|
"In addition to love, food, shelter, and the other basic necessities in life,
I feel the next greatest gift that a parent or guardian can give to their child is an education.
My personal philosophy on education as your child’s teacher is that I have a responsibility to
provide a safe & stable learning environment for each child, regardless of heritage, color,
gender, or religious beliefs.
In our learning environment at Queen of All Saints we strive to give to each child
encouragement, praise and attention in order to facilitate their development as an individual
who carries within him or herself a sense of worth, respect, compassion, confidence and life
skills which extend far beyond the basic core curriculum of each grade level."
FOURTH GRADE TEACHERS
Classroom Ms. Wehrlie
Student Teacher Ms. Rutiz
Music Mrs. Davis
Art Ms. Johnston
P.E. Rhythm and Moves
2009-2010 CURRICULUM
Manners, citizenship skills, and Christian behavior will be modeled, reinforced, and expected
daily.
All fourth grade students are expected to write in cursive.
RELIGION
Silver Burdett Ginn text entitled, Blest Are We (level 4), as well as The Good News Bible will be
used with numerous supplementary materials to explore:
• Awareness of God’s presence in our lives
• Gifts of God’s love
• Study of morality
• Various forms of prayer such as meditative, group, and community
• Celebration and participation in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
• Seasonal periods (e.g. Advent, Lent, Holy Days, etc.)
• Reconciliation
• Beatitudes
• Contributions to the larger community: Community outreach projects will vary
• Building of one faith community, beginning with our class and expanding to our
school, nation and world
LANGUAGE ARTS
SPELLING
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Spelling and Vocabulary, will be used with continued
emphasis on phonological awareness and development.
• words most commonly misspelled will be taught
• use of the dictionary and the thesaurus as resources for spelling and
grammatical enhancement
Vocabulary will be a large part of the Language Arts program. New words will be acquired
from not only the weekly spelling lists, but from Literature, History, Science and Religion
curricula as well. Students will define words, keeping their own dictionary and be
encouraged to put incorporate them into their own writing.
READING
Within our reading program we will utilize five main strategies to improve comprehension
and reading fluency: echo, choral, modeled, repeated reading and repeated listening. All of
these strategies will aid in the growth and development of your child’s skills and foster a love
for reading. We will be using several great Children’s Literature books throughout the course
of the year, as well as a few short stories and comprehension worksheets selected to
complement other areas of the curriculum. Numerous book reports will be expected
throughout the year.
Weekend reading will be required most all weekends throughout the school year. Reading
logs will be sent home each Friday and are to be signed by a parent each weekend. All
activities in the fourth grade reading program are designed to encourage the love of reading,
strengthen comprehension, critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Each child is to have
at least one free reading book in his/her desk at all times throughout the year.
ENGLISH
Silver Burdett Ginn text and workbook entitled text entitled, World of Language, will be used
in conjunction with Daily Oral Language. This text will provide a basis for continued
exploration within the English language. Many skills practiced here will be reinforced within
general work and writing activities.
Daily Oral Language program (morning warm-up activity) and the Writing process will
strengthen grammar and usage skills. Student writing will be the main indicator as to which
of the areas are in need of extensive attention.
The following skills will be closely monitored and taught:
• parts of speech • grammar
• punctuation and capitalization • sentence structure
• oral presentations and speech • use of resource materials
MATH
Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley text entitled, Math 4 will be used along with numerous
supplementary materials. Long division is to be mastered in 4th Grade. Drills of
multiplication and division facts will be given in order to strengthen memory and reinforce
concepts.
The math strands include:
• problem solving strategies • word problems
• measurement • numbers (place value, rounding off, estimation)
• patterns and functions • basic geometric concepts
• statistics and probability • logic, reasoning, and critical thinking
• time • fractions
Daily Oral Math program will be utilized, (morning warm-up activity).
SCIENCE
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Discovery Works: California Edition will be used along with
supplementary materials. Units of study will focus upon the Earth’s Land, Populations &
Ecosystems, Rocks and Minerals, the Earth’s Structure, and Nutrition. Studies allow for
exploration and discovery of the delicate balance of the basic scientific principles that govern
our world. In the environmental science component program we will take an in depth look at
those individuals who contribute to the preservation of California’s environment, with greater
emphasis on the naturalist John Muir. Fourth grade is in charge of the (non-paper) recycling.
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Oh, California, will be used along with numerous
supplementary materials to focus upon California: A Changing State.
