Mrs. Luke's Fourth Grade Class

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Welcome to Mrs. Luke's Fourth Grade Class
Scroll down to view policies & procedures.
Visit the Announcements Link for updates.

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Lakeland Hills Elementary School
Classroom Policies and Procedures
Fourth Grade
Room 408

ABOUT MRS. LUKE: 
Welcome to my class!  My name is Mrs. Luke and I have taught 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade in the Auburn School District for the past 17 years.  My husband also works for the Auburn School District; and we have three grown, married daughters who all attended Auburn Schools. I look forward to meeting you, and making it a great year for your child. 
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CONTACTING MRS.LUKE: 
Telephone:  253-876-7711 after 3:15pm
E-mail: dluke@auburn.wednet.edu
Parent Note: delivered by student
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COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLASSROOM:
You will receive regularly scheduled communication from Lakeland Hills, PTA, and my classroom in the following ways: 


KIDMAIL:
Expect Kid Mail every Thursday delievered in the student's binder or folder.  This will include graded assignments, PTA flyers, office communication, and classroom newsletters.  Students are required to unload their mail on Thursday evenings.  It is helpful for parents to have a specific location where students place this mail so that parents receive it regularly.  Every Friday there will be a binder check, and students who still have Kid mail in their binder will not pass the binder check. Because many students carry heavy loads in their backpacks which may be detrimental to their spines, I  encourage them  to leave their binders at school, and transport a lightweight folder back and forth daily.  This folder will contain their homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday & Kidmail and Thursday.


TEACHER NEWSLETTERS:  
Look for my newsletters the first week of every new month.  You may also find a copy of the newsletter posted on my SWIFT website. 
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CLASSROOM WEBSITE: 
My website contains classroom information,educational documents, and links.

My Website Address: 
http://swift.auburn.wednet.edu/lakeland/dluke/index.php
Lakeland Hills Website Address: 
http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/lakeland/default.html
Auburn School District Website Address:
http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/

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Parent Volunteers
Please email me if you are interested in volunteering.  Please be aware that all parents volunteering at school are required to have a current Washington State Patrol Form on file in the office.
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Procedure for Handling Classroom Concerns:
Teachers and parents share responsibility for the education of children. Preventing and resolving differences that may arise between parents, teachers, and children with constructive communication, respect, and good humor will benefit the education and socialization of the student.

The following steps may help to create a constructive environment for handling concerns or conflict:
1.  Know the facts.  There are two sides to every story.  When your child expresses a side to a story that concerns you, acknowledge their feelings and frustrations, show empathy and interest, and then ask questions so you clearly understand the circumstances involving the problem.
2.  There are many benefits to training a child to deal with their own problems. Ask your child if this is a problem they can solve themselves.  If so, discuss possible options for solving this problem, and then follow through with your support.
3.  If your child wants your help in solving the problem, discuss ways to handle the problem.  Next, get both sides of the story.  Parents should contact the teacher for more information and to gain another perspective of the events. Remain open-minded.  Demonstrate, through your example, a positive, constructive way to handle the problem.
4.  Determine your goal and desired outcome.  Together, parent, teacher, and student should discuss ways to solve the problem and prevent future incidences.
5.  If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, it is then appropriate to meet with the teacher and principal to further discuss the issue.

Tips for Success: 
1.  Avoid email confrontations.  Email tends to be impersonal and the tone of the message may be misinterpreted.  It is best to contact the teacher in person or by telephone.
2.  Follow the appropriate chain of command.  For classroom problems, contact the teacher first.  Unresolved conflicts are then directed to the principal or counselor.
3. Determine your goal and desired outcome prior to contacting the teacher, and focus on it during your meeting.  
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Classroom Rules and Discipline Policy
It is my goal to create an environment where each person feels comfortable, confident, and safe; and where learning is the top priority.  Students are expected to conduct themselves in a positive manner showing respect for themselves, others, property, and learning. 

