"In addition to love, food, shelter, and the other basic necessities
in life, 					  
I feel the next greatest gift that a parent or guardian can give to
their child is an 
education.
My personal philosophy on education as your child’s teacher is that I
have a responsibility 
to 
provide a safe & stable learning environment for each child,
regardless of heritage, color, 
gender, or religious beliefs.  
In our learning environment at Queen of All Saints we strive to give
to each child 
encouragement, praise and attention in order to facilitate their
development as an 
individual 
who carries within him or herself a sense of worth, respect,
compassion, confidence and 
life 
skills which extend far beyond the basic core curriculum of each grade
level."

Classroom Skills (Guidelines) and Redirection Policy

Classroom Guidelines

•	Respect yourself, others and things 
•	Contribute to the learning environment
•	Follow school and classroom procedures 
•	Take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space




Procedure for Redirection and
Correction of Unacceptable Behaviors

1.	The student will be given a cue to be reminded of the rule.
2.	The student will be redirected.
3.	 The student will be asked to reflect upon his/her behavior.
4.	The parent will be notified by note or phone.*
5.	The student will be sent to the principal’s office.*

If Danger, Disruption, or Disrespect occurs #4 or #5 will
automatically be enacted.

FOURTH GRADE TEACHERS

			Classroom			Ms.   Wehrlie
			Music				Mrs.  Davis
			Art 				Ms.   Johnston
			P.E. 				Rhythm & Moves

2011-2011 CURRICULUM
Manners, citizenship skills, and Christian behavior will be modeled,
reinforced, and expected daily.  

All fourth grade students are expected to write in cursive.

RELIGION
Silver Burdett Ginn text entitled, Blest Are We (level 4), as well as
The Good News Bible will be used with numerous supplementary materials
to explore:
•	Awareness of God’s presence in our lives
•	Gifts of God’s love
•	Study of morality
•	Various forms of prayer such as meditative, group, and community
•	Celebration and participation in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
•	Seasonal periods (e.g. Advent, Lent, Holy Days, etc.)
•	Reconciliation
•	Beatitudes
•	Contributions to the larger community: Community outreach projects
will vary
•	Building of one faith community, beginning with our class and
expanding to our 	    school, nation and world

We will be attending Mass weekly with the school community.

LANGUAGE ARTS
SPELLING:
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Spelling and Vocabulary, will be used
with continued emphasis on phonological awareness and development.
•	words most commonly misspelled will be taught
•	use of the dictionary and the thesaurus as resources for spelling
and grammatical enhancement
Vocabulary will be a large part of the Language Arts program.  New
words will be acquired from not only the weekly spelling lists, but
from Literature, History, Science and Religion curricula as well. 
Students will define words, keeping their own dictionary and be
encouraged to put incorporate them into their own writing.

READING:
Within our reading program we will utilize five main strategies to
improve comprehension and reading fluency: echo, choral, modeled,
repeated reading and repeated listening.  All of these strategies will
aid in the growth and development of your child’s skills and foster a
love for reading.  We will be using several great Children’s
Literature books throughout the course of the year, as well as a few
short stories and comprehension worksheets selected to complement
other areas of the curriculum.  Numerous book reports will be expected
throughout the year.  
Weekend reading will be required most all weekends throughout the
school year.  Reading logs will be sent home each Friday and are to be
signed by a parent each weekend.  All activities in the fourth grade
reading program are designed to encourage the love of reading,
strengthen comprehension, critical thinking and deductive reasoning. 
Each child is to have at least one free reading book in his/her desk
at all times throughout the year.

ENGLISH:
Silver Burdett Ginn text and workbook entitled text entitled, World of
Language, will be used in conjunction with Daily Oral Language.  This
text will provide a basis for continued exploration within the English
language.  Many skills practiced here will be reinforced within
general work and writing activities.

Daily Oral Language program (morning warm-up activity) and the Writing
process will strengthen grammar and usage skills.  Student writing
will be the main indicator as to which of the areas are in need of
extensive attention.  
The following skills will be closely monitored and taught:
	•  parts of speech				•  grammar
     	•  punctuation and capitalization		•  sentence structure
	•  oral presentations and speech		•  use of resource materials	

Step Up To Writing Strategies will be implemented in our writing
curriculum.
Both daily writing and weekly writing projects will challenge and
improve students writing skills. 


MATH
Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley text entitled, Math 4 will be used along
with numerous supplementary materials.  Long division is to be
mastered in 4th Grade.  Drills of multiplication and division facts
will be given in order to strengthen memory and reinforce concepts.
The math strands include:	
•  problem solving strategies	    	•  word problems
•  measurement			•  numbers (place value, rounding off, estimation)
•  patterns and functions		•  basic geometric concepts
•  statistics and probability		•  logic, reasoning, and critical thinking
•  time					•  fractions
Daily Oral Math program will be utilized,  (morning warm-up activity).
Mathletics will be used in the lab as well as encouraged for home use.




SCIENCE	
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Discovery Works: California Edition
will be used along with
supplementary materials. Units of study will focus upon the Earth’s
Land, Populations & Ecosystems, Rocks and Minerals, the Earth’s
Structure, and Nutrition.  Studies allow for exploration and discovery
of the delicate balance of the basic scientific principles that govern
our world.  
Physical Science
Electricity and magnetism are related effects that have many useful
applications in everyday life.
Life Science
All organisms need energy and matter to live and grow.
Living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for
survival
Earth Science
The properties of rocks and minerals reflect the processes that formed
them.
Waves, wind, water, and ice shape and reshape the Earth’s land.
Investigation and Experimentation
Scientific process is approached through meaningful questions and
conducting careful investigations.

HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
Houghton Mifflin text entitled, Oh, California, will be used along
with numerous supplementary materials to focus upon California: A
Changing State.
•	The Physical Setting
•	Native American Cultures
•	Explorers, soldiers, missionaries
•	Missions, Ranchos
•	Gold Rush, Statehood, Westward Movement
•	Events of history and lifestyles during the 1800’s
•	Agriculture
•	Modern California
•	Immigration, Technology and Multicultural Awareness

California Missions and Immigration, will be explored in depth. 
Reports and projects will be explained in detail at a later date.

History & Science Integrated Curriuculum: In the environmental science
component program we will take an in depth look at those individuals
who contribute to the preservation of California’s environment, with
greater emphasis on the naturalist John Muir. Fourth grade is in
charge of the (non-paper) recycling.

LIBRARY, COMPUTERS, AND INTERNET USAGE
The classroom library and the school library will be used for book
check outs.  Research and library skills will be incorporated into
this time.  We will rotate into the computer center at this time.  In
the computer center students will work on iMac computers learning
basic operations, begin to type documents, and internet use.*  
I have visited all internet sites that I use in the lessons and have
found them to be appropriate for children.  Students are never left
unattended while on the internet.  
*Any web site I may suggest to the students throughout the course of
the year I have found to be “student safe.”  Also, I stress the
importance of using the internet with a parent each time I suggest a
new site so that you are aware of your child’s activities on the web.  

I will not require nor allow any research for reports to be done via
the web or electronic encyclopedias.  At this age it is important that
students develop library research skills.

Please see the “Internet Safety” page on my website for helpful tips
on keeping your family safe on the internet.



 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Contacting your teacher:

1. School: 	 685-8700 ext. 3204
2.  e-mail:      	dwehrlie@csdo.org   
3.  Note with your child
4.  Website:   http://TeacherWeb.com/CA/QueenofAllSaintsSchool/MsWehrlie

I will do my best to personally respond within 48 hours either with a
note home or a phone call, or e-mail when appropriate.


Cheating or Conversations During Quizzes or Tests:

Students who are talking or cheating will (both) be given a ZERO ("F")
grade on the paper and require a parent signature. 
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP OF THE QUIZ OR TEST.


Birthdays:  	4th grade is:  NUT FREE ZONE
Please do not send any treats with peanuts or nut products.

If you would like to send a treat in celebration of your child’s
birthday you may.  
Please limit the celebration to ONE SNACK ONLY  (i.e. a piece of
fruit, fruit roll-up; no drinks).  If at all possible please send
goodies all one flavor.  Party bags, party favors of any sort, or an
excessive amount of snack items will NOT be handed out at school, but
returned home.

Reading Logs:
Reading Logs are to be signed by the parent or guardian.  Of course,
other acceptable signers include grandparents, aunts, uncles, or
step-parents who are caring for the student during the weekend.  It is
the student’s responsibility to have the proper reading log for
weekend reading and signature.  A piece of paper indicating your
student has read will not be accepted (see homework policy).

Field Trips:
Fourth graders and their teacher love field trips!!!  We usually have
many trips each year, depending upon which programs out there will
best enhance our curriculum.  I invite you all to try to attend one
throughout the year if you are able.  Please know that in 4th grade
there may be a limit of parents who will may attending some trips.
Often times the field trip site has limits, and I must comply.  
“Rain Check” coupons will be issued as needed, for future trips.
Students are expected to behave in accordance with the QAS code of
conduct.  Misbehavior on a trip, including the willful leaving of
one’s group, will result in the next field trip being missed. 

Parents accompanying our class on trips are asked to turn off cell
phones, refrain from smoking, and be attentive to our students at all
times (chaperone guidelines on next page).  


John Muir Environmental Learning Program (ELP):
We may be returning to the John Muir National Historic Site in
Martinez for an Environmental learning program.  Participation in this
program is selected on a lottery.  If we are selected we need all
parents to be involved in some aspect of this program to make it a
success for our children.  Two or three months before our ELP there
will be a mandatory parent meeting.  One parent must attend in order
for your child to participate in both field trips.  Details on this
meeting will be sent home in ample time so that you may attend this
meeting.  
Student behavior prior to and during the ELP is expected to reflect
the norms of our school.

 
A GUIDE FOR CHAPERONES

Here are a few reminders for chaperones.  I imaging that these are
review and common sense, but it never hurts to read them again.


•  Chaperones are expected to be on time for the trip.  We leave
without you if you are late.

•  Chaperones are expected to watch the children at all times, and
model proper behavior.

•  Chaperones are expected not to use cell phones, other electronic
devices, cigarettes, or other distractions.  If they are used you will
be asked to put them away.  You may have your cell phones, however,
they are to be used for emergencies.  This is a time to be with your
child and their friends; therefore distractions should be left at home.

•  Chaperones may not bring siblings on trips, as our school insurance
does not cover them.  The ONLY exception may be the trip to the zoo.

•  Chaperones are expected to drive to and from the destination only.
There are to be no side trips anywhere.

•  Chaperones are expected not to buy things for their child or
child’s group.  This puts the teacher and other parents in an awkward
position.
NOTE: Our trips usually do not allow time to visit gift shops.

•  Chaperones are expected to bring their own lunch and a bag/backpack
to help carry their group’s lunches.