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Language Arts

Our reading program, Wonders includes grammar and writing.  Students will use the Wonders Practice Book. Other materials will be provided by the teacher (grammar packets, writing rubrics, and writing resources).

               Weekly grammar instruction will be included.  Homework is typically assigned nightly in grammar.  Students will often have a small amount of class time to begin their grammar homework.  Worksheets in the practice book will be completed as part of class instruction.  I create packets for additional practice.  We also complete notes in a “Grammar Rock” notebook.  Students may refer to this notebook for homework and for studying for tests.  Grammar tests are given on Day 6.

             We will complete many writing projects throughout the year.  Most of the time the genre is chosen by the teacher, but students choose their own topic.  A rubric will be used to assess your child’s final copy.  We will move through the writing process in class.  Please do not correct, write, or change your child’s assignments. Typed assignments will not be accepted.  Due to time constraints, students may have to work on these at home if they do not finish in class.  If a writing assignment comes home, it is important that parents do not do the work for their child.

Grading

In language arts, grading is comprised of writing projects, grammar assessment, and grammar homework packets.  There may be other assignments included this grade.

Assignments may be turned in late according to the following guidelines.  Homework is generally given 1 point; late homework must be turned in the next day for ½ point.   Your child will be given a zero for homework assignments if they are not turned in the next school day.  Illnesses and absences will be taken into consideration.  Generally, students are given one extra day to turn in work for each day that is missed.

Writing assignments that are late will have 10% of the final grade deducted for each day it is late.

Reading

Our reading series, Wonders, is aligned to the ELA Common Core standards.  This series also includes grammar, spelling, and writing instruction.  In addition to whole group instruction, paired reading, and independent work, students will be working in reading stations in my classroom.  The leveled readers and packets in these stations are differentiated for the different reading levels of 4th grade students.  Your child may change groups based on assessments, classroom performance, and teacher discretion.  Please check the newsletter for the weekly story selection, skills, and assessments and/or due dates.  I also include a reading “mini-project” to reinforce skills in a creative way for each selection.

Before the winter break and after PSSA testing, we will complete novel units.  My reading assignments do change during those times and will be communicated to students and parents.

Reading comprehension tests and vocabulary tests will be given on Day 6.  A reading “mini-project” will be assigned with each lesson or groups of lessons.  These assignments are another way for students to earn grades outside of taking a test.  They will reinforce one of the selection’s reading skills, include writing, and often allow for student creativity.  They will be graded based on the rubric on the assignment and in Schoology.

Grading

In reading, grading is comprised of comprehension and vocabulary assessments, skills test with cold reads, mini-reading projects, novel tests and novel packets.  There may be other assignments included this grade.

Assignments may be turned in late according to the following guidelines.  Homework is generally given 1 point; late homework must be turned in the next day for ½ point.   Your child will be given a zero for homework assignments if they are not turned in the next school day.  Illnesses and absences will be taken into consideration.  Generally, students are given one extra day to turn in work for each day that is missed.

Mini-reading projects and novel packets that are late will have 10% of the final grade deducted for each day it is late.

Spelling

Students will receive 20 words each week.  Generally, spelling homework is assigned first thing in the morning as morning work, so students may have time to begin the assignment.  In a typical week, there will be an assignment made each day.  Homework is due the next school day, and students earn two points per assignment.  The spelling test will be given on Day 5.  Spelling will run on Days 1-5, with a break on Day 6.

Grading

Spelling grades are comprised of test and weekly assignments.