Welcome to Creekside

1. Welcome to Creekside Parent Information Night 4th Grade

2. Mrs. Pride • This will be my seventh full year of teaching. I graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, which certifies me to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. I taught first grade for 2 ½ years at West Elementary School in Russellville, Alabama. I came to Creekside as a first grade teacher for the 2007-2008 school year and have taught fourth grade for the past two years. • I recently completed my Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies. • I am married to Scott Pride and our only “child” is our yellow lab Brody! • I enjoy working at Creekside where I have been blessed with excellent support from administrators and co-workers. I am also impressed with the support given to me by past parents and look forward to your cooperation this year as well. I expect GREAT things from my students (both academically and socially)! I know that my HIGH expectations for such mature and capable students will produce EXTRAORDINARY results.

3. Our School Mission The mission of Creekside Elementary School is to help students develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically through a well-balanced curriculum in a safe and nurturing environment. A dedicated staff, student and parent partnership will provide opportunities for students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.

4. 4th Graders From learning to read…to READING to LEARN! What will we be learning this year?

5. Language Arts: • Alabama Course of Study Standards • Reading: • Use a wide range of strategies to comprehend 4th-grade recreational reading materials in a variety of genres. • - Distinguish fiction from nonfiction • - Skim passages to restate information • - Summarize passages • - Self-monitor for understanding (back up and reread, adjust rate of reading) • - Read fluently with expression • - Draw conclusions to determine content NOT DIRECTLY STATED • - Relate events, ideas, and characters to prior knowledge and life experiences.

6. Reading (continued) • Identify main idea and author’s purpose. • Determine sequence of events • Distinguish fact from opinion in informational text • Use text features to gain meaning (titles, headings, glossary, boldface, • index, table of contents, tables, charts, graphs). • 6. Use note-taking skills, including highlighting. • 7. Use a wide range of strategies and skills, INCLUDING LOCATING • INFORMATION, to comprehend. • Fluency: Students will be assessed 3 times per year with the DIBELS Test. • Benchmark Scores: • Fall: 93 wcpm with 25% retell • Winter: 105 wcpm with 25% retell • Spring: 118 wcpm with 25% retell

7. Writing/Language: • 1. Compose descriptive texts using an introductory paragraph, sensory details, vivid language, and a conclusion. • 2. Compose expository texts using a main idea with three supporting details. • 3. Composing narrative texts using a clear sequence of events. • 4. Demonstrate the process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. • 5. Respond in writing to open-ended questions. • 6. Apply mechanics in writing. • 7. Organize information on a specific topic obtained from grade-appropriate reference materials. • 8. Demonstrate eye contact, articulation, and appropriate voice intonation with presentations.

8. 4th Grade Writing • Writing Inventory • Journals (Personal, Math, Science) • Open-ended questions • Reading tests • ARMT Test Prep • 4-Square Writing (5 paragraph essays) • Writing Process • Pre-writing (graphic organizers) • Drafting • Revise/Edit • Publish/Share • Book Publishing

9. Math: Alabama Course of Study Standards • Numbers and Operations • Demonstrate number sense by comparing and ordering decimals to hundredths and whole numbers to 999,999. • Write money amounts. • Rename improper fractions as mixed numbers, simplify, compare, and order fractions, and recognize equivalent forms of commonly used fractions and decimals. • Add and subtract fractions with common denominators. • Round whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand, and decimals to the nearest tenth. • Solve problems, including word problems, that involve addition and subtraction of four-digit numbers with and without regrouping. (Including decimals). • Solve problems, including word problems, involving multiplication and division.

10. Algebra • Write number sentences for word problems that involve multiplication or division. • Complete addition and subtraction number sentences with a missing addend. • Geometry • Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, or octagons based on the number of sides, angles, and vertices. • Find locations on a map or grid using ordered pairs. • Measurement • Calculate elapsed time in hours and minutes. • Measure length, width, weight, and capacity, and temperature. • Estimate perimeter and area.

11. Data Analysis and Probability • Represent categorical data using tables and graphs, including bar graphs, line graphs, and line plots. • Collecting data using observations, surveys, or experiments • Creating tally charts to represent data collected from real-life situations. • (Estimation Jar and Daily Data) • 2. Determine if outcomes of events are likely, unlikely, certain, equally likely, or impossible. • 3. Represent numerical data using tables and graphs, including bar graphs and line graphs.

12. Science • Electric Circuits (AMSTI) • Sound/Light (AMSTI) • Motion and Design (AMSTI) • Animals – (AMSTI) • Earth and Space Science • Health • Alabama History • Map skills • State Symbols, cities, rivers, etc. • Geographical Regions of Alabama • Native Americans in Alabama • Natural Resources and Environment • Entry into Statehood • Civil War/Reconstruction • World War I and II, Great Depression • Civil Rights Movement • Famous Alabamians • MKD1 – Students will pose questions, collect data, organize, • and record results using objects, pictures, and • picture graphs. • Process Skills • MKP1 – Students will solve problems that arise in • mathematics. • a. Solve non-routine word problems using the “act it out” strategy or use objects.

13. Teaching Approach • Set clear expectations and MODEL. • Students take RESPONSIBILITY and OWNERSHIP for their own learning. I TRUST them to do this and give them CHOICES when possible. I am HANDS-OFF so that students can learn problem-solving and cooperation skills. • My goal is to help to instill a love of learning in each student so that they are SELF-MOTIVATED, INDEPENDENT, and they WANT TO LEARN. • I strive to make learning fun with lessons that are engaging and meaningful. Students need to see a purpose for learning and see relevance to “real-life.”

