Welcome to 4th Grade!

Sarah Williams, Marianne Rehfield (Maribeth Petrosino), Ardith Zucker, and Nicole Chinski

The New D97 Report Card● User-friendly for families, students, and teachers

● Far fewer reporting standards for ELA and math

● Fewer behaviors supporting learning; 3/2/1 scale

● Shortened descriptors○ E (excels)

○ M (meets)○ P (progressing)○ N (not yet)

● More information at a fall PTO meeting!

Meeting the rigorous standards is not easy! An

‘M’ is something to celebrate with your child.

4th Grade ELAIn English Language Arts, students will

● read more informational texts: a 50/50 ratio between fiction and nonfiction

● read more challenging texts: Lexile range for 4th/5th grade band is 740-1010

● respond to reading, citing text evidence to support their thinking

● build a strong vocabulary

Our reading and writing curricula are Lucy Calkin’s ‘Reading Units of Study’ and ‘Writing Units of Study.’

ELA Intervention and Enrichment

● Guided reading for all students

● Enrichment for advanced readers

● Interventions for struggling readers

● 30 minutes, four days a week

How Can You Help Your Child in Reading?

● Establish a clear and consistent homework routine

● Ensure your child reads nightly; sign the reading log

● Discuss books with your child.

● Take your child to the library regularly.

● Model nightly reading for your child.

4th Grade Math

In math, students will focus on

● fewer concepts but with deeper understanding

● two major clusters of standards:

○ place value, + , -, x, /

○ fractions

● reasoning and problem solving skills

We have new directives regarding flexible grouping.Our math curriculum is Eureka Math.

Math Intervention and Enrichment

● 30 minutes, 4 days a week

● math fluency (+, - , x , / )

● math interventions ○ small-group teacher supports○ research-based online supports

● math enrichment○ partner work○ independent work○ project work

How Can You Help Your Child in Math?

● Help your child memorize multiplication facts from 1-12

● Ensure your child completes homework

● Access homework support materials

● Model math in the home

● Talk about math.

4th Grade Science

● Earth Science - Soil, Rocks, & Landforms

● Physical Science - Electricity & Magnetism

● Life Science - Environments○ rotating to different teachers each unit

○ hands-on experiments

○ cooperative, inquiry-based learning

We need volunteers!

4th Grade Social Studies

4th-Grade Social Studies units are…● project-based● research-oriented● cooperative in nature

● Cultures - Family Heritage project

● Geography - US States and Regions; map skills

● Government - Election Process

● Economics - Business Unit (Entrepreneur Day)

● History - American Revolution Project

4th Grade Special Events

● 2-3 Field Trips (TBA)

● Entrepreneur Day

● 4th Grade Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio Tour

● Oak Park Education Foundation Architecture Adventure

● Class celebrations:

○ Fall (Halloween), Winter Break, End-of-Year

○ PBIS classroom reward parties

4th Grade Expectations

Be Respectful.Be Responsible.

Be Safe.

● PBIS = Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

● “Feathers” reinforce expected behaviors

● Hawk Bucks solely for business project

(Entrepreneur Day); will not tie to behaviors

4th Grade Expectations● Be on time. Schedule:

○ 7:55-2:55 daily○ 7:55-1:55 Wednesdays

● Be prepared.○ All homework completed and returned

■ 30 minutes reading; up to 40 additional minutes

○ Planner checked and signed daily

○ Home folders checked and emptied

○ All materials brought daily

■ charged iPad--no charging at school!

■ musical instruments on lesson days

Be Responsible

4th Grade Expectations● Nut-free Classrooms

● Nut-free Snack

○ Must follow your class’s allergen guidelines

● Food-free birthdays

■ (consider donating book, pencils, erasers…)

● Food-free class celebrations

Be Safe

4th Grade Communication● Fourth Grade Hawk News

○ Weekly newsletter shared via e-mail

● 4th Grade Website - 4th Grade Gazette○ Updated regularly with class information ○ Helpful resources for new curriculum

● Home Folders - check regularly!

● Email○ Best way to share regular updates and concerns

4th Grade Communication

● Absences: call the office○ 24-hour attendance line is 708-665-3065○ please avoid missing school for vacations

● After-school plans: call or e-mail the office○ teachers cannot always check email during school

day

Student iPad Use Is...● for education only

● for your student only (not siblings, sitters, etc)

● supported by iPad bootcamp

● throughout the school day

● sometimes needed for homework

● restricted: students cannot download apps, change settings, or delete browser history

● dependent on iPads returned fully charged each morning.

HEADPHONES NEEDED!

Recap: How Can You Help?● homework routine

● multiplication facts from 1-12

● nightly reading

● rested and nourished children

● volunteer to help

● assume a positive intent

We are partners in your student’s success. Thank you for your support throughout the year!

Please visit your child’s classroom:

Ms. Chinski - Room 210

Ms. Rehfield / Ms. Petrosino - Room 215

Ms. Williams - Room 212

Ms. Zucker - Room 215-1