Hello! Come on in! You are welcome here!

1. Hello! Come on in! You are welcome here! Get ready to have a fabulous year in Mrs. Heard’s Class So glad you are here! Let’s Get Ready to Sail to Success!

2. Kowabunga Dude! We’re off to a great year! Swim with us! 4th Grade is Cool at Wedowee Middle School! Let’s GO!!!!!

3. 4th Grade is Fantastic! Live Animals Coming Soon!!! New! Math and Science! Why will it be fun? Will it be hard? Will I learn something? How will it be different than 3rd grade? Why is she already asking so many questions? • What live animals do you think will come to live in Mrs. Heard’s classroom? • A. African dwarf frogs • B. Fiddler Crabs • C. Millipedes • D. All of the above

4. What Will I Be Studying in 4th Grade? Did you ever think that you would learn to wire a house for electricity in 4th grade? YES, we will! When? In Science Did you ever think that you will not only learn all of your multiplication facts, you will be able to show and explain them using manipulatives like a pro! YES, we will! When? In Math

5. Get Ready to Blast off with ROCKET MATH! The fastest 14 minutes of the day

6. Rocket Math is a fun fast-paced 15 minutes where your child will pair with another friend and learn multiplication and division facts. Each night your child will tell you whether he/she passed that day’s test. Study just those few facts and your child will rocket to success quickly in this program. My students last year LOVED rocket math and begged for it daily “Let’s Go—If you studied your facts, ROCKET MATH will be a breeze!” “6 x 8=48, 8x6=48, go, Chris, go!”

7. One of the keys to doing well in 4th grade is organization! Keeping up with your books, assignments, and belongings will help you be ready to tackle 4th grade materials!

8. My 4th Grade Notebook and Supplies • Setting up your notebook will be done in class • You MUST have index dividers to keep your work organized and easy to find. • You are responsible for keeping your notebook up to date and in working order. • Keeping paper and pencils replenished is very important. • Notes will be sent home in the AGENDA book concerning supply needs as the year progresses. • Check with your child often to make sure they have paper and pencils

9. Weekly Progress Folders • Sent home each Tuesday to keep you updated about your child’s progress and needs • Serves as a weekly communication with you concerning any special assignments or projects including tests, materials needed, etc. • Sign and return all papers • Keep newsletter • Failure to sign and return folder with papers will result in your child missing break until papers/folder returned

10. Agenda Book • Provided by WMS for your child’s use. • Each day your child should write down homework/assignments and tests • Agenda book should be taken home each evening and returned each day • It is your child’s responsibility to write down this information

11. Okay, tell me the bad news. Will there be Homework???? Homework is only assigned when it has already been practiced in class. Every night, check your child’s AGENDA book for assignments. Initial the book and return with your child to school each day. Homework is VERY important and counts as a 100 point grade. Students who do not complete homework will miss break for that day.

12. Help! My child Came home without his/her assignment and it is too late to call Mrs. Heard. What can I do? Each week I update my webpage on the school website. Simply click in to Wedowee Middle School’s website http://www.wedoweetigers.com then click on School Staff, Mrs. Heard, to view assignments and weekly tests. Additional information about upcoming projects, field trips, supplies needed, and other information can also be found there. Check my webpage each week for assignments and news!

13. School breakfast begins- Breakfast costs-Hand-out included in packet Children enter classrooms- Tardy after -7:33 Lunch costs-Hand-out included in packet Lunch time—10:27-10:50 WMS 4th grade students also have a brief break each day from 12:30-12:45. Students may purchase snacks (juice, .50 and snack, .75) or bring healthy snacks from home. No carbonated beverages or sugary sweet snacks are allowed. Please let me know immediately if your child has special nutritional needs. Your child is so important to me! Children are counted absent if they check out prior to Dismissal time is 2:29 for car riders and bus riders. Car riders leave immediately following the departure of our buses. Information you need

14. Behavior Plan • Students will follow code of conduct rules and posted classroom rules. • Students will be given a choice card and rules will be taught the first days of school. Parents will sign they have received the rules. • If a student has a mark on his /her choice card, they will miss their 15 minute break that day and remain with another 4th grade teacher in the classroom. • If a student has 5 marks for the week, they will be written up, and sent to meet with Mr. Robertson, our principal. • Mr. Robertson will make the decision to assign student to in-school suspension or other disciplinary actions. • Students who attend in-school suspension miss that day’s instruction. They are missing valuable time in class when they choose to misbehave. • Parents will receive a copy of the write-up which must be signed and returned to school the following day.

15. Volunteers Needed • If you would like to volunteer to work in the classroom or teacher workroom, please let me know. • Room parent needed to plan special events Tasks for volunteers • Filing weekly papers • Grading tests • Running papers • Cutting, laminating, creating file folder games. • Tending animals • Other miscellaneous “fun” projects

16. Severe and Inclement Weather • In the event of winter weather warnings, listen to the local radio station • WELR –Eagle • WMS has a new automated phone system that will alert you of information you need regarding school closure due to severe weather. • For this reason, it is extremely important to update any changes in your phone/emergency contact information by note or a call to the school office. • I keep a crisis folder with updated information with me during all weather drills. These numbers will be called also at times when your child is sick. Please keep them updated.

17. I need to talk to you about my childWhat is the best method? • Written notes: A written note about any concern, bus or car rider change, etc. is very helpful as I read them prior to the beginning of each day. • Phone calI request--I return calls during my planning period at 9:30-10:10 each day. • Conference-9:30-10:10 or after school • Weekly folder comments • Phone calls to my home—357-4555.

18. Teacher and Students at work! My planning period is from 9:30-10:10 each day. I am available at this time to conference with you concerning your child. If, however, you come in to visit other than during my planning period you will find us hard at work. I am not ignoring you nor being rude if I can’t spend time talking with you during our learning time. Your child and his/her classmates’ learning are VERY important to me. I value each minute we are working to learn! You may also call the school and leave a message. I will return your call as soon as possible. WARNING!

19. Daily Schedule 7:15-7:35-Anchor Activities-Mountain Math, Mountain Language and Daily Data 7:35-Pledges, Moment of Silence 7:40-9:20-MATH 8:47-Restroom break 9:20-Clean up for PE 9:25-10:10—PE 10:10-10:24—ROCKET MATH! 10:25-Lunch preparation 10:27-10:50-LUNCH 10:50-10:55-Restroom break 10:55-12:30—-Language Arts (Small groups, English, Spelling, Reading, Writing) 12:30-12:45-Break Time with other 4th grade classes in the gym 12:45-1:15—Alabama History 1:15-2:15-----Science 2:15-2:25-----Wrap up activities (Character education, homework, preparation for departure) 2:27-Departure to car riders/buses

20. Class Roll Vanquavious B Molly B Jacob C Samantha F Jazmine G Angela G Tanner H Joshua H Hilda J Savannah J Braden L De’Andre M Genesis N Bradley O Denisha P Elizabeth P Corey P Anna R Dev S Claire S Harley S Laura Beth S Benjamin S Kimberly W