Welcome to Curriculum Night for the 4 th Grade

2. Welcome to Curriculum Night for the 4th Grade

3. Materials • Notebooks: • Math • Science • Writing • Reading • DBQ • Binder Sections: • Logs • Homework • Social studies • Word Study • Mega Math • Literacy boxes: all language arts materials

4. DBQ – (Data Based Questioning) • DBQs measure students' knowledge, their intellectual habits, and whether they can apply those skills to new information. • When you show students an illustration and ask them, "What's going on in this picture?" you're asking for a scaffolded response - a big part of the DBQ process.

5. Eagle Time (Language Arts) • Reader’s Workshop • Mini-lessons on grade level skills are taught at the beginning of the lesson • Fountas and Pinnell testing • Groups: • DBQ • Guided Reading with a small group with the teacher • Independent Word Study: Students practice and review working independently on the lesson for that week. • Mega Math/ Calendar: risk free, targeting many AKS, targeting difficult strands of AKS, and exemplars. • Sustained Silent Reading (SSR): Students independently read

6. Writing Workshop • We will be focusing on the four types of writing each quarter: • Narrative • Informational • Persuasive/Opinion • Response to Literature • Writing Process • Effective Writing Skills • Grammar

7. Spelling • Spelling is still on the report card. • We will use a rubric to determine your child’s “Spelling” grade. This is aligned with GCPS expectations. We began implementing these changes last year and will continue to implement best practices. • Spelling grade will include all of the anchors of Word Study: *Phonemic Awareness *Phonics *Spelling *Vocabulary *Handwriting *Fluency

8. Spelling Continued • What parents can count on: • We will study grade level appropriate spelling patterns. • We will expect students to spell grade appropriate words correctly in all writing. • We will provide students spelling and word study support based on their individual needs. • There will be a heavy emphasis on applying their word study knowledge in writing. We will analyze students writing throughout the day in all curriculum areas to determine his/her level of spelling.

9. Root Words • 2nd-5th Greek and Latin Roots Focus • One of the anchors of Word Study is vocabulary • We will study a variety of Greek and Latin Root patterns throughout the year • Students will have daily practice and tests for these roots

10. Science • Units of study: Think like a Scientist, Water cycle, Weather, Solar system: stars, planets, constellations, seasons, moon phases, Light, Sound, Force and Motion, Simple machines, Ecosystems, and Adaptation/Survival • Science notebooks • Study guides go in binders • Mrs. Klein to support • Online science textbook to support units of study: http://www-review-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/gwinnett/georgia/science/ete/CT40-GA9A/course.html?yup=1

11. Health • Units of study: First aid, Safety, Personal care, Disease prevention, Drug abuse, Nutrition, Emotional expression / Mental health, Family life, and Anatomy (digestive system) • Online health games: www.eharcourtschool.com, click on The Learning site, Health, Your Health, 4th • These units will be taught by each homeroom teacher. So, watch for the change in your newsletters!

12. Social Studies“Those who never learn history are condemned to repeat it.” -Unknown • Section in binder • Practice Book • Weekly Sheet • Units of Study • Geography Unit • Native American Cultures(Inuit, Kwakiutl, Nez Perce, Hopi, Pawnee, and Seminole) • European Explorers (Ponce de Leon, Columbus, Hudson, Cabot, Nunez de Balboa, and Cartier) • Colonial America • American Revolution • Founding of America • Abolitionist Movement

13. Math • Math Units: • First Nine Weeks: -Number and Operation (Reading, writing, rounding, comparing, multiplication, division) -Whole Numbers Part 1 • Second Nine Weeks: -Whole Numbers Part 2 (Multiples and Factors, Prime and Composite, Number/shape patterns) -Fractions: adding and subtracting • Third Nine Weeks: - Fractions and Decimals: Multiply and Divide - Geometry (Classifying figures, line s of symmetry) • Forth Nine Weeks: - Measurement (Linea/capacity/mass, area and perimeter, measuring angles) - Whole Numbers • Homework: Nightly math homework. Review/Preview Work • Math Online Textbook

14. Promotion Criteria • To earn promotion to the 5th grade, a child enrolled in 4th grade must earn a passing score on each of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) subtests: Reading, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies* • *Note: A special education student’s promotion is determined by his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP). Promotion for a student with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) is determined by his or her AKS Intervention and Modification Plan, or by recommendation of the English Language Learner (ELL)/ Test Preparation Committee. • *Note:

15. Promotion Criteria • Should a child not pass all required CRCT subtests to earn promotion to 5th grade, he or she may have the opportunity to attend summer school for targeted instruction. A student who does not meet all promotion requirements after summer school will not be promoted to 5th grade. Instead, the student will receive extra help the next year through a transition program.

