Welcome to Fourth Grade!

1. Welcome to Fourth Grade! Ms. Pettigrew’s Class Portable 1 Curriculum Night 2014-2015 Sign up for Conferences Will be done online, later in the year.

2. Good Evening!I’m glad you’re here! • Please find your child’s desk • Read your child’s letter--please write back • Check the back table to sign up for volunteer opportunities • Please write down any questions you have during the presentation on the note card on the desk

3. On your desk…. • From me: • Letter from your child—write back! • Green folder—I will touch on during my presentation • From the office (On the back table) • Brochure • Volunteer Expectations • Background check

4. 4th Grade Extra Curricular Costs • Thank you to those who have paid  • Costs are: • $23.75 if you purchased a recorder • $17.75 if you did NOT purchase a recorder (Please let me know if you will not be purchasing a recorder!)

5. About Me UW • Graduate of University of Washington (Bachelor of Science in Psychology) • Masters in Education • This is my fourth year at Creekside Elementary. I just this school and I especially LOVE Fourth Grade!

6. About Me • I am a mother, friend, colleague and teacher. I love my life! • Mother of two, ages 8 and 11 • Interests include singing, cooking, playing guitar and reading • Lover of the arts – especially music and theater

7. Class Management System • “Do Unto Otters” • Classroom Bucket Points • Table Group Points • Stars of Recognition • Logical Consequences • Class Expectations • Show respect • Make good decisions • Solve the problem

8. 4th Grade Curriculum Plan for the Year • In your folder you will find a list of what we teach in fourth grade, please look it over • There are a few areas I would like to discuss further: • Math • Reading • Word Study • Science

9. In Everyday Math expect to see…. • …a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations; • …an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly; • …frequent practice of basic skills, often through games; • …lessons based on activities and discussion • …mathematical content that goes beyond basic arithmetic

10. Everyday Math On-line • Each student receives a user name and password • You will find your child’s in the packet in the green folder • When they log-on they will have access to the Student Reference Book and different Everyday Math games • Students also have access to IXL to practice math facts and concepts (password also in packet)

11. Reading • Balanced Reading Approach—students will read books at their own level • Currently assessing student reading levels to determine reading groups • More information can be found in the green folder

12. Reading • Making Meaning is our reading comprehension program • The bookroom will be used for Guided Reading groups to work on specific skills • Fountas and Pinnell will be used to identify your child’s reading level

13. Reading Fountas and Pinnell chart

14. Writing • New Curriculum for ISD • Lucy Calkins Units of Study • Full Implementation for the 2014-15 school year: • Narrative Writing • Opinion Writing- Students builds an argument about a topic and arranges ideas and evidence. • Informational Writing • Essay Writing • Refer to Letter in folder for more information from the district

15. Word Study Vocabulary Students are taught how to learn words and how to remember words. • Strategies for learning vocabulary include : context clues, root words, prefixes and suffixes.

16. Word Study Spelling Spelling will be integrated with writing instruction, with an emphasis on application in students’ daily writing. Intermittent checks and observations of daily work conducted throughout the year to assess.

17. Science If you are an expert in any of these areas or are interested in helping out, please let me know!

18. Daily Schedule- Can vary • Math • Snack/Read aloud • Reading • Word Study • Lunch • Specialist • Writing • Recess • Science/Social Studies/Art

19. Daily Schedule • Specialist Schedule • Music is on Wednesday and Friday • PE is on Tuesday and Wednesday • Library is every other Thursday • Other • SAGE is Wednesday (9:15-11:15am) • Computer Lab –To be scheduled (still waiting for all permission slips)

20. Snack • Every morning we will have snack time • Students need to bring their own snack- they cannot share • Snacks need to be healthy- top three ingredients should not be sugar • Examples: fruit/veggies, crackers, granola bars, trail mix

21. Homework/Planners • More information can be found in the packet in the green folder • Homework will be assigned nearly every night- Approximately 40 minutes (except on weekends) • Reading 20 minutes, weekly reading response • Everyday Math Study Links/IXL online practice • Unfinished work • Occasional Blog question • Planners • We will fill out each day – PLEASE CHECK THESE! • I will star planner • Would be helpful if you take a look at the planner and sign after they complete their homework

22. Reading at Home • Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes every night • They can read independently • They can read to someone else • Someone can read to them • They need to record what they read and for how many minutes on weekly log • They will also sometimes record new vocabulary • Total the minutes and sign it- it is due on Friday, with the completed reading response.

