1Fourth GradeFourth Grade

Mrs. AdamsMrs. AdamsMrs.OstrowMrs.Ostrow

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Communication is Communication is Key!Key!• Homework/Wednesday Folder Homework/Wednesday Folder

• Telephone:Telephone:

(281) 357-4526 Ext. 3916 (Adams)(281) 357-4526 Ext. 3916 (Adams)

(281) 357-4526 Ext. 3915 (Ostrow)(281) 357-4526 Ext. 3915 (Ostrow)

• E-mailE-mail

sallyostrow@tomballisd.net

terresaadams@tomballisd.net

• ConferencesConferences

8:45-9:308:45-9:30

•Teacher Web

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Attendance: It is important that students be in

attendance regularly. State law requires that school-age

children attend school at least 90% of instructional time. This includes

tardies as well as early departures. Please make every effort to have your

child at school every day.  If your child is absent, a note is required

upon their return.  If your child had a medical appointment, please bring a note from the doctor stating the time

of the appointment.  We request all notes be brought

within 48 hours of the students return to school. 

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TransportationBefore and After School Care:South Montgomery County YMCA will provide care both before and after school in the cafeteria. Contact the Shadowbend YMCA in The Woodlands for information.

Bus Transportation:School bus transportation is provided by the Tomball Independent School District. For busing information, please call 281-357-3193.

Walkers:Students walking must stay on the sidewalk. A crossing guard will be present on Creekside Green Drive to ensure safe crossing.

Bicycle Riders:Students in grades 3—6 may ride bicycles to school. A crossing guard will be present on Creekside Green Drive to ensure safe crossing.STATE LAW MANDATES THE USE OF BICYCLE HELMETS FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.

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Cafeteria Pricing and Info…•Breakfast is served from

8:20 AM to 8:40 AM.

•The cost of a student breakfast is $1.25, adult price is $1.80. Student lunch is $2.25, adult lunch is $3.10.

•Parents may pre-pay student meal costs by depositing money into a student’s individual meal account.

•Parents/guardians and grandparents are welcome to join their child for lunch at our special guest tables.

Fourth Grade Lunch Time

12:25—12:55 PM       

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Fourth Grade Schedule:8:45-9:30 Specials/Conference Time

9:30-10:00 Social Studies/Science10:00-11:15 Math/ELA11:15-11:45 Small Group

11:45-12:25 Switch -Science/Social Studies12:25-1:00 Lunch/Restroom

1:00-2:10 Math/ELA2:10-2:30 Recess

2:30-3:00 Math/ELA3:00-3:30 Small Group

3:30-3:40 Dismissal

School Schedule8:10 Doors open & car riders begin unloading

8:40 School begins. Students counted tardy after 8:40.8:55 Parents must walk tardy students into the office to sign in.

3:00 No transportation changes made after.3:40 Dismissal & end of day announcements

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Classroom and School Classroom and School RulesRules

1.1.Respect YourselfRespect Yourself

2.2.Respect PropertyRespect Property

3.3.Respect OthersRespect Others

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Classroom Consequences for Undesired BehaviorEach teacher has a clipboard with a conduct sheet.

A student is allowed 1 warning, indicating their undesired behavior. The 2nd warning indicates that they will receive a conduct mark on the clipboard.

Their nine week conduct grade will be based on the number of times they have received a conduct mark as indicated on their weekly Wednesday

Folder conduct sheet. We will average their weekly conduct grade to get their grade for the 9 weeks.

0-2=E / 3-4=S / 5=N / 6+=U (per week)For any severe infraction (fighting, etc.), a discipline referral will be issued. 

Classroom Positive ReinforcementClass compliments will accumulate inside and outside of class to earn class

rewards. Cougar bucks will be earned on an individual basis to purchase items/rewards.

Positive notes, e-mails & phone calls home will be made.

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Behavior Plan Continued…Behavior Plan Continued…

Step 1Step 1-One verbal or non-verbal reminders. -One verbal or non-verbal reminders.

Step 2Step 2-Conduct mark & sit out 5 minutes of recess-Conduct mark & sit out 5 minutes of recess

Step 3-Step 3-Another conduct mark & sit out 10 minutes Another conduct mark & sit out 10 minutes of recessof recess

Step 4-Step 4-Note or Phone Call HomeNote or Phone Call Home

Step 5-Step 5-Principal’s office.Principal’s office.  

In the case of In the case of extreme disciplineextreme discipline problems problems the teacher may elect to send or escort the teacher may elect to send or escort

students directly to the office (examples: students directly to the office (examples: Disrespect to the teacher or another adult, Disrespect to the teacher or another adult,

hitting, fighting, etc.)hitting, fighting, etc.)

If the rules are not followed the teacher If the rules are not followed the teacher will proceed through the following steps:will proceed through the following steps:

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Changes in the regular transportation must be communicated in writing to the teacher or office.  NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

Parent note or FAX (281-357-4535).  The FAX must include a copy of the parent driver’s license and parent signature.   If a change is made by FAX, it is required

that the parent follow up with a phone call to confirm that the FAX was received. 

All transportation changes must be completed by 3:10PM.

On the morning that you want to make a change in your child’s transportation, please send a note to the homeroom teacher indicating how your child is to go

home.Include the following information: 

     ---Full name of student      ---Child’s grade and homeroom teacher      ---Date the change is to begin and end 

     ---A phone number where you may be reached if we have questions.      ---Your signature and date

For the safety of your child, we cannot make a change intransportation over the telephone.

