Welcome to Fourth Grade: Ms. Sams

2025-2026

Best form of communication:

lmsams@c2e.org

Hello!

• Lisa Sams:

lmsams@c2e.org

Specialist in Step-Up to Writing

Team Lead: 4th Grade

• Social Studies teacher for all 4th grade classes
• In my free time I enjoy golfing, playing tennis, outdoor activities and watching sports.
• Mother of two boys
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Survival Skills

Your Cheat Sheet For Sanity!

School Culture

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• A staff that strives to do the best for your child.
• Learning spaces that meet the needs of every learner.
• Support staff who are specially trained to meet the needs of all learners.
• A school that promotes 21st century learning.
• C2E is a leader in technology innovation and making our school fully 1:1 with school provided devices!

Classroom Teacher Expectations

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Things to be looking for:

• Infinite Campus/Parent Portal
• Teacher(s) Website
• Class Calendar
• Homework Assignments
• In-Class Assignments
• Unfinished Class Assignments

• Announcements/Email Blasts
• Weekly Completed Work Grades 3-5
• Elementary Dress Code
• Volunteering

Grading Scales

Elementary Grades and What You Need to Know

GRADING POLICY

• Kindergarten through third grade earn performance grades
• Fourth grade through eighth grade earn letter grades

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Grades 4-5

90 - 100 A 60 - 69 D

80 - 89B Below 60 F

70 - 79C

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Primary and Intermediate Grade Differences

Different Stages of Learning

Primary Elementary Grades:

Kindergarten to Third

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• Early Learners
• Fundamental Skills
• Learn Through Play
• Teacher Guidance
• Parental Guidance and Assistance

Intermediate Elementary Grades: Fourth and Fifth

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• Critical Thinkers
• Independent Learners
• Less Parental Guidance
• More Complex Subjects
• Read to Learn

Curriculum Requirements

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Math:HMH into Math

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*Basic math facts should be practiced at home daily if not mastered. Timed test will be given to evaluate progress. It is imperative that your 4th grader masters multiplication/division facts!!!

* Math homework will be given daily to reinforce standards.

Please check google classroom daily for all lesson and homework assignments.

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Reading/Language Arts

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*Reading :Open Court, Junior Great Books, Novel Studies

Vocabulary,text structure,skills packet, quiz, analyzing

* Book reports will be assigned periodically (one each quarter) throughout the year.

* Writing assignments will be given throughout the year using the Six Trait of Writing as a guide along with Step up to Writing.

* Writing prompts will be given throughout the year. The class will be mastering several different types of writing (expository, descriptive, persuasive and narrative).

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Reading/Language Arts Continued

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Grammar (Monday’s Tuesday’s)skills will be taught for mastery and homework will be given periodically.

Spelling:

* Word list will be put on the google classroom each Monday. Students will also be given a paper copy

* Spelling test will be given on Friday.

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Social Studies

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*Periodically, long term homework assignments will be given with specific guidelines and due dates.

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*Colorado History

*Geography

Homework Expectations

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*READ 20/30 MINUTES

*PRACTICE SPELLING

*PRACTICE MATH FACTS NIGHTLY

*UNFINISHED CLASS WORK WILL BE SENT HOME AND COMPLETED FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. PARENT PORTAL IS A GREAT TOOL FOR PARENTS AS WELL AS MY WEBSITE FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON ASSIGNMENTS. THOSE WHO MANAGE CLASS TIME WILL HAVE FAR LESS TO DO AT HOME THAN THOSE WHO DON NOT UTILIZE THE TIME GIVEN IN CLASS.

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Science:

Mrs. Crump~Labs

Mrs. Hawkins~ book work

Late Work

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*THOSE THAT DO NOT COMPLETE CLASS WORK OR HOMEWORK BY THE ASSIGNED DUE DATE WILL HAVE POINTS DEDUCTED AND WILL BE EXPECTED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY. IF THE WORK IS NOT RETURNED AFTER FIVE DAY IT WILL GO INTO THE GRADEBOOK (PORTAL) AS A ZERO!

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CORRECT AND RETURN:

*STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE A SCORE LOWER THAN 70% ON AN ASSIGNMENT WILL BE EXPECTED TO CORRECT THE WORK AND RETURN.

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Late Work Continued

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4th/5th graders are now members of the upper grades of elementary school. 4th/5th grade deepen their learning and skills, preparing them for middle school. These grades are still viewed as and learn as elementary school students do,and developmentally most 4/5 grade students are very much still children and enjoy and learn from play as well as thrive in nurturing warm environments. However the content of 4/5 grade curriculum push students to think, analyze and learn in more sophisticated and structured ways.

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Late Work Continued

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Students will be taught to deeply think about and make connection in what they read and learn, write and clarify. They will become critical thinkers and learn more complex concepts across all subjects. In addition, 4/5 graders are encouraged to be more independent learners. Depending less on the teachers guidance, planning and revising their work.

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Technology and Student Devices

Every student has access to a device

Current Devices

3-5

• A Chromebook is assigned to each student. No other student uses the device.
• Student carries the device to all classrooms.

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Important Notes

Things you will want to remember

Main Items to Check Often

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• Check/inquire with your child’s teacher(s) first.
• Teacher’s websites/Class Calendars
• Infinite Campus (Parent Portal)
• Weekly Email Blasts/Announcements
• Weekly Folders/Outgoing Paperwork

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Google Classroom

Grades 3-5 blended learning environment (Google Drive Management)

Google Classroom

• Please log-in with your child to see how this works for their assignments.

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• Grades 3-5 will be using Google Classroom often. Grade 2 will be using it for some assignments. Check teacher’s website calendar for all homework.

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