Classroom Procedures for the 2010-11 School Year

Daily Schedule

7:55-8:30: Problem of the Day/Writing/States and Capitals; This will only be on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
7:55-8:35: Mass; This will only be on Tuesday and Friday.
8:35-9:20: Mathematics
9:20-9:55: P.E. (Monday, Wednesday); Music (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
9:55-10:00: Restroom Break
10:00-10:30: Language Arts
10:30-10:55: Reading and Comprehension; We will have a Reading Assessment on Fridays.
10:55-11:10: Spelling; We will have a Spelling Test on Fridays.
11:10- 11:40 Recess
11:40-12:10: Lunch
12:15-12:40: Religion; There will be a Worship Bulletin every Friday.
12:40-1:10: Science
Computer Lab
1:10- 1:25: Computer Lab /Handwriting/States and Capitals; This will only be on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursdays.
1:10-1:40: Art; This will only be on Wednesdays.
1:35-2:15: Social Studies
1:45- 2:15: Library; This will only be on Fridays.
2:15-2:30 Recess
2:35- 2:55: Silent Sustained Reading
2:55-3:15: Study Hall and Check Agendas
3:15-3:25: Get ready to go home.

 

Grading Scale

A+ = 99% -100%
A= 95% - 98%
A- = 93% - 94%
B+ = 91% - 92%
B = 87% - 90%
B- = 85% - 86%
C+ = 83% - 84%
C = 78% - 82%
C- = 76% - 77%
D+ = 74% - 75%
D = 72% - 73%
D- = 70% - 71%
F = 69% or below (redo)

 

Power School

Just like in the past years, we will be using Power School. I encourage you to check your child’s grades regularly. I update grades on a daily basis, so it is always changing. You should already have an existing user name and password for each child. You will still use the same user name and password for this year. If you do not have one or have forgotten it, please check with the office or Mr. Maxton. Again, please check your child’s grades as much as possible. Then, if you have any questions about a grade feel free to contact me. Emailing me is the best and quickest way for me to respond. My email address is bramsey@stmarysderby.com.

Birthdays

It is always so much fun to celebrate birthdays. There are 17 students plus the teacher. I just ask that you also provide napkins as well along with the snack. Summer birthdays can be celebrated in May. Please, do not bring a cake. I do not mind cupcakes, cookies, etc. It takes up time to cut the cake and then pass it all out and it is very messy. Again, no cakes!!

 

Book Orders

I will be sending home book orders. Please fill out the order form, cut it out and send it back to school along with the payment. Payment needs to be in the form of a check. Please check the order form to see if checks should be made payable to Scholastic Book Club. No cash please!

 

Classroom Rules

1. Talking or misbehavior - You will receive a warning and then after that you will lose recess time.

2. Late, Incomplete, or Forgotten Papers at Home - You will have an automatic 15% taken off your paper.

3. Forgot your name on your paper - You will owe 5 minutes of recess time.

4. Redo Papers - Anything below a 70% will automatically be redone. An automatic 15% will be taken off of your redo paper. Redo papers will try to be done at recess time.

ALWAYS SHOW REVERENCE AND BE A ROLE MODEL!!!

 

“Living Our Faith” Basket

In our classroom there is a basket called “Living Our Faith” basket. The basket is used for 3 purposes: 1) respecting others, 2) good acts, and 3) prayer intentions. First, respecting others. If throughout the day there are any concerns with other students or problems your child is having, they are encouraged to put it on a note card and drop it in the “Living Our Faith” basket. I will then read these and address the issues with the student(s) involved. They will need to sign their name at the bottom so I know who I need to talk with, otherwise I can’t fix the problem. Also in the “Living Our Faith” basket they are encouraged to write complements about other classmates. For example, if someone out a recess was feeling left out and one of the classmates came over and played with them, I would encourage the person feeling left out to write it down on the note card and place it in the basket. Those kinds of behaviors are encouraged! Third, the basket is also used for prayer requests. If there is something they would like to pray for write it on the note card and place it in the basket. Then, we will include those prayer petitions the next morning. I will be checking the basket daily! This is how we can show the students are living out their faith-- daily prayer and striving to live like Jesus Christ wants us to live.

Mass Participation

Mass participation is expected. Participation at mass will also count towards part of the student’s Conduct grade. The students must be actively participating, which includes singing along with the music book opened to the correct song.

Also in 4th grade, students will be given opportunities to be a leader at mass. These roles include lector, petitions, and song leaders. Mrs. Gassmann determines the song leaders. I will choose the lector and people to read petitions. I do watch for those who are actively participating at mass to help choose those particular students.

We also are in charge of some Prayer Services, which the students will lead. Your child will get a chance to lead at mass/prayer service.

Folders

The students will be bringing home one folder each day with all of their papers in it. Please make sure you check their folder and look at the papers they did at school. This is one of the links between the teacher and the parents. In their folders may be notes from me. Papers will be sent home on a daily basis!

 

Agenda Books

Please make sure you check your child’s agenda book. The students are writing all of their assignments in there and are crossing them off after they complete a task. This is a way you can tell what your child has done at school that day. Again, please make sure you look at your child’s agenda! I do check their agendas at the end of the day. On Fridays, I will write a little note letting you know how your child’s week was. Please sign your child’s agenda every Friday!
Newsletter and Website

The St. Mary’s website is a great resource to use in order to know what is happening in the classroom. I will update the website regularly. On the St. Mary’s website (http://www.stmarysderby.com) go to the School link and under the School link go to Staff and Class News. When you are there click on my picture and it will take you to our classroom’s webpage. There you will find important information that is happening in class, what we are doing in each subject, etc. I will also send home a hard copy of this as well on every Monday. Please look for it in your child’s folder.

Testing

This year in 4th grade we do have assessment tests. The 4th graders will be tested in Reading, Math, and Science for the State along with the Stewards (Religion) Test for the Diocese There is a lot of material to cover this year and the children are always very eager to learn. When testing time comes around please make sure your child gets adequate sleep and also has a nutritious breakfast. A note will be sent home closer to time to remind you.

4th Grade Curriculum

Included in this packet you will find a summary of the curriculum in which the students will be learning this year. This curriculum is from the State in which all 4th graders in Kansas will be learning. You can also find this information on the class website on St. Mary’s.

 

Religion Curriculum

The Wichita Dioceses has also set standards that are in place for our religion curriculum. Here are some of the highlights of topics we will be covering in 4th grade this year.

The Ten Commandments
Theological virtues—Define faith, hope, and love
The Seven Sacraments
Beatitudes
Corporal Works of Mercy
Ascension
Assumption
Immaculate Conception
Annunciation
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The steps in making a good Confession
Many Saints
Prayers: Nicene Creed
Act of Faith
Act of Hope
Act of Love
Fatima Prayer
Stations of the Cross
Plus much, much more

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. My email address is bramsey@stmarysderby.com. You may also call me at school, 788-3151, or home, 788-1140. If I see any concerns I will let you know as soon as possible. It is very important that we communicate effectively for your child’s sake and success. We are working together to raise your child to be more like Christ. Believe it or not, YOU are your child’s first and foremost Teacher. I am here to work with your child on his/her journey of education and faith. I am very excited about this school year! We are going to have a super year. I know we will have a productive year working together.