14. Teaching Approach I strive to create a risk-free environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. Our classroom is a community environment. We learn to appreciate everyone’s differences and everyone’s unique talents and strengths. We set personal and class goals, and treat each other with kindness and respect. I do not take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching, but instead differentiate instruction to try to meet the needs of all students. I do my best to get to know each student personally, and build a relationship with each child. I believe the old saying that people “don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I always have your child’s best interest at heart with every decision that I make. I want to see every child succeed.

15. Testing and Grading A typical week: Wednesday – Reading selection pre-test (vocabulary/comprehension) and Thursday- Language test Friday – Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe activities due and Reading post-test *Math, Science, and Alabama History tests will be given when we complete a chapter. A practice test will be sent home ahead of time. Daily quizzes may be given at any time. *Many AL History and Science grades are derived from class work and at-home projects.

16. F.R.O.G. Notebook (Fourth GRade Organized Guy/Gal) Front Pocket – Graded Papers Pocket. Graded Papers will be sent home every Tuesday in a red folder with behavior notices stapled to the top. Please sign the log and return all papers the next day. Parent Note Pocket – Newsletters, fliers, forms, etc. will be sent home in this pocket. There may be things you need to sign and return. Please check this pocket each night! Homework Pocket – Any loose homework or classwork that needs to be finished at home will be in this pocket. Please make sure your child takes responsibility for this! Reading Stations Pocket – Your child’s station work will stay in this pocket all week and will be due each Friday. Kid Pocket – This pocket will contain poems, songs, notes from class, etc. that students need to keep for future reference. Unfinished Work Pocket-Work that students can complete at home or in class when we have free time

17. F.R.O.G. Notebook Each pocket has a specific purpose. I will tell students where to keep certain papers. It is ultimately his or her responsibility to keep his/her notebook organized and keep up with papers. Please do not take papers out of your child’s notebook or clean it out for him/her. This is a tool to help students learn organization and responsibility.

18. Behavior, Consequences, and Rewards • The rules are simple: • Follow all school and conduct rules at all • times. • Respect all peers and adults at all times. • Follow all directions at all times. • We discuss the fact that we have choices and our choices have consequences – positive or negative.

19. Consequences • Consequences • Offense #1: Warning • Offense #2: Behavior Notice and Lunch and/or Break Detention • Offense #3: Behavior Notice and Sentences and/or note to parents • Offense #4:Behavior Notice and the student must call his/her parents and tell them what about his/her misbehavior for that day. • Offense #5: Behavior Notice and Office Referral and/or Behavior Essay

20. Rewards • Individual Students • Verbal Praise • Tickets for special reward • Treasure chest • Special seat • Free homework pass • Door prize drawing! • Whole Class • Praise & “Warm Fuzzies” • Vocabulary Jar: Special Class Treats: • If the warm fuzzy jar or the vocabulary penny jar fills to the top, the whole class will receive a special treat.

21. VIP of the Week

22. Homework With the exception of at-home projects, homework is always only what your child did not finish at school. Your child will be responsible for copying down homework assignments into his/her planner. I will not check their planners to see that assignments are written down. Except for in extreme circumstances, late homework is not accepted. I try to post homework on my staff page on the Creekside website.

23. Homework Spelling – Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe activities are due first thing Friday morning. Reading – Read the weekly selection at home each week. Weekly station work is due on Fridays. Read at least 15 minutes, 5 nights a week and record this on the Reading Log. The Reading Log is worth 100 points as a reading grade and is due at the end of the first 9-week grading period. Math – Nightly homework over the skill learned that day. Your child needs to have basic multiplication and division facts memorized. Homework/At-home Projects are due first thing in the morning on the due date!

24. Communication is Key! Please read the weekly newsletter and check my staff page on the school website for important information. I will send group emails with reminders, dates, etc. Feel free to call, email, or send a note with any questions and concerns. We are partners in your child’s education.

25. Parent Involvement Read to your child and listen to him/her read. (Reading Inventory) Help with homework when needed. Play educational games with your child (check the website.) Share your skills and knowledge with the class. Go over your child’s graded papers with him/her. Communicate with me – questions, concerns, conferences. Volunteers are always needed in the classroom and with PTO. First 9 weeks: October 16, 2006 Second 9 weeks: January 9, 2007 Third 9 weeks: March 26, 2007 Fourth 9 weeks: May 25, 2007

26. PARENTS AND TEACHERS…. TOGETHER WE CAN! • I dreamed I stood in a studio • And watched two sculptors there, • The clay they used was a young child’s mind, • And they fashioned it with care. • One was a teacher; the tools he used • Were books, and music and art; • One, a parent with a guiding hand, • And a gentle, loving heart. • Day after day the teacher toiled, • With touch that was deft and sure, • While the parent labored by his side • And polished and smoothed it o’er • And when at last their task was done, • They were proud of what they had wrought • For the things they had molded in the child • Could neither be sold or bought. • And each agreed he would have failed • If he had worked alone • For behind the parent stood the school, • And behind the teacher, the home.

27. Websites that Promote Student Learning www.familycorner.com www.scholastic.com http://www.how-to-study.com/ http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/studytips.shtml Spelling City (weekly spelling lists)

28. Parent Questions ?

29. Thank you for coming! We have had a great start here in 4th grade. Thanks for all your support! It’s going to be a great year! 