Teachers’ Roles:
Both teachers are responsible and involved in educating your child. Our academic goals include helping your child to reach their highest potential. We challenge thinking and ideas so students can be informed to make their own decisions and choices. We aim to show the class how we make an impact on our world and that each person has the ability to make change. It is our mission to empower the children in our classroom. We also want to train students in the necessary skills to be successful in life: organization, perseverance, tolerance, compassion, cooperation, respect, responsibility, and leadership. We view ourselves as partners with our families and strive to have open lines of communication to achieve this common goal.
Families’ Roles:
No one knows your child better than you, so we value your input to understand them better. At the same time, it is important to take a step back and allow your child to take risks. In this class we celebrate mistakes because from them, we learn valuable life lessons. Please allow us a few weeks to get to know your child, as well as establishing classroom routines prior to requests for meetings. We appreciate your support and love for your child, and respectfully ask that you trust us.
Volunteering:
The success of this program relies on our wonderfully talented and dedicated volunteers. All volunteers must complete the background check through ISD each year. : https://issaquahvolunteers.hrmplus.net/
Classroom & School Expectations
Be Kind :: Be Safe :: Be Productive
Before entering the classroom, we expect that all students are:
During class time, we expect that all students:
Purpose of Technology in SciTech
Classroom Management Plan:
Our philosophy utilizes an empathetic, calm, and logical approach to difficulties that may arise in our classroom from day to day. Behavior issues will be dealt with on an individual basis in class and we will contact home when appropriate.
In our class, students will be recognized for their positive behavior as well as receive consequences for disruptive behavior. Students who consistently demonstrate appropriate behavior will be positively rewarded with praise, positive notes sent home, “Dojo” Dollars, and other special privileges.
Absences:
If your child is ill, please contact Debi Courage in the office (425-837-6300) and let the school know as soon as you know. If possible, please send both teachers an e-mail as well. If someone can bring home missed work to your child, please let us know. Do your very best to schedule various appointments outside of school hours. Of course, we do know that is not always possible. We strongly discourage taking vacations while school is in session. A great deal is missed when your child not at school.
Communication
Grades:
Grades are standards based by student grade level. Please remember that standards grades do not correlate with letter grades A-F, therefore a 4 is not an “A”. The marks are as follows:
4- Exceeds Grade Level Expectations (This is a great goal, but is not realistic or fair as an expectation for your child.)
3- Meets Grade Level Expectations (A student that is earning 3s is solid academically. This is a reasonable expectation.)
2- Approaching Grade Level Expectations
1- Below Grade Level Expectations.
Homework Policy:
Homework is the responsibility of the student. As we begin the new school year, please help your child establish clear routines to complete homework. Then as the year progresses, pull back more and more to give your child greater independence. While most homework is routine, any work that was not completed at school may become homework. We recommend a consistent, quiet place to do homework. Bedrooms can be full of distractions. A more effective place to work may be at the kitchen table or office.
Homework will generally be assigned Monday through Thursday. Some long-term projects may require time on Friday or weekends. Also, students will be required to read at least 25 minutes every day.
All completed homework must arrive WITH the student in the homework folder the day it is due. We do not allow parents to bring in late or missing work. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to be responsible for their own actions. Fourth grade is an adjustment and expect the first few months to be difficult...it DOES pass! The best thing you can do is help your child be consistent and organized.
Planners:
Each day the class fills out the planner as a group. There is a master copy of the planner that is projected on the board and all assignments are discussed and recorded. If a student is absent or unsure about the assignments check our class website. The planner is an important tool to keeping organized and should be looked at each night. After the student has completed the night’s assignments, checked them off in the planner, and placed them into the homework folder THEN they will ask for a parent signature. We require a parent signature once a week Students are responsible for asking for signatures, not the parent. Parents, please make sure your child has checked off completed assignments. If they are not checked off, send your child back to complete it. Get backpacks ready the night before to decrease morning stress!
