2018-2019 Welcome to Gibson's Galaxy! - Mrs. Gibson's 4 th Grade Class Room 308 - Deer Valley Unified ...
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Welcome to Gibson’s Galaxy!
2018-2019
Mrs. Gibson’s 4th Grade Class Room 308
Dear Families,
It is with great excitement that I welcome you and your child to our 4th grade galaxy! I
know that it is going to be a successful, knowledge-filled year for your child. Ongoing
communication is key in keeping a student on the success path. I feel that a student’s
achievement is like a jigsaw puzzle; the pieces of this puzzle are held in the hands of the
student, the teacher, and the student’s family members. Please feel free to email anytime with
any questions or important information you’d like to share about your child. Review all of the
following information with your child and then sign and return the last page.
About Mrs. Gibson
This is my 8th year at Las Brisas Elementary and my 18th year in education. I received my
Masters in Educational Leadership in 2011 from Northern Arizona University and my Bachelors
in Education in 2001 from Arizona State University. Prior to coming to Deer Valley, I taught
special education at a private school in Phoenix for 8 years. I hold certifications in elementary
K-8, special education, and Principal K-12. In addition to teaching, I love spending time with my
husband and children.
I have been married to my husband Lance for 16 year. We have two boys ages 9 and 11 who
keep us very busy. As a family we enjoy training in Taekwondo and competing in tournaments.
We love bike riding, swimming, being outdoors and going to the movies. My favorite colors are
purple and teal. My favorite movie theater is Harkins. Favorite drinks are Starbuck’s iced
caramel macchiato and diet coke, favorite restaurants are Cafe Rio and Chili’s, and favorite
stores are Walmart, Target, and Amazon!
I believe that every child can learn given the safe and warm environment. For the best success
we need to work as a team. When teacher, parents, and student work together we can reach
those STARS!
Curriculum Reading: Our goal is to develop confident readers and strengthen vocabulary and comprehension skills using a variety of reading strategies. Students will receive a combination of whole-class and small group instruction. Our reading program called R eading Street emphasizes reading complex text and applying critical thinking skills. Students will be expected to support their thinking using text evidence through collaboration, speaking and listening, and writing. Language/Writing: We will use the W rite from the Beginning and Reading Street programs. We will focus on the following pieces and skills this year: opinion to support point of view, informative/explanatory, narratives, note taking, draw evidence from literary and informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Writing pieces will also demonstrate a command for grammar, conventions, and vocabulary. 4th Graders will be focusing on supporting their ideas through text evidence and expanded examples. Spelling/Vocabulary: We will be using the Reading Street p rogram that focuses on word patterns. They will be given a PreTest at the beginning of the unit and that will determine the list of words they will receive. They may receive a 10, 15 or 20 word list depending on the PreTest results. Math: We are using the Eureka Math program along with supplemental materials to support the College and Career Readiness Standards. Students will also be using a program called Zearn which is an interactive online website that lines up with Eureka Math. Upon entering 4th grade, it is expected that the students are proficient in basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills. If your child needs more practice, using homemade or store bought flashcards, or math websites such as www.multiplication.com or www.mathplayground.com is highly recommended so they can focus on more complex problems. For more information about the math curriculum see http://dvusd.schoolwires.net/Page/39521 for many helpful resources. Science: Students will be exploring science using the inquiry process, experiments, interactive notebooks, and reading complex text through the FOSS science program and supplemental materials. The areas of study will be Changes in Earth and Sky (Ms. Hormel ), Earth’s Processes and Systems (Mrs. Dymond), Electricity and Magnetism (Mrs. Velonis), and Organisms and Environment (Mrs. Gibson). Students will be rotating approximately every 6 weeks with all fourth grade teachers for science. Social Studies: The major emphasis is on the study of Arizona. We will explore American History, Arizona Development and History, World History and its impact on Arizona, Geography, and Civics/Government. Technology: We will use technology across the curriculum for instruction, research, and publishing work. We will also be using the School City program to give district benchmark tests online. Students will use many other programs such as Accelerated Reader, Dreambox, Zearn and more to enhance learning.
Expectations/General Information
I have high expectations for my students, including appropriate behavior and good work habits.
Together we can accomplish many things this year as teacher, parent, and student work to
provide the best learning environment at school and at home.
Communication
Phone: 623-445-5558 or 623-445-5500 for our main office line
Email: kim.gibson@dvusd.org
Remind: Remind is a free text messaging app that helps teachers, students, and parents
communicate quickly and efficiently. To sign up for Remind for our classroom visit
https://www.remind.com/join/gibson181
The best way to contact me is by email or Remind. You should receive a response within 24
hours. I am always working with students, so phone messages and emails will be returned at
the end of school day or the next school day. If you have something important I need to
know before school is out (such as a change in pick up information), please contact the
office so they can call the classroom as I may not see your email until after school.
Website: I will be piloting a program called Google Classroom this school year. It is still a work
in progress and more information will follow.
PowerSchool:
It is recommended that you and your child review grades weekly. Passwords can be obtained
from the office. I typically update the grades on Sundays, so Monday is a good day to check to
be sure they are current. Late work is not entered during the week. If you click on the grade
for the subject, it will open a list of assignments. If the assignment’s grade is blue and
underlined, it means that I wrote a note explaining the grade or that the assignment was
incomplete. If an assignment is missing, the student can find that assignment in the “Extra
Papers” bin. They should check the “No Name Bin” and their folders first.
