Welcome to Fourth Grade Orientation

Tuesday

September 8, 2015

Meet the Fourth Grade Teachers...Ms. Fernandez

Ms. L. GarzaMr. PerezMs. CotterMs. J. GarzaMs. LeyvaMr. IbarraMs. BarbosaMiss Stiegler

Seven Habits

Habit 1 Be Proactive * You’re in Charge

Habit 2 Begin with the End in Mind * Have a Plan

Habit 3 Put First Things First * Work First, Then Play

Habit 4 Think Win-Win Everyone Can Win

Habit 5 Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood * Listen Before You Talk

Habit 6 Synergize * Together Is Better

Habit 7 Sharpen the Saw * Balance Feels Best

7:30-7:45 Morning Meeting

7:45-8:15 School-Wide Intervention

8:15-9:15 Math

9:15-10:15 Reading

10:15-10:30 Recess

10:30-11:15 Science/SS

11:15-11:35 MAP/Stations

11:39-12:09 Lunch

12:10-12:25 SSR

12:30-1:20 Specials

1:20-2:15 Word Work/Writing

2:30 Dismissal

Our Schedule

Reading Objectives

• Word Meaning/Context Clues/Dictionary Skills

• Main Ideas/Supporting Details

• Summarizing/ Inferencing• Relationships and Outcomes• Analyzing Information• Point of View

*Reading objectives are taught across the curriculum.

Reading Assessments• Istation is an internet-based reading

intervention program for use by students.

• Students’ skills are assessed and monitored throughout the year.

• Based on assessment results, students then receive instruction based on their individual needs through Istation’s online animated format that motivates students to learn.

• Student performance reports are automatically created.

Istation Reading Recommended Usage• Classroom usage

• Home usage

www.istation.com• Parent letter going

home• Computer download

instructions:• Instructions in parent

letter• School website:

www.neisd.net/larkspur

• Ipad (app store: Istation)

30 or more minutes per week.Tier 1

90 or more minutes per week.Tier 3

Tier 2

60 or more minutes per week.

Evaluaciones de lectura

• Istation es un programa a través del internet en el que se evalúa el aprovechamiento de los alumnos en el área de lectura.

• Una vez que se conoce el resultado de la evaluación, los alumnos reciben instrucción a través del Internet con un currículo especializado e interactivo que permite practicar y aprender en todas las áreas importantes de la lectura.

• Los informes de progreso generados por el sistema de Istation sirven para hacer recomendaciones, ofrecer lecciones y trabajar en grupos pequeños.

Uso recomendado por Istation-Español

• Uso en el aula

• Uso en la casa:

www.istation.com• Carta a los padres• Instalar en su computadora:

• Instrucciones en la carta a padres

• Sitio red de la escuela: www.neisd.net/larkspur

• Ipad (app store: Istation)

30 minutos o más por semanaTier 1

60 minutos o más por semanaTier 3Tier 2 30 minutos o más por semana

Math

• Number Patterns/ Place Value

• Multiplication/Division

• Addition/Subtraction

• Geometry/Measurement

• Fractions/Decimals

• Probability/Statistics

Science• Electricity• Forms of Energy • Renewable and Non-

Renewable Resources• Systems, Cycles, Patterns,

and Change• Natural World: Soil, Earth

Events, Weather• Adaptations• Matter & Energy

Social Studies4th Grade Focuses on Texas History

• Geographic Tools

• Regions of Texas

• Government

• Native Americans

• European Exploration

• Spanish Missions

• Texas Revolution

• Republic of Texas

• State of Texas

• Civil War

• Modern Times• Current Events

Math test is May 9th. Reading test is May 10th.

The students are limited to 4 hours for each test.

The Writing STAAR will be administered over 2 consecutive days, on March 29-30, 4 hours per day. Students will be expected to revise/edit and write a composition each day.

If a child is absent on testing days, there will be make-up testing.

Writing Objectives

• The students will respond appropriately in a written composition to the purpose/audience specified in a given topic.

• The student will organize ideas in a written composition on a given topic.

• The student will demonstrate control of the English language in a written composition on a given topic.

• The student will generate a written composition that develops/supports/elaborates the central idea stated in a given topic.

