Pam PfitznerRoom 313

Welcome Parents

Avery ElementaryCurriculum Night

2015-2016

Mrs. Pfitzner• I graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg,

Virginia. I received my Masters in Education from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.

• I taught fourth and fifth grade in Fairfax County for 13 years before relocating to Cherokee County.

• I was a Special Education Paraprofessional at Avery before getting a teaching position. This is my second year teaching fourth grade at Avery.

• My husband, Eric, teaches Math at Creekland MS. I have two daughters—Julia, a Freshman at Creekview and Audrey, a seventh grader at Creekland.

• I spend a lot of time watching my girls play softball and basketball. I love to read, travel, and teach!

• My teaching philosophy is that all children are capable of achieving academically and of learning responsibly. I strive for my students to claim ownership of their learning. My students earn grades, I do not give them grades. I have high expectations for every student, so each is prepared to achieve at the next level.

AVERYES

ccept responsibility for your own actions

oices remain quiet & movement is orderly in the halls

nter school on time, prepared, and ready to learn

espect self, others, and school property

ou control your own behaviors- be polite!

xcellence in education is of utmost importance afety rules are followed for everyone’s benefit

Math4th grade Units• Number and Operations• Measurement• Geometry• Algebra• Data Analysis and Probability• Processing Skills

• Math class will consist of whole group lessons and to ensure differentiation, we will engage in math centers.

• If your child needs help with ANY math concept, please encourage him or her to see me in the morning. This includes help with homework!

Language ArtsGrammar, Writing, and Vocabulary

• Writer’s Workshop-Students will be writing daily in their classroom journals. Sustained writing, grammar, and adding details are some of the focus for this year.

• Typing essays in Word 2013Your child will need a jump drive to save their projectsLog in to Parent Portal and find Microsoft Office Student software

• Learning the 8 parts of speech and how to locate them in sentences & apply them in their writing.

Reading• Reading will include some stories out of the Reading

Street textbook, class and group novels, poetry, and articles, etc.

• Genres include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.• A.R.-the goal is for students to earn points each

month as they practice their reading comprehension skills. AR is not counted for a grade, but participation will be encouraged with positive reinforcements. Students should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes per night. Self-motivated students will have an opportunity to set their own AR goals each month.

Vocabulary• We will begin the year with 4th grade spelling

words which will be differentiated according to a pretest.

• We will also be studying Greek and Latin root words this year along with prefixes and suffixes.

• Spelling or vocabulary quizzes will be given on Thursday to assess the words for the week. These quizzes will be part of your child’s Language Arts grade.

• Greek and Latin vocabulary words will be used to help broaden students’ understanding of words and concepts being discussed in class. It will also help with decoding more difficult words in reading.

Science4th Grade Units

• Earth Science • Solar System/Stars and Star Patterns • Weather • Physical Science • Light and Sound • Force, Mass, and Motion (simple machines) • Life Science • Ecosystems/ Food web/Food chain • Adaptation-survival/extinction

Social Studies

4th Grade Units• Native American Cultures• European Exploration of America• American Revolution• Westward Expansion of America• Physical Features of the United States• Government/Civil Understandings of the US• Economic Understandings

Homework• Spelling/Vocabulary lists are assigned on

Fridays.• Homework should not exceed 40 minutes a

night.• Homework will consist of weekly spelling/

vocabulary, studying for tests/quizzes, math homework, reading assignment, or reading for AR.

• Homework is written in the agenda daily as a part of our morning routine.

Grades• WEEKLY GRADES

INCLUDE:– Journals (grades

based on rubric)– Warm Up Work– Vocabulary/

Spelling Quizzes– Homework

Participation

• Other GRADES INCLUDE:• Independe

nt classwork

• Assessments

Parent Communication• Email: Make sure you update me of any new email

addresses throughout the year

• Website: See Avery school link

Our class newsletter will be posted every Friday.

• Phone call after school (770-479-6200)

• Parent conferences (Fall & Spring upon request)

• Parent Portal (Access to student grades) There are directions and a link on my webpage.

Daily Schedule7:20 Morning Work

8:00 Math

9:20 Snack/ D.E.A.R.

9:30 Literacy

Reading, Writing, Language Arts

11:24 Lunch

11:55 Recess

12:15 Read Aloud

12:30 Social Studies/Science

1:15 Specials

(PE, Art, Music, PE, PE)

2:15 Dismissal

Fourth Grade Important Dates

• A visit from Captain Sadler’s History Camp (November 20th)

• Students will learn about various colonial life including trades, games, and crafts.

• Planetarium at the Tellus Museum

(End of January)

• CoGat Testing (August 24-28)• GA Milestones (April)

Absences and Tardiness• School starts at 7:45 A.M.

• If you arrive after 7:45, you will need to park and come into the office to sign in your child.

• If your child misses school, you will need to send a written excuse stating why your child was absent. Absence forms can be found on the school website.

• Students are responsible for getting notes from classmates and making up any missed work or tests.

Transportation Changes

• You MUST complete the AVERY Change of Transportation form when ... – Your child is riding home with a friend– Staying after school for a club/activity– ANY OTHER CHANGES including bus, ASP or car rider.

Please see Avery website for form.– Transportation Forms are on my website.

How Can You Help at Home?

• Help your child become independent and responsible by

allowing him/her to do things for himself/herself.

• Please review and sign your child’s agenda on a daily

basis.

• Practice Multiplication facts with your child.

• Help your child study for upcoming quizzes and tests.

• Remind your child to complete the weekly homework

assignments and turn them in on time.

• Check my website for updated materials.

Our End of Year Goals…

• Successfully complete all Common Core Georgia Performance Standards

• Become independent and responsible students

• Learn critical thinking strategies• Be prepared for 5th grade

PTA• PTA flyers will be sent home on Fridays in student’s Friday

folders.

• To join PTA, please fill out the form and send it. We currently have around __% membership for our class. See links on Avery website.

http://www.averypta.org/documents/Membership%20Form.pdf

• Continue to collect Box Tops so our school can earn money.

Does anyone have any

Questions??

Thank you for coming out tonight. I know that together we will help make this a great

year for your fourth grade student.