Welcome to 4 th Grade ! Orientation Overview

1. Welcome to 4thGrade! Orientation Overview

2. 4th Grade General Information The 4th grade site is an extension of the classroom. It will contain student-focused resources. **In order to access all information your child must be logged in, at home, using his/her school credentials.** (Example: g22stewartg@gtsd.net) Homework is posted to the 4th grade calendar nightly. Your child will need assistance checking the website. Your child should check the site daily for the most current information.

3. 4th Grade General Information To Access the 4th Grade Site • Sign in to Google using school credentials we referred to on the previous slide. 2. Go to the school website: www.gtsd.net 3. The website link is located under the “Student Resources” tab. 4. Click on “Greenwich School Site”. Once in the GES site, click “4th Grade.” 5. From here, the Homework Calendar can be viewed. You will also have access to links for easy accessibility to school resources.

4. 4th Grade General Information Snack Time • Time will be set aside, daily, for a working snack. • Snack is optional, but should be limited to ONE food item and/or a drink. • Please avoid ALL peanut products due to allergies!! • Although it is preferred that you do not bring a snack that requires a fork or spoon, if you choose to do so, you must supply your own utensil. • Water bottles may be carried from class to class. Student’s name or initials must be on the bottle. When possible, please send non-disposable ones.

5. 4th Grade General Information Field Trips Our 4th graders are fortunate that they experience two field trips during the school year! • The first trip has not yet been determined. Information will be made available once the trip has been confirmed. • BizTown will be our second field trip. This is a program sponsored by NJ Jr. Achievement. • We will need MANY parent volunteers to help make this trip successful. Parents wishing to assist with this trip will be required to arrive, in Edison, an hour prior to student arrival.

6. 4th Grade General Information Behavior Policy Our behavior policy is consistent with the school wide policy. For more information about this, please see the school handbook. Students receive unlimited verbal praise and recognition for expected and exceptional behaviors.

7. 4th Grade General Information Genesis • Genesis is the central hub for everything academic. • You have the opportunity to view your child’s current assignments, grades, and average whenever you log into the website. • To partner with you, it is necessary for you to log into Genesis weekly. Genesis is your resource to know how your child is performing academically. It is through this grade book that we will communicate your child’s academic successes and struggles.

8. 4th Grade General Information Genesis(cont.) This is our first line of communication regarding student academic progress. If you would like to discuss assignments or grades in further detail, please reach out to the subject area teacher via email. If you do not know your Genesis username and password, or are unfamiliar with using Genesis to view grades and assignment comments, please contact the school office.

9. 4th Grade General Information Daily Schedule

10. Language Arts

11. Language Arts The JOURNEYS program is a core reading program designed to meet the diverse needs of all students. Balanced Literacy Approach to Instruction: Shared Reading and Writing + Guided Reading and Writing + Independent Reading and Writing + Spelling and Vocabulary Skills and Strategies = Confident, successful readers and writers!

12. Language Arts In order to meet the needs of all of the students there will be opportunities, throughout the year, to group students between the Language Arts classes. This will promote more individualized instruction by providing materials to reinforce, remediate, or enrich skills and strategies being taught. These groups are flexible and will change throughout the school year. Even though students are assigned to one specific Language Arts teacher in Genesis, they could be instructed by any Language Arts teacher during that core.

13. Language Arts The Daily 5 During Guided Reading Students will be working, independently , at the following stations, throughout the week: Word Work - spelling, grammar, vocabulary Listening (online activities—RAZKids) Read with a Partner Read to Self Writing We will work with the students on becoming independent and responsible learners. However, after the first marking period, assignments/activities not completed in class may be assigned as homework.

14. Language Arts Writing with Google Classroom This is the app used for all computer-based writing assignments. A Writing Folder will be on each student’s Google Drive that holds all writing pieces worked on throughout the year. This Writing Folder helps track progress throughout the year and can be accessed by teachers, students, and parents (using your child’s login credentials).

15. Language Arts Writing with Google Classroom (cont.) It is imperative that all writing assignments are worked on in class only in order to ensure a true reflection of each student’s ability and progress. You are encouraged to view your child’s writing assignments; however, please do not have them make any changes to their writing while at home. Any changes made to a Google Document are time stamped and visible to your child’s teacher.

16. Language Arts GradingBreakdown Reading = 30% Writing = 30% Spelling = 15% Grammar = 15% Social Studies = 10%

17. Language Arts Language Arts Homework Students are expected to be engaged in some form of reading, whether personal or academic, on a daily basis. No formal reading log will be required. The majority of Language Arts homework will be to study for upcoming tests and quizzes. Occasionally it may be necessary to assign other material or complete tasks not finished during class; therefore, it is imperative that you and your child check the homework site daily.

