Important Information

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 second recess 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. 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 class newsletters, vocabulary lists, and other important information 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 part of an independent reading grade for each term.

6. Reading Challenge:
As a class, we are taking on the challenge to read forty books within the school year! There are a specific number of books students must read in each genre. They are as follows:
Poetry- 3
Fantasy- 3
Traditional Literature (Folktales, Myths, Legends)- 4
Science Fiction- 3
Realistic Fiction- 5
Mystery- 3
Historical Fiction- 3
Informational- 4
Choice- 10
Biography/Autobiography- 2

There are a few reasons why we are doing this. The first is that it exposes students to a variety of books and genres so that they can explore books they might not ordinarily read. Second, is so they can develop an understanding of the literary elements, text features, and text structures of most books. And last, this requirement ensures that students will have a book going constantly and internalize the independent reading habits needed to be successful readers.
Throughout the year, students will keep track of each genre they read in a reading notebook. They will also present at least one book commercial to the class each report card, informing us about a book they read (students can choose what books to present). They will also be required to write at least one book review each report card on a book they read. They will receive instruction on how to do those in class. I will check in with each student at least once a month or more to help them set goals and find appropriate books for them to read, as well as have them do various book responses/exercises in their reading notebooks.

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, computer games, etc.) at home for at least 5-10 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@jordandistrict.org Phone: 801-280-1456