Welcome toWelcome to44thth Grade Curriculum Night Grade Curriculum Night

Thursday, September 2, 2010Thursday, September 2, 2010

Daily ScheduleDaily Schedule 7:50 - 8:30- 7:50 - 8:30- Morning Work/AnnouncementsMorning Work/Announcements 8:30 - 9:15- 8:30 - 9:15- Learning LaunchLearning Launch 9:20 - 10:50- 9:20 - 10:50- Reading/L.A.Reading/L.A. 10:50 - 11:30- 10:50 - 11:30- SpecialsSpecials 11:30 - 12:30- 11:30 - 12:30- Grammar/WritingGrammar/Writing 12:27 - 1:03- 12:27 - 1:03- LunchLunch 1:03 - 1:30- 1:03 - 1:30- RecessRecess 1:30 - 2:50- 1:30 - 2:50- MathMath 2:50 - 3:00- 2:50 - 3:00- Clean-up/DismissalClean-up/Dismissal FRIDAY IS SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIESFRIDAY IS SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES

Guided ReadingGuided Reading

We will read a new story each week We will read a new story each week incorporating various activities and skills.incorporating various activities and skills.

ComprehensionComprehension FluencyFluency DecodingDecoding SpellingSpelling VocabularyVocabulary GenreGenre Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose

Gifted ReadingGifted Reading

We will read the story on grade level because We will read the story on grade level because most of the grammar goes along with it.most of the grammar goes along with it.

Vocabulary DevelopmentVocabulary Development Ceasar’s EnglishCeasar’s English Red Hot Root WordsRed Hot Root Words AnalogiesAnalogies Novel StudiesNovel Studies Figuratively SpeakingFiguratively Speaking Flashback, Idioms, Foreshadowing, Flashback, Idioms, Foreshadowing,

Hyperbole, Alliteration, Irony, Dialect, Hyperbole, Alliteration, Irony, Dialect, Content, etc.Content, etc.

Houghton-Mifflin MathHoughton-Mifflin Math

Place value, money, operations, algebraic Place value, money, operations, algebraic reasoning, multiplication of whole numbers, reasoning, multiplication of whole numbers, division of whole numbers, measurement, division of whole numbers, measurement, graphing, geometry, fractions, decimals, graphing, geometry, fractions, decimals, addition and subtraction of fractions, and addition and subtraction of fractions, and multiplying and division of decimals,multiplying and division of decimals,

We will be working on multiplication all We will be working on multiplication all yearyear

Please practice facts with your Please practice facts with your child at home… child at home…

Gifted MATHGifted MATH

We are in the process of We are in the process of modifying tasksmodifying tasks to better challenge gifted students.to better challenge gifted students.

VocabularyVocabulary development in math development in math ExemplarsExemplars for problem solving for problem solving Real Life Real Life simulationssimulations – “Making Ends Meet” – “Making Ends Meet” LogicLogic Puzzles and Problem Solving skills Puzzles and Problem Solving skillsOTHER – SCIENCE LABS ON FRIDAY IN MR. OTHER – SCIENCE LABS ON FRIDAY IN MR.

SELVIG’S LABORATORY……SELVIG’S LABORATORY……

WritingWriting

We will be using various methods to teach We will be using various methods to teach writing.writing.

We will focus on these types of writing We will focus on these types of writing throughout this year to prepare students throughout this year to prepare students for the 5for the 5thth grade. grade.

- NarrativeNarrative- PersuasivePersuasive- ExpositoryExpository- Response to LiteratureResponse to Literature

SpellingSpelling

Spelling dictation test each ThursdaySpelling dictation test each ThursdayWe will be utilizing differentiated listsWe will be utilizing differentiated listsSpelling should be practiced at home Spelling should be practiced at home

nightly. Parents please check nightly. Parents please check progress each night. progress each night.

