4th Grade Math Syllabus

1 st and 2 nd Semester 2016-2017

Instructor Information
Instructor

Travis Etheridge

Email

[email protected]

Office Location & Hours

Room 62 7:15 am -7:30 am and 2:50 pm

3:15 pm, by appointment only

General Information
Description
Students will be expected to be proficient in certain practices this year. These practices rest on important processes
and proficiencies with longstanding importance in mathematics education. The first of these are the NCTM process
standards of problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, representation, and connections. The second are
the strands of mathematical proficiency specified in the National Research Councils report Adding It Up: adaptive
reasoning, strategic competence, conceptual understanding (comprehension of mathematical concepts, operations and
relations), procedural fluency (skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and appropriately), and
productive disposition (habitual inclination to see mathematics as sensible, useful, and worthwhile, coupled with a
belief in diligence and ones own efficacy).

Expectations and Goals

Students are expected to:
1.

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2.

Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3.

Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4.

Model with mathematics.

5.

Use appropriate tools strategically.

6.

Attend to precision.

7.

Look for and make use of structure.

8.

Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Course Materials
Required Materials

One 3-pronged folder

Pencil

Loose leaf paper

Dry erase marker

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Grading Policy
Classwork 50%
Tests 15%
Quizzes -15%
Projects 15%
Homework 5%

Students will be given a minimum of two assignments per week. In the event of an absence, it is the students
responsibility to communicate with the instructor in regards to make-up assignments. Students will be given 24
hours per day missed to make up assignments. Work will not be accepted if these time parameters expire.

Students that do not complete classwork assignments in the time allotted must take the assignment home and
finish, if the work is not turned in the next day, a failing grade will be submitted for the assignment.

Homework will be given Monday-Thursday and checked daily unless otherwise specified by the instructor. It is
imperative that students complete homework daily. Although homework counts for a small percentage of the
grade, it is the most important piece to mastery of standards. Homework is meant for practice and not
necessarily to raise a students grade. If students do not practice what was learned in class, they are in danger
of failing because they will not have complete mastery of standards. Additionally, students will face other
consequences for not completing homework. There are no exceptions to this rule. Only severe cases
communicated by a parent will be taken into consideration.

Graded papers will be handed back out to students to deliver to parents every other Tuesday. Expect papers
every other Tuesday unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

In the event that a students grade drops severely or failing, the parent will be notified.

Communication

4th grade uses Class Dojo to communicate with parents. Simply download the app on a tablet or device and
follow the instructions given by the instructor. Students behavior can be viewed from the app and parents
may also send messages to the instructors. It is highly recommended that parents sign up for Class Dojo
because it is the quickest way to get in contact with the instructor.

Parents may email the instructor if that is the preferred method. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Parents may phone the school to speak with their childs instructor, however the instructor may not be
available. Please allow 24 hours for a returned call.

In the event that there are any issues or concerns with your childs instructor, please follow due process.
Contact the instructor first and if the issue cannot be solved proceed to other avenues.

In the event that your child has a change in transportation, please contact the instructor and the front office.

Technology
We want to ensure that our students are college and career ready. Students will rely on technology heavily through
sites like Edmodo, YouTube, and Explore Learning. Students will be amply prepared for the future by learning to
navigate and incorporate technology early. Students will be required to look at screencasts in Math for study aids. If
students do not have internet access at home, the issue needs to be communicated to the instructor by a parent.
Additionally, all newsletters and digital copies of the homework packet, important documents, and digital lessons will
be placed on Edmodo. In cases where a parent needs a hard copy of any of these materials, it must be requested at
least 24 hours in advance. Edmodo will also serve as the hub for assignments will be turned in. The instructor will let
you know prior to submission.

Behavior Management System and Discipline Policy

4th and 5th grade students will build great character through working together in a Communi-team. Students will be
divided into three houses (Courage, Perseverance, and Integrity) every 4.5 weeks. Students work together to earn
points for displaying great character through following classroom and school wide expectations. The points will be

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documented through Class Dojo. At the end of each day the students will know what house is in the lead. At the end of
the 4.5 weeks, the house with the most points will receive a trip to the Eagle Market and a House Party. Students
forfeit points to other houses for not following classroom and school expectations. The 4 th and 5th grade teachers can
add or deduct points from individual students and give points to houses as they see fit. This makes us all responsible for
one another. Specials teachers, other teachers in the building, administration, lunch room staff, custodial staff, or any
adult that interacts with our students here at Rivers Edge can recommend the addition or loss of points. Incorrigible
students will be removed from their houses and given an appropriate consequence. Students will adhere to the 4 th and
5th Grade Hallway Pillars of Character. If these rules are followed along with the school expectations, students will not
run into any issues. Each individual teacher has his or her own set of specific rules that should be adhered to as well.
For further clarification, contact your childs instructor.
Mr. Etheridges Classroom Policy (Rewards)

