Welcome to Back to School Night

Room B-6Mrs. Jill Lawless

Back to School Night Agenda

• Introductions• Schedule • Classroom Rules• Birthdays• Field Trips• Common Core and Curriculum• Grading Scale• Homework • Parent Communication• Parent Volunteers

Introductions

• My name is Jill Lawless.• Education:

– UC Davis (B.A.)– Claremont Graduate

University (M.A.)– CSU Sacramento

(Credential)

• Teaching experience:– 1st grade– 4th grade

– 5th grade

– 7th grade– 8th grade

Class Hours

• Class begins at 8:55 a.m.•Recess at 10:40-10:53•Lunch at 12:30-1:10• Class ends at 3:00 p.m.

Class Schedule8:55 – 10:40 a.m. Morning Work, Grammar, etc.10:40 – 10:53 a.m. A.M. Recess10:53 – 11:05 a.m. Snack11:05 - 12:30 a.m. Language Arts Block12:30 – 1:10 p.m. Lunch1:15 – 2:20 p.m. Math Groups2:20 – 2:55 p.m. Social Studies3:00 p.m. Dismissal

Library= Tuesdays, 10:00 – 10:35 a.m.Computer Lab= Wednesdays, 9:05 – 9:55 a.m.Science= Thursdays, 10:10 – 11:25 and Fridays, 9:15 - 10:00P.E.= Fridays, 10:10 to 10:40 a.m.

Classroom Rules• Model Positive Behavior

• Rewarding and recognizing good behavior

• Behavior Reports (as needed)

I stress: -Showing Respect -Making Good Decisions-Solving Problems

Birthdays

• Birthdays:-In 4th Grade we do not celebrate individual birthdays. Instead we have an “Un-Birthday

Party” the second to last week of school and celebrate ALL birthdays together!

Field Trips

• Coloma – May 2, 3, & 4.– The cost is $200 per student.– Please visit www.cods.org for more

information.

• Sutter’s Fort (Spring)• Others (TBD)

Common Core• Goals– Integration of subjects– Emphasis on writing (opinion/persuasive, explanatory, and narrative)– Real world application• Collaboration• Creativity• Critical thinking• Communication

Curriculum

Reading:  Combination of Core Literature Novels (i.e. Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Sarah, Plain and Tall, etc.) and Open Court thematic units. 

 Writing:  We will explore many styles throughout the year, but will begin by practicing and refining paragraph writing.  Eventually students will transition to multi-paragraph narrative, informational, and opinion papers.  There will also be lessons on style, grammar, and conventions throughout the year.

Social Studies:  California history is the focus for Social Studies in 4th grade.  We start by studying the geography of our state, focusing on the 4 main regions of CA.  After every 2 lessons in each unit, students will take a quiz to assess their learning.  In addition, after the completion of each unit, students will take a unit test.  Study guides and vocabulary cards will be provided to help with review of information before the test.

Curriculum Contd.

Math: In 4th grade, students will be placed in leveled math groups.  4th grade teachers collaborate with 3rd grade teachers and complete an assessment of each student in order to place them appropriately in one of the 3 math groups.  All groups cover the math standards for 4th grade with pacing based on the needs of the group. These groups are flexible and a student may move to a different group based on space available and testing/success in his or her current group. Science: Students attend science class with Mrs. Maloney two days a week.  Our days are Thursday and Friday.

Homework PolicyStudents will be given homework nightly, Monday-Thursday.  Homework is due the following day unless otherwise noted, and is most often a continuation of classwork.

Study Hall is offered at lunch for students who do not complete assignments that are due.  A pattern of late assignments will have a negative impact on a student's grades.

Students will receive one homework pass per trimester.

If a student is absent, they will be allowed one extra day for each day absent to complete their work. 

•Homework (includes but is not limited to):•Read 20 mins. every night•Spelling (every other week)•Math •Reports and other assignments related to the curriculum•Unfinished work

Grading

Grading Scale  

My grading policy is based on the following tables:

A = 90% - 100% 4 - advancedB = 80% - 89% 3 – proficientC = 70% - 79% 2 – progressingD = 60% - 69% 1 – belowF = 0 – 59%

Communication

• Weekly Newsletters – via email

(also available on the class website)

• Phone Calls: 916-933-0652

• Email:jlawless@rescueusd.org

• Website:

http://www.lakeforestlakers.com/subsites/Lawless/

Parent Volunteers• Opportunities:

-Room Parent-Fall Festival Class Booth-Arts Attack-Class Yearbook Page-Class Raffle Basket-Fitness Testing-Pioneer Day

Thank you for coming!