Welcome 4th Grade Explorers!
We are glad you are
here!
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8:30-9:35
9:40-10:30
9:45-11:30
11:30-12:34
12:34-1:07
1:10-1:30
1:35-2:05
2:05-3:30
3:30-3:40
Block 1
Specials
Block 1
Block 2
4th Grade Lunch
Recess
ELT
Block 2
Dismissal
Contact Information
Ms. Karissa Bolin
Math and Science
(281) 234-1785
karissakbolin@katyisd.org
Ms. Amelia DeLane
Math & Science
(281) 234-1786
ameliacdelane@katyisd.org
Ms. Brooke Baker
Math and Science
(281) 234-1846
brookeabaker@katyisd.org
Ms. Hailey Harkins
Reading, Writing, & Social
Studies
(281) 234-1781
haileysharkins@katyisd.org
Ms. Karen Walcher
Reading, Writing, &
Social Studies
(281) 234-1783
karenmwalcher@katyisd.org
Ms. Meghan Lauhoff
Reading, Writing, & Social
Studies
(281) 234-1744
meghanlauhoff@katyisd.org
Ms. Angie Sticker
Math and Social Studies
(281) 234-1784
AngelaDSticker@katyisd.org
Ms. Erin Long
Reading, Writing, & Social
Studies
(281) 234-1756
erinalong@katyisd.org
You will love 4th grade math! We use a
guided math approach that involves
mini lessons, hands on exploration,
small group instruction, and
differentiated independent practice.
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We will focus on the following concepts:
Place value up to the billions place (including how places relate to each other)
Estimation
Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division word problems (multi-step)
Fractions: comparing, ordering and equivalency
Decimals: reading, writing, and comparing up to the hundredths
Measurement: perimeter, area, volume, capacity, mass/weight and conversions
Elapsed Time
Geometry: 2D/3D figures, angles, lines, transformations, and symmetry
Relationships and data tables
Problem solving skills (answer statements)
The Fast Fact program will be the same as last year.
Students will no longer be given a graded weekly quiz
that used to be counted as 10% of the grade. However,
students will be practicing each week in class and/or at
home. Once per 9 weeks, students will be given one
graded Fact Fluency quiz that will be weighted as a
major grade (averaging in as part of their 90% grades).
4th Grade Science ROCKS! We will be doing many explorations
that lead to self discovery of science concepts.
Our investigations will focus on the following topics:
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Nature of Science: safety and scientific processes/reasoning.
Earth science: water cycle, importance of the sun, weathering,
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Physical science: properties of matter, changes in physical
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erosion, deposition, soil properties, weather patterns, shadows,
tides, moon phases, and resource conservation.
properties, mixtures and solutions, forms of energy, effects of
forces, electrical circuits, and conductors/insulators.
Life science: comparing life cycles, food webs, ecosystems,
inherited/learned traits, adaptations, body systems and functions..
Howdy ya'll! This year in social studies, you'll focus on
Texas history.
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We will be learning about the following:
Regions of Texas
George Ranch Historical Park Field Trip-May
Comparing the Native Americans in Texas
Junior Achievement (learning about entrepreneurship)
European exploration & Colonization of Texas
Conflicts leading to the Texas Revolution
Republic of Texas and the annexation to the U.S.
Immigration effects
Texas plantations
Industrial Revolution: cattle, railroads, and oil
We are passionate about reading in 4th grade! We utilize a reading workshop
format that encompasses not only independent reading, but also includes
small-group guided reading and collaborative literature study.
Some of the topics covered during the reading block are:
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Using context to determine meaning of unfamiliar words.
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Improving overall reading fluency and comprehension
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Making connections (including thematic links and author analysis)across the
different genres
Analyzing, making inferences and drawing conclusions within the different genres.
Understanding how to get and use information from various texts and supporting
their findings with text evidence.
Expressing opinions and facts, stating main ideas, summarizing, and comparing and
contrasting across the genres.
We will continue the word study curriculum that
is mandated by KatyISD. We will focus on
spellings words correctly, but we will also include
instruction on word patterns and origins, as well
as prefixes and suffixes. Word work will involve
students working with word sorts instead of
whole class spelling lists, and graded tests will
only be given once every 5 weeks.
