Fourth Grade
Survival Guide
2015-2016
Teacher Website
I update my website every day after school. Please make a conscious effort to check it
frequently during the week so that you are aware of upcoming activities and special
announcements. If important information is posted during the week “Check Web” will be
written in your child’s planner.
Email
I check my email before leaving school each day. I will respond to all emails within 24
hours of receiving them except for emails sent or received after 4:00 on Friday.
Weekend email will receive a response on Monday.
Student Planners
All homework is recorded daily in the student’s planner. The student planner is the
primary source of homework information.
I will indicate missing work in the student’s planner using red pen. I will remind the
student at the end of that day to take home the necessary materials. Beyond the first
day work is late remembering to take home the necessary materials is the student’s
responsibility.
Assignments will be posted daily on my website. Each day’s assignments will be
posted prior to my leaving school; however, the student planner remains the primary
source for homework. Assignments are posted on the website for emergencies and
clarification.
Binder
Homework begun in class or in the form of a worksheet can be found in the divider
pocket labeled Homework located in the student’s binder. Completed homework should
be placed in this divider pocket at night to make finding it the next day easier.
The “Take It Home” folder in the binder contains graded papers and notes. It should be
emptied every night.
The pocket dividers will hold work in progress and papers that will be needed in order to
study for quizzes and tests. Papers should not be removed from the divider pockets. If
you have a question about papers in your child’s binder, please send them in with an
attached note.
Work Expectations
Work completed on notebook paper should be headed with the student’s
name, number, date, subject, and assignment including the page and
problems assigned. Worksheets only require a name and date.
All work is to be completed in cursive unless otherwise directed. This excludes math
work, charts and tables, graphic organizers, maps and posters. These assignments
may be completed in manuscript.
All answers should be written in complete sentences unless otherwise indicated. 3%
will be deducted from the grade of assignments not completed with sentences.
Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar matter on assignments. The
Grammar Grade will consist of 4 points added to an assignment (one for each
category). Deducted points will be marked next to GG at the top of the page.
Papers turned in without names will be posted on the “No Name” board. Papers
claimed by the end of the day will receive full credit. Papers not claimed by the end of
the day will be stored in a file. No name papers found in the file will result in 2% being
deducted from the assignment’s grade.
All homework is due on the assigned date. 5% will be deducted from the grade earned
on the assignment for work not complete on the day due.
Missing work will be recorded on Power School as a zero and indicated with a red M in
the lower corner of the score box. All missing work posted on Power School is due by
the end of the week it was posted. Work missing at the end of that week remains a zero
and will be marked with a red L along with the red M in the box.
Example: Math p. 106 was due on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The grades for the
week of Sept. 9-13 were posted on Sunday, Sept. 15 and math p. 106 was indicated as
missing. The student has until Friday, Sept. 20 to make up the assignment before it
remains a zero.
Grades are posted on Power School every weekend. Grades for late work turned in
after the previous week’s assignments have been posted will not be entered into Power
School until the following weekend.
Tests and Quizzes
One week’s notice will be given for all tests. Notice for quizzes will be several days
before the quiz. An outline of information that will be covered on tests and quizzes will
be provided to students prior to the test/quiz date. However, students are expected to
consistently review and study the material being covered in all subjects. This ensures
mastery of the material and allows students to clarify information before a test or quiz is
announced; waiting to study and review material only when tests and quizzes are
announced is not a recommended study technique.
Tests and quizzes must be completed in the time allotted.
Grading and On-Line Grades
Some work will be graded using an effort scale.
++
+
√+
√
√-
100%
94%
88%
77%
72%
Some work will be graded together in class. Work graded by students will contain two
marks; a solid red dot indicates a correct answer and an X indicates an incorrect
answer. This procedure helps students maintain their focus and promotes accurate
checking. If you have a question regarding a grade please send in the paper with a
note attached. I will be happy to double-check the paper.
Quizzes and tests are weighted more heavily than daily homework. Some assignments
and projects will be weighted more heavily than daily homework.
Vacation and Absent Work
Per St. Mary policy, absent work is not given ahead of time to students who are going
on vacation.
Absent work is due within the same amount of time as days absent. If you wish absent
work to be picked up or sent home with another child, please let me know in the
morning so I have ample time to write out the work and gather the materials.
Class Expectation and Procedures
The class expectations and procedures should be followed at all times in and out of the
classroom.
Our Classroom Rules
 Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
 Treat others respectfully.
 Change tasks quickly and quietly.
 Enter the room only if I am in the room or hallway.
 Use the restroom during work time, not while Ms. Johnson is teaching.
 Additional rules will be added if necessary.
Implementation of consequences depends upon the severity and frequency of the
action. Consequences include but are not limited to a change of the student’s conduct
card, completion of an OOPS sheet, a change of seat, removal from the group, writing a
letter home, or the loss of a privilege.
Conduct grades (S, S-, or N) will be marked daily in the student planner. These grades
will be used to determine the conduct grade on the report card.
Water Bottles
Water bottles containing only unflavored water are acceptable. Students who forget
their water bottle will not be allowed to call home.
Birthday Treats
Your child is welcome to bring in birthday treats for our class. We have 13 students.
Extra treats will be sent home. Please let me know at least a day before you plan to
send in a treat. Simple treats like cookies or cupcakes without drinks fit into our busy
day well!
Please do not send party invitations to school to be passed out unless there is an
invitation for every child in the class.