Open house 14

Welcome To

Mrs. Wardell’s

Class

Meet The Teacher

Welcome to my class! I wanted to share a little with you about me and my family.

I have been teaching for 27 years and this is my 15th year at George Walton. I have taught kindergarten, second, and

fourth. I love fourth graders! They are a unique group of students

and we have so much fun during the year!I am married (25 years) to Dan Wardell and have two grown

children.My daughter, Kathryn, graduated from GWA in 2010 with

honors. She is a recent graduate from Georgia College and State University and is presently looking for a job in her field.

Send some prayers her way! PLEASE My son, Spencer, graduated this past year from GWA and will be a freshman at the University of North Georgia! They both were very active here at GWA and feel our school prepared

them greatly for college.I graduated from the University of Georgia where I was a member of the Redcoat Band and sang in a young adult ensemble. Your student may come home singing a crazy song or two that I made up to help them remember an

important concept .I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your student!

Morning RoutineAlthough school doesn’t “officially” start until 8:15, students who arrive between 7:45-8:00 have more time to unpack, complete their spelling spiral, and get settled before the day begins. If your child arrives after 8:15, you must sign them in at the front office.

Class Rules1. I will RESPECT all my teachers by:

● LISTENING CAREFULLY ● FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

2. I will RESPECT my classmates by: ● WORKING QUIETLY so I do not disturb

them ● USING KIND WORDS AND ACTIONS ● TAKING CARE OF MY OWN BUSINESS

3. I will RESPECT my school by: ● TAKING CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY We use a card system in our class and any broken rules

for the week will be recorded on the weekly graded papers. Behavior is used in determining the conduct grade for report cards.

Academic changes this year:

We are moving to a new and improved mode of learning this year. We will still keep the academic rigor of previous years, but we will be using different, more authentic resources.

Each teacher will be teaching the following subjects to their homeroom: Reading: We will teach reading skills using novels, nonfiction resources, and the textbook.

Spelling: We will be using the Reading Street workbooks to teach Spelling with homework assignments and weekly tests on the words.

Science and Social Studies: We will teach these subjects on alternate quarters (Science-1st & 3rd quarter, SS- 2nd & 4th).

Academic changes this year:

The students will rotate for these classes:

Mrs. Folsom – Math using the new math book!

Mrs. Gudnason – Writing – focusing on the writing process, creative expression with words, and

writing with a purpose.

Mrs. Wardell – Grammar – focusing on the rules of English, and creating habits of applying those in their

writing and speaking.

Homework• Homework is a big part of our curriculum in fourth grade and counts as a percentage of the student’s over-all grade on report cards. • Homework is expected from each student the next day unless another date is specified by the teacher assigning the homework.

• Failure to return the homework will result in a lower grade. Unreturned homework assignments will also affect the student’s effort grade on their report card. Missed homework assignments for the week will be recorded on the student’s weekly graded papers.

Homework Not Handed In

This is just a note to inform you that your child has not handed in his/her homework today.

Name: ____________________________________________________

Date: ______________________________ Grade received is circled: 50 0

(Return tomorrow for half credit)

Assignment: ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________________

Please sign this and return tomorrow.

Thank you ,

Mrs. Gudnason Mrs. Wardell

Agendas andStudent

Responsibilities Students are expected to get their agenda signed each night.

Students are expected to write ALL their assignments in their agenda each day. I will post assignments to my website. However, there may be

circumstances that prohibit this. ALWAYS look in agenda first.

Remember that it is your student’s responsibility to write down each assignment on a daily basis. I will check that the information was written, but not for accuracy.

WEEKLY GRADED PAPERS• Graded papers will go home each Tuesday from the previous week.

• Each child will return the graded paper packet to school on Wednesday.

• A sheet for parent’s signature will be included in the packet. You must sign that sheet and return it with any work that may be stapled to that sheet. The rest of the work can stay with you at home.

First Four Weeks of Fourth Grade:• Fourth grade will be different than anything your child has encountered so far.

