Welcome to 4 th Grade

1. Welcome to 4th Grade

2. Specials for 2011-2012 • FLES • PE • Guidance • Music • Art • Chorus-Wednesdays • Library • Computer Lab • SME • Reading Buddy • Curiosity Cave • Running Club-Thursday

3. Parent/Student Expectations Philosophy: • Have fun • Enrich / extend • Challenge • Support / accountable • Give choice / motivate

4. Parent/Student Expectations Whole language: • Whole person; ability to read, write, speak (we do not learn in isolation.) Integration: • Variety of approaches to teach; (cooperative, video, manipulative, learning styles.)

5. Curriculum / assignment routine: Spelling: (Individualized program) Reading: Quarters 1 and 2: Conferences: (Individualized program) Quarters 3 and 4: Novel unit / whole group instruction

6. Writing: (If you can talk, you can write!) • Steps: • pre-writing • drafting • editing/revision • sharing/publishing • Process and Products: • Higher level thinking strategies,Journals, learning logs, book responses, integration with core subjects – (reading follow-up work) • Some systematic approaches or models implemented – guided writing/reading. • Look for skill attainment; • Creative writing opportunities to gain fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration. • May get to…(SOL prompts )

7. Procedures and Routines • Homework Procedures- • You will find your child’s homework assignments in their agenda every day. • Homework is given Monday-Thursday, occasionally on Fridays. • Reading is required for at least 20 minutes a night. • The students are responsible for having a parent signature on their agenda every night.

8. Procedures and Routines (continued) • Nine Week Plans will be posted on the 4th Grade Website quarterly. • Differentiated Instruction: • Integrating technology, scaffolding lessons, pre-testing, enrichment, remediation, activities and resources for home, learning style inventories, and a variety of instructional strategies.

9. Procedures and Routines (continued) Classroom Routines • In addition to your child’s agenda, we use a Take Home Folder for assignments and parent-teacher communication. • Lunch money should be in an envelope with the students name. • Students are expected to walk quietly in the hallway with their hands by their side and eyes forward. • Dismissal changes need to be in writing. In case of an emergency you can call the office directly. • Students are expected to be in class and prepared to learn by 7:50 everyday. • We will try to reply to emails within 48 hours. Please keep in mind, we rarely have a chance to check our emails during instructional hours.

10. Procedures and Routines (continued) • Assessment Procedures: • Assessments are given continually throughout the year. • Formative assessments are ones that are informal and gauge your child’s comprehension. • Summative assessments are formal tests that are usually given at the end of a unit or chapter. • We also use different programs to measure your child’s growth throughout the year: SME, DRA, STAR, Renzulli, etc.

11. Procedures and Routines (continued) • Grading Policy • The Dulles cluster is adding a .5 to each of the following progress indicators. • Progress Indicators • 4= Exceeds Standards • 3= Meets Standards • 2= Progressing Towards Standards • 1= Below Standard • Grading Key • A= Outstanding • B= Very Good • C= Satisfactory • D= Needs Improvement • F= Not Performing

14. First 9 Week Curriculum Outline (continued) Reading English/Spelling Mechanics, Sentence Punctuation, Nouns, Four Types of Sentences, Adjectives Individualized program/ Word Study • Fiction/Nonfiction Comprehension • Whole Group Instruction/ Novel unit/ Read Aloud Individualized Program

15. First 9 Week Curriculum Outline (continued) Math Social Studies Virginia’s Land and Location, 5 Natural Regions and the Effects of English Colonization Group projects /activities, Integrated Curriculum • Number Sense, Computation, Estimation, Patterns, Functions and Algebra • Self contained, Individualized Instruction

16. First 9 Week Curriculum Outline (continued) Science Technology Student Safe Websites, internet safety Word processing and keyboarding SME Math and Accelerated Reading Computer lab, Neos and laptops Integration within the curriculum • Scientific Investigation, Virginia’s Natural Resources, Solar System • Group projects /activities, Integrated Curriculum

17. Classroom Expectations and Consequences Students need to follow the Classroom Expectations and will be rewarded when they do. Students are aware of the consequences if they fail to meet the Classroom Expectations: First Warning, Second Warning, Third Time requires a note home written by the student and requires a parent signature. Parent -Teacher Relationship It is critical that we have a positive relationship and support each other whether at home or in the classroom. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. Classroom Management Plan

18. Upcoming Events • Field trips-NO CLUE?! September Events • Arcola Fall Festival- September 24 (4-7pm) • Jamestown/Yorktown representatives will be coming to visit on September 23. • The actual Jamestown visit is still in the works for Spring 2012.

19. Don’t Forget! • Don’t forget to sign up for November conferences. • Also, there are volunteer and Mystery Reader sign-up sheets in the front of the room! • There’s a Wish List for our class on the front door 

20. Visit Our Specialists! • Amy Stelly- TRT • Andrew Bango- PE • Elizabeth Bowers, Andrew Stevens and Megan Doherty- FUTURA • Karen Espinoza- Librarian • YaniraUmana- FLES • Janet Spencer- Guidance Counselor • Dr. Adrian Re and Jennifer Leslie- Music • Jacqueline Jones- Art • Alana Skelly- SEARCH

21. Lastly………… • Stop by and say “Howdy” to other staff members who will be working with your child this year. • Be sure to stop by the library and say “Hi!” to the PTA!!! • Please register for the staff directory in the computer lab.