Assignment Planners:
Students are provided with an assignment planner from the PTSA. Please help your child strive
for organization by using this great tool. We fill these out daily with our homework
assignments. The information is always posted on the agenda whiteboard in the room for
students to copy from. I also encourage students to make notes in their agendas regarding
other personal activities in their weekly schedule so they may plan accordingly.
Low scoring work-Assignments that receive a 60% or lower can be redone to earn up to 70%.
Staple the old assignment (with a parent signature) to the new one. Some tests can be taken
again for up to 70% credit.
Homework:
To clarify, there is a difference between unfinished classwork and homework. Students will
have plenty of time to finish classwork, but if class time is not used wisely, then classwork
becomes homework. It is possible then for your student to have unfinished classwork and
homework to complete. “Homework” should not take longer than 45 minutes each night. Please
let me know if your child is spending too much time on daily
lessons. If homework is not completed, the student will
work on it during recess time.
Math Homework: Students will frequently have math
homework in which they will participate in a specific lesson on
Zearn.com. If your child does not have access to technology
at home, please let me know so alternative arrangements can
be made.
Reading Homework: Students are expected to read at home for 15 – 20
minutes nightly. They may read books that they check out from our
library, another city library, or books they have at home. They need to
earn at least 4 points per month on Accelerated Reader. To earn points,
they must read books and then take tests. There is a link from the Las
Brisas home page to Accelerated Reader and also a link to the AR book
finder where you can look up any book you have at home to determine the
level.
Spelling Homework: Students will receive a list of words based on the PreTest results. They
must study this list of words. Some suggestions to learn the spelling of words is to write the
word five times each saying the letters out loud, take short quizzes with the parent and work on
the words they have difficulty with only, go to Spellingcity.com and play games with the words.
Science and social studies homework is limited to unfinished classwork or studying for tests.
Usually this section of the agenda will be blank.
Late Assignments:
It is very important to turn assignments in on time. This teaches your child to follow through
with responsibility. Late or missing work will reduce your child’s grade and could make him/her
ineligible for the Honor Roll/Principal’s list.
Absences:
It is the student’s responsibility to find out what lessons and assignments were missed during
an absence and to check the board and Google Classrooms for information. The paper passer will
leave missed assignments on your child’s desk so they can bring them home to complete.
Classroom Expectations
I believe in a positive environment where children feel part of a community while here at school.
Students are expected to be responsible for their choices and not to interfere with the
learning of others in our community. I encourage this through my management plan of Mutual
Respect.
Our classroom rules are based off the Classroom Stars that are used campus wide.
S
● Raise your hand
how respect ● Be attentive
● Show tolerance
T
● Be honest
rustworthiness ● Be reliable
● Be a friend
Accountability
● Be a role model
Responsibility
● Use self-control
● Have all necessary materials
● Turn in assignments on time
Safety
● Use materials appropriately
Our classroom and school rules are based on the six pillars of character from Character
Counts. These pillars include Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and
Citizenship. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. Following the
guidelines of Character Counts will help your child to make wise choices and further develop
good character. When students accept individual responsibilities and work together in our
classroom community, we will have a greater sense of accomplishment. By meeting expectations,
students grow as citizens, have greater self respect, receive praise and rewards, and enjoy
their time here at school more.
The number one rule in our class is
“No one has the right to interfere with the learning, safety, or well-being of others.”
Classroom behavior management:
Star tickets will be given out for positive behavior. These tickets will be sent to the office for
a drawing once a week for a small prize. Students will have three sticks on their desk with their
name on them. If a students is breaking the classroom rule, I will simply remove one of the
sticks from their desk. If they lose two sticks they will have to sit out of recess for 5 minutes.
If they lose all three sticks, they sit out of recess for all 15 minutes. When students lose the
second stick, they must write a student reflection sheet.
Extras
Birthdays~ We love to celebrate birthdays! Due to the
increased number of students with severe and other
health conditions, Las Brisas does not allow any edible
treats of any kind in the classroom for birthday
celebrations. Balloons, flower bouquets, etc., will not be
delivered to the classrooms. We will celebrate your
child’s special day within the classroom. Summer birthday?
We will celebrate on their half birthday. Thank you for
your understanding.
Field Trips~ To be announced….look for info to come home and
permissions slips to come home.
Water bottles ~ It is important that our students stay hydrated. Water bottles
are welcome in my classroom. (Please make sure they do not leak.) Students should
only have water in class, not Sports Drinks or Coffee.
Personal Items ~ All personal items should be left at home. Please do not send in fancy
erasers as they typically end up as a toy more than an eraser. If students bring in extra stuff
that becomes distracting, it will be sent hom.e If you have any questions, feel free to contact
me.
I’m looking forward to a fun-filled, productive year!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gibson
**Please keep this packet for reference. Sign and return the next page by
Friday August 10, 2017.
Expectation/Information Parent Packet 2017-2018 I have read Mrs.Gibson’s Expectations/Information packet and discussed it with my child. Date Parent Signature Date Student Signature
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