All About 4 th Grade!

1. All About 4th Grade! Bolin Elementary 4th Grade 2019-2020

2. Our Learning Journey

3. Reading, Writing, and Social Studies are taught by Mrs. Azimi. Math and Science are taught by Miss Daniels.

4. Welcome Parents and Guardians! • We have already started a fabulous year! • We look forward to each and every day with your children!

5. Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Contact Mrs. Azimi with any questions regarding these subjects

6. Reading In the primary grades, students have been learning to read. As 4th graders, students are reading to learn. This year we are focusing on establishing a reading life by using strategies that readers use to understand and connect to the text they read. We will be reading intensely by going much deeper in our thinking using the strategies such as: • Questioning • Inferring • Synthesizing • Visualizing • Determining Importance

7. Electronic Readers • Students may bring electronic devices such as Kindles and iPads to use during reading class to access their e-books. • There is a form that must be completed before students can bring their device, which will come home soon. • Students may check out e-books from the Bolin library using their personal devices.

8. Independent Reading Goals: • Read a variety of genres • Students will write in Daily Response Notebooks and participate in book discussions. • Besides reading in class, students are expected to read 20 minutes or more at home.

9. Reading Homework • Students need to read their books nightly for a minimum of 20 minutes. If they are busy one night, they need to take the responsibility to make up for the lost 20 minutes. • You can read books together and have discussions. • Reading volume matters. Reading in class does not count for their reading at home.

10. Independent Reading Makes a Difference

11. 30 Book Challenge • Your child is participating in the 30 book Challenge this year. I am looking forward to working together with you and your child to help in reaching this goal. • The purpose of this activity is to challenge students to read a variety of genres and instill a love of reading. • In addition, research shows that reading from a variety of genres has been proven the best way to improve as a reader and as a writer.

12. 30 Book Challenge Reading Goal • The goal for each grading period is to read and complete a summary for every book read. • Meeting this reading goal will count as one of your child’s reading grades for each grading period. • Detailed information in reference to reading goals is included inside your child’s 30 Book Challenge packet, located inside their binders.

13. 30 Book Challenge Book Selections • In class, I will assist students in picking out appropriate and appealing books for his or her reading level. Students will have reading time dedicated to self-selected reading. You can help by making sure that your child reads routinely. Also, you can read books together and have discussions. Reading with someone at home counts towards the 30 Book Challenge. • Please e-mail me (Roya.Azimi@Allenisd.org) if you have any questions. In advance, thank you for your support.

14. Reading Resources The below reading resources can be accessed at home: getepic.com This resource can be accessed free for 30 days at home. After a month, you may choose to purchase a monthly membership with teacher’s discount. Your child can easily access high interest books anytime and anywhere. Scholastic News This weekly publication is closely aligned to academic standards. Information to access the website will be shared with students. Science Spin This is a newly enrolled publication for our 4th graders. Information to access the website will be shared with students. Tumblebooks.com Similar to epic, this website contains a variety of books to read and to listen to. Information to access the website will be shared with students.

15. Writing Students will: • write everyday • focus on traits of writing • write narratives, poetry, expository, etc. • use Daily Response Notebook for daily quick writes, notes, and grammar practice • Routine spelling tests are not given in 4th grade.

16. Writing Cont. Students will: • publish writings throughout the year • keep most of their published writings in our classroom, so that they can use them throughout the year for self–analysis of growth. Please feel free to stop by and view your children’s writings.

17. Word Work and Handwriting Students will: • decode and spell words • practice to write legibly in cursive

18. Social Studies We will be learning these topics about Texas: • Texas Government • Geography- • Mapping skills • Regions of Texas • Early Texans and American Indians • European Explorers • Texas Colonization • Texas Revolution • Republic of Texas • Civil War and Reconstruction • Cattle Kingdom, Oil, and Railroads

19. Math and Science Contact Miss Daniels with any questions regarding these subjects

20. Math Topics we cover: • Place Value- to the billions • Data- including stem and leaf plots • Adding/subtracting whole numbers and estimating • Multiplication- up to 2 digit by 2 digit • Division- up to a 4 digit dividend and 1 digit divisor • Algebra-writing equations and strip diagrams • Fractions-equivalent, comparing, adding/subtracting with same denominator, estimating with fractions • Decimals-to the hundredths place, adding and subtracting decimals • Geometry- types of lines, measuring angles, classifying 2D shapes • Customary and metric measurement-deciding reasonableness, converting units • Perimeter and area • Time- reading a clock, elapsed time, time conversions • Financial literacy- variable v. fixed expenses, profit, interest • Problem Solving will be incorporated on a daily basis

21. Math Journals Journals • We will keep a problem solving journal in class where the students put their math morning work and do their “brain boost”. • We will keep a math notes journal in class that includes our color-coded math notes. • The journals will stay in class unless otherwise specified to ensure they are not lost.