Field Trips:
We take 3-4 field trips per year that are tied to curriculum, such as visiting the Washington State Capital or UW Discovery Days. In addition, the walls of our science class extend into the local forests and streams, thus we take many walking trips to conduct research, participate in park restoration and invasive species removal, and hands on learning in the classroom with real world connections. We are busy, indeed!
Brown Bag Lunch:
As you might imagine, with fifty students we have many birthdays. We celebrate birthdays at a special lunch that we have in the classroom every month. That way each student gets to be appreciated, while not using up valuable learning time. With the district nutrition policy and several food allergies, we ask that you please don’t send any treats on your child’s birthday.
5th Grade Camp:
Only fifth graders attend Camp Colman, a science-based environmental camp in the early Spring (usually March- April). The approximate cost is usually around $275. This is a wonderful experience and we highly encourage all students to attend. Details will follow.
Market Day:
Once a year, fifth grade students create handmade items to sell and run a large market for the younger students. They then in turn, get to shop for themselves. It is a wonderful lesson in economics for the fifth graders.
Both teachers are responsible and involved in educating your child. Our academic goals include helping your child to reach their highest potential. We challenge thinking and ideas so students can be informed to make their own decisions and choices. We aim to show the class how we make an impact on our world and that each person has the ability to make change. It is our mission to empower the children in our classroom. We also want to train students in the necessary skills to be successful in life: organization, perseverance, tolerance, compassion, cooperation, respect, responsibility, and leadership. We view ourselves as partners with our families and strive to have open lines of communication to achieve this common goal.
Families’ Roles:
No one knows your child better than you, so we value your input to understand them better. At the same time, it is important to take a step back and allow your child to take risks. In this class we celebrate mistakes because from them, we learn valuable life lessons. Please allow us a few weeks to get to know your child, as well as establishing classroom routines prior to requests for meetings. We appreciate your support and love for your child, and respectfully ask that you trust us.
Volunteering:
The success of this program relies on our wonderfully talented and dedicated volunteers. All volunteers must complete the background check through ISD each year. : https://issaquahvolunteers.hrmplus.net/
Classroom & School Expectations
Be Kind :: Be Safe :: Be Productive
Before entering the classroom, we expect that all students are:
- Ready to learn with a positive attitude
- On time
- Well-rested
- Nourished from a healthy breakfast
- Prepared with materials/supplies/homework needed for the day
During class time, we expect that all students:
- Respect and value all members of our SciTech community and visitors
- Follow directions of adults the first time they are given
- Remain focused and listen to peers and adults
- Participate actively and give their all to the lessons
Purpose of Technology in SciTech
- To Collaborate
- 3D Gamelab
- Genius hour
- Seesaw
- To Reflect and Share
- Seesaw
- Media and Live Presentations
- To Research
- Genius Hour
- Information Writing
- Social Studies
- Makerspace
- To Write and rewrite
- Publishing Writing
- Creative Writing
- To Make something (important)
- 3D printing
- Genius hour
- Market Day
- Videos
- Games
- Programming
- To Keep a digital record
- 3D Gamelab Quests
- Genius Hour Videos
- E-Portfolios
- Seesaw
- To Take ownership and to master assessments
- Prodigy
- Zearn
- Genius hour
- Quizlet
- 3D Gamelab
- To Be more efficient
Classroom Management Plan:
Our philosophy utilizes an empathetic, calm, and logical approach to difficulties that may arise in our classroom from day to day. Behavior issues will be dealt with on an individual basis in class and we will contact home when appropriate.
In our class, students will be recognized for their positive behavior as well as receive consequences for disruptive behavior. Students who consistently demonstrate appropriate behavior will be positively rewarded with praise, positive notes sent home, “Dojo” Dollars, and other special privileges.