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Instead of rehearsing errors and drilling students on what's wrong
with a sentence, teachers invite students to look carefully at their
writing along with mentor texts, and to think about how
punctuation, grammar, and style can be best used to hone and
communicate meaning.
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These sentences are studied over a ten day period. Throughout
the ten day period, students are working individually, and with
partners, in order to critically think about the grammar embedded
in the sentence.
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Throughout the cycle, they also mimic, in their own sentences, the
grammar and sentence structure that is being taught. The goal is
that they will then transfer these skills into their writing.
• Provides students with an opportunity to study poetry in a
warm and inviting environment. Students are encouraged to
make predictions, discuss the meaning of the poem, and
make connections that are relevant to their lives.
• Concepts such as rhyme, meter, line break, stanza, and
many more are taught and reinforced throughout the year.
• Figurative language is another end goal for teaching Focus
Poetry. Our hope is that students will be inclined to pick up
on these key elements in a comfortable setting. They can
then use these examples as mentor texts for their own
writing!
Writing is inspirational! We also utilize a workshop format during our writing
block. Throughout writing workshop, students will focus on writing in a
variety of genres and content areas. Writing workshop provides specific
writing instruction to small groups of students and allows all students to
organize, draft, rethink, revise and edit their writing.
Some of the concepts that we focus on are:
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Planning, organizing, drafting, elaborating, revising, editing, and publishing stories
about personal experiences.
Writing brief compositions that establish a central idea with supporting sentences
and facts, details, and explanations.
Understanding the function of the parts of speech in the context of reading,
writing, and speaking.
Writing persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific audience
Homework will usually be assigned Monday and due
Thursday/Friday according to the following schedule:
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Math: independent practice due Friday.
Writing: work will vary as needed and be due on Friday
Reading: reading log/journal due Monday
Social Studies and Science are not typically assigned for
homework, but may be from time to time. Please check your child’s
planner nightly.
Homework should average about 60 minutes each night. All
homework will be checked in class and approximately 5
assignments (per each subject) will be recorded in the
gradebook per nine week period.
Major grades account for 90% of the
overall grade
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Common assessments may count
twice.
Reteach/Retest average cannot
exceed 70% and will only be given
for common assessments (if counted
twice).
Homework grades account for 10% of
the overall grade
Writing:
March 30th and 31st
Math:
April 21st
Reading:
April 22nd
On STAAR dates, the campus will be closed to all
visitors. Please ensure that your child gets a
good night's rest and has a healthy breakfast.
More details will be provided closer to testing
dates.
Students may bring their electronic devices to
read or do classroom activities (initiated by
teacher direction). These may include ipad,
kindle, phone, etc. KatyISD will not be
responsible for any damages done to devices or
the loss of any devices. Please send with your
child at your own discretion.
You may refer back to the KISD
Telecommunications Guidelines if you have any
questions or concerns.
Graded student work, expectation card and communication
flyers will be sent home every Thursday. Please review all
contents of the folder with your child.
Folders and expectation cards must be returned to school
on Friday with parent signature. Failure to do so will
result in a mark for organizational skills on the
expectation card (if not turned in by Monday).
Student planners will be sent home daily. It is suggested
that these planners be checked nightly.
We believe in rewarding students for
hard work and good behavior. We use a
ticket system in our classes, where
students earn tickets and can trade them
in for various rewards.
In addition, our school rewards WhooRays to students who exhibit superior
behavior.
Instruction begins promptly at 8:30 am.
Our tardy bell rings at 8:20. If the student
is not in the classroom when the tardy bell
rings, he/she will be sent to the front
office for a tardy slip.
Student safety is always a priority at Ray and Jamie
Wolman Elementary. Please make sure that all
transportation changes (including temporary) are
provided in writing and include the parent's signature.
The front office personnel will then notify your
teachers of the change.
Teachers cannot accept transportation changes directly
from parents via phone or email.
Attendance Reporting Link
http://www.katyisd.org/campus/RJWE/Pages/Ab
sence.aspx
This year, we are going to George Ranch and the
Outdoor Learning Center (OLC).
George Ranch April 29th
Outdoor Learning Center October 16th and 17th
More information to come regarding chaperones.
Parent conferences will be scheduled
beginning in October through Sign-Up
Genius. Look for more information
coming up in E-news.
Be sure to stay "plugged in" to what's
happening in our school by frequenting
our school website and by reading our enews.
Teachers + students + parents = Success!