th

Welcome to 4
Grade!

(A Guide for Parents)

2016-17
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4 Grade Team

Mrs. Dobberfuhl- ELAR/SS

Mrs. Lee- Math/Science

Mrs. Way- Math/Science

Mrs. Howard- ELAR/SS
What is fourth grade
like?

It’s fun, fast-paced,

challenging, and rewarding
for students and teachers!
 COMMUNICATION
• Please make sure you have given your child’s teacher an email
address that you check daily and update her with any changes
throughout the year.

• We communicate news, events, and curriculum information on our

weebly: http//fourthgradeglenoaks.weebly.com. Our goal is to
update this weekly, usually by 5 pm on Thursdays, but information
may be added at anytime, so check often to stay informed!

• Conference days/times: Mon. and Wed./2:15-2:45 pm. We are

happy to speak with you over the phone and via e-mail, but please
know that we may not be able to reply until after 3.

• If there is a change in your child’s dismissal, please send an e-mail

to our registrar, Lisa Taylor, at ltaylor@mckinneyisd.net and a
copy to your child’s homeroom teacher..
TLIM: 7 Habits of Happy Kids

Sharpen the Saw

Synergize
Seek First to
Understand, Then
Think Win-Win to be Understood

Put First
Begin with the Things First
End in Mind
Be Proactive
 Classroom SCHEDULE
7:50-8:10 Unpack/Morning Work/
Announcements
8:10-8:55 Flex Time: Interventions/
Enrichment/Clubs
8:55-10:55 Block 1
11-12 Recess/Lunch
12:05-2:05 Block 2
2:05-2:10 Clean up/Pack up
2:10-3 Specials (dismissed from specials)
 EXPECTATIONS FOR
BEHAVIOR
We help students grow as leaders using
the 7 habits.
Glen Oaks Discipline Model:
1. Warning
2. 2nd Warning (with consequence- check in Take
Home folder)
3. Time Out Room
4. Office Reflection Visit
5. Parent Phone Call and E-Mail
6. Office Referral
*Take-Home Folder: Behavior Log/Brags
 Love and Logic

Love and Logic is a great resource

for both teachers and parents. The
focus is on helping children make
the best choices. It teaches them
to be responsible for their words
and actions.

http://www.loveandlogic.com/
 What to expect from your
fourth grader:
Adapted from the book Yardsticks by Chip Wood

Physical Growth Patterns - increased coordination,

pushes self to physical limit, fatigues easily, somatic
complaints, uses tension outlets like nail biting

Social Growth Patterns - highly competitive,

self-aware, anxious, sees adult inconsistencies and
imperfections, complains, can be moody, critical,
individualistic
 What to expect from your
fourth grader . . .

Language Growth Patterns-descriptive, loves

vocabulary and language play, age of negatives, baby
talk may re-emerge

Cognitive Growth Patterns-industrious, self critical,

less imaginative, intellectual curiosity, ability to deal
with multiple variables emerges, trouble with
abstractions
 WRITING WORKSHOP
We use several resources, including Empowering
Writers, for instruction. For more information visit
www.empoweringwriters.com and click on “Parent’s
Corner.” This year your child will learn how to create
a narrative, expository, and persuasive piece of
writing. We teach the skills of writing in isolation and
by January, will begin to publish complete pieces.
Portfolios will come home near the end of the school
year. Specific grammar and spelling skills will also
be a part of weekly instruction.
This year’s STAAR test will assess expository
writing as well as revising and editing skills.
 READING WORKSHOP
• We teach fundamental reading
strategies to help students
comprehend all genres at deeper
levels (Literary, Informational,
Poetry, and Drama) and to become
lifelong readers.
• Guided Reading activities occur daily to
reinforce skills.
• Reading Response are written so students can
reflect on their learning and apply strategies that
are taught.
SOCIAL STUDIES
4th grade social studies
focuses on the unique and
exciting state of TEXAS!
Units We Will Cover:
Texas Regions
American Indians
Exploration and Early Colonization
The Texas Revolution
The Turbulent Years
Texas Today
Branches of Government
 SCIENCE
Physical, Life, & Earth Science
We utilize the Engage Learning Model (ELM) to teach science through
project based learning. The students will use DISCOVERY Ed Boards
for curated websites, DIYs, and guided learning.
Students will ask meaningful questions, conduct research, use
technology to increase their understanding of the world around them,
and work collaboratively. Our major units are as follows:

Communicating as a Scientist
Explore Plants
Texas Zoo
Matter
Force, Motion and Energy
Sun, Earth, Moon
Weather
 MATH
MAJOR CONCEPTS include:
• Place value- numbers up to 100 million and decimals to
tenths and hundredths places
• Fact fluency!!!
• Advanced multiplication and long division
• Problem solving strategies and the ability to solve
multi-step problems
• Fractions- we will compare, order, add, and subtract
• Geometry- classifying shapes and measuring angles
• Measurement- standard and metric
• Representing and Interpreting Data
• Personal Financial Literacy
 FACT FLUENCY
AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Please continue to work with your child at home
on fact fluency for multiplication and division.
Many new concepts rely heavily on fast and
accurate recall of these facts.

There is a strong emphasis on problem solving,

requiring students to choose appropriate
strategies and operations and apply them to real
world situations. Multiple step problems can be
quite difficult, so the more practice and exposure
students have, the more successful they will feel!
 Math: Think Central
Online support/practice for students.
Each lesson has 10-15 questions. If
students don’t know, the program will
guide them through the problem,
step-by-step. It gives immediate
feedback/support. Students should
spend 15-20 minutes nightly on Think
Central, fact fluency, or math games on
the weebly. Students can come in at
7:30 if needed.
HOMEWORK
All students are required to read a
minimum of 20 minutes/night or a total
of 120 minutes/week.
A reading response log will be coming
home soon!
Unfinished work may come home in the
Take Home Folder. Please check daily.
Extra practice, or homework may be
sent home as needed throughout the
year.
Check the weebly!
 Progress Reports
Progress reports are sent home
at the midpoint of each quarter.
The purpose is to report student
progress in all subjects, and to
indicate any concerns we may
have with a student’s work
habits or conduct (behavior).
DATES for Progress Reports:
9/21, 11/16, 2/1, 4/26
 Report Cards
Report cards are posted to HAC (Home
Access Center) at the end of each
quarter. If you need information on how
to log in to HAC, please contact the front
office. Scores will be provided for Reading,
Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, and
P.E. each quarter.
Music and Art scores will only be provided
for Quarters 2 and 4.
DATES for Report Cards posted to HAC:
10/24, 1/4, 3/15, 6/1
 Important Dates-
Please avoid scheduling appts on
these dates.

• MAP Testing-refer to the weebly for

dates in Sept., Jan., and May
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: Monday,
October 24th-look for signup genius
• Writing STAAR, Tuesday, March 28
• Math STAAR, Monday, May 8
• Reading STAAR, Tuesday, May 9
 Events to look forward to:
• Fine Arts Field Trip-Dallas Museum
of Art-Friday, September 23
• Boosterthon Fun Run-Friday,
October 14
• Enterprise City Field
Trip-Wednesday, November 30
• Field Day-Friday, May 19
• Check the weebly for more events
throughout the year!
We love volunteers! We will contact
you when help is needed!
•Check our weebly weekly
•Be sure you have filled out a
volunteer application so you
can be a part of this year’s
activities!
•Let us know if you have any
questions or concerns!
Thanks for your support!.
We are looking forward to an
amazing year!