Welcome• As you are waiting…

– Please write down the best way to contact

you throughout the week (e-mail or phone).

– Please feel free to look around the room or

through the packet.

– Then just get comfortable!

Welcome to our 4th Grade Class!

Mr. Matt Brooks

A little bit about myself…

– Teaching in the district for 17 years.– Married with 3 children, all girls, ages

13, 11, and 9.– Graduated from NIU.– Avid mountain biker.

Personalized Learning Environment

• There will be personalized learning environments for reading this year!

• What does that mean?– Students will be working with

multiple teachers – Mrs. Rivera, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Bremer, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Mahoney

– Flexible groupings based on MAP test scores, observations in class, and students’ needs.

Personalized Learning Environment

• Why multiple teachers?– Better student to teacher ratio– Easier for teachers to meet variety of

each student’s needs.• Why multiple grade levels?– Reading groups not based on grade

level but vocabulary, literature, and informational text skills.

Achieve• Nonfiction high interest reading.• Based on student’s reading ability.• Able to track growth. • Web-based program.• Used at school, but student has

option to use at home (reading record).

Reading• Students’ Reading grade will include

their AR test average for the grading period as an in-class grade.

• Each Thursday I will hand out a weekly Reading log. Students need to read for at least 20 minutes a night for four nights. Obviously they may read more. This does not have to be an AR book.

Language• The Language grade will consist of

grammar, spelling, punctuation, dictionary skills, and writing.

• Writing – We will be writing personal narratives, informational reports, persuasive essays, etc.

• Correct letter formation counts on spelling tests, including dotting i’s and crossing t’s.

Language• Words Their Way-Students will get spelling

words on Monday. There were also be a final test on the words on the following Friday. Spelling contracts will be handed out on the second Monday and due on Friday. Hopefully, this helps with responsibility.

• Students will be grouped based upon the initial spelling assessment we completed at the beginning of the year.

• Every other week your child will be given a new spelling list with 20 words.

Science• Students will be using an inquiry based

approach in science. Units of study are: Magnetism and Electricity, Earth Materials, and Structures of Life

• We will read the material in class.• Reading content and vocabulary is harder.• Tests will be based on what we do in class, the

readings, and the vocabulary. • Science and Social Studies units will alternate.

Social Studies• We use the Social Studies Alive

series. The units we will be studying are:

• Social Sciences

• Regions of the U.S.A.

Social Studies• Daily Geography will be assigned on Monday

and due on Friday.

• We will do daily geography every week during

Social Studies units.

• This practices map, atlas, and globe skills.

Math• Practice facts at home with flashcards.• This year we will be using XtraMath to

practice math facts.• Topics of Study: Geometry,

Multiplication & Division, Decimals, Estimation, Angle Measurement, Fractions, Perimeter & Area, Percents, Weight/Volume/Capacity, & Symmetry, Time...

Math• There is a math reference book that

students have if they need help. They may take it home. Also, this year the reference book is online!

• Each student has an Everyday Math account. This is a great places to get extra help and play math games.

Classroom Info

Homework• Students will be given a grade based on completed

homework assignments, in class work, tests/quizzes, reading record due Thursday...

• If they do not turn in their work, or it is incomplete, an incomplete work slip will be sent home. It needs to be signed and brought back the next day.

• During the incomplete work session, your child will complete the assignment. Once it is complete, their grade may be raised to no higher than an 80%.

Homework • Each student will receive one homework

“SLIDE” per grading period. This can be used if an assignment is left at home, incomplete, lost, eaten by the dog.......... Only one slide will be given each grading period.

• “Slides” are only valid for the current grading period.

Homework• If your child needs extra help with

anything we are doing in school they can always stay after school for an extra help session. These run from 2:30-3:00. In order for them to stay they need to fill out an extra help slip and have it signed by you before they will be allowed to stay. This way there is an official copy in the office.

Homework• Reading Log – Due every Thursday

• Spelling Contracts

• Daily Geography

• Any work not finished in school (Math,

Language, Reading)

Grading• Grades: • 50% Tests/Quizzes/Projects/Essays

• 30% Classwork

• 20% Homework

• We are using “Power School” for calculating grades. You can go online and check grades anytime.

• Progress reports will not be sent home. Please view them online.

Grading (cont.)Most assignments will be sent home in the students take home folder. Please check it often.

Also, send any papers back to school in this folder.

Assignment Notebook

• Students should be writing all assignments in their assignment notebook.

• Everyday I will allow class time to write assignments down as I write them on the board.

• Please check that they are writing their assignments in their notebook everyday.

• The assignment notebook is a great way to send me a quick note if the need arises.

District Website

• Our school district website is www.whsd1.org

• I have a page on the district website. I post homework daily, and have links to useful websites and materials.

• Check out the calendar and educational resources on the website.

Binder System

• Used to keep track of weekly behavior.

• 1st signature = warning (loss of 1 ticket)

• 2nd signature = stand for 5 minutes for recess

• 3rd signature = stand for whole recess

• 4th signature = stand for recess/ phone call

home

• 5th signature = detention

Book Orders• I will hand out a Scholastic book

order most months. Occasionally we will have multiple orders. (Order online and order from any catalogue) Online Code: DQDFK

• Checks – Make payable to the Scholastic Book Club.

• Cash- Please send exact amount.

Contact Info.• You may contact me via school phone at 847/872-

5438. You can also email me at: mbrooks@whsd1.org

• If there is a serious problem please call.• REMIND: Please sign up to use “remind”. I

will send out texts for important reminders.• Text: 81010 and put @mrbrooks2 in the

message to sign up.

Conferences

•Tuesday November 10th from 12:00-8:00

Snacks• We will have a snack time each day around

9:30.

• Please make the snacks HEALTHY!!

• Our district’s wellness policy states that food students bring in needs to be healthy and includes classroom holiday parties. We are also asking that treats and drinks do not come in for birthdays.

Helpers/Party Sign-up

• Please sign-up to bring (Healthy) treats for a party if you can. I will be in touch with you to confirm. Thank you!

• Each child needs to bring in $5.00 to help cover the cost of our parties, crafts, and classroom supplies.

Helpers/Party Sign-up

• Every parent that comes helps in the classroom needs to fill out a volunteer information form and waiver of liability BEFORE they can be in the classroom.

Where to now?• When we are finished you can go to

the gym to sign up for PTO.

• Student council is selling leftover

spirit wear for $5 each.

THANK YOU !!!