23. Additional Projects • Starting next month students will be asked to read a specific genre (students will receive the information soon) • There will not be a book project, but students will be asked to reflect on the book they read in their reading response. • THIS IS DIFFERENT IN MY CLASS and different than last year.

24. Star of the Week • Each full week a student is scheduled to be the star of the week • You will find the directions/schedule in the green folder • You do have one job on your child’s week! • Star lunch: once a month, parents are welcomed to join us + 1 FRIEND!!!

25. Communication • I won’t believe half of what they tell me about you if you don’t believe half of what they tell you about me.  • Email or call me with any concerns/ questions • Connect Website • Friday is the day things are sent home • Newsletters • Friday Report • Corrected work

26. Newsletters • Every Friday I will send home a newsletter via email or kid mail • Newsletter will have important information and dates of upcoming events so please make sure you read it • Week in Review

27. Friday Report • Friday Report will let you know if your child is missing any work from the week • Students have the chance to complete the missing work over the weekend and turn it in on Monday so it is not a ZERO in the gradebook. Please turn the missing work in STAPLED to the HW report • Corrected work from the week will be attached minus work I keep to add to their file. Keep work at home.

28. Quicktip • New anonymous reporting tool for students • 24/7 access from any computer with internet access: https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/issaquah/quicktip/ • Students can report concerns anonymously and directly to an administrator • Offers students a form of support • Only for students

29. Portfolios • To help students be more involved in their learning, the 4th grade students will have portfolios • They will set goals • Track progress on multiplication facts • Track progress on tests • Tests will be sent home then are to be returned so students can keep them in their portfolios

30. Report Cards • 1st Trimester Report Cards: • November 26th • Conferences: • December 3/4th • Online – later this year • 2nd Trimester Report Cards: • March 13th • 3rd Trimester Report Cards: • Last day of school

31. Grading Rubric Standards Based. Meeting Standards: • Consistently Goes above and beyond =4 • Consistently Demonstrates = 3 • Usually Demonstrates = 2 • Seldom Demonstrates =1

32. Field Trips/Celebrations • In-school field trips- Kate Poaster Science Labs • Walking field trips • Celebrations: • Pumpkin Math • Friendship Brunch • End of Year

33. Birthday Celebrations • We will honor everyone’s birthday in the classroom with: • A Birthday balloon • Singing Happy Birthday • The school will honor students’ birthdays once a month in the lunch room. • Please DO NOT bring any treats on your child’s birthday

34. Important Dates • There are important dates in the booklet • NEW Smarter Balanced Assessment – sample in green folder • Testing Window: April 20th – May 22nd

35. Volunteers • Volunteer Expectations on the back table • Volunteer Calendar will begin near the beginning of October • ALL must fill out a Washington State Patrol Form if you plan on volunteering—even if it’s just for ONE field trip. It lasts two years. (Back Table)

36. Experts Wanted • If you are an expert in an area that we are studying and feel comfortable in front of a classroom, I would love to have you. • Please contact me and let me know your area of expertise

37. Supply Request • 3x5 Notecards • Roll of Paper towels • CLEAN, single sock (to erase dry erase boards • Avery 8160 labels (30 labels per sheet) • Avery 8163 Shipping Labels (10 per sheet)

38. PTA Contacts • Michele McCoy 3m2coy@gmail.com • Jackie Firth jackie.creekside.ptsa@gmail.com

39. REMINDER! Picture Day is tomorrow! If you haven’t already sent in the order form, have your student bring it tomorrow, and wear their best clothes and smile!

40. Are there any questions? • Thank you for coming! • Please make sure to write back to your child. • Take the folder with you and leave the notecard • Please make sure you have signed up for any volunteer opportunities before you leave!