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2003-2004 Disclosure Document
Mrs. Van Horn
4th Grade

Welcome to the 4th grade. I am looking forward to working with your child this year. The following information will help you understand my curriculum, policies and procedures. Please call me if you have any questions, concerns, or input (756-8525). I look forward to learning from and working with many of you!

Curriculum
(Follows Utah State Core Curriculum, see attached)

Language
We will be using Scholastic’s Literacy Place text for vocabulary and shared reading as a class along with comprehension worksheets. We will also have cursive practice, and daily oral language each week. Each language assignment will be calculated into your child’s language grade.

Spelling
Scholastic’s Literacy Place will also be our resource for spelling words. Your student will be required to complete spelling homework each week as well as in class spelling assignments. Spelling homework is due each Friday and spelling tests will be administered the same day. Homework, in class practice worksheets, and tests will determine your child’s spelling grade.

Writing Workshop
Writing will be taught 3-4 times per week in blocks of 30-50 minutes. Students will learn the basic steps of the writing process, pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing. They will also have mini-lessons that will include the six traits of writing and other writing topics. Writing grades are given based on participation in writing workshop and completion of writing assignments.

Reading Workshop
Reading will be taught in 30-40 minute blocks each day during reading workshop which may include any of the following: book talks, individual reading time, and writing in a journal about their reading. Reading workshop may also include mini-lessons on keeping track of their own reading, making wise book choices, genres of literature, comprehension strategies, etc.

Daily Reading at Home
Students are required to read 20 minutes a day at least 5 times a week. Each child will be required to get parent signatures for daily reading on the monthly calendar in his/her planner. Your child’s reading grade reflects his/her consistency in reading each night and having parents sign the reading calendar. Your child will receive 5 points per signature with the option of 5 points bonus each week. His/her grade will be calculated each week out of 25 points. Please help your child by providing access to books and quiet time each night. Your child’s reading grade will reflect completion of reading 20 minutes at home, reading journals in class, in class assignments, and participation in reading workshop.

Math
Alpine Elementary uses the Investigations curriculum, which requires patience and help from all the parents. This is a wonderful program that lets children explore numbers and build a strong foundation of problem solving and number sense. Your child will be expected to complete in-class assignments and participate in discussions and group work. His/Her grade will be reflected by how well he/she participates in class and completes in-class and homework assignments. Tests at the end of each unit will also be calculated into his/her grade.

We will have timed multiplication tests each week and your child will be required to pass off times tables through 12’s. Some time will be spent in class, but please help your child study his/her times tables at home!

Social Studies
4th grade social studies is an exciting year during which we will focus on the history of Utah. Our text is The Utah Adventure. We will learn about the people, and events that have helped shape Utah. We have some exciting field trips and activities planned along with many of our units. Your child’s grade will be determined by completion of packets, take-home projects, and tests.

Science
Much of our focus in science will coincide with our study of Utah. We will learn about Utah as we study plants, animals, soil, rocks, and minerals. We will also study the water cycle and weather. Your child will be graded on completion packets, homework, and tests.

Art
We will be learning concepts of art and be completing various art projects during the year. Many projects will be integrated into science, social studies, math, and language. Your child’s art grade will be determined by his/her participation in class and completion of assignments/projects.

PE/Health
We will participate in Presidential Fitness and learn sportsmanship, fitness, and healthy lifestyle patterns in PE and health. Grades will reflect your child’s participation and completion of packets.

Music/Computer
Specialists in these areas will teach and assign grades in the music and computer curriculum. Our class will attend music twice and computers once each week.

Policies
Grading Policy
Most subjects will receive a percentage that corresponds to a letter grade.
0-59 Incomplete (I) 83-86 B
60-69 Passing (P) 87-89 B+
70-72 C- 90-92 A-
73-76 C 93-96 A
77-79 C+ 97-100+ A+
80-82 B-

Most math assignments will be graded based on a 1-4 scale and then converted into a percentage and corresponding letter grade.

Homework Policy
Each student will be responsible for completing daily in-class assignments. Any in-class work that is not completed during the school day is considered homework and must be turned in as soon as possible. Regular spelling, reading, and math homework is assigned each week. Spelling lists and suggested spelling activities are sent home at the beginning of the year. It is your child’s responsibility to complete enough spelling activities per week at home to earn an A, and turn them in on Fridays. Students are also required to read 20 minutes a day 5 times per week and sign a monthly reading calendar in their planners. A traditional math assignment will be sent home on Mondays and be due on Fridays. It will cover a topic discussed in class the previous week. Other math homework is assigned about 2-4 times per week, but will not be assigned if we do not complete the day’s lesson. Homework in social studies, science, art, or health may also be assigned periodically with a specific due date.

