Classroom Information

4th Grade, Kimberly Lane Elementary

Michele Stinson

 

At the close of each day your child will fill out their Homework Book.They will write down all assignments, even if it is already completed.They will place a check mark next to completed assignments.Each day the homework book needs to be initialed by an adult at home.It is a great way to communicate between home and school. Feel free to write any notes or comments here.The students’ homework books are checked each morning.

 

If assignments are missing, I will write a note in the homework book.When a student is missing more than two assignments, they will need to stay in for recess.

 

Book orders are sent once a month except during the book fair months.Please send a check with your child’s order.I will send more than one book order at a time, but all orders are from Scholastic.One check will cover all the orders.There is also an option to order on-line.Our class activation code is DXCPCJ.

 

We will have special projects for the day before winter break, Valentine’s Day, and the end of the school year. We are also happy to share in birthday celebrations. Your child is invited to be a part of the Birthday Book program through the Media Center to celebrate his/her special day.  

 

If you need to contact me, call 763-745-5686 or Michele.Stinson@wayzata.k12.mn.us

 

 

Our Language Arts Curriculum was developed from and is based on Minnesota and National Standards.We will be using the Reading Street Series from Scott Foresman Publishing Company.Scott Foresman provides teachers with a main story, small leveled readers, and activities to assist with instruction.There are also opportunities for on-line activities and reading on the computer.A letter for web access to the Scott Foresman website is included in this folder.I will assign books that can be read at home by viewing the stories from the website.By reading a variety of genres, the students will learn vocabulary and comprehension strategies. We will learn about grammar and types of writing while doing various writing projects.

 

There are extensive opportunities for students to write in Language Arts, as well as in other subject areas. Students learn to write personal narratives along with descriptive, persuasive, and compare/contrast essays. They learn research skills and report writing. Within the writing units of study, the writing process and the traits of writing are taught. Students are taught both handwriting and word processing/computer skills.

 

Fourth graders will also participate in the Accelerated Reader program.This program enables students to read books at their reading level and then complete a comprehension test on the book.The tests are taken on the computer weekly with books from the reading series.Students are required to pass two Accelerated Reader books each month, one book for a specified genre along with a book report and one additional book of their choice.I will send home print-outs quarterly which will show your child’s progress.

 

Students are expected to spend a minimum of 20 minutes of reading for 20 days in a month.The calendar is strongly encouraged homework and students will receive a free book when the calendar is completed.

 

Fourth graders will be using the spelling component of the Reading Street program.Each unit includes a list of 20 words grouped according to a shared spelling pattern and 5 challenge words. All students will take a pretest on Monday to help focus their studying and the final test is taken on Fridays.A spelling page will be sent home on Mondays and is due on Wednesdays.

 

We will be using Traditional Zaner-Bloser cursive handwriting.There is an enclosed hand-out that models the correct letter formation.

 

The Language Arts goal for students is that they become independent learners, able to extend their learning in all areas by using reading and writing skills.

 

All students in kindergarten through fifth grade are using Everyday Mathematics (also called Chicago Math).This program has been developed by the University of Chicago.Chicago math teaches all math skills throughout the year.Students develop number strategies and concepts as they identify patterns, estimate and check, calculate, measure, and use various manipulatives like money, clocks, rulers, scales, graphs, and calculators.

 

This math program is accompanied by Math Study Links which help to keep you informed of the concepts and strategies that are currently being taught and practiced in the classroom. Study Links will be sent home the same day that the lesson is taught.They should be checked with someone at home and returned to school when completed with a parent signature.At the end of each unit, your child will be given an assessment which will be sent home after it has been corrected and discussed.Computation timed tests (mad minute) will be given weekly.Each student will progress at their own level. Practicing math facts is a great homework activity.

 

Number Sentences

Algebra

Map Reference Frames

Measures of Angles

Chance and Probability

Science units involve “hands-on” activities in the physical and natural sciences.Our 4th grade required units are:Water Properties, Matter and Energy, Magnetism and Electricity, and Earth Materials. Ideas and Inventions and the Human Body are optional kits.These inquiry based units offer activities where students use science process skills. There are investigations and observations.Information is recorded and communicated through drawing detailed pictures and/or writing descriptive sentences in a science journal.Our focus is with hands-on.

 

In Health, our curriculum is called The Great Body Shop. In it we focus on healthful life skills, and we also include Basic Aid Training.Great Body Shop units:

 

Students study the world. There are many materials that are used in our curriculum. These materials develop students’ mastery of skills using maps and globes.Students apply their knowledge of basic concepts and generalizations from geography, history, economics, political science, sociology and psychology. This curriculum also reinforces positive citizenship values and skills taught in language arts, math and science.

 

Another important part of our Social Studies curriculum is the use of the Classroom Atlas. Students complete mapping activities for each of the continents. Students learn to read a variety of maps including physical, political and theme maps, which include maps showing population, climate, economies, environments and many others.Fourth graders will also learn current events through their use of the children’s news magazine, Time for Kids.

 

District and building information is electronic.  Our classroom newsletter (Kid News) explaining events of the week will be sent through email.

 

If you are going to pick up your child after school, please be sure to write it in the Homework Book.Remember to sign your child out in the office when you come to pick them up.Students are not allowed to ride home on another child’s bus.

 

Our school times are 9:10AM-3:50PM.If you need to get an urgent message to your child during the day, please call the office and they will get the message to the classroom.Because I am teaching during the day, it is not always possible for me to get to my voice-mail or e-mail before the end of the day.Therefore, I may not be able to get the message to your child.

 

Students will have a snack break each morning.Food items should be healthy in nature.I ask that students do not share snacks and only bring snack for themselves.Remember snack is optional. Please consult the peanut free snack list for types and brands of snack.  Please avoid cookies, candy and chips.

 

Lunch and recess is from 12:40- 1:20.Families do have the opportunity to have lunch with his/her child.There are white tables set up on the perimeter of the cafeteria.Only your child can eat with you, no friends.