• We spend a lot of time in fourth grade learning to be good students of work, study, organization, and homework habits.

• These qualities are shaped in the student because all three fourth grade teachers require and expect it of each student.

• The first four weeks or so, can sometimes look from a parent’s standpoint, like the student is struggling. I promise you they are just learning how to adjust to the fourth grade way.

• If your student is truly struggling - you will be contacted by me. All I can say is “trust” me with this and give your student some time to adjust. Remember, I have been teaching students for 27 years and I promise I will contact you if I feel something more is going on.

• PLEASE let the student be responsible for themselves and their actions and choices. I promise you that you will see a different student after the first progress report. I have found that when parents and teachers are on the same page by allowing the student to face consequences - these students adjust to the rules and ways of fourth grade quicker and easier.

Thank you .

Setting up a conference:

• Conferences will be set up in October-November. • If I notice a situation is not improving after progress reports have gone out, I will schedule a conference with you between that time and report cards. • If you have questions or concerns, you can email me at:

school email is [email protected]

• You may also call the lower school office and leave a message for me to call you in regards to a conference (not during the first four weeks of school please).

• If you have questions concerning subjects taught by one of the other two teachers, email them directly. You can also set up individual conferences with them after the first four weeks of school.

Fourth Grade Websites:

Each teacher will have her own website. Check that sight for weekly updates

and homework assignments.

Our web address is: superteachgwa.blogspot.com

RenWebThis is the new system for managing grades, attendance and more.

You will be able to get specific grade information on a weekly basis like the middle and high school kids.

All three fourth grade teachers will be using Remind 101 this year to send out text messages concerning their individual subject class. This system resembles the “calling tree” that the school uses, but is done with a text. We will be sending reminders of upcoming tests and any changes in homework, etc. that concern our individual subject taught. I have attached a packet for signing up for this service. You will need to sign up using each teachers # and message code given to them by Remind 101. Directions are easy to follow on the instruction sheets, but I have highlighted exactly what you need to complete. This is just one more way that technology is going to help you stay connected to what is going on in each of the subjects your child is learning this year.

Please feel free to sign up before leaving open house and I will be available to help you if you have any questions.

101

After School Help• After school help will be provided to those students who have shown signs of struggling for the week (based on teacher observation). • I will send home an “invitation” to your child on with a R.S.V.P. slip for you to return letting me know that they will stay for the session.

•Remember this is ONLY for struggling students and you must receive and return the “invitation” in order to attend.

• It is not mandatory to attend but just a service I will provide to give my struggling students some extra help.

• You must plan on being in the hall outside our room at 3:00 to pick up your child. Any students left after 3:05 will be sent to aftercare on the hill and you can pick them up there for a small fee.

Guests at LunchPlease join us for lunch when you can! If you plan to eat from the cafeteria with your student, you will pay at the

check-out counter during the lunch period. Do not send in the money with your child that morning.

Please eat at the guest table when dining with your student.

The time you spend eating with your student at lunch is time for you and them. Other students are not allowed to join you during this time unless they are siblings who have

lunch at the same time. Ice cream may be purchased only if you are eating with your

child and for your child only.

Birthdays We look forward to celebrating each child’s birthday at lunch. This is when your child will be allowed to pass out edible

treats. This eliminates eating in the classroom. If your child has a summer birthday please contact the

teacher to coordinate another date to celebrate. If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or a holiday please

contact the teacher to coordinate another date to celebrate. Treats are not passed out to one or two students in another

class. If you choose to bring treats for the entire fourth grade that is your option, if not, then only students in our class should receive them.

If you will not be able to attend and help your child pass out their treats, please send in something that does not need to be sliced (ex. cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc . . .)

Candles ARE NOT allowed! Thank you.

I look forward to spending a

wonderful year with you and your child.

Fourth grade is a very magical year

and if we work together as a team, I am confident that your child will have

their GREATEST learning year ever. Please feel free to

contact me anytime with questions and concerns–we ARE

on the same team.

Mrs. Wardell