Summary SlideSummary Slide

Welcome to 4Welcome to 4thth Grade Open House Grade Open House2014-20152014-2015

Ms. TietzMs. Tietz Mrs. StickMrs. Stick

Mrs. LeGrandMrs. LeGrand

Welcome to Open HouseWelcome to Open House2014-20152014-2015

44thth grade is a transitional year grade is a transitional year

In the primary grades children learn basic In the primary grades children learn basic concepts, questions, and instructions. These concepts, questions, and instructions. These are referred to as the “How to Years of are referred to as the “How to Years of Instruction.” K -3 is the foundation of a Instruction.” K -3 is the foundation of a child’s education.child’s education.

In 4In 4th grade th grade the children take those basic skills the children take those basic skills and apply them to real-life situations. This and apply them to real-life situations. This requires more complex thinking. requires more complex thinking.

Webb’s Cognitive ComplexityWebb’s Cognitive ComplexityHierarchy of SkillsHierarchy of Skills

As children get older, we want them to take responsibility for As children get older, we want them to take responsibility for their education and become self-motivated or intrinsic learners.their education and become self-motivated or intrinsic learners.

Welcome to higher educationWelcome to higher education

Not only is the work more difficult, there is Not only is the work more difficult, there is more of it.more of it.

Beginning in 4Beginning in 4thth grade, more topics are grade, more topics are covered in depth and the density of the reading covered in depth and the density of the reading material increases.material increases.

Parents around the world agree that 4Parents around the world agree that 4 thth grade is grade is probably the most challenging grade for probably the most challenging grade for children.children.

Homework Homework Please let us know if your child is frustrated over the amount of homework. Please let us know if your child is frustrated over the amount of homework. Homework should not exceed 1 hour each night. Notice of tests are given a Homework should not exceed 1 hour each night. Notice of tests are given a

week in advance. Students have time in school to complete most work week in advance. Students have time in school to complete most work assignments. If incomplete homework is a concern, have your child bring assignments. If incomplete homework is a concern, have your child bring

home all assignments each day to be checked against the homework hotline home all assignments each day to be checked against the homework hotline and planner. I review the assignment board at the end of each day.and planner. I review the assignment board at the end of each day.

Any work that is assigned during the day Any work that is assigned during the day & not completed in class in considered & not completed in class in considered homeworkhomework

Late work is any work not turned in on Late work is any work not turned in on time and will be noted on Power Teacher.time and will be noted on Power Teacher.

Incomplete work will result in missing Incomplete work will result in missing recess and attending “homework club” in recess and attending “homework club” in the library on Tuesday, Wednesday, and the library on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.Thursday.

Late work will be reflected on report card Late work will be reflected on report card under completed assignments on time under completed assignments on time

Daily Planners should be filled in each Daily Planners should be filled in each day and checked at homeday and checked at home

Check Homework Hot Line. Press # to Check Homework Hot Line. Press # to leave a message. Starting tomorrow.leave a message. Starting tomorrow.

Homework Folder contains homeworkHomework Folder contains homework Public Library has copy of all textbooksPublic Library has copy of all textbooks Check your child’s electronic grade bookCheck your child’s electronic grade book

44thth Grade Grade ReadingReading SpellingSpelling Grammar - Grammar - Daily Oral LanguageDaily Oral Language

Writing – Writing – variety of assignmentsvariety of assignments

Assessments –Assessments – at school and at school and

take home teststake home tests

Science and Social Science and Social StudiesStudies

MathematicsMathematics Peace Scholars -Peace Scholars -character character

building lessonsbuilding lessons

Computer SkillsComputer Skills Weekly LibraryWeekly Library

LiteracyLiteracyEvaluation for literacy skills is under reading on the report card.Evaluation for literacy skills is under reading on the report card.

Novel StudiesNovel Studies use a variety of use a variety of classic children’s literature to develop a classic children’s literature to develop a love of reading through discussion. We love of reading through discussion. We use literature as a spring board to connect use literature as a spring board to connect reading and writing, improve vocabulary, reading and writing, improve vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. We also fluency, and comprehension. We also review reading strategies and skills. review reading strategies and skills.

Daily FiveDaily Five develops develops functioning independently without functioning independently without

teacher interference.teacher interference. Free reading fosters literacy independence.Free reading fosters literacy independence. All the children are required to have reading material at All the children are required to have reading material at

school to read each day.school to read each day. Read to selfRead to self Read to someoneRead to someone Listen to read aloudListen to read aloud WriteWrite Word Work Word Work Small Group Activities (Teacher Directed)Small Group Activities (Teacher Directed)

Storytown SeriesStorytown Series Reading Program aligned with common core Reading Program aligned with common core

standardsstandards Six Themes Six Themes SpellingSpelling Grammar and PunctuationGrammar and Punctuation Reading (includes a variety of selections & different Reading (includes a variety of selections & different

genres) genres) Writing (extended response which includes finding Writing (extended response which includes finding

evidence in the reading text to support answers , evidence in the reading text to support answers , essays. 6+1 Traits , developing the writing process by essays. 6+1 Traits , developing the writing process by using a variety of informational and narrative using a variety of informational and narrative writing along with creative & journal writing)writing along with creative & journal writing)