Attendance Policy
Students are allowed in the building at 9:00 am and school begins at 9:05 am. I expect students to be to class on time. Your child is responsible to complete required work that he/she missed because of absence(s) and turn it in as soon as possible. Absences because of illness are excused so please send a note to me so I can document them as so.

Planners
Your child will be given a planner to record daily activities, homework and reminders. The purpose of the planners is to encourage students’ responsibility and organization by keeping track of assignments and to inform parents of homework and daily activities. The planner must be taken home and brought back to school daily. Please review your child’s planner daily to see if any homework has been assigned. The monthly reading calendar will also be in your child’s planner.

Monday Memos
Each Monday a folder will be sent home. The folder will have any flyers from the office, notes from me about behavior, reminders of upcoming events, and your child’s completed work. I will try to only send information home one day a week in the folders. You will need to sign the folders, verifying that you have seen all the information inside, and return the folder to school with your child the VERY NEXT DAY with any items that need to be returned.

Weekly Newsletters
A class newsletter will be sent home weekly in the Monday Memos, notifying you of upcoming events and informing you of what we are currently studying at school. I will use these newsletters as an important form of communication with you. Please read the newsletter each week to find out any important information.

Class Website (www.mrsvanhorn.com)
Another great way to keep in touch with class information and assignments is to visit our class website. You can visit it to find out about homework, read about class information and find spelling lists. You can also contact me through email from the website. It will be updated each week with information about upcoming class events and weekly homework assignments.

Show and Tell
Each Friday, your child will be allowed to bring an item to show the class or tell of an experience they had. If your child wants to bring in a pet, please have an adult bring it in during show and tell time and then take it with them afterwards. Also, please have your child notify me in advance if a pet will be brought in.

Book Orders
I will send home book orders about once a month for your convenience. Please make all checks payable to the book order company. When more than one book order is sent home, you may consolidate your payment into one check payable to scholastic book clubs.

Donations
Our 4th grade is asking for a donation of $15.00 per student to cover the cost of field trips and supplies. The donation is voluntary, and no child will be excluded for non-payment. Sometimes we will ask for items from home for hands-on activities or other events.

Hope of America
The 4th grade will participate in the “Hope of America” celebration held at the Marriott Center in Provo as part of the Freedom Festival in April. This is a particularly important event, since our 4th grade will be the only class performing our “United States of America” dance. Your child will have a specific part assigned to him/her and we will be practicing this dance for several months during school in preparation for the event. When it draws nearer we will send a note home with the specific date and times of the performance.

Suggested supplies for each student

1 small pencil box w/lid
1 set of colored pencils
1 box of tissue
2 glue sticks

Please do not send extra supplies with your student.

Management Plan

Your child will know what is expected of him/her and what the consequences will be for appropriate and inappropriate behavior. He/She will be taught accountability for his/her actions through consistent consequences. I expect each child to try their best academically and be responsible for their work and behavior during school at all times. My motive will be to help each child believe that they can succeed. In addition, the classroom will be organized in such a manner that creates class unity and positive support among all students and teacher. Finally, classroom instruction will be presented in a way that is interesting and stimulating to everyone.

Classroom Rules

1. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
2. Do not name-call, tease, or bully others.
3. Follow directions.
4. Show respect to people and objects.

I will use a chart that displays each child’s name. A stick with 4 colors can be moved to show the following behavior for each student:

Green- Displayed when your child is following the rules and there are no
immediate problems.

Yellow- Shown as a warning for the first time your child is having difficulty with a rule.

Red- Displayed the second time your child is having difficulty with a rule. He/She will be required to stay in from recess and complete an “Action Plan” detailing their behavior. This will be sent home in the weekly communication folder.

Blue- Is shown the third time your child is having difficulty with a rule. He/She will lose the privilege of attending our monthly activity. You will be notified by phone/mail.

Rewards

When appropriate behavior occurs, one or more of the following actions will be taken:

-Specific praise for good behavior in the form of a verbal or written note.
-Gain of a desired activity.
-Phone call or note to parents to discuss the good behavior.
-The opportunity to participate in our monthly reward activities.

Consequences

If rules are broken, one or more of the following actions will be taken:

-Verbal warnings
-Private discussion with the child, “Is that showing respect”
-Lost privileges, and/or “Action Plan”
-Loss of monthly reward activities, and/or administration intervention.
***Severe behavior problems result in an automatic “Blue”.