Ms. Christine Zollers(630) 365-8170 x 201christine.zollers@kaneland.org

13th year of teaching at John Stewart, 4th grade for 11 years

B.S. from Blackburn College

Masters from National Louis University

Konnect

www.kaneland.org This presentation Building and district postings Helpful reminders Classroom Photos Links for online bookclub orders and

curriculum links Email christine.zollers@kaneland.org

Email Communication

Important news from school. This will be the primary way I contact families.

Classroom updates (newsletters)

Please make sure that I have an email address that you check on a regular basis.

This is probably the best way to reach me if you have a question or concern. I will respond within 24 hours. I typically check email during specials time, at lunch, and in the evening.

Goals for 4th Graders

Increasing independence in classroom work and homework.

Purposeful collaboration.

Responsibility in work completion.

Creative, meaningful use of technology.

Digital citizenship.

Homework: Reading

Students are expected to read ten pages of a “just right” book each day.

Increases to 20 pages 2nd semester.

Reading log used both at home and school--to be filled out by child.

Homework: Math

Multiplication facts through 12 memorized as soon as possible.

Homework in math as deemed necessary.

Homework is not used to inform instruction.

Homework is intended to provide additional independent practice and to be completed quickly. Please write a note on the paper if it is too difficult or required more than 15 minutes.

Per new homework policy, children will not face consequences if not turned in.

Homework: Miscellaneous

Social Studies review activities

State and capital flashcards by region

Unit vocabulary

Assignments not completed in the course of the work day

Suggested home activities for science

Will be entered in assignment notebook

Homework: Word Study

The goal of our word study program is for your child to develop increasing awareness of spelling patterns. Children are asked to sort the words in a variety of ways in order for them to look for “rules to rely on.”

Word lists will be sent home first day of week, and a test of (usually) ten words from that sort will be given on the last day of the week.

Word Study (continued)

A list of suggested activities to practice your child’s word sorts will come home with their first sheet.

Curriculum Overview

Reading Workshop

Writing Workshop

Math

Science/Health

Social Studies

Readers workshop (60-90 minutes daily)

Composed of:-Shared Reading (whole group for strategy or

skill instruction)

-Guided Reading (flexible small groups determined by individual skills needs—ie: fluency or comprehension)

-Independent Reading (40 min. or more daily - individual student reads at his/her independent

reading level)

-Individual conferencing-based on child’s needs -Literature Circles, Group Novel Studies

Reading Workshop(cont.)

Also Composed of:

-Spelling/Word Study: Word Journeys program. Students are pre-tested to determine their starting cycles. Words are not to be memorized; rather, concentrate on spelling patterns and spelling rules.

Writing Workshop

Lucy Caulkins Writing Workshop program

New curriculum being used as primary tool throughout district

Aligned with common core standards

Uses whole group minilessons, small group instruction and individual conferences to support writers in the writing process

Multiple units—watch for updates

Language Arts Common Core Standards http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-lang

uage-arts-standards/

Calls for increase in research and writing, listening and speaking skills

Exposure to increasingly complex grade-level text with appropriate support as needed

Emphasis on competence in standard English grammar and usage.

Continued instruction in reading strategies but with emphasis on specific reading skills

Math

http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/grade-4/introductionMy Math Flexible group instruction based on needs.Everyday Math or other materials may be used to enrich or provide extra practice.My Math has an online component for use at school at home—details to followXtraMath website for fact practice at home or schoolIXL will also become available for practice at school and home as well for grades 3-5. Details to follow.

Science

Foss (Hands-On Approach)Ideas and Inventions

Earth Materials

Structures of Life

Physics of Sound

Engineering and problem-solving activities

Health

Personal Safety

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Disease Prevention

Earth Day

Social StudiesNystrom Exploring Where and Why

Geography Series –Hands on map skills (Physical and political maps, reading a map legend, continents and oceans, longitude and latitude)

Regions of the U.S. (States and capitals) Illinois Unit

My emphasis is on research projects rather than note-taking and test-taking. (Postcards, brochures, pop-up books, posters)

Social Studies Resources

Nystrom Exploring Where and Why

National Geographic Reading Expeditions

Scholastic News

Illinois from Sea to Shining Sea

Schedule

8:50-10:00 Reading Workshop

10:00-10:30 Power Half Hour (Primarily an extension of Reading Workshop)

10:30-11:30 Specials

11:30-12:35 Writing Workshop

12:35-1:20 Physical Activity and Lunch

1:20-2:15 Science or Social Studies

2:15-3:15 Math

Specials Daily from 10:30-11:30

Art: Mrs. Gilkey P.E. Mrs. Aversa Music: Mrs. Blackman Literacy: Mrs. Sears Computers: Ms. Svihlik

Recess/Lunch: 12:35-1:20

Classroom & Specials 

Be Ready *Do your best*Come prepared*Use materials appropriately 

Be Respectful * Listen and watch attentively*Keep self to self*Use kind words & be helpful*Raise your hand and wait your turn

Be Responsible

*Follow Directions*Make good choices*Be accountable for your actions*Report problems to teacher*Clean up after yourself

Behavior Expectations

Behavior Expectations

If a child is not meeting behavior expectations he or she will receive a verbal redirection or private conference as a warning.

