This document provides information for parents about the 4th grade curriculum and expectations at Town Center Elementary for the 2011-2012 school year. It outlines what students will learn in key subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. It also describes classroom policies, homework expectations, grading practices, field trips, volunteering opportunities, and ways for parents to stay informed and communicate with teachers.

1. Find Your Inner Spark!4th Grade Curriculum NightTown Center Elementary2011-2012

2. What will my child learn this year in Reading?We will practice reading skills through self-selected reading, literature circles, mini lessons, and reading conferences.Reading response through journalingNon-fiction texts/research skillsJunior Great BooksGuided Reading & Strategy Groups

3. 4thGradeReading Requirement

4. What will my child learn this year in Writing?How to incorporate daily journal writing into their lives Thinking like writers6+1 Traits of WritingIdeas, Organization, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, Word Choice, Voice, and PresentationThat they CAN be successful in writing!Writing will be incorporated into all subjects.

5. What “Writer’s Secrets” will my child learn this year?Capitalization rulesPunctuation rulesSentence structureWord choiceEditing and revisionSpelling

6. What will my child learn this year in Spelling and Word Work?How to be accountable spellersFry’s Sight Words (300)Spelling patternsWord sorts and word workSyllables and affixesStudy of word parts

7. What will my child learn this year in Social Studies?Texas HistoryRegions of TexasGeography of TexasNative TexansTexas IndependenceFamous TexansPioneersTexas GovernmentSocial Studies will be integrated with Reading and Language Arts this year.

8. 4th Grade Field Trip to AustinWill be in the SpringMore information will come regarding the tripWe will need 4 parent chaperones per 4th grade homeroom

9. What will my child learn this year in Math?Number SenseAddition / SubtractionMultiplication / DivisionMoneyDecimalsTelling TimeFractionsProblem SolvingGraphingMeasurementWe will differentiate as needed for students that need a challenge or extra practice in math.

10. InvestigationsWe will be using “Investigations in Number, Data, and Space” this year with Envisions incorporated throughout.K-5 curriculum designed to engage students in making sense of mathematical ideas.Designed to:Support students to make sense of mathematics & learn to be mathematical thinkersFocus on computational fluency Provide substantive work in important areas of mathEmphasize reasoning about mathEngage the range of learners

11. What will my child learn this year in Science? Many lessons are hands on, student-centered labs.Lab SafetyScientific MethodEarth ScienceLife SciencePhysical Science

12. How will my child be graded this year?

13. CISD Assessment Standards

14. 4th Grade Grading PolicyFirst and foremost, we want all students to be successful.Student grade below a 70Conference with teacherRe-teachReassessThe adjusted grade for the assignment or assessment cannot be higher than a 70.

15. Report Cards

16. How will I be updated on my child’s progress?District Progress Report (average grades of 74 or below only)Teacher Feedback & CommunicationReport CardGrades on Portal

17. What is homework like in 4th Grade?Anything that is not completed in class will be homework.(If your child is bringing excessive work home, please visit with us so we can problem solve together.)Daily journal writing & self-selected readingMath activities that review skills taught

18. How will my child keep track of their daily work?Take Home FolderTwo Sides of the FolderDesignated place for turning in work; Folders for unfinished workAgendaPlease help us by reminding your son or daughter to check his/her agenda at home every day! 

19. What if I want to volunteer in the class?Please sign in at the office.Please get a visitors pass from the office and wear it in a visible place. The room moms will coordinate a schedule for class volunteers.

20. How will I celebrate my child’s birthday?Snacks at the beginning of recess to your child’s homeroom class only. Invitations to all of class if distributed at school.Half-birthday celebrations are fine for kids that have summer birthdays.Please no flowers or balloons. Please note allergy restrictions.

21. What if my child is absent or tardy?Students have one day for every day absent to complete their missed work.Please notify the teacher by 9:00 a.m. if you want work sent home.If your child has more than three tardies per nine weeks the district will send a letter home.Your child’s absence is unexcused until a note is turned in.Please have your child at school by the end of Music in the Morning. Music in the Morning ends at 7:50.

22. How will my child be accountable for their behavior?4th Grade ExpectationsStop & Think (Campus Wide)Behavior Feedback

23. Fourth Grade Classroom Expectations“In this school we will be guided into owning and solving any problems we create.”We expect the students to:Be responsible.Be respectful.Be resourceful.Be courageous.Be curious.Be creative. And to always live by the golden rule, “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.”

