Welcome to Fantastic Fourth Grade 2013-2014

1. Welcome to Fantastic Fourth Grade2013-2014 Helpful Information for You and Your Fourth Grader Please pick up the brochure that has your student’s name on the front.

2. Let Us Introduce Ourselves Our Fantastic Fourth Grade Instructional Team • Mrs. Berry – Math • Mrs. Conway– Reading & Science • Mrs. Hardy -- Math • Mrs. Milam – Writing & Social Studies • Mrs. Powers – Writing & Social Studies • Mrs. Rommel – Reading & Science

3. Writing composition and conventions • Writing encompasses the process and the craft. • Process (5 stages): prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. • Craft(6 traits): ideas, organization, sentence fluency, voice, word choice, and conventions. • Students will create a Writer’s Notebook, Spelling and Word Work Notebook, and a Draft Book. • Students will publish 1 piece of writing every 9 weeks. • Homework will be every Tuesday (spelling) and Thursday (grammar or composition). Please read the note attached to the homework assignment each week.

4. Spellingword study, vocabulary, and strategies • 4th grade students will not have a list to memorize each week. • We focus on using spelling strategies within the students’ writing. • There will be no separate spelling grade on the report card – spelling is part of the “Written Communication” grade.

5. The Writing STARR Test *The test is taken over 2 days *The test has a multiple section and a composition each day. * The test is timed. Students have 4 hours each day to complete both the multiple choice section and composition. *Compositions can be no longer than 1 page in length. *Students may print or write in cursive. *Students will compose one narrative piece and one expository piece . **The Writing STARR test is Tuesday, April 1st and Wednesday April 2nd **

6. Reading We want to encourage children to become life-long readers and to read for enjoyment.

7. INDEPENDENT READING MAKES A DIFFERENCE

8. Reading Workshop • Mini-Lesson • Independent Reading • Teacher Read- Aloud • Reading Units of Study in 4th grade: • Launching Reader’s Workshop • Genre • Character, Plot and Main Idea • Questioning and Inferencing • Summarizing and Generalizing • Making Connections Between Texts • Research • Critical Thinking Strategies

9. Reading at Home • Students are to read a minimum of 20 minutes daily and complete a HW response on Edmodo using examples from their reading • Parents may read with their child • Additional Reading or Science homework will be sent home on Mondays **Reading STAAR test is Wednesday April 23rd **

10. A Balanced Mathematics ProgramEquation of a Quality Activity-Based Mathematics Program Small Group Experiences Drill & Practice of Basic Facts + + + Focus Activities Whole Class Lessons = Mathematical Understandings **The Math STAAR test is Tuesday April 22, 2014**

11. Balanced Mathematics Program • Whole Group Lessons • Mini Lessons • Stations • Concepts Sequence of Study: • Place Value of Whole Numbers • Fractions and Decimals • Place Value of Decimals • Patterns • Multiplication and Division • Bar Graphs and Combinations • Geometry • Measurement • Homework Schedule: • Tuesday Nights – Problem Solving & Riddle • Thursday Nights – Choice Homework on current concept of discovery

12. Solving Problems Using: • Understand • Plan • Solve • Check √ ?

13. Social Studies Native Indians & European Explorers Geography & Regions of Texas Mexico’s Influence in the Culture of Texas Texas Revolution

14. Science • Science process skills include: • Observing • Classifying • Measuring • Communicating • Inferring and predicting • Identify patterns • Making comparisons • Drawing conclusions

15. Science ContentScience instruction may be delivered using a variety of methods including the “Flipped Lesson” method. • Lab Safety • Science Tools and Measurement • Scientific Method • Adaptations • Food Chains/Webs • Life Cycle

16. Science Content • Inherited/Learned Traits • Matter • Properties of Soil • Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition • Weather

17. Academic Expectations • Homework: • Monday • Reading and Science • Tuesdays and Thursdays • Math and Writing • Practice Math facts (with a focus on multiplication) for at least 5 minutes a night • Assignments or “No homework” along with topic of the day will be written in their agendas daily. • Communication folders are sent home daily. Please check them for homework and school information. Please sign the folders every Tuesday night. • School wide information will be sent home in the Tuesday folder.

18. CHAMPS • C– Conversation • H– Help • A– Activity • M– Movement • P- Participation • S- Success Please sign the Communication Calendar in your child’s Communication Folder each Tuesday.

19. Guidelines for Success M A V S Make responsible choices Act with a positive attitude Value and respect yourself and others Strive for success

20. Communication Folder Please sign the Communication Calendar in your child’s Communication Folder each Tuesday.

21. Upcoming Dates to Remember • September 12 –Reading with the Eagles and Watchdog Pizza Night • September 20 – Berry/Conway Rise and Shine Presentation • September 24 – PTA Back to School Celebration 6- 8pm • October 9 – National Walk to School Day • October 11– Powers/Rommel Rise and Shine Presentation • October 14 – Student Holiday • October 21-25– Library Book Fair • October 22 – Fourth Grade PTA Performance 6:30 • October 28-November 1– Red Ribbon Week October

22. Thank You for Coming We know that by working together, teachers and parents can give our students a most successful fourth grade year. Please check out our Fourth Grade website: http://allenisd.org//Domain/708 And follow your child’s class on Twitter