About Mrs. Chang
Hello, Grove Families! Here is a little bit about your fourth grade teacher:
I was born in Taiwan and came to the United States when I was in fourth grade. English is my second language, and I am a native speaker of Mandarin. I grew up in the south, and went to college at the University of California at Berkeley, where I got my B.A. in English Literature. I then received my Master's in elementary education at DePaul University. I taught in Chicago Public Schools for four years as a science resource teacher to first and second grade students. I then took time off from teaching to raise my children, and now I am back to teaching in full force. This is my third year at Grove, and I am thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity to teach 4th grade again this year. I live in the school district with my husband, daughter (14), and son (10). I am also a Grove parent: my daughter completed her wonderful journey at Grove Avenue School three years ago, and my son is currently in fifth grade. I have experienced the greatness of our school from the parents' perspective, and now I am honored to be able to be a part of the fabulous team to continue the excellence of learning at Grove Avenue School. Reading and writing are two of my favorite things because I believe that they can be life-changing practices. They are the skills that make our lives meaningful and fulfilling. I read as much as my spare time allows, and I have always enjoyed reading children's and young adult novels. I am on Goodreads, and I write a review for every book I read. I have a personal blog where I write to find focus, celebrate expression, and nurture gratitude. I look forward to growing ourselves as life-long readers and writers with your children. |
About Our Class
Absences
If your child is sick, please inform the office of your child's absence. Missed work can be made up after your child feels well. Please email me to arrange work to be sent home if there is a neighbor or sibling in school.
Allergies
There are no food allergies in the class this school year. With that said, we would like to be extra careful with food transport to and from school so that allergens such as peanuts and tree nuts do not come in contact with students outside of our classroom. Thank you!
Backpacks/Take Home Folder (Reading Log)
Students must bring a backpack to school daily. Please check your child's Take Home folder everyday (front pocket for "return to school" and back pocket for "keep at home"). Students are encouraged to pack their own backpacks after completing their own reading and logging each evening. Please sign your child's reading log weekly.
Birthdays
Birthday treats are welcome as long as they have no allergens (see Allergies above). Please let me know ahead of time so I can plan treats time accordingly.
Book Orders
Scholastic Book orders are sent home periodically. Orders may be placed by parents online at http://http://www.scholastic.com/parents/ using our class code: NFMRZ, or through me via a check payable to Scholastic Book Club. These orders help me earn points for building my classroom library!
Bring to School Daily
Change in Routine
If your child will have a change from normal transportation routine, please send a note in the morning or email me before lunch. Last minute notices should be called in to the office and I will be notified. Students going home with a friend must have a note for me to initial; the note will be passed on to the bus driver if your child is riding home with a friend.
Communication
Notes maybe turned in directly to me in the morning. Emails are the preferred way of communication. Voicemails are discouraged. Calls to the office are accepted for last minute messages or changes in routine. Newsletters are sent home and published here each Monday to inform families of our learning and fun. Class website at www.schangbsd220.weebly.com is your one-stop shop to everything you'll need to know about my class. Follow my Twitter account, @MrsChangGrove, to experience our class learning in photos or tweets.
Field Trips
Fourth graders take a trip to Stillman Nature Center as a part of our science curriculum in the fall. We visit Feed My Starving Children, an organization that packs food for needy countries. We also have a Big Event as a part of our Family Reading Program in the spring. We always welcome chaperones on a first-come-first-served basis if space is limited. We also include a field trip to a museum at the end of the year whenever possible.
Grading Policy
Fourth grade is the first year where students receive letter grades on report cards. I use a rubric that helps students understand their learning and how grades reflect that. 4 = Exceeds (I can do it without mistakes; I can help others). 3 = Proficient (I can do it by myself; I make little mistakes). 2 = Developing (Sometimes I need help; I am starting to understand). 1 = Novice (I can't do it by myself; I don't understand yet). This rubric easily translates to the letter grade system, A/B/C/or below. Students will always have the opportunity to show further learning achievement on tests and graded assignments. Corrected work on a separate sheet of paper (do not erase incorrect answers) with a parent signature will receive partial credit for a final improved grade.
