schedule for homework. Remember to plan for regular weekly
activities, sports, music, religion, and especially play time.
3. Designate one spot in the house where homework is done. Keep extra
supplies handy.
4. Have your child cross off homework as it is complete and put back in the
binder.
5. Plan 10 minutes a night to review the Learning Organizer, sign
paperwork, and ensure your child repacks his/herbackpack.
6. Celebrate effort and responsibility!
As part of Young-opoly, your child will be part of a team. Teammates
should be used as contacts to clarify assignments, confirm due dates, etc.
The team list in your child's binder include guidelines and phone numbers.
GRADING:
Effort, growth, homework completion, participationg in class, and
averaging of graded assignments, tests, and projects determine a student's
grades. To ensure your child's success, work receiving a score of 70%
or below may be corrected and resubmitted. A progress report will be sent
mid trimester to inform you of your child's progress.
BIRTHDAYS:
We all love to celebrate birthdays (even half birthdays for
those in the summer months)! To promote a healthy lifestyle, our school
policy is that no food be brought in to celebrate. Instead, students may
choose to do one of the following if they wish:
* Donate a favorite book to our class library
* Provide the class with a new playground ball
* Bring in school supplies for classmates (under $1.00 per student)
Celebrating birthdays at school is always optional and your choice. I will
give each student a special treat to celebrate and recognize his/her special
day.
FIELD TRIPS:
There are several field trips planned for the year which center around
our Social Studies and Science curriculum.
1. Mission San Juan Capistrano
2.
3.
ABSENCES:
It is essential that students attend school daily. However, if your
child is ill, it is equally important s/he stays home and to get healthy!
Upon return, we will meet to put together a make-up packet and deadline.
Please remember to contact our Absence Line at 936-5501 to report absences.
FORGOTTEN SUPPLIES:
If lunches, binders, or instruments are forgotten, they can be left at
the front office to avoid disruptions to the classroom.
RIGHT-TO-READ DAYS:
Throughout the year, there will be several days where Brywood
celebrates and promotes reading for enjoyment. Students should
be ready to read, read, read! They may bring chapter books, comic books,
magazines, etc. They may also bring a sleeping bag, pillow, or blanket to
read on. Healthy snacks, such as cut up fruit, vegetables, crackers,
pretzles, etc. are also acceptable. Please no "sweet" snacks, juices,
sodas, etc.