• The Physical Setting
• Native American Cultures
• Explorers, soldiers, missionaries
• Missions, Ranchos
• Gold Rush, Statehood, Westward Movement
• Events of history and lifestyles during the 1800’s
• Agriculture
• Modern California
• Immigration, Technology and Multicultural Awareness
California Missions and Immigration, will be explored in depth. Reports and projects will be
explained in detail at a later date.
LIBRARY, COMPUTERS, AND INTERNET USAGE
The classroom library and the school library will be used for book check outs. Research and
library skills will be incorporated into this time. We will rotate into the computer center at
this time. In the computer center students will work on iMac computers learning basic
operations, begin to type documents, and internet use.*
I have visited all internet sites that I use in the lessons and have found them to be
appropriate for children. Students are never left unattended while on the internet.
*Any web site I may suggest to the students throughout the course of the year I have found
to be “student safe.” Also, I stress the importance of using the internet with a parent each
time I suggest a new site so that you are aware of your child’s activities on the web.
I will not require nor allow any research for reports to be done via the web or electronic
encyclopedias. At this age it is important that students develop library research skills.
Please see the “Internet Safety” page on my website for helpful tips on keeping your family
safe on the internet.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contacting your teacher:
1. School: 685-8700 leave a message for Ms. Wehrlie or Mrs. Ainsworth
2. e-mail: dwehrlie@csdo.org or msw4@scbglobal.net
3. Note with your child
4. Website: http://TeacherWeb.com/CA/QueenofAllSaintsSchool/MsWehrlie
I will do my best to personally respond within 48 hours either with a note home or a phone
call, or e-mail when appropriate.
Cheating or Conversations During Quizzes or Tests:
Students who are talking or cheating will (both) be given a ZERO ("F") grade on the paper and
require a parent signature.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP OF THE QUIZ OR TEST.
Birthdays:
Please do not send any treats with peanuts or nut products.
If you would like to send a treat in celebration of your child’s birthday you may.
Please limit the celebration to ONE SNACK ONLY (i.e. a piece of fruit, fruit roll-up; no
drinks). If at all possible please send goodies all one flavor. Party bags, party favors of any
sort, or an excessive amount of snack items will NOT be handed out at school, but returned
home.
Reading Logs:
Reading Logs are to be signed by the parent or guardian. Of course, other acceptable
signers include grandparents, aunts, uncles, or step-parents who are caring for the student
during the weekend. It is the student’s responsibility to have the proper reading log for
weekend reading and signature. A piece of paper indicating your student has read will not
be accepted (see homework policy).
Field Trips:
Fourth graders and their teacher love field trips!!! We usually have many trips each year,
depending upon which programs out there will best enhance our curriculum. I invite you all
to try to attend one throughout the year if you are able. Please know that in 4th grade there
may be a limit of parents who will may attending some trips. Often times the field trip site
has limits, and I must comply.
“Rain Check” coupons will be issued as needed, for future trips.
Students are expected to behave in accordance with the QAS code of conduct. Misbehavior
on a trip, including the willful leaving of one’s group, will result in the next field trip being
missed.
Parents accompanying our class on trips are asked to turn off cell phones, refrain from
smoking, and be attentive to our students at all times (chaperone guidelines on next page).
John Muir Environmental Learning Program (ELP):
We may be returning to the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez for an Environmental
learning program. Participation in this program is selected on a lottery. If we are selected
we need all parents to be involved in some aspect of this program to make it a success for
our children. Two or three months before our ELP there will be a mandatory parent meeting.
One parent must attend in order for your child to participate in both field trips. Details on
this meeting will be sent home in ample time so that you may attend this meeting.
Student behavior prior to and during the ELP is expected to reflect the norms of our school.
A GUIDE FOR CHAPERONES
Here are a few reminders for chaperones. I imaging that these are review and common
sense, but it never hurts to read them again.
• Chaperones are expected to be on time for the trip. We leave without you if you are late.
• Chaperones are expected to watch the children at all times, and model proper behavior.
• Chaperones are expected not to use cell phones, other electronic devices, cigarettes, or
other distractions. If they are used you will be asked to put them away. You may have your
cell phones, however, they are to be used for emergencies. This is a time to be with your
child and their friends, therefore distractions should be left at home.
• Chaperones may not bring siblings on trips, as our school insurance does not cover them.
The ONLY exception may be the trip to the zoo.
• Chaperones are expected to drive to and from the destination only. There are to be no side
trips anywhere.
• Chaperones are expected not to buy things for their child or child’s group. This puts the
teacher and other parents in an awkward position.
NOTE: Our trips usually do not allow time to visit gift shops.
• Chaperones are expected to bring their own lunch and a bag/backpack to help carry their
group’s lunches.
|
