Welcome to 4 th Grade C.A.T.S. Curriculum Night

1. Welcome to 4th Grade C.A.T.S. Curriculum Night

2. Contact Info: • Email:Eastin.melissa@chandler.k12.az.us • This is the best way to get in touch with me. • Voice Mail: 480-883-4156 • Front office: 480-641-4100

3. C.A.T.S GOALS This program is designed to challenge the gifted student through a multidimensional teaching approach involving special curricula, enrichment, and the acceleration of course content.

4. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop within the student a desire for excellence and a sense of individual responsibility to the school community and to a changing society.

5. Curriculum Overview Curriculum one grade above for math and Language. Compacted and accelerated pace. Opportunities to examine topics in-depth with extended units of study focusing on the application of the concept. The complete curriculum is found on the Chandler Unified School District Webpage.

6. Math Curriculum Strand 1: Number and operations Fluency with numbers. Understanding the relationships among numbers. Fractions, decimals, percents. Multiplication and division concepts. Ratios. Unit rates. Fraction operations and concepts. Exponents. Q1 Strand 2: Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability Data collection and organization/integrated and reinforced through science experiments. .Euler Paths and circuits. Q3 Strand3: Patterns, Algebra, and functions Algebraic representations/rates/solving two step equations. Q4

7. Math Curriculum • Strand 4: Geometry and Measurement • Spatial reasoning and geometric properties. Drawing and labeling angles, solving for unknown angles. Perimeter and area. Q2 • Strand 5: Structure and Logic • Emphasizes the core processes of problem solving. Integrated throughout the year.

8. What Does Math Workshop Look Like? 1. Begin with Problem of the day/problem solving challenges. Students write solutions in journal/share strategies. 2. Groups meet with teacher for skills focus lesson 3. Work on independent work reinforcing lesson. 4. Reinforcement and enrichment centers such as math games, computer assignments, or project application.

9. Math Texts Access student texts online: Go to Pearsonsuccessnet.com. Type sfgrade5 for password and user name. Pearson’s site has additional resources including virtual manipulative, games, and turtle logo.

10. Math Grades Quizzes/progress checks most Fridays. Tests Projects Daily Work Math Journal If a student scores less than 75% on a math test or quiz, a retake test will be required. Math journal rubric criteria is posted on my website.

11. Writing Students are taught the 6 plus 1 Writing Traits and the writing process. All written components of projects and writing pieces are graded using the 6 Traits of writing. The rubrics are posted on my website. Types of writing: Narrative, expository, Informative, Persuasive, Poetry, and creative writing. Research writing will be emphasized.

12. Reading Curriculum Focus on literary elements and analysis: Theme, plot, climax, rising action, characterization. Literature sets and JR Great Books. We will be participating in the Accelerated Reading Program this year. Students are expected to earn 15 AR points per quarter. AR books can be read in class for DEAR or at home for reading requirement.

13. Reading Grades(Literature Workshop) Book Clubs or literature conferences-dialoguing about books as a group. Literature Log-responding to literature in written format. Inquiry projects-in-depth investigation of a concept in book. Other assignments-book projects, book reports, reviews, skills work, or anthologies.

14. Social Studies Curriculum AZ History People of the Southwest World War II Civics and government Economics Geography

15. Science Curriculum Inquiry/scientific method Life Sciences Renewable and non-renewable resources Plant and animal adaptations Magnetism and energy Problem-Based Learning projects-creating solutions Science Fair Design Squad Activities, with focus on the design process. Started with the process of Invention, using the curriculum projects from Design Squad.

16. Word Study Include the study of high Frequency Words. Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes. Spelling of high frequency words is expected in written work. No weekly spelling tests. Monthly tests with ongoing word study.

17. How is Spatial Intelligence Addressed? Projects include building bridges, writing logo commands, using power point presentations, Design Squad activities, logic problems, and other free explore projects.

18. Grading Policy 90-100 =A 80-89 =B 70-79=C 60-69=D You can check your child’s grades using Grade Speed. The link is on my website.

19. Homework Expectations Math homework assigned on Monday and due Friday. The work should be about 20-30 minutes, 4 days a week. Work will include practice and problem solving work and will reinforce class learning. Students may be assigned different HW assignments, depending on needs. Sometimes a Project will take place of HW for week. Word study practice will also be part of HW Students will also be expected to read 20 minutes a day outside of class. Homework for the upcoming week will be outlined in My Weekly Report sent home on Friday.

20. Missing Work If homework is not completed, a “pink slip” will be issued. If homework is not completed by Friday, student will miss Fab Friday Fun and complete missing work. This also applies to work that needs to be redone, due to quality issues. (incomplete or not personal best)

21. Communication Important information will be posted on my website. Sign up for E-alerts. Information to do this is on my website. Students will complete weekly self-reflections on the Weekly Report sent home on Friday. My notes will also be included. Please sign and return the Weekly Report on Monday. Expect midterm report about 4 weeks into quarter. Feel free to communicate to me in your child’s planner/agenda. Please sign the agenda at least once a week.

22. Field Trips State Capital, AZ Science Museum, Heard Museum. (Other trips to be determined.)

23. Citizenship Guidelines Students are expected to respect themselves, respect others, and respect the learning environment. Time on task and personal responsibility are emphasized. Students will receive 2 redirections, then a note will go home.

24. Student Responsibilities Demonstrate personal best Model the Pillars of Character Study for tests and complete projects Keep organized Turn in all class work, projects, and homework/demonstrate responsibility Class rule: RESPECT

25. Consequences + use a checkbook system. Students receive bonuses for hard work. +Fun Friday and class PAT time. -student get fined for off task or missing homework. Students who receive a communiqué will miss Fun Friday and will not get the full student salary for the week. Each student is different, therefore, each situation will be handled on an individual basis.

26. Parent Responsibilities Check student’s planner/agenda weekly. Help students pace themselves to get HW completed on time and encourage personal responsibility. Communicate with me as needed. Check my website for important info.

27. Specials Schedule Day 1: P.E Day 2: Library Day 3:Music Day 4:P.E Day 5: Computer lab Day 6: Music

28. Other Won’t see lots of papers going home. We work in math journals everyday/problem solving and literature logs (kept in class) We take notes and complete daily math work in our math notebooks. CATS philosophy of Project-Based learning, which requires application of learning. We practice math using whiteboards. Group projects/projects on the computer Students will share work and goals with parents at student-led conferences. Dates to be announced. Students will be expected to redo work, including tests, if their score is less than 70%. 80% for math tests. Scores will be averaged.

29. Odd and Ends Continued • Please send a healthy snack and a water bottle everyday. • Please no snacks with peanuts or Tree nuts. • Please no electronic devices. • Conference will be held twice a year. Dates will be posted on the calendar. • Please review and sign your child’s agenda at least once a week.

30. Tax Credit • Our Field Trips can now only be funded using Tax Credit monies donated by families. • Anyone can donate to tax credit… even aunts and uncles. • Tax Credit forms are posted on my website. • Single contributions up to $200. • Married contributions up to $400. 100% of money refunded. • Fourth grade field trips may include the Heard Museum, the Basha Art Museum, Arizona Historical Museum, Arizona State Capitol, a theatrical play, as well as in-house field trips. • Schools can also purchase science and math materials with donated monies.

31. Thank you for coming! • Let’s make it a great year! • Please write a note to your child on a note card. Leave face down on desk. Please write down questions for me on the lined paper and place on round table. Include your name, so I can respond. Thanks for coming!