22. Math Units Rubrics Beginning of Unit • For each unit, students will complete a pre-assessment that will help them fill out their rubric for their schema at the beginning of the unit. • Then, the students will set a goal on their rubric for the unit. Throughout Unit • The students will track their progress throughout the unit. • We will do whole group learning and discussions, group work, partner work, independent work, use manipulatives, small groups with teacher, online work, projects, explain our thinking, create presentations, open-middle activities, choice boards, and much more! End of Unit • At the end of the unit, the students will complete an end of unit assessment. They will have an opportunity to self-correct any mistakes on it. • Then, they will go over the assessment with teacher help and fill out their rubric to show their understanding at the end of the unit and see their growth. • With their end of unit assessment, the students will fill out a reflection paper that will be attached to the assessment when it goes home to help both the student and parents understand their learning. It will also include a way that they can still improve.

23. Math at Home Ways to help your child: • Look over their work that is returned in their Weekly Folder. • Help them practice topics with which they are struggling. • Use math as much as possible in daily conversation. • Play games that involve math. • Please feel free to contact me if you are looking for other ways to help your child.

24. Science Topics we will cover: • Safety • Properties of matter • Mixture/solutions • Energy • Force and motion • Shadows/seasons/moons • Water cycle • Weather • Weathering, erosion, deposition • Properties of soil • Natural resources • Life cycles • Inherited traits and learned behaviors • Adaptations • Food chains/food webs • Hands-on learning through different investigations and labs

25. Additional Information • Missed class work - (All Subjects) • Testing dates • Communication between home and school • Questions and comments

26. Missed Class Work (All Subjects) • Absent Student - • Any work that needs to be completed from the day • he or she is absent will be given one day to • complete. • (1 day absence = 1 day to complete work) • Work can be sent home with a sibling, neighbor, or picked up at the office. Please request the homework before noon.

27. 4th Grade Testing STAAR Dates • Writing = April 7th • Math = May 12th • Reading = May 13th Benchmark Dates • Math = November 5th • Reading= November 6th • Science = November 7th Simulation Dates • Writing= January 28th • Math = February 18th • Reading = February 19th

28. Communication Between Home and School • Weekly folders (please sign and return the next day) • Weekly newsletters will be emailed • Binders/agendas • Conferences • Progress and report cards via Family Access • Phone calls, notes • Email is the best way to contact us during school hours. Roya.Azimi@Allenisd.org - Reading/Writing/Social Studies Breanna.Daniels@Allenisd.org– Math/Science

29. Home Notes The next couple of slides explain the types of notes that could be sent home: • Behavior Reflection • Responsibility Report

30. Behavior Concern Notices There are two types of behavior concern notices: one without a spot for a parent signature and one with it. • The first behavior reflection does not require a parent signature. It will be the first one given to a student when his/her behavior needs to be corrected. This is the student’s opportunity to fix his/her behavior before a parent is notified. • If the behavior continues, another behavior concern notice will be filled out, but this time the student will need to get a parent to sign it and return it to school.

31. Behavior Reflection

32. Behavior Reflection

33. Student Responsibility Report • Student responsibility report will be filled out and sent home when a student does not have his/her homework completed on the assigned due date. • A parent needs to sign the sheet, and the student needs to return it to the teacher the following day.

34. Student Responsibility Report Date: _____________ Printed Name: ________________________ Subject:____________ Completing your homework is your responsibility as a student. Missing homework: _______________________________________________ I do not have my homework today because: _____ I did the assigned homework, but I did not bring it to class. _____ I chose not to do my homework. _____ I forgot to do my homework. _____ I did not have the appropriate materials at home. _____ Other reason is ____________________________________________ Explain the reason: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature: _____________________ Parent Signature:______________________

35. Classroom Websites • Throughout the year, please check our individual classroom websites and 4th grade’s website for valuable information. • Be sure to check Twitter as well for pictures of your children learning! • @blazerazimi • @blazerdaniels

36. Questions? Comments? • If you have questions/comments after reading this presentation, please email: • Mrs. Azimi with reading/writing questions/comments • Roya.Azimi@allenisd.org • Miss Daniels with math/science/social studies questions/comments • Breanna.Daniels@allenisd.org • both of us with questions and comments about any other part of this presentation

37. Parent Conferences • October 28th is designated for Parent-Teacher Conferences. We will be sending an email to set them up. • It is important to us to get to know our students’ parents/guardians. We would like you to have all of your questions/concerns addressed and feel comfortable to contact us for any reason. • We would like every child to have at least one parent/guardian attend. • The conferences will be about 10-15 minutes. • What will be discussed: • Questions/concerns you may have • Our expectations • How the year is going thus far

38. Reminders • Please remind your child to bring a water bottle, a healthy snack, and a sweater or jacket to class each day. It is cold in our classrooms! • No Nuts - Due to nut allergies, students are not allowed to eat foods/snacks that may contain nuts. However, students can eat them in the cafeteria. A separate table is available for students who have nut allergies and need to avoid possible contact with the allergen. • Classroom t-shirts are coming soon! We will wear them on Wednesdays.

39. It is going to be a remarkable journey in 4th grade!