MADISON Mustang Pride…

Presentation on Madison’s SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM for Students of 4TH AND 5TH Grade

SPECIALIZATION

What is Specialization?

Specialization means…Each day students will learn with all three grade

level teachers who focus on specific curricular areas. Reading / Social Studies Science-Health / Writing / Spelling Math

How does Specialization benefit students?

• Specialization schools showed a significant difference in MCA Reading performance for struggling students.

• Specialization schools were among the top in AH for performance on MCA Science results. (Madison students also scored highest in the district, which compliments the excellent teaching done by our staff.)

• Specialization school students stated positive comments about changing classroom environments and teachers.

How does Specialization benefit teachers, thereby benefitting students?

• Teachers core subject area knowledge strengthened, allowing more in-depth learning.

• Improved instruction in the core subject area, free of other curriculum distractions.

• Improved planning and collaboration, based on professional development.

Daily Schedule Example

Grade 4

Specials (Art, Music, Media, Phy. Ed.)1st Block (Reading/S. Studies)Lunch2nd Block (Math)Recess3rd Block (Writing/Sci.)

Grade 5

1st Block (Math)LunchSpecials (Art, Music, Media, Phy.

Ed.)2nd Block (Writing/Sci.)Recess3rd Block (Reading/S. Studies)

Reading / Social Studies

• Comprehension

• Fluency

• Vocabulary

• United States Geography

• United States History (MN emphasis in grade 5)

Math

ComputationNumber SenseDataGeometryAlgebraMeasurement

Science

Grade 4 Focus areas

Land FormsWaterSmall ThingsLife Cycles

Grade 5 Focus areas

Solar SystemSoundModels & DesignsFood & Nutrition

Grade 4 & 5 Health

• Bus Safety• Growth & Development• Life Skills• Diseases• Gr. 4 - Kindness Retreat• Gr. 5 - CounterAct Program

Grade 4 & 5 Writing

• New Lucy Calkins Units of Study• Realistic Fiction• Poetry• Letter Writing• Writer’s Workshop• Descriptive Writing

Grading and Report Cards• Trimester 1: Sept. 8 – Dec. 4• Trimester 2: Dec. 7 – Mar. 12• Trimester 3: Mar. 15 – June 10Not every area will be graded on each report card

E, S+,S, P, N Grading SystemE = well above grade level S+ = above grade levelS = grade levelP = progressing toward grade levelN = needs improvement

Homework Policy

• There will be homework every night of approximately 40-50 minutes.

• All homework assignments will be recorded in Assignment Notebooks.

• Assignment Notebooks must go home every day and must be returned the next school day.

• The notebook requires a parent/guardian signature or initials. Your signature indicates that you have seen your child’s completed homework assignments.

How to Contact Your Child’s Teacher

Email VoicemailAssignment Handbook

How Your Child’s Teacher Communicates To You

• Individual web pages• Monthly grade-level newsletter• Assignment Notebook• Conferences• Graded papers• Email• Phone

Parent/Teacher Conferences

October – Goal setting conference with all grade level teachers together, focusing the conversation on the highest priority goal.

February – Goals revisited

10 minute conferences

Specific questions can be addressed to the grade level teachers.

Thank you for coming!

Mustang Pride….