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1. Click on the speaker! Bolin Elementary 4th Grade 2013-2014

2. Welcome Parents! • We have already started a fabulous year! • We look forward to each and every day with your children! It is a joy to come to school!

3. Math • Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction with re-grouping • Linear and customary Measurement • Multiplication and Division Facts • Place Value • Geometry • Fractions • Decimals • Combinations Please help your child with quick recall of facts with games on the computer and flashcards. 

4. Reading Strategies In the primary grades, students have been learning to read. As 4th graders, students are reading to learn. This year we are focusing on strategies that great readers use to understand and connect to the text they read. We will go much deeper in our thinking using the following strategies. • Knowing/Wondering • Inferring • Synthesizing • Visualizing • Questioning • Determining Importance

5. Electronic Readers • Students may bring electronic devices such as Kindles to use during reading class. • There is a form that must be completed before students can bring their devices. • Students may check out books for their devices from the Bolin library.

6. Independent Reading… • Independent Reading Goals • Individual goals will be decided on in a conference between the student and me. • Students write in Reader’s Notebooks daily and participate in book discussions. • Read a variety of genres • Record books on reading log • Students will complete four reading reviews per 9 weeks for homework. • Students need to read their books nightly. (20-30minutes) • Students participate in the 40 Book Challenge

7. Independent Reading Makes a Difference

8. Dear families, Your child will be encouraged to participate in our 40 book Challenge this year. Let’s work together to help in reaching this goal! In class, I will assist students in choosing appropriate, appealing books for his or her reading level. Additionally, students will have reading time dedicated to self-selected reading each day. Students need to be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes each night. Students may shade in a square only after they have written the title of the book in the box and have listed it on their reading log. The 40 book chart must stay in your child’s binder at all times. There will be times when we will shade in books we have read in class. If a child does not have his or her sheet, they will not get to shade in for that book. The purpose of this activity is to challenge our kids to read a variety of books and instill a love of reading. Also, reading from a variety of genres has been proven the best way to improve as a reader. Let me know if you have further questions. Thank you for your support! Mrs. Engel

10. Writing • We will be writing everyday! • We will be putting the puzzle together as we focus on the 6 traits of Writing! • We will write narratives, fiction, poetry, expository papers, etc. • We will keep our writing in our writing folder in our classroom. Please feel free to stop by and view our writing. • We will publish our writing throughout the year!

11. Science • Scientific Method • Scientific Process Skills • Safety and weather • States of matter • Animal adaptations • Food chains/Food webs • Inherited/ Learned traits • Force & Motion • Hands-on learning in the lab often

12. Social Studies • Our Great state of Texas! • Geography- • Mapping Skills • Landforms • Latitude and longitude • Regions of Texas • Native Americans • Alamo • Government

13. Homework • Incomplete work from the day= Homework • Word Work Homework-Students are assigned individual word lists to work with at home. The words will be written in their Agenda Books. We will not take spelling tests in class this year. • Reading Homework- Students need to read for 20-30 Monday-Thursday nights. Also, they will need to complete four Reading Reviews each 9 weeks. Parents, please initial the Agenda Book on Thursday nights and record the number of minutes read. • Math Homework is assigned Monday –Thursday nights and is due the following day. • Science Homework – periodically science homework will take the place of math homework.

14. Homework Continued • Absent Student? Any work that needs to be completed from the day he/she is absent will be given one day to complete. (1 day absence = 1 day to complete work) • Work can be sent home with a sibling or neighbor or picked up at the office. Please request the homework before noon. • Students may be assigned projects through out the year with specific instructions and due dates.

15. Homework Book Review Sample

16. STAAR Testing Writing = April 1st and 2nd Math = Apri1 22nd Reading = April 23rd

17. Our Classroom Community • Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have expectations to help us get along with one another. • Our class expectations are: • We will listen and follow directions • Be respectful to ourselves, others, and property • Be Prepared for class. • Use our time wisely.

18. Class Expectations • Positive Rewards • Ticket system for silent auction • Notes sent home! • Praise • Success • Consequences Students will have consequences based on his or her actions. To help students work towards better behavior, they will need to complete a “Think Sheet” to help them think through inappropriate behavior and to come up with ways to make better choices. If the student’s behavior is not improving or is severe in nature, we will work together with you to develop a plan.

19. Communication Between Home and School • Agenda Books • Website updates • Engel and Yearwood Blogs on our website • Conferences • Progress Reports • Phone calls, notes • Email is the best way to contact us during school hours. • Pam_Engel@allenisd.org • Elizabeth_Yearwood@allenisd.org

20. Questions? Comments? Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. Check the classroom website/blog- it has a lot of valuable information!

21. Thank You! • Remind your child to bring a water bottle, nutritious snack (no nuts) and a sweater/jacket to class each day. • Classroom T-Shirts are coming soon!! • Remember to wear on Wednesday’s

22. Let’s Have a Great Year!