Mr. Holt's Class at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School

Mr.Holt's 4th Grade Class
at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
School and Town Data

Welcome to the 4th Grade! This site contains information about our class and the things we do!

Spelling/Vocab Lists	Intro Note for the 2011-2012 School Year
2011-2012 School Year Calendar	A Little About Mr. Holt
Homework Assignments	Math
Final Note for the 2011-12 School Year	How to Help Kids with Reading
PRES 2011-2012 Supply Lists	Multiplication Charts
2012-2013 School Year Calendar	ACUITY @ Home
Grade 4 Reading Requirements
Lunch/Breakfast Menu	Grading Policy/Grading Scale
Class Links	Class Photo
Class Rules	Mnemonic Devices
Math Practice Book Sheets Online	Daily Schedule
Key Proofreading Marks for Grades 3-6	Rules to Achieving Happiness and Success in Life
12 Powerful Words Master List	Indiana Writing Rubric

Rules for Achieving Happiness and Success in Life

1. If it is to be, it is up to me.
2. Be accountable for your actions.
3. Do not make excuses.
4. Be committed.
5. Be determined.
6. Be disciplined.
7. Be courageous.
8. Be patient.
9. Be persistent.
10. Never give up.

Special Projects: In an information-packed world, it is more important than ever that students learn how and where to find information about certain topics. Not only should they be familiar with the library, but also with the computer and internet. In our class, we do many research projects during the year. These projects range from research papers to mini-museum projects.

Examples of projects:

I. Mini-Museums: Students are assigned a general topic and then pick from a list of ways to display what they have learned. Click here for a picture of a mini-museum ready for display to other classes.
II. Research Papers: Students write a paper that, in keeping with Indiana Academic Standards, uses a certain number of sources, is paraphrased, and is typed on a computer. (Time is provided in a computer lab for research and word processing)
III. Learning Contracts: Students select from a list of items to report on a subject.
IV. Speeches: Students present oral reports to the class.
V. Book Projects: Students demonstrate knowledge of novels we read in class by completing items from a list.

Math
1.We will be using the Houghton-Mifflin Math Program this year. It has a wealth of resources, many available online.

2. Click here to see the math sheets from the practice book online. Just select the unit we are covering, then the lesson such as 5.6, then go below and select practice. These sheets can be printed out as well.
3. We also use the Exemplars Math Program at PR. It consists of open-ended prompts that have students draw diagrams and write about how they got an answer to a problem. (Translation: The students answer a story problem and write about it) This helps students to develop a deeper understanding of math and with standardized test prep.
Exemplars Math Prompt Rubric

Spelling/Vocabulary
A spelling/vocab (SV) list will be provided every 2 weeks for the students. It has about 5 spelling words and roughly 10 vocab words. The list will be the same for all 4th grade classes. The vocab words are pulled from many different sources related to material we are currently covering. The spelling words are from a list of frequently mis-spelled words or words that follow certain spelling patterns. The test is in multiple choice format with some fill in the blank. The test is every other Friday. Click the link for the SV list.

Student Planners
I feel that regular contact with parents is a vital part of a child's education. Therefore, the students will fill out a Student Planner provided by GCCS. It will tell you about planned tests and dates, what skills and activities we are covering and keep you informed on school events. (It also has the parent handbook in it.) The planner will have a place for a parent’s signature. I will check every Friday to see if each student has their planner signed by a parent at least once a week. Your child should bring the planner home every day for you to see. However, I only ask that you sign it one day per week remember that the info in the planner is subject to change.

Special Area Class Schedule for the 2011-2012 School Year
11:15-12:00 Daily
Monday-Music
Tuesday-Art
Wednesday-P.E.
Thursday-Computer Lab
Friday-Library

2011-2012 Daily Schedule
Math 8:45-10:15
Writing 10:15-11:00
Recess: 11:00-11:15
Daily Special Area Class: 11:15-12:00
Intervention: 12:00-12:40
Lunch: 12:41-1:11
Literacy: 1:10-2:40
Social Studies/Science: 2:40-3:05
Dismissal: 3:15/3:22

School Start/Dismissal Time
The students will be sent to the classrooms at 8:45 every day. The tardy bell will ring at 8:50. We try to get started immediately, so it is important to be on time. Dismissal begins for walkers, car riders and most buses at 3:15. All others will be dismissed by 3:22

Grading Policy/Grading Scale
Grades are taken on all tests, special projects, homework and some classwork assignments. Scores are figured based on the total number of problems on each assignment. The traditional grades of A, B, C, D, and F are assigned. ( + and - will not be used due to the fact that our computer program that figures the grades does not use them.) Conduct and Handwriting are assigned S for "satisfactory" and N for "needs improvement." (+ and - are sometimes given for these two subjects only) Report cards go home every nine weeks and mid-terms are also sent out.

Greater Clark County Schools Grading Scale

A (Outstanding Progress) 90%-100%
B (Above Average Progress) 89%-80%
C (Average Progress) 79%-70%
D (Lowest Acceptable Progress) 69%-60%
F (Failure) Below 60%

Class Rules

1. Follow directions and procedures.
2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. Stay in the room unless you have permission to leave.
4. Use appropriate language.
5. Use appropriate tone of voice.
6. Be respectful to others.

**Many of the graphics from this site come from theImage Archives.**
Pumpkin background from Halloween Graphics by Pat.
Some of the graphics for this site are from Free Gifs & Animations
(A few graphics also from Printmaster*)
(*Used with permission per conditions of use agreement. Printmaster graphics are for viewing purposes only.)

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hits since January 3, 2002.

Copyright 2001 B. Holt. No part of the content of this site may be reproduced or retransmitted without the prior written consent of the owner. Any use or sale for profit is strictly prohibited. All rights are reserved. (Some logos and graphics used here are copyrighted by their respective owners.)
Student photos displayed per GCCS policy with only first names, or no names, given.

Disclaimer: Although every effort has been made to insure that all web sites linked to here contain appropriate material for children, no responsibility is taken by school personnel for the content of external web sites. (Internal links go to pages within this site.)

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