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Curriculum Night

Miss Vobejda

2023-2024

Please leave your child an encouraging note while you wait! You can leave it in their desk as a nice surprise for tomorrow. :)

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First Thing’s First

Curriculum Packet

The yellow packet has all of our curriculum information for each subject. Please take it home and read over it. Please sign, tear out and return the back page ASAP.

Tonight will be used for getting to know me and some of our classroom norms and expectations.

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About Me...

Grew up in Fremont, NE.
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from UNL.
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Peru State College.
Fourth year teaching 4th Grade at Whitetail.

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Communication

An email with our Weekly News will be sent each Friday.
I try to respond to emails within 24 hours. If you email after 4 p.m., I cannot guarantee that I will answer before the next school day (8 a.m.)
If you need to communicate anything urgent during the school day, please contact the front office. I get busy with students during the day, so I can’t promise that I would see your email in time (For example, a change in how your child is getting home). You can email our secretaries at kblum@gpsne.org or tpemberton@gpsne.org. Your best bet is to give them a call at (402) 895-3388. They will relay the information to me.

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“Weekly News” Email

Each Friday, I send an email home with information for the upcoming week. Please read through this email each week for important classroom information.

Dr. Falcone will send out her “Whitetail Weekly” each week. Please also read through that for school-wide info.

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Student Planner

Please sign planners in two places.
One in the “Home/School” section….this lets me know your child showed you his/her planner.
One in the “Read extra 20 minutes/Math extra 20 minutes” box if your student read or practiced math for at least 20 minutes after school.
Students can earn a Creek Cash ticket for each box they get signed. This shows Accountability.

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What will my child learn?

Math (Envisions 2.0) - Addition and Subtraction in the millions, 4 x 1 digit multiplication, 2 x 2 digit multiplication, long division, fractions, geometry

Reading (Into Reading) - We will continue to work on fluency and help develop reading comprehension skills.

Writing (Lucy Calkins) - We will write in lots of different modes. We will write TDA’s, personal narratives, realistic fiction, historical essays and persuasive essays.

Science (Inspire Science) - Energy and Motion, Forces, Earth’s Dynamic Surface, Animal and Plant Structure and Behavior

Nebraska History (The Nebraska Adventure) - We will dive into all things Nebraska! Native Americans, Lewis and Clark, Pioneers, The Oregon Trail, Nebraska’s Government and more!

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Cursive Books

In 3rd grade, students were explicitly taught how to write cursive. In fourth grade, students continue to practice the skill individually through their “Handwriting Without Tears” book. This is done independently by each student. The book is due the week before Winter Break, with periodic checks to see how each kiddo is doing.

Students will have ample time to complete these in class if they are using their time wisely.

Failure to complete the book by the due date will result in a student missing out on privileges that last week before break.

Cursive will be implemented into different assignments second semester to reinforce the skill.

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Spelling

Word Cards will be sent home each Friday for the next week. Use these cards to practice at home. These words will also be written in student’s planner.

The focus in spelling is over different spelling skills and patterns.

Students will receive partial credit on spelling tests for using the correct pattern, even if they don’t spell the word correctly.

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Students typically bring work home ONLY if they did not finish in school. I don’t usually send work home that students did not get a chance to start in school.

Work that is assigned, is due the next day in the morning. If a student lost or did not finish their work, they will complete it at recess.

Homework each night should consist of the extra 20 mins of work for a student’s planner. Studying math facts and reading together are important ways to ensure your child’s success.

Homework

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Grading Scale

1 = 94%-100%
2 = 86%-93%
3 = 78%-85%
4 = 70%-77%
Below 70 = Redo/reteach

*If a student redoes an assignment, the highest score they receive is a 70%

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Snack

Feel free to send a healthy snack with your child. We typically have snack around 10:15 each day. Bulk items such as goldfish, granola bars, cheez-its, etc. can be kept in your student’s locker.

*We always appreciate any donated snacks!

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Clubs

Students have the opportunity to participate in various clubs in 4th grade. Examples of past clubs include:

Choir
Running Club
Kindness Club
Battle of the Books
Different of technology clubs with Mr. Best

You will hear more information from myself, Dr. Falcone, or the host teacher as those clubs begin.

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Field Trips

Symphony

In the past, Mrs. Balcer has arranged a trip to the symphony. Look for information from her, if this happens again. It’s usually around February.

Lincoln Trip

We will take a trip to the State Capitol this spring. We typically visit Memorial Stadium, as well. However, this is in limbo due to construction of the new practice facility.

We may have parent chaperones for these events. More information will be communicated in the permission slip when that time comes.

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Classroom Management

Praise: Students can earn Creek Cash tickets by representing the values of GPS.

Give Kindness
Practice Accountability
Stay Safe

Students can cash in their Creek Cash each Wednesday for various privileges as a reward for their hard work.

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