Absences:
If your child is ill, please contact Debi Courage in the office (425-837-6300) and let the school know as soon as you know. If possible, please send both teachers an e-mail as well. If someone can bring home missed work to your child, please let us know. Do your very best to schedule various appointments outside of school hours. Of course, we do know that is not always possible. We strongly discourage taking vacations while school is in session. A great deal is missed when your child not at school.
Communication
- The Class Website: Includes weekly updates about curriculum, a calendar of events and due dates, photos and student files- homework is printed in class but is also available in pdf form on our website. Please check the website first if you have questions!
- Seesaw: Students will have a digital portfolio of work that they will be working on each week- including assignments, pictures, videos, and a blog post. We will post all class photos on Seesaw and can also send class reminders.
- Newsletter: Teachers typically send a weekly newsletter via email with information for the upcoming week- please make sure that your email address is updated on family access so that we know you are receiving all of our email communication. All newsletters are also posted under "Recent Announcements" in the Current Students tab
- Take Home Folders: classwork will come home throughout the week, along with homework on Mondays. All Clark communication, including PTA flyers will come home on Thursdays. We ask that you make a routine of checking the folder on Thursdays and make sure homework is ready to be returned on Fridays.
Grades:
Grades are standards based by student grade level. Please remember that standards grades do not correlate with letter grades A-F, therefore a 4 is not an “A”. The marks are as follows:
4- Exceeds Grade Level Expectations (This is a great goal, but is not realistic or fair as an expectation for your child.)
3- Meets Grade Level Expectations (A student that is earning 3s is solid academically. This is a reasonable expectation.)
2- Approaching Grade Level Expectations
1- Below Grade Level Expectations.
Homework Policy:
Homework is the responsibility of the student. As we begin the new school year, please help your child establish clear routines to complete homework. Then as the year progresses, pull back more and more to give your child greater independence. While most homework is routine, any work that was not completed at school may become homework. We recommend a consistent, quiet place to do homework. Bedrooms can be full of distractions. A more effective place to work may be at the kitchen table or office.
Homework will generally be assigned Monday through Thursday. Some long-term projects may require time on Friday or weekends. Also, students will be required to read at least 25 minutes every day.
All completed homework must arrive WITH the student in the homework folder the day it is due. We do not allow parents to bring in late or missing work. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to be responsible for their own actions. Fourth grade is an adjustment and expect the first few months to be difficult...it DOES pass! The best thing you can do is help your child be consistent and organized.
Planners:
Each day the class fills out the planner as a group. There is a master copy of the planner that is projected on the board and all assignments are discussed and recorded. If a student is absent or unsure about the assignments check our class website. The planner is an important tool to keeping organized and should be looked at each night. After the student has completed the night’s assignments, checked them off in the planner, and placed them into the homework folder THEN they will ask for a parent signature. We require a parent signature once a week Students are responsible for asking for signatures, not the parent. Parents, please make sure your child has checked off completed assignments. If they are not checked off, send your child back to complete it. Get backpacks ready the night before to decrease morning stress!
Field Trips:
We take 3-4 field trips per year that are tied to curriculum, such as visiting the Washington State Capital or UW Discovery Days. In addition, the walls of our science class extend into the local forests and streams, thus we take many walking trips to conduct research, participate in park restoration and invasive species removal, and hands on learning in the classroom with real world connections. We are busy, indeed!
Brown Bag Lunch:
As you might imagine, with fifty students we have many birthdays. We celebrate birthdays at a special lunch that we have in the classroom every month. That way each student gets to be appreciated, while not using up valuable learning time. With the district nutrition policy and several food allergies, we ask that you please don’t send any treats on your child’s birthday.
5th Grade Camp:
Only fifth graders attend Camp Colman, a science-based environmental camp in the early Spring (usually March- April). The approximate cost is usually around $275. This is a wonderful experience and we highly encourage all students to attend. Details will follow.
Market Day:
Once a year, fifth grade students create handmade items to sell and run a large market for the younger students. They then in turn, get to shop for themselves. It is a wonderful lesson in economics for the fifth graders.