The following information is from a packet handed out at Back to School Night.
Please also check the following links:
4th Grade Discipline Policy
4th Grade Homework Policy
Field trips/Important dates
COMMUNICATION:
WEDNESDAY FOLDERS: All graded papers will come home every Wednesday in a BLUE
folder, There is a sheet at the back of the folder with a place for you to
sign each week.
NOTE: I will be writing a weekly update every Wednesday, but it will be
posted on my website.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ON THE “WEEKLY UPDATE” LINK OF THE 4TH GRADE WEBSITE TO BE
NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL OF EACH WEEKLY LETTER.
HOMEWORK STAMPS :Your child will receive a stamp on his blue folder for each
week of “perfect” homework record. 5 stamps in a row = Homework Coupon.
HOMEWORK NOTICE: (Zero grades) If your child has received a zero for a missing
assignment, you will find a pink notice stapled to the FRONT of the blue
homework folder. Do not remove this from front of folder, just sign it and
return.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE HOMEWORK FOLDER ON THURSDAY MORNING, OR BY FRIDAY,
THE LATEST.
ABSENCES
When your child is absent, I will prepare a form listing all missed classwork
assignments. If possible, I will send the necessary materials home with a
sibling or neighbor. It is helpful to send me an e-mail to let me know
whether you would like to pick up the work, have it sent home, or wait until
your child returns. Regardless, it is our school’s policy that BOTH homework
and classwork assignments are to be made up when a child is absent, within the
allotted time .
VACATION ABSENCES
School attendance is vital for success, but there are times your family will
choose to take your child out for personal vacation days. Please note that
every teacher here at St. James Academy has his/her own policy for vacation
absences. Here is the FOURTH GRADE POLICY:
If possible, please notify me as soon as your vacation plans are made. The
more time I have, the better I can prepare. My plan is to give your child as
much of the work missed BEFORE you leave for vacation, so he/she will not be
overwhelmed by the volume of work to be made up upon their return.
Of course, in case of emergencies, I will work with you to establish a
personal plan to ensure what is best for you child.
GRADELINK
This is our web-based grade program. Parents and students in grades 4 through
8 have instant access to view their grades on line. Please know that all
grades entered are from assignments that you will see in every Wednesday’s
work folder, except for Vocabulary workbooks ( we do not tear the pages out
for this one).
CURRICULUM:
RELIGION
Text: BLESSED ARE WE by Silver Burdett-Ginn
Focus on Morality and in depth study of the 10 Commandments
Liturgy Planning: 4 masses prepared by the 4th graders
FAMILY LIFE (See Permission Slip)
Text : FULLY ALIVE by Silver Burdett
Themes: Created and Loved by God, Living in Relationship, Created Sexual,
Conception, and Growing in Commitment
READING:
Text: by Houghton Mifflin- includes literature and writing
Current Events: SCHOLASTIC NEWS magazine
SRA READING PROGRAM (once a week)
BOOK REPORT PROGRAM (one per quarter – see separate handout)
LANGUAGE:
Spelling & Vocabulary: VOCABULARY WORKSHOP by Sadlier-Oxford
English & Grammar: GRAMMAR WORKSHOP by Sadlier-Oxford
Houghton Mifflin English text and workbook
HELPFUL WEBSITE FOR PARENTS/STUDENTS (vocab/grammar/math):
www.sadlier-oxford.com
RESEARCH PROJECTS: (See separate handout with details)
Start in October: President Report DUE DATE: Mon. Nov. 16th
Start in January: Mission Report DUE DATE: Mon. Mar. 15th
Start in April: Biography Report DUE DATE: Mon. April 26h
Start in May: Endangered Species Report DUE DATE: Mon. May 24th
POETRY Unit – Students will write a variety of poems and put together a book
by late spring ( ex: haiku, limerick, cinquain, diamante, etc.)
CURSIVE HANDWRITING –Zaner-Blaser Workbooks
MATH:
Text: PROGRESS IN MATHEMATICS by Sadlier-Oxford
Review / reinforce and master all basic facts
Multiplication and Division facts weekly drills
Long Multiplication and Long Division
Fractions and Word problems
Decimals, Time, and Measurement
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Text: CALIFORNIA by Houghton Mifflin
California History and Geography
MISSION FAMILY PROJECT:
Build a mission model – DUE MONDAY, MARCH 8th 2010
Related Field Trips (Overnight and “Walk Through CA”)
SCIENCE:
Text: SCIENCE by Scott Foresman
4 Units of Study:
Unit A: Life Science
Unit B: Earth Scien
Unit C: Physical Science
Unit D: Space and Technology
Weekly hands-on labs
ART:
Integrated across the curriculum
ARTIST OF THE MONTH PROGRAM: Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, O’Keeffe, Dali,
Hokusai, Laurel Burch, and others. Additional art projects throughout the year
using a variety of materials.
NOTE: Art Portfolios will go home at the end of the year
Additional art program in the spring: ART ATTACK Program
FAMILY ART PROJECT:
Halloween Haunted Models – due Week of October 13th – 19th, 2009
LIBRARY SKILLS: Mrs. Kwasniewski
COMPUTER SKILLS: Mr. Powell
MUSIC: Mrs. Oldham
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Coach Elbers