W e l c o m e T o Ms. Grimes’ Classroom

1. WelcomeTo Ms. Grimes’ Classroom Curriculum Night August 19, 2013

2. All About Ms. Grimes • Born in Fort Sill, OK (military family) • BS.Ed from North Georgia College in State University • Dual degree in early childhood and special education • Obtained a reading endorsement • Completed Master’s Degree in Early Ed. • Completed Specialist’s Degree from Liberty • Gifted endorsed! • I come from a family of educators.

3. A day in the life of your child: 7:10-7:50- Morning Work 7:50-9:00- Math 9:00-10:00 Reader’s Workshop 10:00-10:50-Writer’s Workshop 10:50-11:30- Specials 11:30-11:44- Grammar Workshop 11:44-12:14- Lunch 12:14-12:34- Recess 12:34-2:00- Social Studies/Science 2:00-2:20- Afternoon Essentials

4. Specials Rotation • Monday- Music • Tuesday- Learning Lab • Wednesday- PE • Thursday- Art • Friday- PE • Located on my website!!

6. What drives the curriculum? Georgia Professional Standards-GPS (social studies and science) Common Core (Reading, ELA, and Math) Forsyth County Rubrics Check out www.georgiastandards.org to see all of the standards we will meet this year!

7. Common Core Information Forsyth County Schools link to Parent CCGPS information http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/32691 PTA Parent’s Guide to Student Success http://www.pta.org/4446.htm Click on the “Academics” tab on Sharon’s homepage. “State Standards” has many resources for you!!

8. ELA Focus Areas • Complex texts, quality, range • Evidence that reading is anchored in the college and career readiness (CCR) standards. • Rich reading of literature as well as extensive reading in science, history/social studies, and other disciplines.

9. Reading • Mini Lessons • Reader’s Workshop-Individual Choice and Conferences • Storyworks • Novel studies as a whole class • The basal may be used as a resource • Text complexity and comparing texts!!

10. Language Arts and Writing • Writer’s Workshop with picture books and mini edits. • Writer’s Notebooks • Reader’s Notebooks • 4 types of writing • Narrative • Expository/Informative • Persuasive/Opinion • Response to Literature

11. Math Focus Areas Focus strongly where the standards focus Coherence: Think across grades, and link to major topics within grades Rigor: Require fluency, application, and deep understanding

12. Math • My philosophy for math instruction includes: • Hands-on • Minds-on • Real world application • Group work • Student leaders • Practice Skills *Place Value *Rounding *Multiplication *Division *Algebra *Geometry *Problem Solving *Fractions

13. Science (This can change throughout the year.) Water Cycle & Weather/Climate-Qtr 1 Space-Qtr 2 Ecosystems & Adaptations-Qtr 3 Light, Simple Machines and Sound-Qtr 4 Scientific Inquiry-All Year

14. Social Studies (This can change throughout the year!) Native Americans & Exploration- Qtr 1 Colonial America & American Revolution- Qtr 2 The New Nation-Qtr 3 Westward Expansion- Qtr 4 Geography, Government, & Economics will be interwoven and assessed throughout the year.

15. Forsyth County Attendance Policy • Please make sure your child is at school by 7:40 a.m. • Vacations are not excused absences. • If your child is absent from school you must send a note stating why your child was absent-please print their name and my name on the note! • Three tardies turn into an unexcused absence. • 5. Try to make appointments after school, whenever possible. Always request an excuse from the doctor or dentist to send in.

16. Summative Grading • Percentage grades based on tests, projects, and other assignments • Given in ELA, math, science and social studies • They will have between 5 and 8 each quarter for each subject. Summative A=90-100% B=80-89% C=70-79% F=69% and below • Each child will be assessed using formative (4,3,2,1) and summative (%) assignments.

17. Formative Grades • Teacher observation in class • Will not come home as often • Only in math, reading, and writing/grammar Formative 4- excels/extends within the standard 3- consistent achievement within the standard 2- moderate achievement within the standard 1- limited achievement within the standard Conduct Scale E- Exemplary S- Successful D- Does Not Meet *S is the norm!*

18. Retakes Retakes are mandatory for all students who score a 69 or below on grade level common ELA and math assessments. Retakes are optional for any student scoring a 70 or above. However, the score earned on the retake will replace the previous score. It is the responsibility of the child and parent to print and fill out the retake ticket which is located on the 4th grade common website. All retakes will take place in your child’s classroom, and students must be in the classroom between 6:45-7:00 to begin their retake.

20. Homework • Homework will be assigned Monday-Thursday • Math (Moby Max will soon start and be required weekly.) • Reading • Social Studies/Science • Vocabulary (prefixes, suffixes, Latin roots) • Homework is very important to me and is vital for students to succeed. Homework not only strengthens your child’s performance by providing opportunities to practice, but it also teaches your child responsibility.

21. Ms. Grimes’ Classroom Management • We are a community • Class Dojo • Positive reinforcement • Classroom incentives • Notes will come home or e-mailed if there is a problem in class

22. Miscellaneous Items Ice Cream: Students may purchase ice cream on Thursdays to eat on Fridays. ($0.75) Field Trips: We plan two field trips each year. When we determine and schedule them, I will let you know. Clubs After school clubs with Ms. Grimes coming soon! 

23. Communication • Friday Folder • Agenda • Edmodo • Phone call or email (Have your child call me!) • Conferences • Spirit Nights!!  • Please make sure you are signed up for Parent Portal! This is very important especially when it comes to grades! (See Mrs. Couch if you need an account.)

24. Questions?