PROCEDURES FRIDAY FOLDERS – On Fridays (or the last day of the school week), an envelope will go home with your child containing their corrected work from the week, and other important memos. You may keep any papers that go home unless they are marked otherwise. After reviewing the material inside, please sign & date the envelope and return it the following week. I hope this will help to keep you informed of what is going on in our classroom, and your child’s progress. I will also record your child’s Accelerated Reader tests over books they have read on the back of your child’s folder, so please check this as well.
ASSIGNMENT FOLDERS – Unless otherwise stated, all homework is expected to be completed on the night assigned. Each student should bring a B5 ringed binder, and paper inserts will be provided to record their unfinished assignments at the end of each day. Please check this assignment folder each day and encourage your child to make sure he/she completes all their work. Students failing to complete assignments may be asked to stay in the classroom during recess to get caught up. If your child is spending more than an hour a night on homework or needs assistance in completing an assignment, please write a note informing me about this!
WEBSITE: We have a 4th grade class website, which I plan to update weekly with helpful information, upcoming events/tests, photos, and links. Please check this out at:
(there is also a link for this site from the ocsi.org website by clicking on my photo under Elementary Faculty). You will also be able to see your child's grades online throughout the year by going to jupitergrades.com and entering your student name and password. If you still need information about this, please email me at: [email protected].
ACADEMICS:
READING – As part of fourth grade, each student is encouraged to read 100 pages per week independentlyat their appropriate reading level. They will also take Accelerated Reader (AR) computer tests over books they have read and are required to earn at least 6 AR points during 1st Quarter. Our library day is on Wednesdays.
BIBLE – Most weeks, students will be memorizing some verses from the Bible, and be tested on them Fridays (or last day of the school week). The memory verses (in both English and Japanese) for the following week will be sent home in your child’s Friday folder, and will be posted on our class website. Students will only be required to know the verse in English, but if they would like the extra challenge of saying it in Japanese as well, they are encouraged to do so. Please practice these verses at home with your child!
SPELLING – Students each have a spelling workbook, which contains the Spelling list for each week and several activities. In addition to the list in the workbook, we will be adding two words from our fourth grade Academic Vocabulary List. Students will be tested on the spelling, part of speech and definitions of these 2 words on their Spelling Tests. We will start with a practice test on Mondays, and finish with a final Spelling Test most Fridays. The coming week’s spelling list will be on our class website.
MATH – If your child struggles with their basic math facts, I encourage you to purchase or make some flashcards, and review these with him/her at home. I also have some great math websites posted on the class site. Our My Math can be accessed online :)
4.2 CLASSROOM SUPPLIES:
Indoor shoes (uwabaki)
Water bottle (can also be used for P.E.)
set of colored pencils
5 A4 size notebooks
1 A4 size folder
1 pack A4 size lined loose-leaf paper
1 pack B5 size lined loose-leaf paper
1 roll clear tape
5 pencils
1 blue, 1 black, and 1 red pen
scissors
2 erasers
1 bottle or stick glue
lap size white board with 2 dry-erase markers
1 pencil box
1 tissue box
1 B5 26-ring binder (metal preferred)
2 A4 size 40 pocket clear books
(optional - personal headphones for listening center)
SPECIALS SUPPLIES: Please note that in addition to classroom supplies, students will need the following things for specials classes, which will begin Friday: P.E. - Uniform, Water Bottle, & Indoor Shoes Art- pencil case, colored pencils, eraser, glue stick, 2 pencils (kept in Art) Japanese - 120yen for each Japanese notebook Music - 1 A4 wide zipper folder, 1 Pack of B5 Music Lined paper
4.2 CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1)Be:KIND, RESPECTFUL, HARDWORKING & SELF CONTROLLED Examples of how to do this include, but are not limited to:
Following directions (the first time they are given).
Raising your hand (when you have a question or comment).
Staying on task (or focus on what you are supposed to do).
Respecting others (including teachers, adults, and students).
Doing your best!
Listening to Understand
Taking Responsibility for self and choices
Prioritizing! Put first things first
Show a “Growth Mindset” (Ex; “This will take some time & effort instead of “This is too hard!”)
When students make poor choices: 1) Redirection/Reminder (may include verbal reminder or non-verbal redirection with proximity, visual que, change of seat or note) 2) Guided Practice (conversation with teacher, problem solving, modeling & practicing desired outcomes) 3) Time-out with “Better Choice Plan” in Book 4) Teacher Adds Note to “Better Choice Plan” which will be signed by parent/guardian
Upper Elementary Better Choice Plan: I did not make a good choice today: I...____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I Was Not Kind/Respectful/Hardworking/self-controlled (circle)
I could have shown Kindness,respect, hard work or self control by:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To make things right I will … ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next time I Can … ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________ __________________ Student Signature / Date
_____________________________________ __________________ Parent/Guardian Signature / Date