Welcome to Fourth Grade Curriculum Night

1. A child is like a rosebud. Not all rosebuds bloom at the same time but each one is as beautiful as the other.-Author Unknown

2. Welcome to Fourth Grade Curriculum Night

3. Fourth Grade Teaching Team Miss Kim Cornelissen Mrs. Jayne Kelly Mrs. Monika Petrous

4. Fourth Grade Specials Teachers Mrs. Clos: Art Mr. Hughes: Spanish Mr. Mark Cavataio:Physical Education Mrs. Claudia Rzepka: Media Mrs. Teresa Kniseley: Vocal Music

5. Let’s Work Together • Good Rest • Eat a Good Breakfast • Arrive on Time • Set School as a High Priority • Make appointments outside of school time • Parents should report to the office, not the classroom during regular school hours Communication with Teacher: * E-mail * 4th Grade Website * Assignment book *Conference by appointment

6. Assignment Books • Informs you of homework each day • Used for Communication • Please sign everyday

7. Report CardsFourth grade begins the use of traditional grades. A - Excellent Progress B - Good Progress C - Fair Progress D - Unsatisfactory Progress E - Not Progressing Plus: Strong Development Check: Satisfactory Development Minus: Skill needs improvement

8. Standard grading scale used: A + 100% C 73% - 76.9% A 93% - 99.9% C – 70% - 72.9% A – 90% - 92.9% D + 67% - 69.9% B + 87% - 89.9% D 63% - 66.6% B 83% - 86.9% D – 60% - 62.9% B – 80% - 82.9% E < 60% C + 77% - 79.9%

9. Edline • We are excited to use Edlinereports for the 2012-2013 school year. • We will post reports after tests and graded assignments for you to access at your convenience. • Grades will be posted in math, science, and social studies. • Grades from literacy, word work, and writing will not be posted through Edline.

10. M.E.A.P. and C.C.S.S This year, the students are given the MEAP in October, which assesses reading, writing, and math. Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, the students will take the Common Core State Standards (C.C.S.S.) test in place of the MEAP. We will be phasing out of the MEAP and focusing on CCSS. Currently, our units of study are meeting both needs.

11. Homework • The fourth grade homework policy is available in the curriculum night packet. • Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise noted. • Homework is a percentage of the overall grade.

12. Absences • Students are responsible for finding out what work they missed during their absence. • Students may use the Star Center to make-up work missed or work that was not finished in class. • Vacations: school policy does not allow us to send work ahead for students going on vacation. Students will have to makeup the work upon their return.

13. Math Expressions: Common Core You will notice: There are no study links. The homework book comes home every night. It will be imperative that this book returns to the classroom on time. “Remembering” pages are done in class to support the previous lessons. There are fewer units, but they are more in-depth. This is NOT a spiral-type program. Dr. Karen Fuson, author. “Incorporates the best practices of book traditional and reform mathematics curricula. The program strikes a balance between promoting student-generated solution methods and effective research based methods. Importance of Math Talk Promotes and integrates Cultures of Thinking

14. Math Expressions: Common Core • Place Value and Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction • Multiplication and Whole Numbers • Division with Whole Numbers • Equations and Word Problems • Measurement • Fraction Concepts and Operations • Fractions and Decimals • Geometry

15. Reader’s Workshop • Readers’ Workshop format includes: • Whole class mini-lesson • Small group instruction • Leveled independent/teacher support reading • Making Meaning • Homework • No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality literature 20-25 minutes per night • Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others • Small Group Instruction • Students meet with teachers based on ability or skill level • Alternate between strategy groups and book clubs • Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others • Homework • No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality literature 20-25 minutes per night • Weekly reading homework supports C.C.S.S. and 4th grade skills

16. Writer’s Workshop Oakland Schools MAISA Writing Units Writing genres include: personal narrative, literary essay, poetry, test-taking strategies, informational writing, and content-based paragraph writing. • Our workshop includes: • Whole Group Mini-lessons • Independent Writing, supported by 1-on-1 and small group conferencing • Sharing/Publishing • Grading is based on daily writing entries, incorporation on mini-lessons in daily writing, final drafts, and content area writing, as well as, spelling and grammar.

17. Word Study • Journeys textbook (Houghton Mifflin) • Spelling inventory at the start of the year • Three tests that focus on different skills. (approaching, meets, exceeds) • Students will meet 3 times a week • Introduce words (blind sort) • Small groups to identify patterns • Practice with vocabulary • Tests will be given by their homeroom teacher on Wednesday mornings.

18. Grammar • Houghton Mifflin grammar materials • Sequential and aligned with common core • One concept will be introduced each week. We will practice it 2-3 times per week, in isolation and in context. • Homework will be sent home, if not completed in class. • Due on the day of the quiz • Ten point grammar quiz on Wednesdays/Thursdays. • Wednesday- Cornelissen and Petrous • Thursday- Kelly

19. Science • Mixtures & Solutions • Earth Materials • Electricity & Magnetism • Environments

20. Social Studies • Michigan History: • Michigan and it’s First People • Different Worlds Meet • War and Growth • Michigan and the 20th Century • How Michigan Works (Economics and Government) Field trip to the state capitol and museum in Lansing: Tuesday, June 10th

21. Technology • Dell Computer Lab • Wireless Laptop Lab • Apple iPad2 Lab • Smart Response Remotes • FLIP video cameras • Smart Technologies SmartBoards

22. First Grade Buddies • Mrs. Kelly & Miss Naugle • Miss Cornelissen & Mrs. Belleville • Mrs. Petrous & Miss Fragomeni • We meet twice per month.

23. Thank You For Coming! We look forward to a positive, productive learning year. .