Welcome to Mrs. McCutchen’s
4th Grade Classroom
Our Motto:
Why
Not
Do
Your
Best?
Meet the Teacher
Things about Mrs. McCutchen:
 14th year of teaching—all in
Jefferson City Public Schools
 I have a Masters in Literacy.
 My son Logan is 11 and he attends
Thomas Jefferson and Lily is 14
and attends Simonsen.
 My husband is Pat.
Balanced Literacy
Balanced Literacy
• conferencing with the teacher
• independent silent reading
• journaling in notebook
• book discussions
• reading lots of different genres
• reading non-fiction books for Social
Studies and Science
Scholastic Reading Inventory
SRI—this will be given three times
a year. This is a computer
generated reading assessment that
tests comprehension. I will send
the results home each quarter in
their report card. 600 is on gradelevel for 4th grade students.
Reading Counts
•Students are encouraged to read books
and take quizzes.
•The goal I have for students is 14 books
per quarter.
•This is just 2 quizzes per week.
•The majority of their guided reading
books are reading counts, so that will
help.
•I will also have them read non-fiction
books that correlate to each science or
social studies unit, that will also be
Reading Counts quizzes.
Homework
(which will all be in a binder)
• Reading Log – Each week, students are expected to
read a total of 80 minutes. The reading log is due each
Friday. A parent must initial the reading log each week to
receive tickets for our classroom prizes.
• Math Homework – Each day I will send home a math
sheet that needs to be completed and returned the next
day. Students will receive a ticket for their completed
math homework.
• Spelling Homework – On Friday the words will be listed
on the newsletter. I ask that you study the words during
the week. The test will be the following Friday, in the
form of dictation sentences.
Daily Schedule
7:45 – 8:00 Students are in the gym
8:00 – 8:15 Read silently
8:15 – 9:40 Math
9:40 – 10:30 Specials & my plan time
10:30 – 10:40 Read Aloud
10:40 Bathroom Break
10:45 – 11:45 Reading Workshop
11:45 – 12:20 Writing Workshop
12:20 – 1:00 Lunch & Recess
1:00 – 1:10 Read Aloud
1:10 Bathroom Break
1:15 – 1:50 Spelling & Language
1:50 – 2:10 Recess
2:15 – 2:45 Science or Social Studies
2:45 – 3:00 Reading Counts
3:05 Car Riders Dismissed
3:15 Bus Riders Dismissed
Character Plus – Each month one student
will be chosen that displays this character
trait and be recognized at the awards
assembly.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
August: Self-Discipline
September: Respect
October: Responsibility
November: Polite
December: Compassion/Kindness
January: Hardworking/Motivation
February: Honesty
March: Trustworthy
April: Accountable
May: Forgiving
“No Poison Classroom”
My goal is to have this classroom as a
“No Poison Classroom.” There are six
poisons we will not tolerate:
•
•
•
•
•
•
complaining
whining
moaning/groaning
put downs
swearing
gossip
Positive Behavior Support
• Positive Behavior Support is what our school
uses for management.
• In the classroom, we will really focus on
learning the school procedures in these first few
weeks.
• We will continue to revisit and reteach
procedures, so this will be a more proactive
approach to behavior management
• I will hand out matrix money to students for
positive behaviors.
• Students will be allowed to “cash” them in for
different incentives.
Attendance
• Our district is hoping to increase our daily
attendance.
• Pioneer Trail has started an incentive program
for increasing our attendance. Students have
to be here from 8:15 to 3:15 to be counted for
our daily attendance.
• Each full day that ALL students are here, we
will receive a letter. After we have spelled the
word attendance, Dr. Wilson will announce our
name and we will receive a small incentive.
• Please know that we understand there are
appointments, illnesses, etc. that cannot be
avoided.
Classroom Usage Policy
• This sheet is in your packet of
papers. PLEASE read over it, have
your child sign it AND have a parent
sign it.
• This paper needs to be signed and
returned before your child can use
the computers or iPADs.
• You may put the paper on the
counter before you leave.
Odds & Ends 
1.
Friday Folders (Blue): Friday papers will come home that are
important for the parents to see.
2.
A newsletter will be in the Friday Folder each week that will tell
about upcoming events, and details about next week’s work.
3.
Boys & Girls Club is our before and after school care. They are
here from 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. You may obtain information in the
office.
4.
On assembly days (which is usually the last Friday of each month),
parents are invited to eat breakfast with your child. Breakfast is
served from 7:30 – 8:00.
5.
Snacks – Students may bring a healthy snack, which we will eat at
10:30 after specials.
6.
Remind 101 – This will be a text from me to remind students and
parents about upcoming tests or important events in the classroom.
Students and parents are able to use this feature. The paper is in
your stack with insturctions.
Contact Information
1. Family Information Sheet – This
information will help me to be able to get
a hold of you.
2. My Contact Information – I have
provided this so you have it readily
available. Please contact me ANYTIME
you have a question. I check my email
frequently, even on nights and weekends.
Please feel free to email anytime.
Please look at the papers on your
child’s desk. Please read through them
carefully.
Important: Return any forms that need
information from you on Thursday or
Friday.
Thanks for coming!!!
See you tomorrow!!!!