STAAR Writing

Students will be expected to write a personal narrative and an expository composition.

• Expressive/personal narrative – The writer expresses thoughts about an event or topic.

• Informative/expository – The writer selects and presents facts in order to convey information.

Six Trait Writing

• Ideas and Content• Organization• Sentence Fluency• Voice • Word Choice• Conventions

Conference Periods

Monday-Friday from 12:30-1:20

Wednesdays are grade level meetings, so we will return your calls after school or

the following school day.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We understand

that communication is vital to success for everyone in school.

Contacts

• School phone number407-4600

• E-mail links to teachers and staff are available on the Larkspur web sitewww.neisd.net/larkspur

Class Work

• All class work will be completed in class, evaluated, and graded. ( Unfinished work may be required to be finished at home)

• Homework folders and binders are reviewed at the end of each day.

• Please check your child’s folder for the daily agenda and completed class work.

Homework

• Math, reading, and spelling/writing homework will be given every Monday and turned in Friday.

• Students should read from a chapter book at home each night and record the title and minutes in their homework packet.

• Students should study their multiplication facts on a nightly basis.

• As much as possible, homework is tied to the daily curriculum and intended to support the rigorous curriculum in the classroom.

Lunch• Lunch times begin at 11:30 a.m.

• You may join your child if it is their birthday. Please sign in at the office. (There is limited space in the cafeteria so we have had to implement this policy)

• School policy states, students may not share food. Please send only enough for your child due to others allergies.

• No candy or gum is permitted in school.

Attendance• Regular and prompt attendance is vital.

Students should not arrive at school before 7:00 a.m.

• Students will be picked up from the gym at 7:20 a.m. During this time they should be reading. Students must be in their classrooms at 7:30 or they are considered tardy.

• Students will be given one day to make up work for every day missed due to excused absences. Please send a note explaining any absences within two days. Copies need to be on file in the office. We need a note even if you call in to report an absence.

Medication

• All students’ medication must be given to the school nurse by the parent or guardian of that student.

• Students will need to go to the clinic to receive any type of medication.

• Please note: Cough drops and medicated Chapstick are not allowed at school.

Legal Documents

• If you have any legal paperwork regarding court orders for your child, please provide a copy to the Data Processor or Administration.

• If you have a child returning to our campus from last year, please make the current classroom teacher aware of any court orders on file.

Internet Access and Technology

• Teachers utilize resources on the internet to provide enrichment for specific lessons.

• Parents were sent home a copy of the district’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). In order for your child to access the internet and participate in internet content lessons, they must have permission first.

• Teachers only have students access web sites which they have previewed and screened. NEISD utilizes software which restricts sites with questionable material. All children in the computer lab are supervised carefully.

Arrival & Dismissal ProceduresREMEMBER

• Inside lane is for parent drop off and pickup,Outside lane is drive through only

• Please use the crosswalk

• No pickups BEFORE the crosswalk!!! Wait until patrols wave you through.

• Parents will need to visit the office with an I.D. in order to pick up their child.

Any change in how

your child goes home must be in

writing.

Exciting events we have planned

for this year:• Two class celebrations-

• Winter Holiday

• End of Year

• Birthdays:

Food items must be store bought with a label of ingredients and not be temperature sensitive. Please deliver before 2:00 p.m. and notify teacher in advance. You are strongly encouraged to send other items such as pencils or erasers in place of food. We need to be mindful of food allergies.

• Field trips: made available to students depending on funding.

Volunteers

• Everyone is welcome to Larkspur Elementary!

• Please make sure you have filled out a new DPS form so you can volunteer for classroom activities, including field trips.

• Online registration is available.

PTA & Parent Volunteers• There are many ways to contribute to your child’s school.

• PTA coordinates the Volunteer Program.

• If you are interested in helping out on our campus, being a chaperone on field trips, or helping in the classroom, you must have DPS clearance – Renew yearly.

• Form: www.neisd.net/vol/index.html.

• We strongly encourage you to join our wonderful PTA.

• This organization does so much for our children.

• It is a great way to stay involved.

• Membership dues are $6.00 per person.

• We are working towards 100% participation this year! Membership does not require you to volunteer at school.

Questions