Points added to house

Snacks

Gold slips

Recommendation for Student of the Month

Positive phone call home

Extended recess

Lunch provided by Mr. Etheridge

Added responsibilities
Mr. Etheridges Classroom Policy (Consequences)

st

1 offense verbal warning

2nd offense verbal warning and points given to another house
3rd offense points given to another house and/or Bite and Write
4th offense refocus and recess detention *possible removal from house
5th offense phone call home/conference with parent *possible removal from house
6th offense office referral *removal from house
Consequences

Bite and Write When students have behaved inappropriately continuously, they may receive Bite and Write.
Students will eat lunch silently with a teacher. When they are finished with their lunch, they will complete a
character essay. The essay must be signed by a parent and turned in to the teacher the next day.

Motivation Station- Students that have to be separated from other students in the class for misbehavior will sit
in the Motivation Station. In this area, students will complete all assignments away from others and then be
given a Motivator to complete when they are done with their work. The Motivator must be signed by a parent
and turned in to the teacher the next day.

Refocus Students that cannot handle the classroom environment will be removed and placed in a other
classroom. All assignments must be completed. When the work is finished, a Motivator will be given. The
Motivator must be signed by a parent and turned in to the teacher the next day.

Recess Detention Students that have lost the opportunity and privilege to engage in recess because of
misbehavior will receive recess detention, or simply, no recess. Students who do not complete homework may
also receive recess detention. If a student was assigned Bite and Write and did not complete his or her essay,
they may be in danger of receiving recess detention. In recess detention, students will complete any missing
homework or assignments and/or an assigned essay or motivator.

Phone Call Home/Conference Students that have continuously misbehaved and/or have done something
severe will receive a phone call home. A conference may be requested.

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Office Referral An office referral is the last resort. Students that have done something severe or have
continued to misbehave after phone calls and conferences will receive an office referral.

Strong Home-to-School Relationships

I want this to be a learning filled, meaningful, and goal accomplishing year for us all. In order for your child to be
successful this year, I will need continued support from parents. Lessons that are taught need to be reinforced at home.
Take a few minutes to view the power points, handouts, and screencasts provided at home with your child and dont be
afraid to contact me in the event of any issues. I have an open door policy and I am happy to help in any way that is
possible and fair for everyone.
First 9 Weeks Assignment Guide

Week

Math

Category

Grade

Week 1

Homework Packet 1

Homework

/100

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

The Tens, Hundred, and Thousands Place Classwork

Independent Practice Worksheet

/100

Homework Packet 2

/100

Homework

The Tens, Hundred, and Thousands Place Quiz

Quiz

/100

Comparing Multi-Digit Numbers in

Operations Practice Sheet 1

Classwork

/100

Homework Packet 3

Homework

/100

Gizmo: Rounding Whole Numbers

Project

/100

Gizmo Quiz: Rounding Whole Numbers

Quiz

/100

Practice Worksheet 1: Identifying

Numbers by Place Value

Classwork

/100

Homework Packet 4

Homework

/100

Rounding Integers Based on Place Value

Practice Sheet 2

Classwork

/100

Rounding Integers Based on Place Value

Quiz

/100

Homework Packet 5

Homework

/100

Add and Subtract Multi-Digit Whole

Numbers - Independent Practice

Classwork

/100

Add and Subtract Multi-Digit Whole

Numbers - Quiz

Quiz

/100

Homework Packet 6

Homework

/100

The Role of Mixed Basic Operations Word Classwork

Problems Practice Sheet 1

/100

Homework Packet 7

Homework

/100

Unit 1 Test

Test

/100

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Week

Math

Category

Grade

Week 8

Homework Packet 8

Homework

/100

The Properties of Multiplication

Classwork

/100

Homework Packet 9

Homework

/100

Multiplication Word Problems

Classwork

/100

Week 9

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I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SYLLABUS, AND I ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ALL OF ITS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS. I ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY, WITH FULL
KNOWLEDGE OF ITS EFFECT.

Parents Signature

Date

Parents Name (Please Print)

Students Signature

Date

Students Name (Please Print)

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