*MATH We are using the Saxon Math series this year!  The components of this series are a Power up, new concept, lesson practice, and written practice.  As you have noticed, the lessons spiral each day with repeat practice on the concepts and a performance test after every five lessons.  Please note that the mastering of all basic facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) is a must in fourth grade.  Any extra practice at home with flashcards would be great!  We encourage you to help your child finish up the written practice whenever necessary.

*Working With Words : Word Pattern tests will be every other week.  Please check your child’s assignment book.  Extra Language Practice homework will be due in a weekly format.  Please check your child’s assignment book for the due dates. This practice will hopefully prepare your child for the State Reading and Writing Test in February and March.

Daily Morning Math/Language:  Every morning your child will have practice work to complete in the a.m.  This work will be checked together later on in the day.  You will see these papers in the Friday folders.  Some of this worked will be assessed for grades. Please be to school on time.  This will help your child get his/her work completed in  a timely manner.

            *STUDY HABITS – We are trying very diligently to give you child study time throughout the day.  Please encourage your child to work hard in school and take advantage of the time they are given.  We complete assignment books together each day and they should be bringing it home on a daily basis.  Please check over your child’s assignment book and feel free to check their completed work.  We want them to be successful fourth graders, but it will take teamwork between the students, teachers and parents.  We can’t do it without you!

            *HOMEWORK POLICY – You received a copy of our homework policy at the beginning of the year.  This policy is being enforced.  A parent note will be sent home any time your child has forgotten to bring back their homework or has not finished their work.  We will expect you to sign this note and return it.  We hope this form of communication keeps you abreast of any problems early on.  Unfortunately, if your child does not return their yellow note, we are not sure if you’re aware of the situation.  Therefore the student stays in at recess to study until the work and the note are turned in.  As we said in our note, chronic offenders will be staying after school to complete their work. Each child has subject folders for daily assignments.  The Friday folder will be sent home with completed work for the week.. Please return the Friday folder on Monday. Students may return papers to put in the recycling bin.

*GRADING   Assessment/quarterly grades will be based on PERFORMANCE (70%) and PRACTICE (30%). Feel free to check what has been assessed during the quarter on the Power School computer program. HPS has asked that we have less than 15 grades per subject per quarter.

            *ABSENCES – There are times when your child is sick or must by absent from school.  To help your child not get too bogged down with homework, we would like to get assignments sent home as soon as possible.  Please make arrangements to have another sibling or student pick up your child’s work on days they miss school or come get it yourself if we are notified.  We want your child’s year to go smoothly and hopefully learn a lot and have some fun along the way!!!

            *PORTFOLIOS:  Tests, projects, reports, stories, will be collected throughout the year and shared with you at each quarter. We plan to purchase these through the co op.  More info later.

            If your child will be gone, please send a note prior to  or on the day of your child’s absence or appointment. The less interruptions during class the better and it will help in rescheduling tests.