18. Math

19. Math 4th Grade students will utilize the Envisionmath 2.0 Programto promote their learning in the subject of Mathematics. The Envisionmath 2.0 Program: • provides the focus, coherence, and rigor of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards • includes Project-based learning, visual learning strategies, and offers the flexibility of print, digital, or blended instruction • www.pearsonrealize.com

20. Math Instructional time is focused on problem solving and understanding, specifically in these critical areas: Multiplication and Division • Multi-digit multiplication with fluency • Dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends Fractions • Fraction equivalence • Addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators • Fractions as decimals, and decimals as fractions Geometry, Measurement, and Data • Figures can be classified based on their properties • Angles can be measured, classified, and created • Graphs, charts, and data can be interpreted and manipulated to solve problems

21. Math What does a typical day look like in Ms. Rabar’s class? 1. Fact fluency practice/warm-up 2. Review homework 3. Learn/practice new skill 4. Break into Guided Math Groups or whole group practice What is Guided Math? • Students will rotate in groups through stations to practice and reinforce targeted skills • Groups will be assigned to a “Math Team” that consists of 3-7 students • Students will work on independent practice, group activities, computer-based practice, or teacher led exercises

22. Math Homework • assigned on a daily basis • designed to reinforce a concept introduced in class • incorporates a Flipped Classroom Approach- students familiarize themselves with the upcoming concept through a video at home Please remember while your child works at home... • Some math skills can be challenging to students when first introduced. • Students are encouraged to utilize all of their resources to assist them in completing the given tasks • However, if there is a question or concern, please inform me so that I may address it promptly

23. Math Grading Breakdown The breakdown of the mathematics grade average (as found in Genesis) will appear as follows: Tests - 50% Quizzes- 30% Classwork/Fact Fluency- 20%

24. Science

25. Science • Taught by Mr. Bigelli • Lessons and Investigations focused on the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) • Interactive Lessons that engage 21st Century Learners

26. Science In 4th Grade Science we will focus on 4 Core Units: NGSS: Life Sciences Structure, Function, Information Processing NGSS: Earth Science- Energy Earth’s Processes and what Shapes the Earth NGSS: Physical Science Energy; Waves: Wave and Information

27. Science NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) are a set of performance standards for students K-12 Science and Engineering Practices • Asking Questions and Defining Problems • Developing and Using Models • Engaging in Argument from Evidence • Analyzing and Interpreting Data • Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information Disciplinary Core Ideas Four Domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, & Engineering and Technology and Application of Science Crosscutting Themes: Cause and Effect, System and System Models

28. Science Mr. Bigelli’s Expectations • Be ready to LEARN • Be PREPARED and POSITIVE • Be ACTIVE LISTERNERS and PARTICIPANTS • Be willing to work with others POSITIVELY • Ask QUESTIONS • Be SAFE

29. Science • How Students will • be Assessed: • Tests/Projects- 50% • Labs/Quizzes- 30% • Classwork- 20% • Resources: TCI Science, BrainPop, • Handouts sent home, class notes, etc.

30. Science • Some of the projects/assignments that will take place this year: • Marking Period Binder Check • Create a Plant Project • Current Event in Science • No More Household Chores Project • Science Review Game • Scientist of the Week (Second and Fourth Marking Period)

31. Science Any question pertaining to a test, quiz, homework assignment, or project- please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bigelli “Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. It’s delving in.” -Sally Ride

32. Social Studies Social Studies In Fourth Grade, we study the regions of our country. This subject will be taught, by each homeroom teacher. The Social Studies curriculum will be incorporated, throughout the year, using TCI online as well as current event articles. In addition, the students participate in the Junior Achievement BizTown program which emphasizes financial literacy. For report card purposes, any graded Social Studies assignments will be part of the Language Arts grade.

33. Ms. Dragotta & Mrs. Soltis’ Classes

34. Ms. Dragotta’sLanguage Arts Class • Language Arts consist of: • Shared Reading & Writing • Guided Reading & Writing • Spelling, Grammar, & Vocabulary • Orton-Gillingham Phonic Instruction • Daily 5 Centers (Independent Practice) • Our class focuses on individualized, small- group or one-to-one instruction, which will provide each student with the skills and strategies necessary to be successful with the content and curriculum taught. • Supplementary materials will be used to reinforce, remediate, or enrich skills being taught during class lessons.

35. Mrs. Soltis’ Math Class • Math Programs: • Envisions 2.0 • Rocket Math • Number Rock • Prodigy • Xtramath.com • In our class lessons are hands-on. Visuals are used to teach new concepts. Materials are differentiated, and connections are made to real world scenarios.

36. Thank you! We look forward to partnering with you for an amazing school year!