Fourth Grade Curriculum Night 16-17

September 13, 2016

Fourth Grade Personnel

• Brian Pendergast 4A Social Studies

• Holly Keefer 4B Student Achievement

• Amanda Prosdocimo 4C Science

Support Services: CJ Hudock-Speech/Language

Lauren English-Learning Support

Erica Zinsser-Guidance

Heather Esswein-GOAL, ELAP

Karen Sanguigni-Reading Support

Fourth Grade Specifics • Switch classes for Math, Science,

Social Studies, and Student Achievement.

• Accordion folders taken home nightly. All handouts filed in proper section.

• New opportunities for Orchestra, Band, and Chorus.

For best results, use Chrome as your Internet browser. 1. From the North Allegheny Homepage, click on “+Parents.”

2. Then select “Online

Textbook Resources.”

3. Select “Elementary

Level Resources.”

Rocket Math • Approximately 10 minutes daily

• Practice with partners

• Individual pacing

• 3-4 new facts each level

• Can use oral practice sheet or flashcards for nightly review

• Students are motivated by tracking their individual progress

What will we be learning in 4th grade Science? • Life Science

– classifying plants and animals

– plants

– ecosystems

– systems of the human body

• Earth Science

– the water cycle

– weather

– rocks and minerals

– changes to Earth’s surface

– natural resources

• Physical Science

– matter

– heat

– electricity and magnetism

– sound and light

– motion

– simple machines

• Space and Technology

– Earth’s Cycle

– inner and outer planets

– effects of technology

Social Studies

Key Concept: US Regions • Unit 1: Exploring the United States

• Unit 2: United States Economy

• Unit 3: Exploring the Northeast Region

• Unit 4: Exploring the Southeast Region

• Unit 5: Exploring the Midwest Region

• Unit 6: Exploring the Southwest Region

• Unit 7: Exploring the West Region

Social Studies Supplemental Materials

• Teacher Designed Materials

• Maps

• Globes

• Instructional Games and Activities

• Curriculum Related Videos

Social Studies Evaluation May include the following:

– Lesson quizzes – Chapter Tests – Homework

Student Achievement • Student Achievement is data driven and differentiated

• Topics included during Student Achievement are based on grade level standards and expectations

• Instruction will align with FES targeted areas of growth as well as the PA Core

• ELA topics will include additional practice with core writing forms (narrative, opinion/argument, and informative/explanatory), text dependent analysis, making connections between texts, robust vocabulary, figurative language, and English applications

• Math will include techniques and strategies that both support and enrich topics covered within the curriculum

• No specific grade will be given in Student Achievement on the report card, but items will be graded and given to ELA or math teacher for inclusion with report card grades.

English Language Arts • Harcourt Storytown reading series

• Spiraled skills throughout levels

• Instructional strategies proven to enhance student learning

• Approximately one week for each story

• Weekly comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling tests.

• District advises at least 25 additional books per year to improve skills fluency and comprehension.

Homework Guidelines • Handbook indicates guidelines for each

grade level (approx. 40 min. nightly) • Homework time may vary each night for

each child due to: *Pull-out schedule *Ability to grasp new concepts *Practice time for a new skill *Classroom time management skills

Missed Assignments If your child has a missed homework assignment: • A “parent signature” stamp will be put on the

assignment book page for the due date. • The missed work must be turned in completed

the next day. • The student is responsible for obtaining the

parent signature and providing the missed work.

Yellow Card System • When a student breaks a rule, he or she will be issued a yellow

card as a caution. If the student earns a second yellow card during the day, he or she will be required to write a letter home to the parent(s)/guardian(s) explaining the rule infractions. The student will be required to compose this letter during either recess that day or the following day. Once the letter is written and approved, the student will join recess. This letter will then come home to you. We encourage you to discuss the rule infraction(s) with your child in an effort to avoid future rule violations that necessitate letter writing, and ultimately correcting the inappropriate behavior. Students are required to obtain a parent/guardian signature on the letter they have written and are to return the signed letter the following day. This signed letter is the student’s “ticket” to recess. Therefore, the student will miss recess until the signed letter returns.

Yellow Card Rules • Observe speaking etiquette by raising your hand

and not speaking out

• Be prepared for class by having the proper book, pencil, worksheets, packets and assignment book

• Maintain focus by keeping your place in books, on worksheets, and on the speaker

• Follow directions by finishing classwork, recording homework assignments, and completing/turning in homework

• Be respectful by using manners and being kind

•

School Wires and Websites

• Tyler grade book access.

• On-line textbook instructions are available on the FES homepage. Links are included on each teacher’s webpage.

• Homework page on websites.

Report Card Written Communication: * No letter grade, only indicators for strengths and areas in need of improvement. *Indicators will be given the second and fourth report periods. * Focus on narrative, informative/explanatory and opinion/argument writing. Health Grade: * Included in Physical Education grade for second and fourth report period. Recommendation for Homework Completion: * “Needs to Complete Homework” notation will appear with three or more late homework assignments per subject/per report period.

Educational Trip Absence • Obtain form from office or FES website • Submit form 14 calendar days prior to trip • Teachers will circulate assignment sheet • Homeroom teacher will send home assignment

sheet 1 or 2 days before trip • All assigned homework is due on Day of Return

Band, Orchestra, & Chorus

*Band/Orchestra students need to bring their instrument & music every week for lessons and ensemble.

*Lesson schedules will be distributed by

Mr. Leasure and Mrs. Donato

*Band and Orchestra ensemble-Tuesday

*Chorus rehearsal-Friday

Student Accountability • Students are responsible for work

missed due to band and orchestra lessons, GOAL, speech, etc. • Dry erase boards describing daily work. • Assignment books and classroom chart. • General HW included on teachers’ webpages

• Increased Accountability to keep up with academics despite these activities.

Thanks for Attending • Remember:

Parent – Teacher conferences will take place November 7th and 8th which coincides with the issuing of the first report card.