16. Grade Level Policy • Check-out: No check outs after 2:45. • Birthdays: If your child has a birthday, please make sure to get the correct number of treats for the students in your child’s homeroom. Class sizes are big this year! • Please do not bring anything we need to use a knife for.

17. Grading Procedures: Part I • Class work may be graded, so some items cannot be sent home to be made up. • Tests/Quizzes • Quizzes – notice in the agenda, no study guide, use notes to prepare • Tests – Week notice (at minimum), study guide will be given and two class periods of review • Please Note: some study guides may be given at the beginning of units to prepare while we work, students will be responsible for keeping up with the study guide

18. Grading Procedures: Part II • Grading • Quizzes – 100%, single weighted • Tests – 100%, double weighted • No retakes on tests • Student will be given a second test if they score a 75 or below • Make-up during study hall to understand what mistakes were made • No changes in grades • Re-do class work • Optional for every student • Completed during recess • Two scores will be averaged for final grade

19. Make-Up Work • Make-up work is to help your child to master the missed AKS, not necessarily to do every activity and assignment that he or she missed. • Please Note:If a parent desires, he/she may phone the school in the morning prior to 9:30am(any later and we will not receive the message in time) and request that the assignments be available for pick-up in the office after 3:30pm of the same day. • A child has a chance to complete homework Monday-Thursday. If not completed by Friday, your child will miss recess and stay inside for “study hall.” • They will complete missing work at this time.

20. Reporting Student Progress • Parent portal: If you have not signed up, please make sure you visit the table in the foyer before you leave! • Teachers cannot collect forms, must verify ID. • This is how grades will be communicated with parents, no longer through email. • Report cards will be sent home quarterly, no changes. Grades from each of us for their subjects.

21. Important Dates • Conference Dates: * October 1st and 2nd * February 25th and 26th * Student will have early release on these days. School will be dismissed at 12:50. * Early release is now on Monday and Tuesday. • Standardized Testing Dates: * April 22nd-29th * Reading * English/language arts * Math * Science * Social Studies

22. Classroom Newsletters & Friday Folders • Newsletters will be posted on the Taylor website for each teacher on the 4th grade link and on homeroom teachers’ websites. • We will post a Newsletter every other week. • Please read the newsletter each week to ensure you are aware of current events and targeted AKS. • Friday Folders are sent home on the last day of the week. • Friday folders will communicate any concerns from the week, add comments necessary to the back of the page with dates. • Please sign any assignments that show a grade below 73% and return to school in the Friday Folder. • Multiple checks in one area (i.e. homework) reflect more than one occurrence.

23. Behavior • Refocus Strategy • Copies (documentation) of Refocus Tickets will be sent home in the agenda, the day it takes place, for your records – please sign and return • In the classroom, • Green – a warning has been issued • Yellow – first Refocus, 5 minutes off recess/silent lunch • Red – second Refocus, call home, no recess/silent lunch • Good behavior is rewarded by using class incentives (marble jars) and individual rewards such as tickets. Students can visit the treasure chest with tickets.

24. Refocus Form REFOCUS FORM Student Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________ Subject in which Refocus was given: _______________________________________ Why were you asked to Refocus: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What will you do differently to prevent this type of behavior from reoccurring? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you ready to return to class? ______________ Student signature: ___________________ Teacher signature: __________________ Parent signature: ____________________

25. What Can Parents Do? • Encourage reading and writing in every situation you can • Support students through homework, studying, projects • Keep up communication with teacher • Check agenda and homework nightly • Read the newsletter  • Volunteer for school events

26. Teacher Expectations • Effort • Team work • Responsibility • Respect • Honesty • We will be leading students through a tough year, and they (along with you) have our word that we will work hard; that is what we expect from my students as well 

27. Please make your way to your homeroom teacher’s class. Just a few more things! Thanks for coming!