Handwriting
At Grove, the handwriting expectation for fourth and fifth graders is cursive. We will practice to proficiently write and read cursive in fourth grade.
Homework
Grove piloted a no-homework year last school year (with mandatory daily reading/logging, additional home review as deemed necessary by teacher, and optional home enrichment activities). More information to come for this school year at Back to School Night.
iPad
Please bring fully charged iPad to school DAILY. Students and parents will sign an iPad contract for proper use. Below are some good rules to follow when using the iPad.
If your child is sick, please inform the office of your child's absence. Missed work can be made up after your child feels well. Please email me to arrange work to be sent home if there is a neighbor or sibling in school.
Allergies
There are no food allergies in the class this school year. With that said, we would like to be extra careful with food transport to and from school so that allergens such as peanuts and tree nuts do not come in contact with students outside of our classroom. Thank you!
Backpacks/Take Home Folder (Reading Log)
Students must bring a backpack to school daily. Please check your child's Take Home folder everyday (front pocket for "return to school" and back pocket for "keep at home"). Students are encouraged to pack their own backpacks after completing their own reading and logging each evening. Please sign your child's reading log weekly.
Birthdays
Birthday treats are welcome as long as they have no allergens (see Allergies above). Please let me know ahead of time so I can plan treats time accordingly.
Book Orders
Scholastic Book orders are sent home periodically. Orders may be placed by parents online at http://http://www.scholastic.com/parents/ using our class code: NFMRZ, or through me via a check payable to Scholastic Book Club. These orders help me earn points for building my classroom library!
Bring to School Daily
- Gym shoes (to be kept in locker)
- Healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and/or cheese (feel free to pack 2 snacks because 4th graders have a very long morning)
- Filled water bottle
- Book for reading/reading log
- Charged iPad
Change in Routine
If your child will have a change from normal transportation routine, please send a note in the morning or email me before lunch. Last minute notices should be called in to the office and I will be notified. Students going home with a friend must have a note for me to initial; the note will be passed on to the bus driver if your child is riding home with a friend.
Communication
Notes maybe turned in directly to me in the morning. Emails are the preferred way of communication. Voicemails are discouraged. Calls to the office are accepted for last minute messages or changes in routine. Newsletters are sent home and published here each Monday to inform families of our learning and fun. Class website at www.schangbsd220.weebly.com is your one-stop shop to everything you'll need to know about my class. Follow my Twitter account, @MrsChangGrove, to experience our class learning in photos or tweets.
Field Trips
Fourth graders take a trip to Stillman Nature Center as a part of our science curriculum in the fall. We visit Feed My Starving Children, an organization that packs food for needy countries. We also have a Big Event as a part of our Family Reading Program in the spring. We always welcome chaperones on a first-come-first-served basis if space is limited. We also include a field trip to a museum at the end of the year whenever possible.
Grading Policy
Fourth grade is the first year where students receive letter grades on report cards. I use a rubric that helps students understand their learning and how grades reflect that. 4 = Exceeds (I can do it without mistakes; I can help others). 3 = Proficient (I can do it by myself; I make little mistakes). 2 = Developing (Sometimes I need help; I am starting to understand). 1 = Novice (I can't do it by myself; I don't understand yet). This rubric easily translates to the letter grade system, A/B/C/or below. Students will always have the opportunity to show further learning achievement on tests and graded assignments. Corrected work on a separate sheet of paper (do not erase incorrect answers) with a parent signature will receive partial credit for a final improved grade.
Handwriting
At Grove, the handwriting expectation for fourth and fifth graders is cursive. We will practice to proficiently write and read cursive in fourth grade.
Homework
Grove piloted a no-homework year last school year (with mandatory daily reading/logging, additional home review as deemed necessary by teacher, and optional home enrichment activities). More information to come for this school year at Back to School Night.
iPad
Please bring fully charged iPad to school DAILY. Students and parents will sign an iPad contract for proper use. Below are some good rules to follow when using the iPad.