Welcome to 4th. Grade - English
WELCOME to Fourth Grade
2012-2013
Mrs. Torres Room 41
DEAR PARENTS,
Welcome to 2012-13 school year. I am looking forward to working with you and your children this coming academic year. The fourth grade is an extension and expansion of many skills that began in Kindergarten and form the foundation of the more advance skills to come. An integrated curriculum is taught at Northam. All the basic skills are used and reinforced in all the content areas.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: To instill in children the desire to learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential; evoking in them the need to know, the opportunity to discover, and the ability to explore.
OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR:
• Reading-Language Arts skill will be taught using Reading Houghton & Mifflin, (and Transition -Scholastic) Social Studies, Science books, and selected literature. Comprehension is stressed as well as the other basic reading skills. The area of Language Arts is incorporated into all areas of instruction and includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
• We will pay special interest on the WRITER’S WORKSHOP and the writing cycle. This year will be using a program called Write from the Beginning, this program includes the use of Thinking Maps, composing, revising, editing and publishing. The final products will be typed on the computer and will become a part of the student's portfolio. Oral language activities will be stressed as well as written activities in all subject areas.
•English as a Second Language this year teacher teaming will be implemented to facilitate instruction and to better accommodate all students’ individual needs. We will be using Into English, an ELD program to help students to successfully continue to transition into English reading.
• The Houghton & Miffflin – Math program stresses the importance of knowing how to do basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division,) and also helps students understand the process of problem solving, make estimations, and uses higher level thinking skills to relate math to everyday experiences. Manipulative, calculators, and computers, will be used to make it more meaningful. In addition, this year we will continue practicing PICTORIAL MATH and math through technology with the MIND Institute, an innovative program that enhances the students' spatial temporal reasoning. Also, the PRACTICE workbook is part of each student's daily homework
• In Social Studies - Reflexions we will be studying California history, American Indians, and the Missions. These studies will include geography, economy, literature, music and art. We will also study the contributions of minorities such as: Hispanic, African-American, and American Indian. etc. We will enrich our studies learning about their philosophies, ideas, events, and cultures to understand how those have influenced the America of today. A Mission’s project will be required by the second semester.
• In Science, We will be using Houghton & Mifflin. This program will give the students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills as scientists. Students will be able to perform interesting experiments which will both strength and enrich the scientific concepts being taught. We will study ecosystems, the Earth, matter, magnetism, electricity. and the importance of Conservation, preserving and respecting our environment.
• In Fine Arts, (Music and Drama), students will learn the elements needed to become confident, poised, and polished in dealing with themselves, parents, peers, teacher and stressful situations. The students will learn to express their creativity through music, drama, dance and painting.
• Physical Education: A strong mind does not need a weak body. 20 minutes daily.
I will monitoring individual student's reading progress through two great reading comprehension computer programs: ACCELERATED READER and SRI.
Homework will include 1 hour of daily reading including weekends.
I am very interested on my students' progress in all academic areas, and the first step to reach this goal is through reading!
Homework: EXTREMELY IMPORTANT !!!!
Homework is as follow-up of the skills taught during the school day. Assignments will be an extension of activities in Reading, Language, Composition, Science, Math, English, Spanish reading, Spelling, Phonics, etc. All homework given will be corrected the following day. If a child doesn't have his/her homework completed, the student cannot have recess or free time until he/she finishes homework. Homework is not a punishment; it is a way to know if the students understood the lessons given.
DISCIPLINE:
We will be stressing on the importance of practicing the District's Core Values. We are also trying to develop responsibility in each student through discipline concepts which helps students to resolve their problems and conflicts through communication, respect and the development of good relationships with peers and adults. I expect all students to follow the classroom, playground and school rules. All students have been instructed on the importance of following these rules. In the classroom we have stressed the importance of The three "R's" remind the students about having Respect for others, being Responsible and being Ready for school. We expect each student to make smart choices, and solve problems on their own. My reward and consequences system is posted in the classroom. Students know that it is extremely important to maintain discipline in the classroom.
I will keep to constant contact with you throughout the year. Thank you for your help and support.
Thank You,
Mrs. Torres
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES :
•To assign homework that is a natural extension of instruction that occurs in class.
•To assign, correct, and have students re-correct errors immediately.
•To reteach general weak areas.
•To assign student teachers to tutor those students who still don't understand.
•To provide an after-school program that will afford 1:1 tutoring.
•To give clear and specific information for each assignment so that its requirements are clearly understood by student and can be accomplished without further "teaching" by parents.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
•To listen to directions regarding homework, ask for clarification from the teacher if the instruction/or reaction are not clear, or call the teacher at home if you do not understand homework or cannot do it.
•To write down all homework in Northam notebook
•To take home all materials necessary to complete assignments.
•To select an appropriate workspace, which is quiet and free from distraction.
•To complete all homework assignments with appropriate headings, college ruled paper.
•To do homework neatly, and accurately. It should be neat, legible and organized.
•To share homework assignments as well as completed work with parents.
•To return homework to school at assigned time.
•To study the corrected/returned homework to review/redo and learn the problem areas.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES :
•To show an active interest in homework assignments.
•To encourage and expect success.
•To adjust and manage the home environment to provide a suitable place for the student to do homework and to study.
•To establish a set time when the student is to do homework. (Preferably before play or TV)
•To encourage the student to complete homework assignments accurately and neatly.
•To limit assistance with homework to guiding, reviewing, and listening to recitation.