Welcome to the Fourth Grade
@WPS

General Information

Supplies	Assignments	Planner
Grading Policy	Grade Reports	Expectations
Plan of Action	Weekly Reports

Supplies

• Three-ring notebook with side pockets
• Zipper pencil bag to go inside notebook
• Notebook paper
• Pencils
• Red grading pencils
• Two boxes of tissue and two bottles of soap
• Backpack
• Crayons, glue, and scissors will be provided

Assignments
Ample time will be given in-class to finish all assignments but considering the time restraints of the day and the varying speeds at which students work, homework may be necessary.  Weekend homework is never assigned and the time spent on nightly work will depend on each individual child and their study habits. At this age, it is often hard to convince students that they can be preparing for class without completing a written assignment.  I often suggest and find it helpful when students review assigned readings, study science or social studies notes, review math facts, study spelling words, or even read a library book in preparation for an Accelerated Reader test. However, if you begin to see that your child has an overabundance of  nightly work, let me know so that together we can discover the reason.

Assignment Planner
The most important tool your child will learn to use this year is the Assignment Planner and notebook.  The planner will be used daily and is meant to be an organizational tool and form of communication between home and school.  Each day your child will be required to record all assignments in their planner.  At the end of the day, students should place a check mark beside each completed assignment and a star beside those which need to be finished at home.  The planner will be kept in your child's notebook and should be signed by a parent each night.  Planners will be checked daily.  Planners that are completed and signed will receive a sticker. Those that are incomplete and unsigned will receive demerits. If a child receives a sticker for each day of the six weeks, a grade of 100 will be given in the subject of the child's choice.
Please note that the planner has a journal section which I use for teacher notes if necessary.  Parents can also use this section as a form of communication.
 

Grading Policy
All grades are averaged together to arrive at a final grade.  All assignments are due 24 hours from the time they are made unless otherwise noted by the teacher.  Any assignment not received on time will be recorded as a zero.  Late assignments will not be accepted.  Graded papers will be returned each Friday with a  Weekly Report cover sheet to be signed by the parent and returned to school on Monday.

Grade Reports
As a way of communicating your child's progress, a three-week grade report will be sent home each grading period. This report is in addition to the regular report card.  The report will indicate your child's current grade average in each subject.  The report should be signed and returned to school the next day.  If you have any questions about your child's progress at any time, please let me know.

Expectations
All students are entitled to the best education possible.  Therefore, disruptions in the classroom will not be tolerated.  I believe that all children are responsible for their own actions and the choices they make.   Consequences will be given for negative choices while rewards will be given for positive ones. A special trip is planned each year and reserved for only those students who never serve a detention. Last year, we attended a Smokies baseball game!

Plan of Action
The Plan of Action is my weekly newsletter.  The newsletter is attached to your child's Weekly Report and sent home on Friday of each week and is posted weekly to our classroom website.  The Plan of Action includes my lesson plans for the following week, test dates, project due dates and other genneral information. This is just another way I try to keep you informed.
 

Weekly Report
Each Friday your son/daughter will bring home all their graded and checked assignments for the week.  Attached to the top will be a cover sheet which will detail your child's progress during the week.  The Weekly Report will indicate if your child failed to complete an assignment or received a zero for failing to turn in homework.  In addition, their will be a summary of your child's behavior including both positive and negative choices.  If your child received any demerits for negative choices, this will also be noted.  At the bottom of the Weekly Report is a place for parents to sign and make any comments.  The report is expected to be returned to school on Monday.