Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night Mrs. McDevitt’s Fourth Grade Room 509 2012-2013

2. Contact Information • Email: kedgren@srvusd.net • Website: http://teacherweb.com/CA/Greenbrook/Edgren/newsflash.aspx

3. Classroom Expectations • Welcome to fourth grade! I am excited to have the opportunity to teach your child and will do everything possible to make his/her year challenging, yet rewarding. • Classroom Behavior - In addition to showing respect to everyone, below is a list of what is expected of a fourth grader with regards to classroom behavior: • Raise their hands (no shouting out answers) • Talking only at appropriate times (i.e., group work) • Acting respectful at all times/no acting out • Classroom Maintenance (i.e., push in chairs, neat tables, etc.) • On task at all times • No inappropriate words or actions

4. Rewards and Consequences • Students thrive in a structured environment with clear expectations, and follow through. • Positive reinforcement: class stars, punch cards, certificates, contact home, other incentives • Consequences: Verbal warning, recess minutes, contact home, office contact, parent meeting • Teaching with Love and Logic by Jim Fay

5. HW Responsibility Shift • There is a major shift from third to fourth grade with regard to responsibility. Homework is nightly, and each child writes down their homework. As a fourth grade team we try to create opportunities for your child to succeed in being responsible. For example, MOST of our projects are done at school. This allows me to monitor and assist as needed. It is their work, and most importantly it teaches students to budget their time while being in a structured environment. • On Monday morning, it’s IMPERATIVE that students copy these items VERBATIM: 1) Copy all assignments into agendas for the week. 2) Copy Spelling Unit words for the week CORRECTLY into agenda. 3) Copy tests, reminders, updates into agendas for the week.

6. Homework • In general, the homework reinforces what was taught in school. Unfinished class assignments need to be completed as homework. • The parent signature enables me to verify that your child has read. Please do not sign for upcoming days! It is a nightly assignment to read and get a parent signature. • *Do not have your child sign for you!*

7. P.E.T. (Personal Excellence Training) • P.E.T. Night - (Personal Excellence Training Night) - Each Tuesday night will be P.E.T. Night. This will be a night where your child’s homework focuses on a specific need or area in need of improvement. The options for the First Trimester are Math, Writing, and Reading. The subject area will be the same each week, and will remain the same for the entire trimester. At the end of the trimester, we will reevaluate the need for that particular subject area of reinforcement.

8. Curriculum for 4th Grade

9. Reading • The fourth grade curriculum emphasizes that students must concentrate on fluency, word attack skills, develop a broader vocabulary, and strengthen reading comprehension through the use of graphic organizers and several reading strategies. The fourth grade reads from: • Houghton Mifflin Reading - California • Island of the Blue Dolphins • When the Soldiers Were Gone • In addition, we will be incorporating the New York Reading Project. This program emphasizes the importance of using various strategies while reading. Students will be starting off the year reading a “Just Right Book” using the “5 Finger Rule” as a guide, in addition to teacher assessments. A parent may notice that their child will be starting off with an easier book than they might expect. A little bit easier book allows for your child to build a foundation in using the strategies, and really focus on how to be a better reader. As the year progresses, students will be moving up reading levels and reading more challenging books.

10. Language Arts • Grammar: This is a core book that focuses on grammar, punctuation, sentence fluency, and paragraph development. • Spelling Weekly spelling pretests are given each Monday. There are 20 base words. If your child misses 2 or less, he/she will be bumped up to the Challenge words. There are 10 spelling words in the Challenge group. Spelling homework will vary depending on what group your child is part of for that week. Every Friday students will take their spelling tests. • Word of the Day (W.O.D) Monday through Thursday your child will learn a new word. We go over each word in depth. After 12 words, they will be tested on those words. Let’s see if you know the words!

11. #37 INCOGNITO • disguised, with a concealed identity • Buster was incognito in his sunglasses and hoodie.

