4 th grade knox gifted academy curriculum night kristy braaksma shaun brown stephanie smythe
TRANSCRIPT
4TH GRADE KNOX GIFTED ACADEMY CURRICULUM NIGHT
Kristy BraaksmaShaun Brown
Stephanie Smythe
WHAT IS KGA?
STEAMDifferentiatedHigher-Level ThinkingAppropriate PacingProblem SolvingProject/Problem-Based InterdisciplinaryStudent ChoiceResearch-Based
PARENT COMMUNICATION
Teacher Website
Facebook page
Take Home Folders
Weekly NewslettersGo home every WednesdayParent signature required
E-mail is the preferred method of contact
EXPECTATIONS
Positive ReinforcementFranklin Covey 7 HabitsClassroom IncentivesCharacter Counts
Caught in the Act
ConsequencesSchool-Wide Discipline plan(Verbal Warning, 30 minute After-School Detention, ISS)
Loss of Class PrivilegesConference with Parents Institute a Student-Created Proactive Behavior Plan
HOMEWORK POLICY
It is our philosophy that homework is meaningful and it is necessary to reinforce concepts and extend thinking.
Homework Guidelines:
Expect 40 - 50 minutes a night. Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes a night. The 20 minutes of reading may be part of the 40 to 50 minutes. Students will not normally be assigned homework over the weekend, but occasionally students may want to work on projects during the weekend.
LATE WORK POLICY
All students are expected to turn in homework COMPLETE and ON TIME.
Classwork and homework assignments will be given half credit for 1 day late and no credit afterward.
Missing work may result in the loss of student choice learning activities.
Students may receive a homework pass to use toward late or missing assignments.
HOMEWORK/PROJECTS
Students need access to a computer and library resources at home.
Focus on organization and time management.
May be responsible to complete group and individual projects at home.
Designed to incorporate higher-level thinking skills, rigorous expectations, and integrate disciplines.
All work requires QUALITY and EFFORT.
Students may be asked to re-do assignments.
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS
Spelling •Based on Tier 3 Domain Specific Vocabulary
Writing•6 Traits of Writing•Variety of writing formats/products
Literature Study• Including Jr. Great Books, nonfiction, informational text, and other quality literature
MATH
Math concepts build on one another• 5th grade standards focus on fractions,
decimals, percents, and volume• Focus on problem solving and critical thinking
skills
Students will be challenged at their own level
Pre-assessments
Hands-on learning
SCIENCEInquiry
Research & Project-Based
Scientific Method
Lab Experiments/Notebooks
Current Events
4th: Earth’s processes & environmental conditions, weather & climate, plant & animal structures, natural resources, electricity, magnetism
SOCIAL STUDIESInterdisciplinaryProject-basedFocus on the SouthwestDeveloping research skills
4th: Native American tribes & cultures, Arizona history, geography, government, maps, charts, graphs, timelines
ART & ART MASTERPIECE
Incorporated into projects & curriculum
Important for creativity & spatial skill development
Utilize parent volunteers through Art Masterpiece. If interested in volunteering, please contact a board member.
Art Masterpiece Board: Sandy Ashbaugh, Heidi Leff, Diana Likes, and Karla Tandon
ORGANIZATION
3-ring notebook with 5 tabs
Agenda or calendar
2 Composition notebooks (Math & Science)
2 Spiral notebooks (Writing & Journal)
Pencil box with personalized supplies, including headphones & flash drive
ODDS & ENDS
• NO PEANUTS IN ANY 4th GRADE CLASSROOM• The cafeteria is open for lunch money deposits.• Due to nutritional guidelines and food handling
rules, the cafeteria asks that parents do not bring in homemade lunch or baked goods for the class.
• Healthy snack
ODDS & ENDS
• Please sign-in at the front office and receive a visitor’s badge, even to just drop something off.
• Please consider tax credit donations.• Students can only be checked out of school by
adults who are on the emergency card.
• Please make all after school arrangements before
school.• Please contact transportation with any bus
questions or concerns: 812-7275
QUESTIONS?
IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR! SEE YOU MONDAY!