Welcome to Parent Orientation Westwood Elementary School

1. Welcome to Parent OrientationWestwood Elementary School Fourth Grade: Traci Hren Mandi Matchinga Frank Vosicky

2. Mandi Matchinga • Mom to David (age 10) and Riley (age 7) • Bachelor’s Degree from Capital University • Elementary Education grades 1-8 • Special Education K-12 • Master’s Degree from Ashland University in Curriculum and Instruction • Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Elementary Teacher of the Year • Jennings Scholar • Taught 3rd Grade for 4 years in Texas. • 9th year teaching 4th grade at Westwood.

3. Traci Hren • Mother to Andrew (10 years) and Alex (5 years) • Westwood teacher of 15 years • Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toledo in Elementary Education grades 1-8 • Master’s Degree from Ashland University in Curriculum and Instruction • Grades taught: Title 1 (1 year), First Grade (6 years), Second Grade (2 years), Third Grade, (7 weeks), Fourth Grade (5 years)

4. Frank Vosicky • This is my 16th year of teaching. I have taught 4th – 6th grade at Newbury and West Geauga. I have been at Westwood for 13 years. • My wife Laurie is a kindergarten teacher in the Willoughby-Eastlake system. We have a 6 year old daughter named Meridan and son named Cooper that will be 4 in November. • I graduated from the Ohio State University and am a huge fan of all sports. • I have a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Ursuline.

5. RESPONSIBILITY • We have a successful, proven system in place to teach your child personal responsibility. • You are a facilitator at home for your child’s education. • It is not possible, nor do we expect for you to know everything that is going on here at school.

6. Class Schedule • 8:15-8:30 Bell Work • 8:30-8:40 Switch One (Homeroom) • 8:40-9:25 Specials (See Classroom Website) • 9:25-9:30 Restroom Break • 9:30-10:45 Switch One (Homeroom) • 10:45-11:30 Switch Two • 11:30-12:30 Lunch/Recess • 12:30-1:10 Switch Two • 1:10-2:35 Switch Three • 2:35-3:00 Activity Period • 3:00-3:15 Pack Up/Dismissal

7. Classroom Rules • Follow directions the first time given. • Ask questions and do your best work. • Allow others to learn. • Treat people and materials with respect. • Come to class with all of your needed materials.

8. Communication • Our classroom website can be viewed at: http://schoolbuildings.westg.org/westwood/matchinga/Messenger.htm • Updated throughout the week. • Announcements • Important Dates and Upcoming Events • Study Guides • Project Criterion • Educational Game Links

9. Communication Email • mandi.matchinga@westg.org (Voice mail 729-5901 ext. 4308) • traci.chase@westg.org (Voice mail 729-5901 ext. 4303) • frank.vosicky@westg.org (Voice mail 729-5901 ext. 4309) • Julia.mell@westg.org (Voice mail 729-5901 ext. 4302) • We make it a point to return calls and emails within 24 hours. If it has been longer than 24 hours, it is due to absence or malfunctioning equipment.

10. Communication • Assignment notebooks are to be signed each night by a parent, and are checked each day by the homeroom teacher. • If you have an academic concern, please contact the teacher of that academic area (Matchinga – math, Chase – reading, Vosicky – writing/spelling, Mell –science/social studies). • If you have friendship/emotional/behavioral concerns, please contact the homeroom teacher. • Please contact us via email or voicemail to schedule an appointment for a meeting.

11. Homework • Given Monday-Thursday • Per Board Policy, it should take about 45 minutes. • This does not include time to locate pencils, take calls from friends, or fight with a sibling ! • Students should be able to complete it independently. • Homework ≠ Tears/Frustration • Do not work to the point of frustration! Please send a note if your student does not understand the homework, and we will remediate during activity period or study hall.

12. Homework • Math Study Link pages given Monday-Thursday. • Compositions are started in class and occasionally will need to be finished at home. • Reading assignments should take place for 15 minutes nightly. • Minimal science and social studies as needed. • Studying for Tests (short reviews each night to help avoid developing the habit of “cramming”) • **Unfinished classwork may also be sent home to be completed.**

13. Projects • If a project is going to be graded by a rubric, the rubric will be posted on the website when the assignment is given. • Ample time to complete the project will always be given. • This is a project meant to be completed by yourstudent. We expect the project to look like a fourth grader completed it. • Other projects are to be completed at school. Please trust that we are monitoring the completion of the project. Fourth Graders often tell parents that they don’t have enough time to complete projects at school so that they can bring it home and get help. The “at-school” projects help foster independence and responsibility.

14. Friday Folders • Sent home on the last day of the school week. • Graded papers • A box will be checked if there is a student conduct slip or a progress report in the folder. Please sign and return these items in the folder. • The other papers in the folder are yours to keep. • Return the folder on Monday with parent signature. • We will begin this Friday.

15. Everyday Math • The Books • Student Reference Books • “New” (Crowned Crane) stays at school • “Old” (Blue Butterfly) stays at home • Study Links (Stays at home)

16. Math Assessments • Math Checks • Given on the last day of the school week, worth 20 points (THIS IS NOT A QUIZ) • Assessment FOR Learning • Questions resemble homework/classwork questions covered during the week • Class review sessions before tests • No tricks, no surprises, worth 100 points • Students are expected to explain their thinking on all assessments.