Classroom Rules
Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Our Things
Respect Learning

Discipline Policy
Discipline steps are taken when student behavior disrupts learning.  Students typically respond to mild cues and redirect themselves accordingly.  Occasionally some form of disciplinary response is needed which may include loss of recess time, study hall, parent contact, or principal referral. Principal referral occurs if the behavior involves physical contact that is harmful, threatening, creates an unsafe situation, or is chronic. 

Noon Recess Study Hall  
Fourth grade teachers share a noon study hall available for students who have been absent and need to make up work, complete assignments, or lose privileges. 
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Attendance and Tardies 
I recommend students arrive at school at 8:30 when the classroom doors open.  This allows student time to go to their lockers, get organized, begin the entry task, and eat breakfast if necessary.  Students who are not seated at 8:40 a.m. are considered tardy and need to get a tardy slip from the office.  Students who arrive at school just before the tardy bell are usually hurried and have a disorganized start to their morning. 
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Missed Work due to Absences  
When a student is absent, an Absent Folder is placed on their desk and the day's assignments are placed inside.  When students return to school it is their responsibility to take these assignments home, complete the work that evening, and turn it in to the teacher.  Students have one day for each absent day to complete the work. It may be necessary for students to attend noon study hall to complete essential assignments that, if neglected, would ultimately impact their grades; or work that cannot be completed at home (quizzes, tests).  In this case, the student would be assigned noon study hall. 

Missed Work due to Prearranged Absences  
If possible, I will provide work for students in advance for prearranged absences or unscheduled vacations; however, I prefer to have students complete the work upon their return as we frequently alter from the plan and they end up doing work that may not be required.  
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Homework 
A one-page, double sided homework assignment in spelling/reading/or math is given to students every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening; Kidmail will come home every Thursday.   Students are also encouraged to read for 15 minutes each evening toward their Accelerated Reader goal, and to practice multiplication and division facts. 
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Arrival and Dismissal  
Arrival: The classroom doors open at 8:30 a.m.  Please line up at the outside classroom door (behind the greenhouse in the back of the school) by 8:30 a.m. Students purchasing breakfast should line up at the front door of the school about 8:25 a.m.  After receiving breakfast, these kids will exit the building and line up with the rest of the class outside the classroom door without going to their lockers first.

Only school greeters are permitted in the hallways before 8:30 a.m.  Students are not permitted in the 400 hall before school.  

Upon entering the classroom at 8:30 a.m., students go directly to their lockers to unload their coat, backpacks, and supplies.  Then, students are seated and begin eating and doing the morning task.

Dismissal:  Students are dismissed at 3:10 pm and escorted to their departure destination.  Those parents wanting to pick up their child at the classroom door are  invited to wait on the sidewalk outside of our classroom door. Please do not wait for your student in the hall.  Remember, every Tuesday students will leave the classroom from a different school location due to 4th Grade Teaming. Your child will be able to inform you of the exit location.
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Breakfast  
Breakfast is served at Lakeland Hills at 8:25 a.m.  Students line up outside the front door of the school and may enter at 8:25. 
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Water Bottles 
Students are welcome to bring a water bottle, labeled with their name or initials, and keep it on the shelf of the classroom.  Disposable bottles will be tossed at the end of the day.  Non-disposable bottles will be sent home to be cleaned. 
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Birthdays
Please inform me if you object to having your child's birthday recognized in class. Students receive a birthday bag and have the birthday song sang to them. Students may bring store-purchased treats for the class on their birthday, but this is not a necessary. 
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Lunch with Mom and Dad
Parents and guardians are welcome eat lunch with their child on Fridays.  Please check in at the office, then meet your child at the classroom door at 11:25 a.m.  Sorry, other children and young siblings cannot be accommodated. 
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Dorothy Dollars and Raffles
I use Dorothy Dollars for motivation and fun.  These are earned through positive points received throughout the day.  Dorothy Dollars are used as raffle tickets.  Each morning I raffle off a homework pass, lunch buddy coupons, reading chairs, and a comfortable chair at the student's desk for a day. 
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Class Prizes and Treats
I attempt to follow the school district recommendations and minimize non-nutritional treats and motivators; however, candy is occasionally used.  Nutritional alternatives are always provided.  Please be reminded that the Auburn School District does not permit homemade treats for distribution at school.  Treats that are dispersed to other students must be store purchased to maintain health and safety standards. 
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Comfort Kits 
In case of an emergency, it is recommended students each have a comfort kit.  A comfort kit is a gallon-sized zip-lock bag that contains non-perishable food and drink, large garbage bag, and note/picture from a loved one.  These are labeled with the student's name, stored in a bin in our classroom, and returned to the student at the end of the year if unused.  Sometimes comfort kits are sold at the beginning of the year through a flyer that comes home in Kid Mail. 
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Class Schedule 2009-10 School Year 
Tuesday & Thursday- PE
Monday & Friday- MUSIC
Wednesday- LIBRARY

