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1. Click on the speaker! Bolin Elementary 4th Grade 2014-2015

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 • Problem solving • 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. Classroom Economy This year we will have a classroom economy to begin teaching students about financial literacy. Students will be responsible for keeping up with their income and expenses. They will keep a bank log in their binder and will be required to balance their account weekly. They will be able to spend some of their money on fun things like lunch with a friend, shoes off, sit at teacher’s desk (for a hefty fee), etc.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Independent Reading… • Independent Reading Goals • Read various genres • 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 10 Reading Responses per 9 weeks • Students need to read their books nightly. (20-30minutes) • Students participate in the 40 Book Challenge

8. Independent Reading Makes a Difference

9. Dear Families, Your child has agreed to participate in our 40 book Challenge this year! We are looking forward to working together with you and your child to help in reaching this goal. The goal for each 9 weeks is to read 10 books and complete a response activity for each book from the Book Review Menu. The goal sheet and menu are located in your child’s binder and are attached to this email. Meeting this reading goal will count as one of your child’s grades for each of the 9 weeks. In class, we will assist students in picking out appropriate, appealing books for his or her reading level. Additionally, students will have reading time dedicated to self-selected reading each day. You can help by making sure that your child reads for a minimum of 20 minutes a night. Also, you can read books together and have discussions. The purpose of this activity is to challenge our kids to read a variety of books and instill a love of reading. In addition, research shows that reading from a variety of genres has been proven the best way to improve as a reader. Let us know if you have further questions. Thank you for your support! 4th Grade Team

11. My Reading Goal: • Read 10 books for each of the four 9-weeks • Choose from the menu and complete a book review for each book. • Due Date: ____________________ • Grade:______________ • Comments:

12. Book Review Menu Directions: 1 .Finish reading a book. 2. Choose the below activities to show the review of each of your books read. 3. On the Reading Goals Sheet, write the type of book review completed. Choices: Reader’s Response Kidblog.org 3. Your Choice (Request your teacher’s approval)

13. 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!

14. 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

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

16. 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 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.

17. 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.

18. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY CARDThis is for students who do not have the assigned homework. • Fill it out • What is the assignment? • When was the assignment due? • Why did you not bring your assignment to class today? • Sign it • X_______________________________________________ • Turn it in with the homework papers.

19. STAAR Testing 2015 Writing = March 30 and 31 Math = Apri1 21st Reading = April 22nd

20. 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.

21. 5 Rules for a Fantastic Year: • Follow all directions • Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself • Be respectful at all times • Be prepared for class • Stay on task

22. 1st Offense- Record name and date of the addressed misbehavior GUIDELINE INFRACTION NOTICE Please correct your behavior Please return to task See me after class! Signature: _____________________________ Offense: _____________________________________________________ Conference results: ____________________________________________

23. 2nd Offense • 4th Grade Action Plan –complete form and parent communication • What’s the problem? • What’s causing the problem?(Please list factors) • What plan will you use to solve the problem? • ______________________________________ • Date • Student Signature • Parent Signature

24. 3rd Offense or severe behavior Office Referral

25. 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

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

27. 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

28. Let’s Have a Great Year!