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Welcome to Mrs.

Halls 4th grade class


Welcome students and parents, It is my pleasure to be your teacher for the 2010-2011 school year. As the year begins we will all be getting to know each other so I wanted to start by telling you some interesting facts about me. I love quotes My hobbies include: reading, working in my yard, mountain bike riding, running, swimming, playing in the snow(anything outdoors)and my home. I have three daughters and a wonderful husband of 20 years I have been teaching 4th grade for 8 years and loving every minute of it I love children and am looking forward to working with each and every one of you.

Click for My Contact Information

Expectations

We will talk to each other with kindness and respect. We will keep our hands and feet to ourselves. We will not take anything that does not belong to us. We will respect our classroom, our school and each other. We will follow directions the first time we are asked.

Consequences of Not Following Expectations Verbal warning. Second verbal warning the student will put Misconduct Report on the teachers desk. On the third verbal warning, the student will have Misconduct Report sent home with a description of the problem for a parent or guardian to sign. Student will also have lunch detention on the following day. Serious offenses will automatically result in consequence three (verbally or physically harming another student, cursing, vandalism, stealing, bullying, disrespect to staff or adults, etc.) Reports from the playground aids, specials teachers, or the cafeteria staff will result in a Misconduct Report. Failure to turn in assignments on due date will result in lunch detention so students can complete the assignment.

Homework Assignments Homework assignments will be due the day after they are assigned (unless told otherwise). If the work is not turned in the following day, the work can be turned in on the second day though 11 points will be deducted from the assignment's grade. If the work is still not turned in on the second day, the final grade for the assignment will be a 40%. For example: Monday's math assignment is due on Tuesday. Bob did not have it finished at the beginning of class on Tuesday, but turns it in on Wednesday. He scores a 100%, but has 11 points deducted resulting in a final score of 89%. If Bob had not turned in the assignment by Wednesday, his grade would be 40%. This policy should help students stay on top of their assignments and eliminate any confusion about when an assignment is due. Homework coupons are available for students to use however there are only 12 for the entire school year. When you get to the link click on the homework coupons to print out your 12 coupons.

Grading Policy If a student receives a grade of 69% or less on a homework or daily assignment, the student has the opportunity to redo the assignment. The corrected grade will be averaged with the first grade. All graded work goes home in Thursday folders, so assignments that are redone are due the following Monday. This policy does not apply to tests or quizzes. Be sure to keep an eye out for your child's Thursday folder, so that work below a 69% may be corrected. For example, Bob makes a 50% on a grammar assignment. The grammar assignment is sent home Thursday, January 3rd. Bob corrects the grammar assignment and turns it back in Monday, January 7th. Bob scores 100% on the corrected assignment. His first score is averaged with his second score for a final score of 75%. Had Bob not turned in his corrected assignment by Monday, the final score for his grammar assignment would have stood a 50%.

The #1 way for parents to be involved is to check your child's Power School Link several times a week. This link will inform you of missing assignments, up coming assignments and a current check of your child's grades and attendance. http://www.meridianschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Teachers open the door, but you enter by yourself. Anonymous

The public schools are Americans children and require the continuing encouragement, nurture, and support of Americas people. Ira Singer

http://216.229.182.97/tech_integration/fourth/index.htm lThe second way is to be involved in your childs education. Here is a link you can go to with your child to get an idea of this years largest project: The Idaho History Presentation

Technology will play a large part in our classroom this year by improving learning, increasing student engagement in learning, improving the economic viability of students, increasing relevance and real world applications of academics, closing the digital divide by increasing technology literacy in all students, and by building 21 century skills. Two key areas in Technology that well be promenade in our class include: Idaho History Presentation Project Understanding the dangers of Technology (including a singed waiver from both parent and student) Increased keyboarding speed and accuracy (Targets: 12-18 wpm; 95% accuracy) Respect and privacy of other students

Book Report List Unlike last semester, students will complete only 1 book report a month rather than 2. The report is on a book chosen by the student pertaining to a particular theme. Students will still be required to have at least 3 AR points per month. Book reports will be due the last day of each month.

Monthly Themes January - Non-fiction due Thursday 1/31 February - Biography due Friday 2/29 March - Sports due Monday 3/31 April - Animals due Wednesday 4/30 May - Favorite Author due Friday 5/16

This year students will have a lot more responsibility for their education and it may seem overwhelming but be encouraged because they will do great. Here is a link for parents to view Idahos state content for the 4th grade. Feel free to browse this site to get a better understanding of the curriculum which is expected by the Board of Education for your student to learn. Many students will be assigned their first big project in 4th grade, but dont assume youll be helping your child construct a diorama. These days, your child might be just as likely to create a multimedia presentation. The 4th grade curriculum is richer and deeper than that of previous grades because teachers spend less time emphasizing the basics of how to read and compute. Its also a year that teachers integrate subjects more seamlessly. Curriculum content varies by state and is generally available on your states department of education website. (Find state-level education data and contact information online from the U.S. Department of Education.) Some local districts and schools may further supplement their state curriculum. Although the 4th grade content may seem overwhelming, parents shouldnt be intimidated. It really is a fun year. Project Planning The purpose of the big project is to teach your child to work independently over time to achieve a goal. A long-term project requires creativity, critical thinking, and content knowledge. It will often integrate several subjects, such as language arts, math, and social studies or science. Projects may also require computer skills that appear sophisticated but are easily handled by todays tech-savvy students.

http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/id_symb.h tm

I believe wholeheartedly that a childs academic success is greatly enhanced when teachers and parents are partners in the process. When I need information pertaining to a child or a child is experiencing a problem, I contact the parents or guardians #1 resource.

(208) 887-5555

rhall@meridianschools.org

Office hours: M-F 8-9am, 3-4pm

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