Welcome
to
*Mrs. North’s
th
Open House
5 Grade Class
*Welcome
*This is an important
to 4th Grade!
year for your student!
*You will see big
changes socially and
academically.
*If you have any
questions during my
presentation, please
feel free to ask.
*All
Experience:
About Me
* Graduated in 2008 from Oakland University
* Student taught in 2nd grade at West Utica where I also had
several long term teaching positions.
* Taught afterschool literacy for one year
* Taught summer ELL for three years
* This is my fifth year teaching fourth grade (fourth year at
Switzer).
* Earned my Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy from
Marygrove College in 2013.
*
*The
Switzer Elementary community
is committed to helping all students
become responsible life-long
learners by maintaining a safe,
positive environment that
encourages individuals to reach
their full potential.
*
*Writing Goal:
All students will improve their writing
by incorporating an organized structure with
relevant details and examples.
*Reading Goal:
All students will increase their ability
to comprehend and apply information found in text.
*Math Goal:
All students will improve their math
achievement.
*Classroom
Goals
*To give your child a classroom environment
where they feel safe and inspired.
*To provide your child with the tools and
knowledge they need to be life long learners.
*To make learning exciting, interesting, and fun!
*For your child to make new friends and
discover new interests.
*Content/Testing
*We will cover all the subjects and topics
that our state believes are important for
your child to learn during 4th grade.
*Standardized testing will take place in the
Spring of 2015. No other details have
been shared.
*UCS Students will be taking assessments
on computer in 4 subjects this year 3
times during the year (Fall, winter, &
spring).
*Class
*8:25 Morning
work/Announcements
*8:35: Specials
*9:35 Social Studies
*10:15 Snack
*10:25 Math
*11:15 Lunch
Schedule
*12:00 Science
*12:45 Language Arts Block
*1:45 Recess
*2:00 Language Arts
continued
*3:00 Agendas, Clean, Pack
& Stack
*3:15 Dismissal
*
*Students will be using a variety of resources for
math (text book and online learning).
*Throughout the year, students will be working on
addition properties, place value, multiplication and
division properties, fractions, geometry, and
decimals.
*It is important for your child to know his/her
multiplication facts well!
*Math
*Dreambox Learning – In addition to direct instruction
lessons, students will be using an online elementary
math program. This program assess each students
individual math level and tailors math lessons based on
the students needs.
*Students can extend their learning by logging on at
home using their assigned login & password.
*The math text which students will use is published by
Houghton Mifflin.
*Science
* This year we will be working online through Discovery Science.
Students will engage in interactive learning experiences in
addition to hands on classroom learning experiences. Lessons
will consist of informational reading, hands on
exploration/experiments, and research and discovery!
* We will be conducting various scientific experiments
throughout the year, which I know students will thoroughly
enjoy!
* Review Jeopardy will be posted before each test on the 4th
grade website.
(http://teacherweb.com/MI/SwitzerElementary/george/phot
o31.aspx)
*
*Reading
* CAFE is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and
Expanding Vocabulary through goal setting and strategy based
lessons.
* Daily 5 is a series of literacy tasks within a structure that will
help students develop the habits that lead to a lifetime of
independent literacy.
**Book Bins: Students will be expected to always have books stored
in their “book bin” so that they can read independently on a daily
basis.
* This is a brand new reading series this year.
The series
incorporates reading, language arts, and teaches spelling in
context.
-Library is Wednesday
*
* Your child will be doing a lot of writing this year.
We will be
working on the writing process as well as the mechanics of
the English language.
*
Students will have the opportunity to write using various
genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, legends,
autobiography, and mystery. We will also work on cause and
effect, compare/contrast, personal narratives, and
persuasive essays.
* Students will be using the 6+1 traits of writing to enhance
their writing. The traits include: Ideas, Organization,
Fluency, Voice, Word Choice, Conventions, and Presentation.
*
* Students will complete spelling in context with the new
reading series’ themes.
More closely follows research-based Words Their Way
 Differentiated lists
Lists available on-line
* Challenge words – I will give two “bonus” words each week.
The bonus challenge words will be used as extra credit on
that weeks test. Misspelled bonus words will not affect
student score.
