Welcome to

Mrs. Mason's

4th grade!

This year is going to ROCK!

Tonight's agenda:meet the teacherclass schedulemanagementspecial eventsMiler's Clubcurriculumhomeworkgradingfield tripstax credit donationst shirtsvolunteerswish listcontact info

Welcome to Room 17!

So what's up with your hand?

My daughter Skylar's horse, Aloha, had arthritis and needed to move to a farm in Montana.

We drove as far as Salt Lake and she didn't want to load in the trailer. I was holding the rope through the front window when she spooked and pulled back. My hand slammed into the trailer.

I looked down and saw my fingers pointing different directions.

A hand surgeon operated for 5 hours to put them back together. He said they were were shattered like corn flakes. I have around 30 plates and pins.

Now my fingers have to heal and I need to do lots of therapy to make a fist again. I have to wear the cpm machine for 6 more weeks.

I flew home and Aloha went to Montana!

Career·began teaching in 1988·taught 9 years in Phx area and in the Philippines·home w/ kids for 14 years (subbing, tutoring, curriculum dev)·reentered last year in 4th grade·M.Ed. from NAU

Personal·married to Karl for 18 years·Skylar (sophomore at IR) Hannah (8th at Coronado) and Kody (3rd here at PS)·love motorcycles, scooters, Star Trek, Jane Austen, tea

Schedule

Monday - ART 9:00Tuesday - PE 9:00 wear appropriate shoesWednesday- computer lab 9:00Thursday- Music 9:00Friday- Library 9:00

p

Schedule

8:25 -gates open, play outside8:40 1st bell8:45 Attendance/Pledge/DOL/journalsSpecials - Art, Music, PE Computer LabReading/Writing LanguageRecess- may bring snack to eat outside (no peanuts)MathLunchDEAR - must always have book to readRead Aloud/Along LITScience/Social StudiesStudy Hall- Freaky FridayDismissal 3:15

p

Classroom Management

Orange slipsMason MoneyFrog boardFriday bagTake home Friday foldersAssignment books- students fill in assignments. You don't have to sign every night, but you may write notes to me.

Mason Message

Special Events

4th grade Musical - before fall break-Cruisin' ArizonaHarvest Party-October 31Gingerbread Houses- last Tuesday before breakAll school singalong pj day- cocoa/cookiesValentine's Day-February 14th

Birthdays

·You may bring in store bought treats that have ingredients labeled.·NO NUTS Please!·preferably individual - not a big cake!·Summer birthdays may be celebrated on alternate date!

Miler's Club begins October 2!

·Get fit!·Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:10-8:40·Parents can walk for our class!·Track team·We’re going to win this year!

Math Curriculum

Everyday Math- Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations Base 10, Number and Operations Fractions, Measurement and Data, Geometry

everydaymathonline.vom

Sitton Spelling

·Core words come home every Monday with several bonus words·practice words and skills throughout week·homework due Friday- check for accuracy at home·Dictation Test Friday- attention to detail·Cloze test Friday - spell words in context·spelling grades also taken from writing samples

100% is 3.Bonus material correct -over and above is 4.

Writing

essays, letters, narratives research paper in spring6 traits of writing·ideas/content/·conventions·organization·word choice·voice·sentence fluencyWriting Process

Reading

Imagine anthology, classroom novels (leveled), centersStoryWorks magazine, quarterly book reports

Science..Hands on FOSS experiments

Scientific methodLand formsAnimal adaptationsWaterElectricityMagnetismWeather/Climaterenewable/nonrenewable resources

Science Fair in February. Information on website.Never to early to start planning!

Social Studies

Arizona History·history·geography·economy

Technology

·students will need inexpensive earbuds or headphones for use in computer lab.·send in a labeled ziplock bag.·jumpdrive will be helpful.

Homework·usually Monday-Thursday·Reading 30 minutes, Math, Spelling·Other Assignments as needed- paper and online (parent signature required)·Please go over Spelling and Math at home with your child and correct errors as they are made. ·Graded with check or check minusincomplete or incorrect- check minus- must be redone and returned·Parents can help by helping your child study and pass multiplication and divisions facts to 12.·If life gets in the way- write me a note if OCCASIONALLY need to postpone homework.

Grading

4.0- exceeds expectations3.5- meets expectations, exceeds sometimes3.0- meets expectations2.5- approaching expectations2.0- making progress towards expectations1.5- little to no progress towards standard1.0- not meeting standard

Field Trips

·Kartchner Caverns·Old Pueblo Archeology·Project WET·Tubac Historical Schoolhouse

Special Speakers

·AZ Game and Fish·Mad Science·TEP·Oro Valley Water

***Dependent on tax credit donations

Tax Credits Needed!

It's not too early to start thinking about your Arizona School Tax Credit contribution for the year 2012. You can make contributions to your Year 2012 Arizona School Tax Credit at any time. To be eligible to receive the credit for 2012, schools must receive your donation by the end of the year in December. Contributions may be made in increments throughout the year, or as a lump sum up to $200 ($400 for married couples filing a joint return). ****Indicate Painted Sky 4th grade field trips.

Class T shirts

·solid color·class name and student's name·embroidered lettering·promote class unity·great for field trips·$7.50 - let me know if that's a problem·checks to Painted Sky Elementary

Volunteers

In class- data entry, filing, office, tutoringAt home- cutting, assemblingPartiesField trips

Fill out form on desk!

Wish List

Arizona flagArizona mapNeon green paper (1 ream)Neon orange paper (1 ream)Neon yellow paper (1 ream)3 20-gallon buckets (w/ rope handles)BasketballFootballKickballtetherball6 small staplers3 hole punch

Contact Info

Class phone: 696-3817Leave message if before 2:50If after 2:50, call the office

Email: mmason@amphi.comI can respond quickest if you email.

Website