Welcome! Please take a note card and a pencil.

1. Welcome! Please take a note card and a pencil.

2. Back to School Night 4th Grade Tami Bostick Robyn Hunt Sarah Anderson Anna Sampson

3. Contact Information: Tami Bostick: tbostick@americanacademyk8.org Robyn Hunt:rhunt@americanacademyk8.org Sarah Anderson:sanderson@americanacademyk8.org Anna Sampson:asampson@americanacademyk8.org

4. 4th Grade Curriculum Overview

5. Math We use the Saxon Math curriculum at American Academy. This program is a “spiral” program. This means, instead of a concept being taught just once, students practice a concept many times at varying intervals throughout the year. This gives the student the time and practice needed to master a math concept. Grading: Lesson Practice (homework)– 20% Assessments- 80%

6. Reading Spalding Method: The Spalding Method is a phonics based program that integrates reading, writing, and spelling. Most of our instruction this year will focus on the spelling part of the program. At the beginning of the year, we assessed where each class was on the Spalding spelling list to determine which words to use for instruction. The Reading teachers will teach the students the spelling rules and sounds of the words before they are tested on the words. Since instruction on the words begins at least a week before the words are tested, we will not have a spelling test for a few weeks. Core Knowledge novels: Students will be reading a variety of novels including Robin Hood, King Arthur, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle, Pollyanna, and Treasure Island. As the students read these novels, they will also learn new vocabulary and extend their use of the Open Court comprehension strategies. These novels will be read aloud with homeroom teachers. Grading: Classwork/Homework: 40% Tests: 60%

7. What you can do at home to help improve your child’s reading skills: • Read to and with your child at home as much as possible. • Do some “copy cat” reading. Read a sentence aloud, with expression, and have your child repeat the sentence, copying your expression. • As you are reading together, stop frequently to check for understanding of the main idea and vocabulary. • At the beginning of each reading time, ask your child to summarize or retell what was read the previous reading time. Then, have your child make predictions about what is going to happen next in the story. • Ask your child to describe the characters of the story. • Check to see if your child can make a personal connection with the story--Ask your child if what you are reading reminded them of something that they have experienced or read in another book.

8. Grammar DLI: Daily Language Instruction Every day students will practice their language and grammar skills through their DLI. This practice will help them apply their skills to their writing and editing. Every third week students will be assessed with a DLI test. Shurley English: This is a systematic, research based program that has been proven effective in teaching students the skills needed in grammar. Students learn to identify all parts of speech, different patterns of sentences, direct objects and indirect objects, possessive nouns and so much more. The students also learn how to incorporate their knowledge of grammar in their reading and writing skills. Grading: Classwork: 40% Tests: 60%

9. Writing With the Step Up to Writing curriculum, students learn and practice the following writing skills and many more: • Note-taking (all classes) • Summaries (reading and writing class) • Responding to the text (reading and writing class) • 4 paragraph narratives with the use of dialogue • 3 point, 8 sentence expository paragraphs • Topic sentences • Persuasive essays • Descriptive essays 5 paragraph reports Grading: Classwork: 40% Final Drafts: 60%

10. History and Geography We use the Core Knowledge curriculum for history and geography. The following subjects are covered in 4th grade: • Map Skills • Major Mountains and Mountain Ranges • Middle Ages in Europe • Islam • Early and Medieval African Kingdoms • Chinese Dynasties • American Revolution • Constitution • Reformers • Presidents • Colorado History Grading: Classwork (copybook)/Homework: 40% Tests: 60%

11. Science • We use the Foss Science curriculum, Core Knowledge Science, as well as American Academy’s STEM program in Science. The following subjects are covered in 4th grade: • Energy and Electromagnetism • Sun, Moon, and Planets • Environments • Foss Online • Field Trips!! • Tesla September 17th • Science Foundation January timeframe • Devil’s Head trail in Sedalia May timeframe • STEM Units • Robotics Sept. 21 – Oct. 4 • Return to the Moon Feb. 11 - 28 • Electrical April 1 - 10 Grading: Classwork: 40% Tests: 60%

12. Discipline Policy Overview

13. Policies and Procedures In our school we strive to be students of character. We use the Essential 55 rules and the teaching of the core virtues to accomplish this goal. Parents are strongly encouraged to reinforce these character-based rules at home. Our goal with discipline is to promote a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning and where students are respectful. The following plan is designed to further that goal.

14. Discipline Plan We use a color coded system for classroom management. All students start the week on green. Yellow=warning Orange=Miss Friday Recess, fill out reflection form to be signed by parents Red=Miss Friday Recess, fill out reflection form to be signed by parents, before/after school detention with Mr. Smith At the end of the week, all students who are on green or yellow will get to have an extra Friday Recess at the end of the day! Students who are on Orange or Red will stay in for Friday Detention.

15. Planners • Planners are an important tool to help students plan their work, become responsible for doing it, and a form of communication between the teacher and parent. Throughout the day, students should be filling out their planners, recording assignments and due dates. Planners should be taken home each day and brought back the next day. • Parent signatures are not required in planners in 4th grade.

16. Homework, projects, and grading: Homework: Here is some of the consistent homework you will have: • Math--most nights students will be assigned a problem set as an extension of the lesson they learned that day. Students are given time to start their homework in class. • Work not completed in class will be assigned for homework. • Tests will be given in Science and Social Studies that require students to study and review their notes a little every day. In order to be successful, students should not “cram” the night before the test. • Occasionally other projects will be assigned in subjects such as Social Studies and Science. Late work: • -10% late for one day, -50% late for 2 days, after two days no credit is given Grading Scale: • Per the Parent/Student Handbook, the following grading scale will be used: • A+ = 100 – 99, A = 98 – 94, A- = 93 – 92, B+ = 91 – 90, B = 89 – 84, B- = 83 – 82, C+ = 81 –  80, C = 79 – 74, C- = 73 – 72, D+ = 71 – 70, D = 69 – 65, F = Below 65

17. Student Responsibilities • Students will learn to advocate for themselves and take responsibility for their learning • Check Infinite Campus under assignments- homework is no longer posted on the website • Ask their teachers for assignments when they are absent • Ask their teachers for clarification on their grades if they are confused • Email their teachers if they have questions Parents are welcome to communicate with teachers as well, however we encourage you to allow your student to be the first point of contact. This allows students to take responsibility for their learning and also helps to build their self-confidence and self-advocating skills. These skills are essential to becoming a successful student.

18. I WILL Be Successful in 4th Grade • 1. I will show respect to students, teachers, and materials at all times. • I will show responsibility by: • NEVER giving excuses • ASKING for my work if I am absent • EMAILING my teachers myself • ACCEPTING consequences • 3. I will grow as a leader by setting a good example and being an outstanding role model. • I WILL start right now! • 

19. How can I help my 4th grader? • Remember to check parent portal often for missing assignments and current grades. • Please make sure your email address is updated in Parent Portal to ensure that you are receiving relevant emails • Homework and assignments will be posted in IC under assignments. We no longer use the website to post homework • If you have questions about Parent Portal please visit the AA homepage under Resources—Portal Information or email portal@americanacademyk8.org Check Parent Portal

20. Infinite Campus App • Do you have a smartphone, iPad, or tablet? • If so, we have an app for you! • Infinite Campus is now more accessible than ever. • Download the Infinite Campus App from the App Store or Google Play • Enter QKKYJL in the district code line • Then enter your Infinite Campus username and password • You now have instant access to your students planner, assignments,, attendance, grades, and schedule.

21. We are looking forward to partnering with you to make this a great year for everyone! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you might have. Thanks for coming!