Mathematics Information Packet

MOHONASEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Pinewood Intermediate School - Grade 4
District Home Mohonasen HS Draper MS Pinewood IS Bradt PS

EVERYDAY MATH INFORMATION PACKET FOR MRS. ALTOMER

wpe2.gif (21733 bytes)

I. Working Together

All children want to do what is right and want to do things that please their parents and teachers. In order for this to occur, it is necessary for the children to understand what is expected of them and what is considered acceptable behavior in school.

Part of a teacher’s job is to help the student understand and meet these expectations. It is equally important for the teacher to be consistent in dealing with any behavior that is not acceptable in school.

During the first days in September, I will hold several discussions, which will include the expectations, rules, and standards necessary for the class to function successfully, both academically and socially. After these expectations are explained, your child will become responsible for his/her behavior and actions inside and outside of the classroom.

A student’s success in school depends on the cooperation and support among the student, parents and teachers. Maintaining communication throughout the year to meet the needs of each student is important. Encourage your child to talk about his/her school successes and concerns as they arise. Please feel free to contact me at school regarding any concerns or questions you might have. (A note in the homework pad is effective as well.)

By working together, we can make this year an enriching and rewarding experience for everyone.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Altomer

II. Grade Four Expectations In Everyday Math

All students are expected to do all work in cursive writing and in pencil, unless specifically told otherwise by the teacher.

All students are expected to come to school prepared.

All students are expected to come to school dressed appropriately. Hats will not be worn except for special occasions, so please leave them home.

Upon entering fourth grade, all students are expected to have mastered their addition/subtraction facts for speed and accuracy. By the end of fourth grade, multiplication/division facts are to be mastered.

All students are expected to take home any marked papers and show them to their parents. This is one way of keeping parents informed of a student’s progress.

All students are expected to keep track of their class and homework assignments by regular use of the required assignment pad.

All students are expected to wear warm clothing to go outside for example: hat gloves, and during snowy weather, extra pants or snow pants. A student will stay in for recess only by written parental request or by teacher decision.

All students are expected to eat lunch daily, and should be prepared with either bag lunch or money to buy it.

All students are expected to ALWAYS TRY THEIR BEST!!

III. Going Beyond the Three R’s

The following is a brief description of programs in your child’s fourth grade class. Several activities occur throughout the year while others are shorter in duration. Additional information will be coming as the programs begin.

Cooperative Learning: This is a style of learning used in our classroom that focuses on social skills, group sharing and cooperation to accomplish tasks or goals. Students learn how to work together successfully using positive interaction and behavior throughout the year.

Everyday Math: Last year, Pinewood adopted a brand new math program called EVERYDAY MATH. Students are encouraged to make numbers and rules more meaningful and apply them in real life settings. It accommodates a variety of learning styles along with motivating students to do their best and explore the world of math. Components of the program are discussed later.

Fact Tests: Every week, students will be given a fact test, which is a quiz of the knowledge your child has of the facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and eventually division. It is extremely important for your student to practice and apply these math facts everyday! Please help them practice by making flash cards and quizzing them constantly.
Assignment Planner: Each student is expected to use a homework planer to record all assignments daily. Its purpose is twofold: to build the student’s responsibility toward work completion and to open the lines of communication between parent and teacher. By parent-signing and teacher-stamping daily, both parent and teacher are immediately aware of any concern or needs that may occur. However, if students show that they can complete homework consistently then they may earn the privilege of not having the parent or teacher sign.

Home Folders: Everyday, a folder will be sent back and forth between home and school containing your students work. You are able to write any comments in your child’s assignment planner and your child is responsible for bringing this folder home and to school for me to check.

IV. Student Supplies Required for Mrs. Altomer’s Math Class

The following supplies will be needed throughout the year. Please replace items as needed.

1-2 Black Dry Erase Markers (Sanford Expo 2-low odor)
24 #2 yellow pencils already sharpened
Wide-ruled looseleaf paper
Crayons/Washable markers (small box only)
Ruler with metric measurement
New white sock

* Please label student’s name on supplies to avoid mix-ups.

VI. Homework Policy

Homework is a significant part of the educational development of every child in the elementary school. Homework is a learning responsibility that extends beyond the instructional day. Homework must:

Be handed in promptly by due dates.
Show evidence of thought and learning.
Be neat and eligible with proper headings.
Be orderly and completed.

If a student does not complete a homework assignment (without a valid written excuse from the parent/guardian), a note will be sent home for the parent/guardian to sign. The student is responsible for returning that note signed with the assignment in hand the next day.

*Blue slips are sent home every Thursday. If students do not complete homework, they may not attend Fun Friday.

VII. Homework Requests

Please do not request homework for a one-day absence. Most children can be caught up the next day. If your child is absent for more than one day, please call the school in the morning to let me know. If you request, I can send work home with another student or you can plan on picking it up after school in the office.

For planned absences, such as vacations, I WILL SAVE WORK FOR AFTER THE STUDENT’S RETURN and we can decide then what will be necessary to complete. Thank you for your understanding.

VIII. Papers

All work is to be done in PENCIL and in CURSIVE. Only special assignments may be written in pen when permission is given by the teacher. No writing may be done in crayon. Writing is to be done neatly. Papers will not be wrinkled or ripped and any fuzzy edges trimmed off. Correct headings are to be used on all papers in every class. The heading used by grade four is as follows:

wpe4.gif (2528 bytes)

*****Reminders*****

*When picking up your child, you must report to the office and sign your child out. The office will contact the teacher to release your child. No students will be released otherwise. This is for your child’s safety!

*When your child is absent, please send in an excuse on the following day.

To Contact Mrs. Altomer, Click on the Mailbox!

Maintained according to Mohonasen Central School District Web Publishing Regulations by
Christine Altomer, 4th Grade Pinewood Intermediate Teacher, Pinewood Intermediate School,
901 Kings Rd., Schenectady, New York, 12303, (518) 356-8430
© 2000 Mohonasen Central School District-All rights reserved.
Last Modified on Monday, June 03, 2002