Welcome to fourth grade. I am very excited to be teaching 4th grade. There are many things that make 4th grade my favorite to teach. This will be a year of changes for our students. The primary grades are behind us and many new expectations are placed upon us. The biggest expectation is in the form of a National Standardized test that we will take next Spring. It is a biggie! There will be more details about that as the time draws near.

Another big change is in the kind of school work 4th graders do. In the early grades much time is spent learning how to read. All those reading strategies become tools we will use to learn about our world. Our math will require us to write explanations of what we are doing. Reading will let us explore ancient civilizations and the early years of our nations history. Reading will enhance our ability to understand the concepts we are learning in Health and Science. Reading will still be the way we dig deeper into the stories and information.

Fourth graders are expected to be able to work independently and cooperatively on class projects and group activities. I expect the rules to be followed from the time our students leave home in the morning till they return that afternoon. They are to be followed even when the teachers aren't looking. In the classroom, I use colored cards for the students to keep track of their day. When a rule or direction is not followed a card is pulled. The cards have consequences.
CARD COLOR CONSEQUENCES
GREEN Having a great day. Full privileges.
YELLOW Warning! Stop and Think about what you were doing. All priviledges are intact.
ORANGE LOSE the next recess. May be sent to time out.
BLUE Lose 2 recesses, Parents are contacted. After school detention is a possibility.
RED MEETING WITH PARENTS, STUDENT, TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL
Consequences will be determined at the meeting.

A RED CARD will be pulled for a serious infraction like fighting, harrassment, theft, or other very serious act. Bullying is not tolerated at Chester Valley.
The Chester Valley Student Handbook explains proper behavior in and around the school.

Another change will be in the grade system. I base grades on an average of scores from homework, daily work, quizzes, and tests. The grades break down into this chart
A+ 97 - 100 A 94 - 96 A- 93 - 90
B+ 87 - 89 B 84 - 87 B- 83 - 80
C+ 77 - 79 C 74 - 77 C- 73 - 70
D 60 - 69
F 59 and below

Reference Folder
I suggest that you keep a folder to use when doing homework. I will send pages to help you with homework. I also will send spelling lists home weekly. Keep this folder where you study and use it to review before a test.

If you need to contact me, the best way is by note. I can accept phone calls during times I am not teaching class but sometimes I forget the details of conversations in the hectic life in a classroom. I usually carry notes around until I can take care of them. I am usually at school from 8:00 till 4:00 if you want to meet with me. Of course any emergency will be given my fullest attention immediately.

Bullying

If you have questions or concerns that your child might be being picked on, teased, or constantly bothered by another student please contact me as soon as possible. Our school hhas a no tolerance policy about bullying and I want to talk with you quickly. It can happen in 4th grade and younger.  I want all my students to feel safe anywhere they go at school or between school and home.

Let me say again that I am thrilled to be working along side you and your 4th grader. We have so much material to cover that it may overwhelm your child. If that happens give them a big hug and let them know how much you love them. Say those encouraging words that help them hang in there. We do have a lot to do but we can do it if we ALL work together. We are all one big team and together we can't lose if we try.
Sincerely
Randy Montz