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!