Slide 1:Welcome! While you are waiting, please look through the information on your student’s desk. There is also a letter to you that you may read and respond to. You may take these with you as you leave.


Mrs. Koerkenmeier’s 4th Grade Class :Mrs. Koerkenmeier’s 4th Grade Class Welcome Families!


All About Me :All About Me My background I was born in Kansas City. I have lived in Kansas and Tennessee. I attended Emporia State University for my bachelors degree in Elementary Education.--- GO HORNETS!!! My experience This is my 3rd year teaching here at NIKE. I love the Gardner district and hope to be here for a long time. My Hobbies Reading, running, talking my dogs for walks, and talking with friends and family.


Slide 4: 8:15-8:40 Arrive/Morning Work 8:40-9:00 Reading Rally 9:00-10:00 Whole Group Reading 10:00-11:00 Specials (based on N,I, K, E rotation) 11:00-12:00 Reading (Tiers II and III) 12:00-12:30 Lunch 12:30-1:00 Recess 1:00-2:00 Math 2:00-2:20 Spelling 2:20-2:30 Pack up 2:30-3:20 S.S/Science/Writing 3:20-3:25 Dismiss Schedule


Philosophy :Philosophy Students are expected to be responsible-they will take on tasks that help run the classroom All students should feel safe and accepted in our classroom. Bullying is unacceptable. We are trying to build a great team that can work together, with all differences aside. Students should always try their best.


Classroom Rules :Classroom Rules Come to class prepared! RESPECT others and their property. Listen and follow all directions the first time. DO YOUR BEST! We discussed these rules as a class and agree that they are all very important in making a class run smoothly.


Morning Work :Morning Work Please make sure your student is here by 8:15 each day. This will ensure all morning work is completed. Daily oral exercises are a daily, non-graded practice in grammar and math. The purpose of these exercises is to help students with some computational and logical thinking skills.


Areas of Curriculum :Areas of Curriculum Reading Leveled, upper elementary guided reading groups Students read a variety of text focusing on fluency and comprehension Reading and writing are cohesive-students work on both during literacy block. Writing Six Traits: Organization, Ideas, Word Choice, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions Will work on studying and practicing various genres such as persuasive, informative, technical, and narrative writing.


Curriculum, cont. :Curriculum, cont. Social Studies 50 States and Capitals Locate and Spell Testing Study West, Midwest, Northeast and Southern Regions The students will study the economy, landforms, customs, European explorers, Native Americans, history, and population of these regions. Students will complete one guided inquiry project for each region State Report April Expect more homework at this time Make sure that this is the student’s work Science Complete hands-on experiments in the areas of measurement, electricity/magnetism, landforms, earth materials, and variables. Students will be tested on units with multiple choice, short answer, and performance questions. Students will have an opportunity to explore life cycles and habitats at Earthworks field trip! Students will be expected to be an “expert” in their assigned areas prior to the trip.


Curriculum, cont. :Curriculum, cont. Math Expect children to talk about “new,” (unfamiliar) mathematical terminology Supplemented with daily computation problems and timed tests (multiplication and division facts) Homework frustration should be expected. If you and your student are stuck, put down the book and have them talk to me the next day. Don’t Stress!!! Students will be tested on most math units. We will have a review session the day before the test, and they will be given a study guide. Spelling We will be continuing the spelling program called “Words Their Way.” This is an excellent way to explore words as opposed to memorizing a weekly spelling list.


Slide 11:Other 4th Grade Information


Agendas :Agendas Students are expected to fill out their agenda at end of every day with their assignment(s) for that evening. Parent(s) initial each night to ensure home and classroom communication. I will check every morning for parent signature. Students do have the chance to earn money by having their agendas returned and signed each day: They are responsible for coming to you each night to check off!


Homework :Homework Homework Packets – I will not be sending home a weekly packet, but sometimes there may be activities that your student does not finish in the class that will be sent home to be finished and returned. It will be your students responsibility to write this in the agendas and to get the work completed. If any of the work I assign ever seems too difficult for your child, please let me know privately. I do not want to frustrate them and we will look into ways to assist them at home and school. Spelling – We will be continuing the Words Their Way (WTW) spelling program. Students will be working on a new leveled sort each week and may have additional activities coming home each week that they can do with their word list. Go Folder – Please go through this and look for work to be done and things that may stay home. Please clean it out nightly. Things that are on the TO DO side need to be brought back. Things that are on the Leave At Home side may stay at home. Please make sure your child didn’t put something that needs to be returned on the wrong side. We are working on responsibility, so make sure your child is having some part in this process!


“Cool Cash” :“Cool Cash” I am sure you have heard about our Money Exchange, but if you haven’t here it is in a nutshell. Each student earns money by completing respectful tasks (following directions, working hard, helping a friend, etc.) There is not set amount for what they earn. Students may also lose money for not following directions. Once every two weeks, we will have a class auction where students can “bid” on items using the money they have earned. Any items you could send to be put in the auction would be of great help. I would appreciate any support in filling the box, and I know the students would also. Thank you in advance .


Marble Jar and Group Points :Marble Jar and Group Points Marble Jar: The class has the opportunity to earn a class reward by working together during specials, lunch, class, and in the hallway. When they receive a compliment or do an outstanding job during specials they receive 3-5 marbles. When we reach our marble goal, we will receive a class party that the students voted on. If they struggle as an entire class during any of these times, they could also lose a marble. Groups Points: We are working really hard this year on teamwork and building a great team/class. Groups are organized by who they are sitting with (and this will change throughout the year). Points are earned for great teamwork such as working together and working quietly. The group with the most points at the end of the week chooses a prize that they will receive Monday morning.


Birthday Parties :Birthday Parties Treats may be sent to school in the morning. We will celebrate in the afternoon after lunch and recess. We currently have 19 students. Birthday invitations – Please do not send party invitations unless you are sending one to every student in the class. Summer birthdays – These may be celebrated on their half birthday or at any time during the month of May. Please let me know in advance as May becomes a very busy month.


Room Parties :Room Parties We have three parties this year: Fall Party, Winter Party, and a Spring Party. If you signed up to help or bring something, I will send home a reminder note about a week in advance. There are a few open spots left. Sign up sheets are on the side table.


Extras :Extras KU Reading Award – Sheet will be sent home in the next week. You or your student can record all NON-AR books on this sheet and send back to school at the end of each quarter. There will be a reminder sent home to have this filled out and returned. School Supplies – Look for notes about needed supplies or the online wishlists. Book Orders – These will come home about once a month. If the combined order does not reach $20 shipping is not free. I will contact you about either paying/splitting shipping costs or returning your money. Newsletter – I will be sending out my own classroom newsletter on paper and on our grade-wide WIKI. AR (Accelerated Reader) – We will be spending time focusing on reading for enjoyment this year. The students will be encouraged to take AR tests when they have finished reading a book. We are privileged to have a number of books in our library as AR books. The list is also available online on the NIKE page .


Contact Information and Communication :Contact Information and Communication E-mail: koerkenmeierd@usd231.com. My phone number is 856-3011. Monthly Newsletter Agendas Class Web Page (wiki) Nikefourthgrade@pbwiki.com Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns.


Slide 20:Please look at the white conference sheet on the front table and sign up for a slot (I will send reminders closer ton conferences!) Also, if you are able to send anything or volunteer for a class celebration, please sign up using the sheets on the front table. Also, remind your students how proud you are of their achievements!