WELCOME TO 4TH GRADE

Curriculum Night WELCOME TO4TH GRADE

Question Cards • If you have any questions about anything you learn tonight, please feel free to fill out a question card and slip it into the box near the sign up sheets.

Lunch times for the classes: • Ms. Weiss’ homeroom, 12:16pm-12:46pm • Mr. Hughes’ homeroom, 12:19pm-12:49pm • Ms. Kurtz’s homeroom, 12:22pm-12:52pm • Mrs. Turnbull’s homeroom, 12:25pm-12:55pm

Activities 4th grade goes to Activity (PE, Dance, Music/ Band, Art and Drama) from 11:15-11:55am. The students will go to activity every day. The PE teacher is Coach Dwyer. The Dance teacher is Mrs. Teyf. The Music teacher is Mr. Green and the band teacher is Mr. McConnell. The Art teachers are Ms. Norman and Ms. McDowell. The Drama Teacher is Dr. Hayes. The Discovery teachers are Mr. Sewell, Ms. Card and Ms. Carroll. Feel free to visit our Specialist and Discovery teachers during Curriculum Night or following this presentation.

Grading Weights for all subjects • 40% - Class Participation and Classwork • 30% - Tests and Quizzes • 25% - Projects • 5% - Homework

Homework Homework is to be a support of what has been taught in class. Please expect 10- 15 minutes of homework from each subject Monday-Thursday. The DeKalb Homework Policy allows kids to have between 40-60 minutes of homework a night when they are in 4th grade. This time does not include nightly reading.

TIME MANAGEMENT • Please emphasize the importance of school. They are learning skills that will support them throughout their academic careers, so please keep early checkouts and avoidable absences to a minimum. • At home, please make sure that your child has a quiet place to work with all of the necessary supplies. This will help them learn good study habits and be successful as life long learners.

Parent Portal • Parent Portal will be available soon. Please register ASAP because it takes a few days to retrieve grades. Thanks for your patience!

Communication between School and Home Communication between parents and teacher(s) will be via the Student Agenda, teacher websites, 4th Grade Newsletter, email, and the VIP. Please sign the Student Agenda Daily and sign and return the VIP on Fridays.

Differentiation in the Classroom Each classroom will utilize different delivery methods to make sure that all students learn the concepts for mastery.

Allergies • We do have food allergies in our classrooms this year. Please be aware of this whenever we begin to plan for class parties, etc.

Safety First • Please do not bring your child’s forgotten items down to the modular. Leave them in the office for pick-up at lunch. • You must have a Visitor’s Pass in order to be allowed into the modular at any time. Please schedule an appointment with the team if necessary.

Dismissal Changes • If you make a change to your child’s dismissal, please send in a handwritten note in the morning. • No email changes can be accepted for safety reasons. • In the case of an emergency or last minute change of dismissal, please call the front office (678-874-9002). They will relay the information to us. • If it is a permanent change in dismissal, please stop by the office and fill out a new Change of Dismissal agreement.

ARRIVALS AND DISMISSALS • Please understand that instruction time is very precious. • Late arrivals and early dismissals are very disruptive. Please take every measure possible to ensure that your children receive a full day of instruction.

Supplies This is what we expect the students to bring each day to class: Agenda Spiral Notebook for that subject Homework Folder for that subject Composition Book (for Science, ELA and Social Studies) Pencils Please check out websites for a daily packing list that can be downloaded for your child.

Student Absences • We will collect missed work for students who are absent. Students will receive the missed assignments upon their return to school. • Please plan vacations around the school calendar. It is extremely important that your child is at school every day. • Please be sure to let us know why your child is absent so we can input your child’s absence correctly.

Testing Dates • CRCT window dates : April 15-23 (subject to change) These are the only standardized test dates that will affect 4th grade.

Lunch and Snack • Prepaid lunch money will be collected each day. Parents can also pay online at mylunchmoney.com • Students may bring a light “healthy” snack. A small bag of crackers or fruit would be a good choice.

Visiting for Lunch • We do not allow fast food in the lunchroom – please do not bring it when visiting. • Please help us support our new lunchroom policy related to the music. When the music comes on, the children know that they should be quiet and eat. • We ask that you only bring lunch for your child when you visit. We have multiple and varying allergies.

Vanderlyn Expectations • Follow directions the first time given. • Maintain a quiet voice in the hallways. • Keep hands, feet, and objects to self. • Demonstrate respect for self, others, and school property.

CLASS DOJO In the 4th grade this year, we are implementing a Reward based system using an online tool called ClassDojo. We use a reward system based on earning 50 points. If a child earns 50 points, then they may choose from one of the following activities as a reward: Homework pass Play an educational Game during dismissal on Activeboard Be a kindergarten class helper or mystery reader Be a teacher helper in all 4 content classes for the day Bring a Kindle to school to read for one day This system relies heavily upon parent attention, especially in cases where the student is having a hard time achieving the 50 point goal. Please discuss with your child the misbehaviors noted on the weekly report, and help them to make better decisions. We will, of course, do our part to guide and help your child at school. But for this system to work, a true home-to-school link must be established where misbehaviors at school are dealt with at home.

Fieldtrips Stone Mountain in March More to come… 

Why Common Core? • To ensure that all students, no matter where they live, are prepared for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. • To ensure that students are receiving a high quality education consistently, from school to school and state to state. • To provide a greater opportunity to share experiences and best practices within and across states that will improve our ability to best serve the needs of students.

We teach according to the Georgia Performance Standards. • Please see individual websites for a complete listing of the standards that your child will be taught. • We teach for mastery of the standard(s) through performance, projects and products. • Please see teacher websites for the syllabus of each subject.

What does 4th Grade Social Studies study? • The Discovery of America • The Colonization of America • Forming a new nation • Challenge of a new nation • Expansion of a new nation • Our American government • Being a responsible spender • Geography • Critical Thinking across the curriculum

What does 4th grade ELA study? • Grammar • Writing • Reading genres • Reading comprehension skills • Using graphic organizers • Literature Circles • Media Center

What does 4th grade Math study? • Real Life Applicable Math Skills • Place Value • Fractions • Multiplication with multiple digits • Long Division • Geometry • Measurement • Problem Solving • Critical Thinking

What does 4th Grade Science study? • Getting Ready For Science (terms, rules, safety) • Learning about Matter • Water Cycle/Clouds/Weather • Ecosystems • Stars and the Solar System • Light and Sound • Forces and Motion • Getting ready for 5th Grade

Conferences • We schedule conferences on an as needed basis. • If you would like a conference, please email your homeroom teacher to set up a date and time. We will be more than happy to work with you. • Conferences will include all core teachers.

Thank you for being here tonight! We look forward to working with you throughout the year to help make your child a success! This Powerpoint will be posted to our websites.

WELCOME TO 4TH GRADE