24. STOP and THINK(Front Side)

25. STOP and THINK(Back Side)

26. Behavior FeedbackWe will communicate through the agenda.

27. Please look at it nightly as part of your family routine and discuss your child’s day.

28. Please do not hesitate to write any questions or comments in the notebook or attach a note.

29. It would be really helpful if you would ask your child to show us the note and/or email us to follow up. Coppell ISDCitizenship QualitiesSelf-ControlRespectHonestyEffortPatienceIntegrityPatriotism ResponsibilityCooperation Caring

30. How will I know what is going on in my child’s classroom?Updates & Homework Assignments on TwitterWeekly NewsletterOnline on teacher SitesWeekly email to parentsA paper copy will only be sent home to parents requesting one.AgendaThe weekly newsletter will include dates to remember, our week in review, test information, and other communications that you need to be aware of. Please read it! 

31. How can I get in touch with the teacher?By E-mailkburksmnathersonemillerjrowland_____@coppellisd.comBy Phone Office:214-496-7800Teachers: 214-496- _ _ _ _Natherson: 7843Burks: 7856Miller: 7837Rowland: 7854Conference TimesMonday – Thursday: 8:30-9:30

32. Friday: 9:30-10:20 Where Are We Headed? STEMScienceTechnologyEngineeringMath

33. Careers in SciencebySally RideSally Ride Voki

34. Careers in SciencebySally RideSTEM Career Awareness (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)Connect passions and talents to possible careers

35. Looking for volunteers in STEM careersKeep Up with Town CenterTwitter @TCETexanswww.twitter.com/TCETexansWatch for updates on the TCE Site

36. Campus Information

37. Drop Off Time: Begins at 7:30amTeachers will not be on duty until 7:30.School Time: Begins at 7:50am We would like for your child to be here no later than 7:40am. This is the time that we will pick up your child from the gym or cafeteria. We ask that you do not walk your child down to their classroom.

38. Tardy: Anytime after 7:50am Students will need to go in and get a tardy slip from the office. Due to a large amount of students being tardy last year, we will be putting a tardy policy in place for this school year. A note will be coming home next week stating our new policy. Please do not walk your child down to the room if they are tardy. They need to go to the office and get their slip and then they can walk to their classroom. We value instruction time and we start each day of learning at 7:50am.

39. Pick Up Time is 3:05pmTeachers will bring students back into the office by 3:15pm if not picked up. You will then need to walk into the office to pick up your student. Please remember that teachers on dismissal duty are watching for the safety of our students to ensure that they all get home safely. They will not be able to speak with you in detail about your child during this time. They will be happy to meet with you during a scheduled conference time or via phone/email to discuss your child’s needs. Current Phone Numbers and Emergency NumbersPlease make sure that you have updated numbers in the portal for your child. We want to be sure that should we need to reach you during the day that we have the current numbers on file.

40. Kinder-2nd GradersOur Kinder, 1st and 2nd graders line up in the front of our school for dismissal. If they have an older sibling, the sibling will stand with them at the front loop to be picked up. We ask that you let all of the students get out of the building and line up with their teacher. Be sure that your child lets their teacher know they are leaving before you take them home. Please use the front loop to pick up Kinder-2nd grade students and use appropriate crosswalks.

41. 3rd -5th GradersOur 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be exiting at the cafeteria loop (back loop). They will need to make sure and line up if being picked up by car or let their teacher know when they are walking or biking home. Please use the back loop to pick up 3rd-5th grade students. You may drive thru or park in the staff parking and use the back loop crosswalk.

42. Crosswalk SafetyWe have teachers on duty in order to help our students and parents stay safe by using our crosswalks. Please help us to teach our children to be safe and follow the rules and use the crosswalks designated in the front and back loops at all times.We have a new sidewalk that prevents students from having to cross the staff parking lot at Heartz. Please make sure they are using this sidewalk.

43. Watch Your Speed and No Cell Phone UsagePlease remember to drive slowly as you go thru our front and back loops. We have many students and parents walking and crossing and want to make sure you are always watching for their safety. Also, it is a law in Texas that no cell phones should be used when driving in a school zone as well as when picking up or dropping off your children. We ask that you focus all of your attention on driving safely during drop off and dismissal times.

44. Checking in at the OfficePlease check in at the office and get a name tag for anytime that you are visiting or volunteering here at TCE. We have a machine where you will need to run your drivers license and then it will print out a tag for you to wear while in the building. We ask that you check out as well using the tag.The check in procedure is to help ensure the safety of all of our students. We realize that it does require extra time on your part, but safety is essential and we appreciate all that you can do to help. If you are walking around our building without a tag, you will be asked nicely to please go and check in at the office.

45. Parent VolunteersWe are so blessed to have amazing parent volunteers who help to support us at Town Center. We would ask that if you are coming to volunteer that you help us maintain a superior learning environment in which you are able to focus on either our students or staff. We ask that you please do not bring younger siblings up during your volunteer time. This is also a policy for field trips during the school year.