17. My Most Important Request • Please support our curriculum and algorithms in front of your child. • Your words are powerful. Your child usually values what you value.

18. Second Most Important Request… • Fourth graders must have their multiplication facts, x 0- x11, memorized. • Students who do not have these memorized by winter break really struggle in math for the last half of the school year.

19. Reading • Independent Reading • Students read from books at their level or slightly below. • Activities used to display comprehension. • Teacher/student conferencing used to facilitate selecting just right books. • Guided Reading • Mini lessons used to model strategies to comprehend reading text. • Reading level tested 2-3 times a year and reported to parent. • Vocabulary completed in class. • Literature Circles used for students to discuss assigned reading at their level. • Activities used to display comprehension. • Whole Group Reading • Students read from the same novel. • Literature circles used to discuss text and assignments. • Partner reading to help with text. • Activities used to display comprehension.

20. Reading • Homework – Monday-Thursday • Index cards- quick check to practice skill that was covered in class that day • Measuring Up – sometimes brought home to finish in class assignment • Two at home projects • Reading for 15 minutes each night

21. Spelling • DSA Leveled Spelling Lists • Assessments modeled after the format used on Achievement Test • Choose the word that is spelled correctly. • Is the underlined word spelled correctly? • If the word is not spelled correctly, what is the correct spelling? - Units will be 2 weeks each. Word study will be done in class

22. Writing/Grammar • Fourth grade writing instruction focuses on continuing grammar instruction, correct paragraph formation, various writing applications, and legible cursive. • Text used: Grammar book that stays in school • Composition notebook, Writing journal

23. Writing/Grammar • The writing applications covered will be descriptive writing, narratives, responses to novels, formal and informal letters (thank you notes, letters of request), informational reports, and informal writings (messages, journals, notes and poems) • There will be approximately three compositions per grading period. Most compositions will be graded with a rubric. • Some will be done online

24. Science/Social Studies • Units will alternate between science and social studies and will last about 2 weeks. • Weekly “checks” (quizzes) from the class notes and checks. • Unit tests • Occasional homework, most often just finishing up classwork.

25. Project Real World • This is designed to be a managerial program that offers incentives for learning work skills. • Students will interview for three different jobs on September 24th. They will have a resume and letters of recommendation. We will work on these in writing class. • They will then be paid bi-weekly for doing their job. They must pay bills for rent, car, education, electric, and water. • Additional money will be earned for completing homework, having the assignment notebook signed, and getting mail at the end of the day, • Behavior or “judge” fines also will be given for not adhering to class rules. • Money left over can be spent in the 4th grade prize or food store throughout the year or at our monthly Palooza Event.

26. Project Real World • This program is funded through grant writing and parent donations. Any assistance with the actual interview day or with corporate donations would be much appreciated. • Jobs available are: librarian, financial manager, custodial engineer, health care worker, store manager, equipment manager, photographer, secretary, administrative assistant, postal worker, meteorologist, videographer, technology director, artist, party planner, disc jockey, reporter and graphic designer.

27. Project Real World • Reflections: • Will be written in class every two weeks. • They will reflect on job performance, student performance, and behavioral choices. • Bonuses: • Odd jobs • Above and beyond • Citizenship • “We’re Proud of You” slips

28. Grading: • The first experiences can be an adjustment. • It takes some students a quarter to get the hang of the amount of effort required to earn the grade they want. • If school has come easily to a student up to this point, s/he is sometimes surprised at the effort required to earn A’s and B’s in fourth grade.

29. Grading Continued: • A “P” earned in third grade reflects a grade range from C- to a B+. • We can’t expect all students to earn all A’s in all subjects. • If that were the case, our expectations are too low. • Our focus is on progress. • What have they learned, vs. what grade did they get?

30. Parent Assist Module (PAM) • Called PAM • Allows parents to check students’ grades online using a username and password. • Grades will be posted periodically throughout the week. • PAM does not accurately report the reading grade. • Link to PAM on the 4th Grade website

31. Parent Assist Module (PAM) • We have confidential letters for you notifying you of the username and password for your student. • See your student’s homeroom teacher at the end or orientation to receive the username and password for your child.

32. Organization • We model organization multiple times throughout the day. • Pack up for home together at the end of the day. • The binder will be color coded. See the website for details. • 4th graders love to tell their parents they are “not allowed” to bring home certain materials. Students may bring home any extra books or materials that you require.

33. Vacation Request • In writing to homeroom teacher at least ONE week ahead of time – The child will get his or her work on the last day before vacation. • If requested ahead of time, work IS due upon returning • Tests will be made up within one week (discretion of teacher on days) • Some things such as class discussion, experiments and activities will not be able to be made up. • If work is given when the child returns, the number of days the child was out is the number of days s/he has to make up the missed work.

34. It is our goal to make 4th grade an excellent year for your child and for your family! • Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend Parent Orientation! • Conference sign-up sheets are in the Library.

35. It is our goal to make 4th grade an excellent year for your child and for your family! • See your child’s homeroom teacher for your PAM letter. • Please see Room Parents before you leave: • Matchinga Homeroom see: • Chase Homeroom see: • Vosicky Homeroom see: • Mell Homeroom see: