2013-2014 School Year
Kathleen De Pedro (402)- Math/ Science
Lindsay Butler (403)- Language Arts/Social Studies

B.S. in Elementary Education - Iowa State
M. Ed. in Special Education – Minnesota State -- Mankato
This is my 34th year of teaching. I have taught Junior High and High
School , Fourth Grade 28Yrs.
Husband’s name is Joe.
Step-children Tiffany (25) and Alex (24)

B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from The University of Maine
Master Reading Teacher Certificate from The University of Texas
This is my ninth year teaching. I have been a reading interventionist as well as a third grade teacher. This is my fifth year teaching fourth grade and my second year teaching at Bush.
I have 2 daughters. Carly (2) and Kaylee (4 months).
I am married to Kevin who is a former U.S. Navy pilot. We enjoy doing many things together as a family here in The Woodlands.

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School hours:
Morning Library Study Hall: Daily at 7:30 a.m. Razzkids,
Mathletics and independent work will be monitored by staff.
 Morning Warm-Up lessons begin at 7:50
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Schedule:
 8:00-8:10 Announcements
 8:10-9:00 Specials
 9:00-11:05 Switch Class
 11:05-12:05 Lunch/Recess/Study Hall/ Restroom
 12:05-2:15 Homeroom Class
 2:15 - 3:00 PAWS Time
 3:00 – 3:05 Dismissal
We are teaching until the very end of school. Please refrain from picking your child up early from school unless it's unavoidable.

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We believe in POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
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Behavior Log
Reasons for signing log
-Not following class/school rules
-Not prepared for class
-No homework
NO “Red Book”

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Math
 Multiplication facts need to be practiced and memorized. Students will have a
Facts Club booklet to practice. Striving for 100 facts in 5 minutes. (or 90%)
 Division will start in October/ November
 Problem solving –Rigor – 2 and 3 steps using several TEKS
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Science
 Focus is on hands-on investigation, problem solving and analysis through various topics in physical, earth and life science.
***Papers with a check mark on have been looked at but not taken for a grade
*** We grade papers in class to give immediate feedback, then we go through the errors and correct. Sometimes you may see a paper with the correct answers but still marked wrong.
*** Increased responsibility/accountability
Less dependence on others
Helping students to think creatively/find solutions

Whole class novels/short stories/picture books and poetry. We ill read a variety of genre together in class (fiction, non-fiction and poetry). Students will develop vocabulary as well as reading/writing through these activities.
Vocabulary – Word study will include vocabulary, wordmaster words and word patterns along with spelling
*** Watch planner for dates of vocabulary tests

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Book Club
 1 book every 3 weeks
 Students choose books from a selection and their choice puts them into a peer group reading the same book
 Book Club reading will be completed during PAWS time and at home with one journal entry due per week
 Students have choices for Book Club response questions in their BOB. They are also posted on my website.
 Students will meet on Thurs. to discuss journal entries

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Spelling will be incorporated into the daily writing grade and will not be a separate grade on our report cards.
CISD supports the movement to develop “Life-Long” spellers.
Our spelling assessment will be based on student knowledge of word patterns and high frequency words rather than the ability to memorize single word lists.
Each spelling pattern will be studied through various activities for two weeks.
Approximately every other Friday, students will be tested on that pattern through dictation.


Facilitated through the Lucy Calkins
Workshop Model
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Scored using the 6 Traits Model
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INTENSIVE writing in 4th grade
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Writing STAAR test in March

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Reading, Writing, and Spelling are combined into one grade.
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Report Cards are given every 9 weeks.
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Progress Reports are given every 4 1/2 weeks.
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Sign report card and return 1 copy in the envelope.

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Tuesday Folders will be sent on Tuesdays
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Sign comment sheet and discuss expectations with your child if needed.
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Keep all papers unless noted otherwise from teacher.
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If there is a Monday holiday, folders will go home on
Wednesday.
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B.O.B. -- Students responsible for maintaining/organization

 Homework should take approximately 60 minutes
 Please check planner for homework assignments
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Ongoing
 Multiplication/Division Facts
 Book Club Reading and Response Journal

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Writing will be April 1 and 2, 2014.
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Math will be April 22
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Reading will be April 23

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Times available:
 Conference 8:10 – 9:00
 We can be contacted through phone, email, or note. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible. Please be patient.
 There will be electronic sign up for fall and spring conferences.

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Send a note or fax a letter please include date.
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Notes are not needed for choir days unless they ARE NOT going to choir.
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We cannot accept email or phone calls as an acceptable way to change transportation. Transportation can only can be changed by a signed fax by 2:30.
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Rainy Days -Your child will go home on the bus unless a Rainy Day form has been filled out and signed. We will always follow the rainy day agreement.

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Deodorant is very helpful.
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Sunscreen if necessary
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Proper shoes! Sneakers must be worn for PE. Students can change into them prior to going to Specials.
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Appropriate lengths and coverage of clothing is a must. No spaghetti straps.

-- CoHost the announcements/Safety Patrol
-- 4th Grade T-Shirts
-- 4th Grade Lock-In ( Teacher Fundraiser)
-- WordMaster Competition (vocabulary study) – awards given in May to the top 3 out of the 4th grade classes, and top scorer from each class.
-- Field Trips – The Sam Houston Museum in Huntsville, The Cynthia
Woods Mitchell Pavillion (Houston Symphony performance) and a tour of Mitchell Intermediate.
-- 4th grade musical in May
-- “clapout” – 4th graders are applauded as they walk the school one last time before moving on to a new school.

We will send home scholastic book orders. Please ask your student the day that the book orders are due.

Your child will be allowed to pass out private birthday party invitations only if every child in his/her class receives one.* Birthdays may be celebrated at school by sending in birthday treats to be distributed by the classroom teacher in the afternoon. Birthday treats must be limited to items with no frosting.
*Per Student/Parent Handbook Addendum

2013-2014
It is going to be a great year! Your child’s success is our success!!
kchristiansen @conroeisd.net
lbutler@conroeisd.net
Website access at CISD homepage