12. Writing • We will be focusing on a variety of writing styles. The writing focus in fourth grade will be Narrative, Summary, Response to Literature, and Report of Information. • Lucy Calkins Writer’s Workshop Model (New York Writing)

13. Math Workshop • Math concepts will be reinforced as well as built upon. Depending on your child’s ability all these concepts will be taught, but at varying levels. Do not be concerned if your child is doing a different math activity or worksheet than that of his/her classmate. This is how I am able to differentiate the math curriculum to suit everyone’s need. • Envision Text and Workbook • Online Envision supplement • Silicon Valley Math Initiative (S.V.M.I.) • MARS Tasks & Problem of the Month • DynaMath Enrichment • IXL and Sumdog Online Subscriptions

14. Math Centers: Thursdays, 10:45-11:30am • Math Centers are a great opportunity for the kids to reinforce what they have recently been learning in math. We also review math concepts throughout the year during math centers. • Volunteers needed! • Sign up today!

15. Volunteer Clearance Requirements • 1. View the SRVUSD Volunteer video by clicking here: http://www.srvusd.net/parents/volunteer_video • 2. Download the Volunteer Clearance Form. Print. Fill out and send back to school in Friday Folders. • 3. Attach your current Driver’s License. • Submit these to Mrs. McDevitt in order to volunteer in class. This year, the office will not be filing these forms. • Please see the roster posted on my back door to view cleared volunteers.

16. Social Studies: California! • Geography • State Symbols • Regions • Native Americans • Explorers • Missions • Gold Rush • Transcontinental RR • Scott Foresman Textbook & additional supplemental material

17. Science (Class) • MacGraw Hill Text: -Life Science -Earth Science -Physical Science • Online Text Book: • http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/grade4/index.html

18. SECOND STEP • Respect - In addition to the fourth grade curriculum and standards, respect is crucial for a successful classroom. As a class, we have weekly discussions about how to treat others with respect. Greenbrook uses the Second Step Program, which emphasizes respect and empathy for others through the use of everyday scenarios and role-playing. • NEW PILOT SECOND STEP – 4th Grade

19. Curriculum Enrichment and Support Programs • Science Lab with Mr. Pelham - Tuesdays & Fridays (10:45-11:30am) • P.E. with Mr. Tuffli – Thursdays (2:10-2:55pm) • Computers with Mrs. Cheng – Wednesdays (11:40-12:30) • Art w/ Mrs. Liandides. – Thursdays (8:30-9:30) *10 sessions total • Library with Mrs. Thomas – Wednesdays (“B” Week) 9:55-10:25 • 4th Grade C.O.W. cart – Apple Laptop Leased MacBook's • Band with Mrs. Knight – Fridays (1:15-3:15) depending on instrument • Chorus with Mr. Gates - ?

20. Friday Folders • These folders contain completed work, corrected work, and school notices. At times your child may be asked to redo or complete some class work. If your child does poorly on an item of class work, please have your child correct and resubmit the work. Please go over the papers with your child and keep what you need, recycle the rest, and return the signed folder on Monday. • Please leave these on your child’s desk tonight. They will be stuffed and sent home Friday.

21. Field Trips • Note: Chaperones will need to be fingerprinted for overnight field trips 2 months in advance. • More information to come from SRVUSD district.

22. Birthdays—NEW POLICY • Celebrated during class. • Please do not bring treats or gifts from home. • Students will sign “Happy Birthday” and receive a Birthday Certificate. • Please do NOT send invitations to school unless inviting each child in Room 509.

23. Our Daily Schedule Caption

24. Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences Fall: October 14th-18th Spring: March 17th – 21st • Students will take an active part in setting goals for the upcoming trimester. They are expected to attend conferences with parents. • Bell Schedule: Minimum Day, 8:30 -12 M-F

25. Common Core With the adoption of the Common Core Standards, we are in the process of creating a new report card. This year, to align the current report card while developing a new report card, you will see several adjustments. These changes include standards that have been crossed out for the entire year. Those standards are now covered in other grade levels. When you meet with your teacher at your fall conferences they will review these changes with you.

26. EAGLE Fund • Thank you for your generous donations!

27. Don’t forget • Select and sign PET. Leave in Folder on your child’s desk. • Write your child a note on purple sheet and leave in Friday Folder. • Sign up for Math Centers. • Sign up for Fall Conference slot. • PTA contest. • Check volunteer clearance status.

28. Thank You For Coming!I look forward to a great year. Please report to MPR by 7pm.