1. Grades:
Grades are determined by participation, completion, and performance on assignments and tests. The grading scale is as follows:
90-100% = 4 70-79% = 2
80-89%= 3 69% and below = 1
2. Missing/Late Work:
Unless special arrangements are made, missing work (due to absence or otherwise) must be completed either during running time or at home. Ten percent will be taken off an assignment if it is turned in after the due date. I will remind students of work that is missing as often as possible, but missing work turned in after the end of each term will not be accepted.
3. Planners:
Students will be given a planner for the year provided by the school. They will be required to write down work that should be done at home, including any extra homework or special dates to remember. Please look at this each school night and initial that you saw it. Please also keep track of reading minutes and Paws for Success requirements. I will be checking each student’s planner every morning, so if you have any questions or comments, you are welcome to write them in the planner.
4. Class Blog:
I have created a class blog in which you are able to access important websites such as Skyward Grading, Jordan School District, and Welby Elementary. You can also keep updated on important happenings going on in our class or at the school. I post book report information, class newsletters, and vocabulary lists as well. PLEASE check the blog at least once a week to keep updated on what is going on! The address to this is: misslloydsclass.blogspot.com.
5. At-home Reading:
Each student should read at least 20 minutes at night or a total of 100 minutes each week. This does not have to be done in one sitting, but can be spread throughout the day if your child has difficulty sitting for extended amounts of time. About 5-10 minutes should be spent reading out loud to improve fluency. Make sure to ask your child comprehension questions (What happened to the main character? What was your favorite part? What happened at the beginning/middle/end?) in order to ensure their understanding. Record these reading minutes in your child’s planner and total up the minutes at the end of each month. I will check off the minutes for each month at the end of the month. This will count as an independent reading grade for each term.
6. Book Reports:
Students will be required to do a book report every other month and present it in some way to the rest of the class. Each book is based on a different genre of reading. A paper with requirements and the due date for each book report will be sent home that month. Students must check off the book they are reading with me within 2 weeks of getting the requirements, so I can make sure the book is appropriate for their level and the genre we are reading. The genres are listed below with the months we will be reading them:
October – Realistic Fiction April – Science Fiction
December – Fantasy June – Choice
February – Historical Fiction
Students will also be expected to read at least one additional book of their choice (must be at least 100 pages) on their own, during the months they are not required to do a book report (September, November, January, March, & May). Instead of a book report presented to the class, they are to keep a journal of their thoughts as they read the book. I will provide a list of things they can write about in their journal. They can write in their journals in class or at home. It will be turned in at the end of those months. The goal of this is to get the students thinking about and interacting with the books they read.
7. Math Facts:
Math facts are a big part of 4th grade! To improve fluency of math facts, the students will be taking a timed test most days of the week on either addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division (depending on where they are at). Students must pass each test with one error or less to move on to the next set of facts. Please practice these facts (flash cards, games, etc.) at home for at least 10 minutes each night. I will not be counting these minutes as part of a grade, but STRONGLY recommend practicing them to master all facts!
8. Spelling and Vocabulary:
Each week, students will be given about 20 spelling words, based on words related to the word study they are doing in groups, in class. Spelling words are recorded in the planner each Friday, which is when they will receive them for the next week. Each week’s homework will be to practice the spelling words in various ways (a checklist will be provided). Spelling homework is due each Friday and students will be quizzed on 15 of the spelling words each Friday. There will also be vocabulary words each week, with quizzes taken each Friday. We will practice the words in class with various activities, but the students will need to study them at home as well before they take the quiz. They will write down the words and definitions at the beginning of each week in a vocabulary notebook, so that is what they can use to study with.
9. Classroom Courtesies:
The following rules will be observed and enforced in the classroom. For additional information on school policy regarding dress code, attendance, etc., please see the student planner.
• Follow directions the first time you are asked
• Be in the right place at the right time
• Be safe and respectful of school property
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to myself
• Treat classmates, teachers, and other school staff with respect
• Keep a proper voice level and only use polite words
10. Discipline:
If a student is not behaving according to the classroom rules, he/she will receive up to two verbal warnings. If the behavior continues, the student may be kept in at second recess or will be sent to another classroom to take a “Think Time”, where the student reflects on the behavior and how to make a change. When the student is ready, he/she returns to the classroom. I will send home the sheet stapled in his/her planner. Please sign and return it, saying that you have seen it. Feel free to ask any questions. If three Think Times are given to a student in one week, the consequence is a lunch detention.
Questions? Email: christine.lloyd@jordan.k12.ut.us Phone: 801-280-1456
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