*Social
Studies
*The main focus in Social Studies this year will be
Michigan studies and regions of the U.S.
*Students will learn about: the Upper and Lower
Peninsula, geography of Michigan, Native
Americans, French Explorers, Statehood,
Lumbering, Mining, Pioneers, Civil War, and the
Auto Industry.
*Students will learn about the five regions of the
United states. We will discuss the culture,
geography, and resources of each region.
*
* Snack: The children will be allowed to eat a HEALTHY snack
throughout the morning. Each student is asked to provide
his/her own snack and is not permitted to share. Fresh
fruit, veggie, crackers, yogurt, etc. are all great choices to
send with your child. Please do not send any candy or
dessert type snacks.
* Birthday Treats: Birthdays are a special time for children.
If you choose to do so, your child may celebrate their
birthday by bringing in a NON-EDIBLE birthday treat for
the class. Some ideas may include: pencils, erasers, stickers,
etc. Your child may also choose to donate something to the
class such as outdoor recess toys, games, or a book.
* When
*Homework
will homework be assigned?
* Your child will be given time in school to work on all assignments. Any
unfinished work for the day will be taken home to be completed. (This
tends to be math). Students should also study spelling words and read for
15-20 minutes on a nightly basis.
* Check and sign your child’s agenda every
evening. Circled assignments are
homework! Ask to see their “Brain” for any H.W. assignments or notes.
* Write me a note if your child did not get their homework finished.
* EXTRA
CREDIT/REDO WORK:
* I do not give extra credit as I allow students to redo work for grade
averaging. Any homework assignment scoring below 70% can be corrected
and returned for an average of new and old grade.
**POWERSCHOOL – BE SURE TO LOG-IN TO POWERSCHOOL ON A
WEEKLY BASIS TO STAY UP TO DATE ON YOUR CHILDS CURRENT
PROGRESS! Check for students grades, missing work, or possible redo
assignments.
*Grades
**POWERSCHOOL – BE SURE TO LOG-IN TO
POWERSCHOOL ON A WEEKLY BASIS TO STAY UP TO
DATE ON YOUR CHILD’S CURRENT PROGRESS! Check for
students’ grades, missing work, or possible redo assignments.
Last year’s passwords will work this year
Paperwork on counter if needed this year
*Friday
Folders
*All graded assignments for the week will be in
Friday folders.
*Students will take home Friday folders every
Friday to look over contents with parent.
*Any assignment in the Friday folder scoring at
below a 70% should be redone and returned on
Monday for grade averaging 
*Friday folders must come back to school
Monday morning signed by parent.
* Behavior/Classroom
Management
* A color coded chart is used to make students aware of the consequences and steps
taken for inappropriate behavior. This will help to create a wonderful and positive
learning environment for students.
* If a child flips his/her card the consequences include loss of recess time and/or a
note/phone call home to parents (depending on students card color)
* Severe
disruptions/offenses may result in an automatic phone call home and/or
written referral to the principal.
Positive/Rewards:
I also believe in positive rewards for encouragement and a job well done! Students can
earn tickets for the end of the day raffle.
In addition to raffle tickets, other forms of positive
rewards include:
* Praise
* Positive notes home
* Extra/longer recess
* Prize Bin
* Reward movie
* The joy of learning

*
* PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
*Ways
to stay “in touch”:
How do I know what’s going on?
* Log-on to PowerSchool for your childs current
grades/progress. Sign your child’s agenda every day
AFTER making certain that homework is completed.
* Web Site:
http://teacherweb.com/MI/SwitzerElementary/george/p
hoto31.aspx
* Friday Folder - (always, always, always sign before
returning on Monday.)
*
REMIND.com. –Sign up to be sure to receive Remind
texts! (PLEASE see the handout at the table or grab one at the door
on your way out. )
* Any questions or
email me!
concerns feel free to call, write, or
* remind.com – Please see the handout at the table, or grab
one at the door on your way out. Sign up to be sure to
receive Remind texts!
* Any questions or
me!
concerns feel free to call, write, or email
Let’s Have a
Great Year
Together!!!!!