If corrective actions are not taken or if the severity of the behavior justifies it, the incident will be documented on a behavior form and the office and parents will receive a copy.

Rewards:Zollers Dollars

Stresses positive rewards for behavior and great work.

Store will be opened last Friday of each month for students to select prizes.

Rewards: Knight Tickets

Given in the classroom or in other school settings.

Children are to bring them home to be signed. Ask what they did to earn it.

Periodic drawings for individual prizes

School-wide goals set for school-wide rewards.

Classroom & Specials

Hallway & Stairs

Recess & Playground

Lunchroom Bus Bathroom Library Offices

Be Respectful

* Listen and watch attentively.*Keep self to self.* Be kind & helpful.*Raise your hand and wait your turn.

*Walk quietly.*Stay in line*Keep self to self.  

*Share.*Use kind words.*Include everyone.*Keep self to self. *Use equipment properly. 

*Stay in seat.*Use an inside voice.*Keep self to self.*Raise hand for help.* Be kind & helpful.

*Use an inside voice.*Be polite and use your manners.*Hands, feet, and body to yourself. (self to self)*Listen to the driver.

*Flush.*Wash hands.*Keep self to self.*Use an inside voice. 

*Be courteous to adults.*Listen to instructions.*Whisper voice.*Use library materials in an appropriate way. 

*Wait your turn.*Quiet voice. 

Be Responsible

*Follow Directions.*Make good choices.*Accept Consequences.*Report problems to teacher.*Clean up after yourself.

*Follow Directions.*Keep hallway/stairs clean.*Hold the handrail when on stairs.  

  

*Follow directions.*Be alert.*Dress appropriate for the weather.*Clean up equipment when done.

*Follow directions.*Keep tables and floor clean.*Place garbage gently in trash can.*Report problems to lunch teachers.

*Sit facing forward.*Report problems to bus driver. *Keep seats, floor and aisle clean.*Keep all items in your backpack. 

  

*Use at appropriate times.*Keep clean.*Use water and paper wisely.*Follow class procedures.

*Walk in and out quietly.*Look for appropriate book.*Ask for help.

*Walk in and out quietly.*Return to class if no one is there.*Return any materials borrowed.

 

Be Ready *Do your best.*Come prepared.*Use materials in an appropriate way.   

*Face forward in line.*Stay on right side.*Watch where you walk.  

*Use Problem Solving skills.*Line up.*Return to class with teacher. 

*Healthy foods and drinks. *Go to assigned lunch table.*Walk quietly and line up. 

*Promptly walk to door/bus.*Take all belongings with you.  

*Quietly return to class.*When you return to class promptly begin work. 

*Be polite and use your manners.*Hands and body to yourself. 

*Be polite and use your manners.*Say Please & Thank You!

Book Orders

First one sent home Friday. May send home as many as five

catalogs.Send cash or check (made out to

Scholastic) Online ordering available. New!

Parents receive bonus for ordering online.Use bonus points to add to classroom library, gifts, and classroom store.

Reading Rewards

Ozzie Club - Kane County Cougars

600 Minute Reading Club - Great America

Also participate in Raging Waves promotion which is based on minutes of physical activity.

Field Trip

TBD—we will take a museum field trip. Details, date to follow.

Birthdays

We will use Birthday Buddies in our classroom to create a special memento for your child on his or her birthday.

Your child may distribute a non-food treat in celebration, but this is not an expectation.

No invitations can be passed out at school. Addresses and phone numbers of students can be found in the student directory. I cannot give out this information.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 5 (evening) and Thursday, November 6 (all day)

Sign up tonight in Multipurpose Room Per district rules, conferences not held on

these days must be a phone conference – teachers are not to reschedule outside the days of the scheduled dates.

Forms to Complete

Address/Contact number Sheet (must return, initial if no changes are needed)

Request for Names Questionnaire for me can be filled out later Sign up for a Parent/Teacher Conference Look for volunteer opportunities on Sign Up

Genius on Konnect