Elementary Curriculum Overview

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Elementary Scheduling RequirementGrade 3 through Grade 5 Subject Minutes Description

ELAR 90 A comprehensive ELAR curriculum includes written expression, spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, and reading instruction.

A 90 minute daily ELAR block with 45 minutes of Writing Workshop minimum 3 days per week.

Social Studies 50 50 minutes is the minimum per day of social studies instruction. In 3-5, effective social studies instruction should continue to implement effective literacy instructional strategies and materials. A strong foundational understanding of the social studies TEKS must be included.

Mathematics 90 The focus of math instruction is based upon conceptual understanding prior to the implementation of mathematical procedures (teaching of algorithms).

A skills time within the 90 minute mathematics block, will allow time for differentiated instruction to meet student needs.

Science 50 50 minutes is the minimum per day for science instruction. Students should be exposed to non-fiction literature as well as having multiple hands-on lab opportunities.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING

K-5 Curriculum Overview

LITERACY INSTRUCTION

Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on:

◦ FLUENCY

◦ VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

◦ READING COMPREHENSION

◦ CRITICAL WRITING

ELAR CLASSROOMSOur classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find:

◦ A large/small group meeting areas

◦ A classroom library filled with a variety of leveled texts

◦ Individual book boxes or bags

◦ Ample writing supplies and mentor texts

◦ Areas to practice both independent and collaborative reading and writing

◦ Teacher and student-created anchor charts

◦ Resources to support a gradual release of responsibility (sound linking charts, word walls, writing folders, etc.)

◦ A display of student products that reflect recent workin the classroom

READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP

During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, students will:

• Receive explicit instruction through mini lessons• Engage in purposeful student talk

• Explore a variety of genres and participate in shared and modeled demonstrations of effective reading and writing strategies

• Read and write independently for sustained periods of time

• Explore how words work and apply what they learn in the context of reading and writing through small-group, peer, and individual conferences

• Receive timely feedback and set future reading and writing goals

• Share their work with others

GRADE LEVEL FOCUSDuring the English Language Arts (ELA) block, fourth grade students will focus on:

• Reading increasingly challenging texts in a variety of genres with fluency and comprehension

• Deepening understanding of text structure within a variety of genres

• Building understanding of relationships between words and nuance in word meanings- synonyms, antonyms, idioms-and using this knowledge to convey ideas precisely.

• Comparing and contrasting themes, topics, and character traits within and across texts

• Using underlying text structures to support understanding of challenging topics and difficult vocabulary in informational text

GRADE LEVEL FOCUS ContinuedDuring the English Language Arts (ELA) block, fourth grade students will focus on:

• Producing a variety of genres though composing and writing.

• Writing opinions that offer reasoned arguments and provide facts and examples that are logically grouped to support the writer’s point of view

• Writing stories, real or imaginary, that unfold naturally and developing the plot with dialogue, description, and effective pacing of the action

• Increasing command of writing craft, conventions, and presentation of ideas.

STATE ASSESSMENT

Fourth grade students will take the state-mandated STAAR Reading and Writing exams at the end of this year.

What Should Your Child Be Bringing Home?

Self-selected library books

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MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTIONThe “Why” Behind What We Do

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The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:• (A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;• (B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a

plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;

• (C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;

• (D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

• (E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas;• (F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; and• (G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical

language in written or oral communication.

Process Standards

4TH GRADE MATH

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The Last 4 Statements…

(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

(E)use mathematical relationships to generate solution and make connections and predictions.

(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicatemathematical ideas.

(G) display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communications.

4TH GRADE MATH

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4TH GRADE MATH

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STAAR Math Reporting CategoriesCategory 1: Numerical Representations and Relationships

Category 2: Computations and Algebraic Relationships

Category 3: Geometry and Measurement

Category 4: Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy

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• Develop fluency with efficient use of the four arithmetic operations on whole numbers and use this knowledge to solve problems.

• Measure angles.

• Understand decimals and addition and subtraction of decimals.

• Build foundation for addition and subtraction of fractions.

Focal Points for Fourth Grade

4TH GRADE MATH

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Making Connections

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Guiding Principles

Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be mathematical thinkers.

Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers.

Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas.

Engage all learners in understanding mathematics.

4TH GRADE MATH

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SOCIAL STUDIES

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4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12,

students build a foundation in history; geography;

economics; government; citizenship; culture; science,

technology, and society; and social studies skills. The

content, as appropriate for the grade level, enables students

to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free

enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic

values of our state and nation.

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In Grade 4, students examine the history of Texas from the

early beginnings to the present within the context of

influences of the Western Hemisphere. Historical content

focuses on Texas history including the Texas revolution,

establishment of the Republic of Texas, and subsequent

annexation to the United States, and important issues,

events, and individuals of the 19th and 20th centuries.

4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

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Fourth graders receive instruction through units that continue to build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills:Unit 1: Map Skills/The Geography of TexasUnit 2: Celebrating FreedomUnit 3: The Early History of TexasUnit 4: Exploration and Colonization of TexasUnit 5: Revolution and the Republic of TexasUnit 6: The Road to StatehoodUnit 7: New Challenges for TexasUnit 8: A Growing StateUnit 9: Hard Times at Home and AbroadUnit 10: Texas TodayUnit 11: Texas Government

4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

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ELEMENTARY SCIENCE:

INQUIRY AND NOTEBOOKS

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What is scientific inquiry?

• Science inquiry is the active construction of

ideas and the forming of connections.

• Science inquiry engages students in the

investigative nature of science.

• Science inquiry involves activities and skills

in an active search for understanding.

• Science inquiry transforms learning from watching

and listening to doing.

• Science inquiry allows students to take an active role

in understanding their science learning.

4TH GRADE SCIENCE

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What are the essential features of a science classroom?

Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions.

Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions.

Learners formulate and evaluate explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions.

Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.

4TH GRADE SCIENCE

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What is the student’s role?

Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the world around them.

Plan and conduct a simple investigation.

Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.

Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.

Communicate investigations and explanations.

4TH GRADE SCIENCE

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Integrates science and language arts skills

Helps students develop cognitive knowledge of science content and processes

Enhances writing skills

Serves as an assessment tool to gather information on students’ thinking

Science Notebooks in every classroom

4TH GRADE SCIENCE

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PACEEMS-ISD K-5 Gifted and Talented Program

What is PACE?

• Educational program which serves identified gifted/talented students in grades K-5

• 2 hour pull-out program for 2nd – 5th graders• Kindergarten and 1st grade students served in classroom with differentiated instructional strategies

Learning Opportunities for GT Students

• Students work on a differentiated curriculum with extended activities• Instructional goals focus on helping students to develop critical thinking skills,

communicate effectively, reason and solve problems, and value diversity. • Lessons span across all curriculum areas and incorporate a research component

in the spring semester• The depth of projects builds as the students progress to the upper grades

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Parent Resources

• Istation K-5

• K-2 Computer Activities• 3-5 Computer Activities

• Math Resources

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