Please have a transportation plan for your child for Rainy Days,if it different that his/her normal transportation. 

Please communicate that to the child’s teacher in writing. 

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Numerical Grading Scale:90-100 A80-89 B75-79 C70-74 D69 and below F

Conduct Grading Scale: Exceeds Expectations ESatisfactory SNeeds Improvement NUnsatisfactory U

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Language Arts & Social Language Arts & Social StudiesStudiesLanguage Arts:

1st 9 Weeks Reading: genres, story elements, main idea, skills/strategies,inference & summary.Writing: sentence structure, narrative paragraphs, written summaries, idea development, conventions & spelling patterns.2nd 9 WeeksReading: author’s purpose, compare and contrast, cause and effect, context clues,Predicting, inferring, conclusion, reading/writing connection.Writing: sentence fluency, sentence elaboration, voice, subject-verb agreement, narrative, depth/complexity, spelling patterns, speaking appropriately.3rd 9 WeeksReading: author’s purpose, point of view, reading/writing connection, tone/mood, characteristics of folktales, myths, legends and plays.Writing: narrative, pronouns, conventions, grammar, & spelling patterns.4th 9 WeeksReading/Writing: autobiographies, biographies, note taking, research, poetry, compare and contrast & spelling patterns.

Social Studies:1st 9 Weeks: Communication- Regions and Landmarks of Texas2nd 9 Weeks: Perspective- Indians, Explorers, Early Colonization3rd 9 Weeks: Change- Colonization, Revolution4th 9 Weeks: Power- Texas Today

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Math:•First and foremost, our focus is problem solving! The STAAR Test is based on solving multistep problems in order to encourage higher order thinking skills. It will be embedded throughout the test, so we will work on our skills throughout the year.

•Place Value mastery up to 999,999,999,999.

•Adding, subtracting multiplying, and dividing to solve problems.

•Mastering basic facts in all four mathematical operations in order to build upon each skill.(ex. Multiplying with two digit numbers)

•Decimals and fractions up to tenths and hundredths.

•Adding and subtracting decimals (money amounts) through hundredths.

•Interpreting and constructing graphs (bar graphs, pictographs, grids, etc.)

•Recognizing geometric attributes of figures. (ex. Acute, right, and obtuse angles)

• Applying measurement concepts to problem solve. (ex. Estimating perimeter, weight, area, volume, etc.)

Science:•Lab safety and procedures (Scientific Method)

•Classifying states of matter by physical properties.

•Measuring temperature

•Using graphic organizers to represent concepts and facts.

•Force and motion (ex. flow of electricity, the effects of force, etc.)

•The water cycle (describe/illustrate)

•The sun’s role as a major energy source, earth’s rotations, and tides in relation to the moon.

•Weather, weathering, and erosion

•Renewable/nonrenewable resources

•Plant/animal life cycles, growth, adaptations, and behaviors

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STAAR(State of Texas Assessments of Academic

Readiness)

• STAAR will focus on “clearer, fewer, and deeper”.

• Provide a more clearly articulated assessment program

• Focus on fewer skills

• Address skills in a deeper manner

• The Writing STAAR will be March 30th & 31st

• The Math & Reading STAAR will be in April 21st & 22nd

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Wednesday FolderWednesday FolderWhat’s in it?What’s in it?

• ConductSheetConductSheet

• A pocket for:A pocket for:

Graded Work (Stays at Home)Graded Work (Stays at Home)

Handouts (Review & Return)Handouts (Review & Return)

Please remember…Please remember…

• to check these every Wednesday for anything to check these every Wednesday for anything you might need to be aware of.you might need to be aware of.

• to sign these every Wednesday night.to sign these every Wednesday night.

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A Homework Folder will be sent home A Homework Folder will be sent home every Monday. every Monday. It will include:It will include:

•SpellingSpelling•Independent Reading Menu,Independent Reading Menu,

• Reading Log and Writing in Writer’s notebook at least once! Reading Log and Writing in Writer’s notebook at least once! •These can also be done electronically through your child’s Gdrive.These can also be done electronically through your child’s Gdrive.

•Math Concept Practice SheetMath Concept Practice Sheet

Please send these folders back with all Please send these folders back with all Homework completed by Homework completed by FridayFriday. .

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Birthdays

Our goal is to make your child’s birthday as special as possible! Birthdays can be celebrated in the Cafeteria by either purchasing Ice Cream Passes (75 cents ea.) for the

class or bringing a sweet treat to share!These ideas are optional.

Please do not send birthday party invitations with your child to school. These must be delivered outside of school hours.

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Classroom VolunteersVolunteers must check in at the front office. Each volunteer is also required

to show a photo ID and will be issued a badge to wear during their visit. Please confine your visit to the area designated on the Visitors Pass.

Volunteers must check out at the front office when leaving the building. This year, we have a new policy

Would you be willing to volunteer in your 4th Grader’s class this year?

• Materials Maker

• Read Aloud to class

• Chaperones (parties/field trips)

• Homework/Wednesday FoldersAll volunteers must follow the steps to getting a background check. These can

be found on my teacher web in my Newsflash section.

The Room Parent will be assigned by PTO.

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Portable Safety!

Doors will remain locked at ALL times.

Students can only leave the room with a partner.

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