ScienceScience

This year in Science students will be This year in Science students will be learning about:learning about:

- The solar system, stars and planetsThe solar system, stars and planets- Weather, light, sound, and simple Weather, light, sound, and simple

machinesmachines- Mass/motion/gravityMass/motion/gravity- Ecosystems, food webs/chains and Ecosystems, food webs/chains and

adaptationadaptation

Social StudiesSocial Studies

This year in social studies students will be This year in social studies students will be learning about:learning about:

- Major Geographical sites in the U.S.A. Major Geographical sites in the U.S.A. - Native AmericansNative Americans- Exploration and Colonial AmericaExploration and Colonial America- American Revolution, Constitution, and American Revolution, Constitution, and

New GovernmentNew Government- Westward Expansion/Industrial RevolutionWestward Expansion/Industrial Revolution

ARAR

Individual Goal for each quarterIndividual Goal for each quarterMust be in child’s reading rangeMust be in child’s reading rangeScore 80% or better Score 80% or better Students will be given time each week Students will be given time each week

for AR tests for AR tests in the classroomin the classroomLook for information letter on how to Look for information letter on how to

access AR access AR reportsreports from home from home Remember, children who read Remember, children who read

frequently do better in all subjects as frequently do better in all subjects as well as on the CRCT!well as on the CRCT!

HOMEWORK POLICIESHOMEWORK POLICIES STUDENT is responsible for completing and STUDENT is responsible for completing and

turning in all homework assignments on the day turning in all homework assignments on the day it is dueit is due

Homework is viewed as an extension of the day’s Homework is viewed as an extension of the day’s lesson lesson

Homework will not be assigned a grade. Homework will not be assigned a grade. Failure to complete homework will result in a Failure to complete homework will result in a

consequence (loss of at least $1.00 debit)consequence (loss of at least $1.00 debit) Homework is either checked in class or by the Homework is either checked in class or by the

teacher for understanding. teacher for understanding.

Remember – practice makes perfect, and Remember – practice makes perfect, and homework is practice of what you have learned.homework is practice of what you have learned.

Classroom EconomyClassroom EconomyWe will utilize a monetary system for rewards and We will utilize a monetary system for rewards and

consequences.consequences.

Students can earn money for:Students can earn money for: Positive behaviorPositive behavior Quality workQuality work Exceptional achievementExceptional achievement

Students are debited money for:Students are debited money for: Off task behaviorsOff task behaviors Inappropriate behaviorsInappropriate behaviors

A monthly store will be opened forA monthly store will be opened forStudents to spend their money.Students to spend their money.***Any help with donated items is appreciated!***Any help with donated items is appreciated!

4th Grade Grading and Reporting4th Grade Grading and Reporting Formative AssessmentFormative Assessment Students are assigned a Students are assigned a

4,3, 2, or 1 in the 4,3, 2, or 1 in the standards of language standards of language arts , reading ,and math.arts , reading ,and math.

These grades are taken These grades are taken as daily assessments for as daily assessments for each specific standard each specific standard (observation, slate work, (observation, slate work, quiz, task)quiz, task)

Students work up to the Students work up to the highest potential. It is not highest potential. It is not an average of grades.an average of grades.

Summative Assessment•Students are assigned percentages to summative tests in the subjects of language arts, reading, and math.•These are averaged for a final grade on the report card.•Science and social studies: all percentages are averaged for a final grade.

The report card will reflect both formative and summative grades for reading, language arts, and math.

Other Points of InterestOther Points of Interest Your child’s agenda must be signed each night.Your child’s agenda must be signed each night. Your child must read for at least twenty minutesYour child must read for at least twenty minutes Your child must wear tennis shoes on P.E. days.Your child must wear tennis shoes on P.E. days. A change in transportation must be approved through the A change in transportation must be approved through the

office before 1:45pm.office before 1:45pm. Important information can be found in your child’s Monday Important information can be found in your child’s Monday

folder, including the newsletter and weekly progress sheet.folder, including the newsletter and weekly progress sheet. You can leave notes for me in your child’s agenda. I will You can leave notes for me in your child’s agenda. I will

look at it each morning.look at it each morning. Ice cream is sold each day in the cafeteria.Ice cream is sold each day in the cafeteria. Students may purchase breakfast each morning.Students may purchase breakfast each morning. Always remember that you can contact your child’s teacher Always remember that you can contact your child’s teacher

with any concerns or questions you may have. We are on with any concerns or questions you may have. We are on the same team – your child’s!the same team – your child’s!

THANK YOU FOR COMING THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CURRICULUM NIGHT!TO CURRICULUM NIGHT!