September 8 , 2009
Dear Parents,
I have to complement each one of you on the wonderful children you are raising. They have such good manners and are truly a joy to have in class. Last week we wrote our classroom constitution and they have very high expectations of themselves and others. In class each student signed the larger version of this document and has agreed to abide by these rules all year. We are off to a wonderful beginning in 4th grade!
    This letter will hopefully shed some light on the many procedures and programs that will be ongoing throughout the year. I have discussed each program with your child in class. I understand all is new and different and it may take some time to absorb it all. I plan to go more in depth at Back to School Night on Thursday September 10th, so please mark your calendars and be sure to attend.

MONDAY FOLDERS- A folder entitled “Hall’s Homework and Happenings” will come home each Monday (or Tuesday if there is a holiday). In this folder I will include a monthly newsletter, student work and a mélange of notices from the school. The folder needs to be returned the next day. Feel free to return notices or include notes to me if needed.

PLANNERS- We are off to an excellent start using the daily planners. Please continue to sign them nightly. In addition to monthly newsletters and progress reports, the planner is a daily communication system designed to establish the ever critical home -school connection.

PROGRESS REPORTS – The Friday section of your child’s planner will be used to record weekly progress. If all assignments for the week are complete and have been turned in you will find a sticker in this section. If assignments are missing or incomplete, they will be highlighted in planner. Your child is to complete them over the weekend and turn them in on Monday.

C.A.L. SPELLING PROGRAM – Our C.A.L spelling program began last week! This is an integrated Language Arts and Spelling homework program. Your child’s entire spelling list is to be used to complete two activities of their choosing from each section. (see attached list) The activities must be neatly and carefully done with no spelling errors. Cursive writing will be required on all activities. All work is turned in every Thursday (Friday if Monday is a holiday)
The many choices offered are designed to encourage your child to use their creative and academic talents. I encourage creativity and inventiveness. Originality is applauded. Please discuss time management for this homework. Last minute panic on Wednesday evening will not help the learning process.
Spelling tests will be every Friday. Tests will consist of 20-30 list words with additional bonus words.

PROSPECTOR – This is my independent reading program which:

Promotes Reading Outstanding Stories and Poems to Enjoy the
Countless Treasures Of Reading.

Every child will be expected to read 30 minutes each night. Please plug in that “best” reading time for your child as some children are too tired to read before bedtime. This semester they will be expected to read 500 pages. The number will increase each semester. They will be given sustained silent reading time in class and be expected to read nightly. I will keep a running record of your child’s reading accomplishments and I will help them set personal reading goals. Private book conferences with myself or a parent volunteer will help monitor their progress. Thank you for helping your child choose their first selection.

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN CHILD – Each Friday a students name is randomly chosen to be our student of the week or in 4th grade terms our “California Golden Child”. Each student may bring in items that help us to get to know them better. Certain leadership responsibilities will be built into this honored position. The student will be interviewed by the class and special treats or guests are welcome on Fridays. Our guest time is after lunch at 1:15. This is not to be a high pressured activity for parents, but a time for your child to share himself with the class in whatever way he or she chooses.

RUBRIC GRADING SCALE- I will be addressing the 4th grade standards and benchmarks at Back to School Night, however you will be seeing your child’s work coming home scored with on 4-3-2-1- grading scale. We have discussed this rubric scale in class and will be using these standards as a basis for evaluating all student work.

4: Above fourth grade standard
3: At fourth grade standard
2: Approaching fourth grade standard
1: Below fourth grade standard
0: Incomplete work or work not turned in

I appreciate many of you inquiring about volunteering in the classroom. I welcome your help and will have a sign-up sheet in the classroom at Back to School Night. I truly appreciate all the support you have given at home to make the transition to 4th grade a smooth one for your child. I am anxious to get to know you better, and I am looking forward to meeting each of you on September 10th. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
                                                                                                    Sincerely,
                                                                                                                    Teri Hall