On the agenda for tonight: *Teacher introductions *Classroom procedures and schedule overview

1. The Fourth Grade Team Welcomes You To ASFS Back-To-School Night!Ms. Wells, Ms. Fritsch, and Ms. Fedorenchik On the agenda for tonight: *Teacher introductions *Classroom procedures and schedule overview *Curriculum overview *Highlights for the 2007-2008 school year

2. “Nine-tenths of education is • encouragement.” • -Anatole France

3. Multiple Intelligences at ASFS Differentiated instructional lessons are designed to bolster student strengths and interests based on Howard Gardner’s “Seven Smarts”

4. Fourth Grade Schedule • MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY • 9:05-9:55 Science • 10:00-10:50** Specials and Rehearsals • ~10:55-12:10 Math • 12:15-12:55 Recess/Lunch • 1:00-2:40 Language Arts • 2:45-3:35 Social Studies • 3:41- Dismissal • WEDNESDAY • 9:05-10:05 Science City • 10:10-11:10 Math • 11:15-11:40 Chorus • 11:45-12:25 Recess/Lunch • 12:30-1:20 Language Arts • 1:26- Dismissal

6. “The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.” • -Robert M. Hutchins

7. Fourth Grade Curriculum • All lessons in the curriculum are based on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL’s) • All 4th grade teachers collaborate weekly to plan that all class lessons are covering the same units. • Each teacher may have her own teaching method, but overall objectives are kept the same. • Each class will cover the same major 4th grade projects. • Lessons are designed to be hands-on, as collaborative as possible, and geared towards open-ended problem-solving.

8. Field Trips / Costs for 4th Grade • 4th Grade Anticipated Expenses and Contributions • Weekly Reader- “Virginia Weekly”  $4.20 per student* • Field Trips/Classroom Presentations • Jamestown Visitors- $1.00 per student • Play at Kennedy Center- $7.00 per student* • Tour of Old Town Alexandria- $5.00 per student • End of year trip to historic site in Virginia- ~$ 35.00 per student • Other • End of year pizza party – $o.80* • *In September, we collected $12.00 from students to cover the cost of the weekly reader, play at Kennedy Center and money for end of year party. • As always, we thank parents for contributing extra money to cover the costs for students who need financial assistance.

9. Fourth Grade Curriculum-Focused Subjects • Investigations Math • Extension of the basic facts • Problem-solving • Multiplication of large numbers • Division with double-digit divisors • Geometry • Fractions and Decimals • Time and Measurement • Probability

10. Fourth Grade Curriculum-Focused Subjects • Science • Resources of Virginia (Virginia Watershed) • Weather • Plants and Animals • Animal report • Energy • Electricity • Space

11. Fourth Grade Curriculum-Focused Subjects • Language Arts • Novels and literature discussion groups • Variety of genres, including Historical Fiction (Virginia Studies) • Characteristics of good writing • Grammar and vocabulary • Essays (Five Paragraph) • Research reports

12. Handwriting Without Tears • *The new handwriting program adopted by the county. • *Students receive instruction during language arts class. • *Each student has his/her own workbook

13. Fourth Grade Curriculum-Focused Subjects • Social Studies • Virginia Studies  • Land • Regions (Which includes Visitor’s Day) • Industries and products • People (Biography report) • History • Flashcards used for review

14. Homework • All fourth grade teachers adhere to the same homework policy: • It is expected that all students complete their work to be handed-in on the due-date. • If an assignment is not handed-in on time, that student will not receive credit for the assignment, but will still need to complete the assignment and hand it in the following day (still, no credit will be given). • APS states that an hour of homework, not including the ½ hour required nightly reading is an appropriate measure for 4th grade students regarding homework.

15. Homework (con’t) • Please note: • If a student forgets his/her books, work, or materials in the classroom once school is dismissed, it is not going to be permitted that students gain access to the classroom after school hours. It is the responsibility of students to make sure they have what they need BEFORE leaving for the afternoon. • Students are reminded and encouraged at dismissal to gather all necessary materials for homework and studying. • Assignments due on a particular date are to be handed in by the end of that day – not dropped off after school hours.

16. Grading Scale • A 90%-100% • B 80%-89% • C 70%-79% • D 60%-69% • E Below 60%

17. Fourth Grade Discipline Policy • The fourth grade discipline policy is based on a system of fines for negative behavior and rewards for positive behavior. Students receive fines/rewards throughout the month. On the last Friday of every month, these rewards and fines will be totaled. Students who have more rewards than fines will be rewarded for their positive behavior with an activity on “Fun Friday” and students who have more fines than rewards will not participate in “Fun Friday.” • All 4th grade teachers and specialist teachers adhere to administering fines/rewards to the fourth grade students. • Students start each new month with a “clean slate.”