Welcome to 4 th Grade!

Welcome to 4th Grade! Ms. Wiedenman’s Class

Communication • Class newsletters – every other Tuesday • Website –http://mswiedenmansworld.weebly.com • E-mail – swiedenman@wcpss.net • TADPOLE binders • Class discussion board (Edmodo) • Conferences – two scheduled for all students; additional ones scheduled as needed

Volunteer • Register or re-register on a Wake County school computer • School opportunities for volunteers can be found on our school website or through the PTA • Classroom opportunities for volunteers are available at Open House sign-up tonight and will be announced in class newsletters or on our class website

Homework • Two types: nightly and quarterly • Purpose of nightly homework: short, focused practice opportunities to help students review or extend skills learned in class • Purpose of quarterly homework: in-depth, integrated practice with critical thinking skills to show understanding of multiple concepts

Homework • Reading: at least 20 minutes of independent reading and/or written responses for assigned genres • Vocabulary: 10 minute activities with reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition skills • Math: 20 minute skill review or skill extension activities • Expectations for homework are found in TADPOLE binders

Conferences • 1st Quarter: Parent/Teacher Conference – the purpose of this conference is to discuss each child’s strengths and needs, determine individual goals and create a plan to work together towards those goals. Teacher and parents collaborate at this conference. • 3rd Quarter: Student-led Conference – the purpose of this conference is to provide an opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning by assembling a portfolio of work samples that is presented to their parents. Students and parents collaborate at this conference. Teacher facilitates.

Field Trips (off campus) • North Carolina Symphony: all 4th graders attend a symphony performance to experience live music and enhance their classroom learning (March 5th) • Old Salem: an extended day trip to experience the culture and daily routines of the Moravian settlers in a re-stored, historical setting (March 6th)

Field Trips (in school) • Fun Science • North Carolina History Museum – History in a Box • Opportunities for students to experience hands-on activities that extend our classroom lessons

Language Arts - Reading • Grammar Minutes • Vocabulary in Context • Strategy or skills groups • Reading Mini Lessons (skills and CAFÉ strategies) • Daily 3 (read to self, write about reading, word work)

Language Arts - Reading • Book bins – student selected texts • Book baskets – leveled texts sorted by genre • Literacy Tool Bags – materials to promote student application of strategies while reading • Story Maps – independent reading response sheets for specific genres • Edmodo – electronic discussion board to build student communication skills

Language Arts - Writing • Writing to explain reasoning • Writing to provide information • Writing to persuade or convince • Writing to respond to a text • Writing to relate a personal experience • Writing to create an imaginary story

Language Arts - Writing • Mentor Texts • Writing Models • Elaboration Strategies • Rubrics • Writer’s Workshop • Word Splashes

Math • Basic Facts • Word Problem Strategy Template • Real World Scenarios • Multiple Strategies • Extension Opportunities (in class) • Extension Opportunities (parent volunteers)

Science • Landforms • Rocks and Minerals • Animal Habitats and Adaptations • Electricity and Magnetism • How can we gather, organize and evaluate data from investigations to draw valid conclusions?

Social Studies • North Carolina History • North Carolina Government • North Carolina Economics • North Carolina Culture • How have political, cultural and economic changes affected the lives of people in North Carolina?

Assessments • Graphic organizers (reading) • Written responses to texts (reading) • Multiple choice response (reading) • Skill or strategy group activities (reading) • mClass fluency assessment (reading) • CASE 21 assessment (reading and math) • Journal prompts (math) • Unit assessments (math)

Assessments • Published Writing • Science quizzes • Science notebooks • Science unit tests • Social Studies quizzes • Social Studies notebooks • Social Studies unit test (open book) • Science / Social Studies project • Level 4 Opportunities (all subjects)

And now, the top 5 ways to get the most out of 4th grade for your child • Here are the five biggest expectations for your child this year and my best suggestions for strategies you can use to support, encourage and help your child to have an awesome 4th grade learning experience!

Get the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th Grade students are expected to become stronger independent learners who take responsibility for and ownership of their own learning. • What you can do: • Support your child in prioritizing and planning for homework and class projects • Ask your child to explain assessments and grades AND how to improve in the future

Getting the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th grade students read complex texts with challenging vocabulary across all content areas • What you can do: • Read and discuss stretch texts with your child including your strategies for comprehension • Notice and celebrate unique words in all the texts you read every day

Getting the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th grade students write detailed explanations and use content specific vocabulary across the curriculum • What you can do: • Encourage your child to elaborate explanations by asking specific rather than general questions • Use correct terms when talking with your child about math, science and social studies

Getting the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th grade students monitor their learning, set goals and figure out what they need to do to achieve those goals. • What you can do: • Check in frequently with your child and ask what is going well and what needs work • Help your child develop a set of action steps and then consistently follow them

Getting the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th grade students use reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in all content areas to comprehend the curriculum and communicate with others • What you can do: • Practice listening and writing skills by reading aloud to your child then having him/her write a short summary • Practice reading and speaking skills by having your child read a short article then summarize it aloud to you.

Getting the most out of 4th grade(How to help your child succeed) • 4th grade students collaborate with partners, or in learning teams to gather information, design investigations, solve problems and draw conclusions. • What you can do: • Encourage your child to identify all the points of view in real life situations • Practice explaining and supporting opposing viewpoints

Thanks for being here! • I am very excited to be sharing this year with you and your child! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress.

Welcome to 4 th Grade!