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M s. Michelle Taormina 4 th Grade Room 19 mtaormina @sp usd.net BA in Art History from USC Teaching Credential from Cal State TEACH MS in Education from Cal State Fullerton 4 years with Arcadia USD at Hugo Re id & Holly Ave. I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Marengo Family!.
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Ms. Michelle Taormina4th GradeRoom 19 mtaormina@spusd.net • BA in Art History from USC • Teaching Credential from Cal State TEACH • MS in Education from Cal State Fullerton • 4years with Arcadia USD at Hugo Reid & Holly Ave. • I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Marengo Family!
Philosophy I encourage my students to take intellectual risks. I support the struggle as students learn new skills. I understand that all students have varying needs. Through differentiation, project-based learning, as well as the incorporation of technology, my students are given the opportunity to reach a high level of academic achievement. Lastly, I believe in engaging and empowering students to become lifelong learners and criticalthinkers prepared for the demands of our global society.
School Expectations Classroom Expectations Be safe! Be responsible! Be respectful! • Keep hands feet and object to yourself. • Follow directions and stay on task. • Do not disrupt others. • Be prepared daily. • Check in class. • Respect others and yourself!
Behavior Management • Classroom Economy • Earn Scholar Dollars through classroom jobs • Earn time… • Class earns 60 minutes of free time • Positive note or phone call home • Second Step • Bullying Prevention • Character Education • Random Acts of Kindness • Gratitude Journals • The Happiness Effect • Peaceful Playgrounds
Behavior Management Unfortunately, positive reinforcement is not always successful. In such cases, the following steps are taken: • Warning. • Reflection time in journal. • Loss of classroom time. • Note or phone call home. • Meeting with the principal.
Effective Work Habits & Academics Time management is the key to success in 4th grade! • Students are expected to turn in work on time. • While adequate time is given in class to complete assignments, students with incomplete class work will take the work home as homework. • Work is graded using rubrics. Rubrics are handed out before students begin a project to ensure that students understand expectations. Grading Scale: * 4 – 90-100 – Thorough and Consistent Understanding * 3 – 80-89 – Proficient Understanding * 2 – 70-79 – Approaching Understanding * 1 – Below 69 – Minimal Understanding
Homework… • Reading • Minimum of 20 minutes a night. • Math • Assigned nightly. Students must show all work and attach it to homework. • Homework Menu • Complete a minimum of one assignment per column. • Honors Work • Optional opportunities found on website.
Reading is a Major Key to Success in 4th Grade!!! Lexile Levels: Lexile is the measure of a texts readability. Students should choose age level appropriate books at their reading level. The average 4th grader should read at a Lexile level between 740 and 875.
Reading • Core Literature Books: • Shiloh, By the Great Horn Spoon, The Little Prince, Tuck Everlasting, Junior Great Books, Chasing Vermeer • Literature Circles • Major Projects: • iMovie Trailers, Battle of the Books, Novel Study Projects, Book Blog (one due per month). • Writing • Multi Paragraph Compositions: • Narrative, Informational, Opinion (rubrics posted online) • Integrated throughout other content areas – specifically Social Studies and Science. Time:
Core Curriculum – Math Expressions • Common Core Aligned • Differentiated and Leveled • Conceptually based instruction • Math talks which focus on explaining your thinking. • Online Resource – Think Central • Major Class Project – Classroom Economy • Year Long Simulation • Emphasis on Financial Responsibility • Students will be paid weekly… • Students will pay income tax… • Students will buy property…
Time: California History • Geography – Green Screen Project • Native Tribes – Tribe Study • Explorers – Explorer Cubes • Missions – Mission Brochures • Gold Rush – Gold Rush Simulation • Government – Becoming a State • * All projects funded through Wish Night
Life Science Plants Venus Fly Traps The World through a Microscrope Earth Science Rocks & Minerals Plate Tectonic Models Volcano Models & Core Samples Physical Science Magnetism Circuits Electric Car Unit * All projects funded through Wish Night Funds Time:
Art, Music, & Drama… • Classroom Art – Year Round • Around the World • Art inspired by various cultures • Tied to other content areas • Projects funded by Wish Night • Rotations: • 1st Quarter – Art (Volunteers needed!) • 2nd Quarter – Drama • 3rd Quarter – Music
Field Trips Autry Museum – Bus/Chaperones Needed Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum – Bus/Chaperones Needed Physics Field Trip to the Science Center – Bus/Chaperones Needed * Field Trips are dependent on Wish Night Funds *
Wanted: Volunteers!!! Please sign up in the back!!! Volunteers always welcome!!! Art Volunteers Making Copies Literature Circles Writing Editors Class Projects & Parties Special Projects and/or Guest Speakers
Thank you for coming! Please don’t forget to email me!mtaormina@spusd.net