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Reading Curriculum
Harcourt Trophies is the official fourth grade reading textbook, however, the reading curriculum is based upon the Washington State Fourth Grade Reading Standards.  Students are assessed on literary and informational text.  Assessed skills include the following: 

main idea and supporting details
writing a summary 
inference and predictions
text features, like headings and captions
story elements, including setting, characterizations, plot, events, and resolution
compare and contrast
author's purpose
fact and opinion
cause and effect
extending beyond the text

STEM questions, provided by the State, are used to apply to multiple stories.  Students answer multiple choice and extended response questions, and provide supporting details found within the text for their answers.  

The Harcourt Trophies reading program provides a framework for reading instruction at the fourth grade level.  Students also receive instruction in the Walk to Read program where instruction is based upon individual reading levels.  Students use multiple curriculum materials to meet their needs in Walk to Read, including Harcourt supplemental programs, novels, reader's theater, fluency drills, and leveled readers. 

Walk to Read group placement is based upon the following assessments: 
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills) which involves one minute fluency drills for speed and word accuracy.  Benchmark goals have been established and indicate if a student is at risk, some risk, low risk, or no risk.  Fluency building activities include speed drills, read alouds, echo reading, partner reading, choral reading, repeated reading, cloze passages, phonemic awareness, phonics instructions, and high frequency words. 

The computerized STAR test provides information on reading vocabulary and comprehension, and provides a general reading level for the student at their Independent Reading Level/ Instructional Reading Level/ and Frustration Reading Level. 

Teacher input, classroom observation, and informal and formal classroom assessments also assist with reading group placement in Walk to Read. 

Accelerated Reader is an incentive based reading program that encourages students to read books at their independent reading level, take a 5 or 10 point computer comprehension quiz, and gain points determined by the comprehension test and book length. The Lakeland Hills PTA supports this program by providing AR parties for students who meet their AR goal each term.  AR goals are determined by the student and teacher at the beginning of the year, and/or term.  Mrs. Luke's class requires 2 AR points per week on average to meet the minimum AR goal.  

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Math
New Washington State Standards were released in 2009.  The Lakeland Hills staff, guided by the Auburn School District, will engage in Professional Learning Communities with the intent purpose of focusing grade level teams on the new state standards.  Five math strands have been established at fourth grade, which include a variety of math skills, such as multiplication, fractions, decimals, place value, geometry, data and statistics, and problem solving.  Multiple curriculums will be used to target the new math standards, and common assessments will be developed for each standard.  Teams will give the same assessments, collect data, and make determinations regarding interventions and enrichments.  The main focus of these Professional Learning Communities revolves around these questions:  
1. What are students expected to know? 
2. What assessments will we use to determine if students have learned the material?
3. What interventions will be used for students who have not learned the material?
4. How will we enrich students who have learned the required material? 

Currently, the fourth grade teachers at Lakeland Hills will be using the Math Connects Program and many supplemental materials.  Multiplication and division facts 0-10 are essential mastery skills at the fourth grade level.  Please visit our school website, under the Resources tab which will lead you to math grades 3-5.  Students may use these links to practice math skills and math facts.

Power Standards for Parents
For a quick overview of the basic standards and expectations for fourth graders in the Auburn School District, visit the documents tab of this website and click on Power Standards.

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