Welcome to Curriculum Night!

1. Welcome to Curriculum Night! Please use the note card on the desk to write down any questions you have along the way, we have a lot to review.

2. Traditional Curriculum • Emphasis on fundamental skills such as math facts and handwriting. • Encourage higher level thinking skills that include evaluation and application opportunities. • Direct and whole group instruction. • Spalding based phonics program

3. Math • Saxon: Spiral concept review • Emphasis on mastery and application of mathematical skills • Timed tests in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with a goal of completing 100 math facts in 3 minutes • Progress will be tracked all year • 30 min. of ME

4. Social Studies • History of Arizona • Arizona Legislature • Arizona Today • Historical Perspective of Business in Arizona

5. Science • Adaptations • Scientists/Inventors • Energy and Magnetism • Conservation of Resources • Weather/Natural Disasters • Scientific inquiry • Science fair

6. Reading • Emphasis on using informational text • High quality reading passages (Journeys) & class literature studies • AR goals based on minutes read in class and at home • Book reports and projects

7. Accelerated Reader (AR) • Reading software program which guides on-level reading during free time as well as required reading for homework • It allows teachers and parents to monitor reading activity and progress • Each child will have an individualized AR point goal each quarter determined from their ‘star test’ • The AR goal is obtainable if your child is reading daily and taking AR quizzes AR does not replace the reading curriculum

8. How does AR work? • Students read a book at their pace • Students take a 5-20 question AR comprehension quiz on the computer • If they score an 85% or better, they pass the quiz, and earn points towards their AR goal. • AR will be a portion of their Reading and Homework grades on the report card

9. Writing • 6 + 1 traits of writing incorporated across curriculum • Includes ideas, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice, conventions, and presentation • Writing assignments will include letters, journals, reports, essays, book reports/projects • Assignments will correlate with other academic areas

10. Oral Recitation • Students will memorize and recite two pre-selected poems or recitations each quarter • Recitation pieces will be posted on the 4th grade website • Students not prepared on recitation date will receive a failing grade • Students evaluated on accuracy, volume, posture, enunciation and pace

11. Grand Canyon Field Trip* • Registration begins September; field trip date would be during 4th quarter, depart at 4:30 a.m. home around 9:00 p.m. • Chance to experience 4th grade curriculum (social studies & science) • Ranger guide (expert!) to lead us in hands-on activities • (*pending fund availability)

12. Grand Canyon Field Trip* (cont.) • Cost for activities and admission is FREE • State Tax Credit Donations funds the District Charter buses that take us to and from the canyon, so... • If you are interested in making a State Tax Credit Donation to benefit our field trip, be specific: • CTA Independence 4th grade • (*pending fund availability)

13. Classroom Expectations Be respectful Be organized Be responsible Do your personal best!

14. Positive Reinforcements • Positive phone calls and emails home • Tickets (the good kind) • Participation in Fab Friday • Class celebrations

15. Consequences • Verbal Warning • Checks in agenda for repeated infractions • 3 checks in the agenda will lead to loss of Fab Friday with a responsibility note to be completed by the student and signed by the parent • 4 checks in the agenda will result in Lunch Detention • Multiple weeks with multiple checkmarks will lead to a visit with administration

16. Homework • Homework will include a combination of spelling, math, reading/AR reading, and occasionally grammar, writing, social studies, or science. • Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes every night • Incomplete homework will result in a check mark and loss of lunch recess *What does it mean when I sign my child’s agenda each night? **Students will receive checkmarks for unsigned agendas

17. Testing Schedule • Phonogram tests will be on Wednesdays over the 20 we have been reviewing that week • Spelling Test will be each Thursday • Grammar and reading assessments will be given Fridays. • Saxon math assessments occur after every 5 lessons • Social Studies/Science tests periodically

18. Absent and Late work • Long Term assignments not turned in on the due date are considered late and will receive a failing grade • In case of absences, students will be expected to gather and complete their work when they return.

19. Please Note!! • “But I forgot…” Students are expected to have their homework with them as they leave the classroom. Call a classmate, use other resources…we’re teaching responsibility • Our neighbors call, organize meetings, complain to zoning officials, video tape our every move! Please help by following all traffic laws! THANKS!! • Average temperature in July/August is 104o Don’t forget to send your student with a labeled water bottle every day

20. Birthdays… Yes, we celebrate birthdays. Students visit the principal’s office and receive a special gift and sticker on their birthday Please do not send in cupcakes or sweet treats to share with the class. However, if you would like to send in something small such as a pencil, eraser, etc… to pass out to classmates, OR donate a book to the class in honor of their birthday, you may. Join your child for lunch!

21. CUSD Report Card Updates CUSD Goal: To create a unified and simplified report card for all elementary school students district wide To increase use of Parent Portal

22. Grades found in New Places • Math Facts- now found in the math grade. Grade 1-6 will have one grade each quarter for specific math fact level (depending on grade) • The one grade will be entered for progress report and then updated at the end of the quarter.

23. Accelerated Reader (AR)Grades 1-6 AR will also count in the Homework Completion category. • 80-89% of goal-student eligible for Honor Roll • 90-100% of goal-student eligible for Principal List AR- one reading comprehension grade will be taken each quarter (% correct) AR goals, parties, incentives, etc. are determined by grade levels

24. Phonograms Grades K-4 – find your phonogram grades listed in your Reading Grade Grades 5-6 – find your phonogram grades listed in your Language Grade

25. New Additions • Speaking and Listening is now a separate category from the Language Grade. • Poem Recitation will be this category. • Speaking and Listening Standards can be found on the CUSD website under the curriculum tab with links under English Language Arts (ELA).

26. New Report Card

27. Thank you for coming!! We are going to have a FABULOUSyear!!!