Common Core State StandardsCommon Core State Standards Controlled VocabularyControlled Vocabulary Literary Devices and GenreLiterary Devices and Genre ComprehensionComprehension FluencyFluency SkillsSkills Word Attack StrategiesWord Attack Strategies Graphic OrganizersGraphic Organizers Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose Story elements/ story textStory elements/ story text Listening and Speaking SkillsListening and Speaking Skills Weekly AssessmentsWeekly Assessments

Writing AssignmentsWriting AssignmentsThese assignments are incorporated into the language arts and reading gradeThese assignments are incorporated into the language arts and reading grade

Personal NarrativePersonal Narrative Informational ReportsInformational Reports Persuasive EssayPersuasive Essay Extended Response Extended Response (Comparing different forms of text)(Comparing different forms of text)

Journal WritingJournal Writing PoetryPoetry 6+1 Traits of Writing Activities6+1 Traits of Writing Activities D.O.L. D.O.L. (not given every week, but when the tests are given they will be given on Tuesday, and the study guide (not given every week, but when the tests are given they will be given on Tuesday, and the study guide

goes home the Friday before. D.O.L. test dates are written on the assignment board and should be recorded in your child’s goes home the Friday before. D.O.L. test dates are written on the assignment board and should be recorded in your child’s daily planner) About 10 tests a year just for grammar review and practice.daily planner) About 10 tests a year just for grammar review and practice.

Writing - GrammarWriting - Grammarcontinuedcontinued

Writes legibly and neatly using cursive Writes legibly and neatly using cursive

Use correct punctuation and conventions in all writing assignmentsUse correct punctuation and conventions in all writing assignments

Demonstrates proper usage of the English language. This is “correctness” or the Demonstrates proper usage of the English language. This is “correctness” or the appropriate word use in a sentence. Grammatical structures and sentence building appropriate word use in a sentence. Grammatical structures and sentence building skills.skills.

Show appropriate sentence structure. This involves principles of word and sentence Show appropriate sentence structure. This involves principles of word and sentence formation. Sentence order.formation. Sentence order.

Is familiar with parts of speech and their function in a sentence. Noun, Verb, Is familiar with parts of speech and their function in a sentence. Noun, Verb, Adverb, AdjectiveAdverb, Adjective

Practical application in daily work, textbook, workbook, and activities which Practical application in daily work, textbook, workbook, and activities which provide drill and practiceprovide drill and practice

Spelling Spelling There is an unit list of spelling words on our web-site and a printed handout that There is an unit list of spelling words on our web-site and a printed handout that

goes along with each Story Town thematic unit. Each list develops an goes along with each Story Town thematic unit. Each list develops an instructional strategy and groups words according to a pattern or phonetic instructional strategy and groups words according to a pattern or phonetic generalization. Developing spelling skills makes writing and reading easier.generalization. Developing spelling skills makes writing and reading easier.

MondayMonday Pretest given, if 100%, no posttest is required (each test includes 20 words and 5 Pretest given, if 100%, no posttest is required (each test includes 20 words and 5 challenge words which are extra credit points except on the review list given at the end of each theme of challenge words which are extra credit points except on the review list given at the end of each theme of the basal reader) Printing the spelling words is more effective than using cursive to write the spelling the basal reader) Printing the spelling words is more effective than using cursive to write the spelling words when taking a test. (20 minutes)words when taking a test. (20 minutes)

Tuesday Tuesday workbook is assigned & class time is given to complete the book, uncompleted work workbook is assigned & class time is given to complete the book, uncompleted work becomes homework. Reinforces spelling and word meaning. (30-45 minutes)becomes homework. Reinforces spelling and word meaning. (30-45 minutes)

WednesdayWednesday may have enrichment activity assigned during class for extra spelling practice, to may have enrichment activity assigned during class for extra spelling practice, to learn word usage, Latin word parts, and develop vocabulary (not homework or part of overall grade)learn word usage, Latin word parts, and develop vocabulary (not homework or part of overall grade)

ThursdayThursday study for post teststudy for post test

FridayFriday Posttest given to those students who didn’t pass pretest. Computer time or free time for Posttest given to those students who didn’t pass pretest. Computer time or free time for those students who passed the pretest.those students who passed the pretest.

NoteNote:: the spelling lists coordinate with the reading series so there might not be a spelling list when the spelling lists coordinate with the reading series so there might not be a spelling list when doing novel studies. The spelling grade is a combination of the weekly tests, the spelling book, and applies doing novel studies. The spelling grade is a combination of the weekly tests, the spelling book, and applies spelling to written assignments. Effort and if assignments are completed on time are part of the overall spelling to written assignments. Effort and if assignments are completed on time are part of the overall spelling grade.spelling grade.

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management

School PolicySchool Policy Please review the school handbook with your Please review the school handbook with your

child. child. There is a new school behavior plan being There is a new school behavior plan being

implemented this year. No more pink slips. Your implemented this year. No more pink slips. Your child will receive a discipline form which you may child will receive a discipline form which you may need to sign. need to sign.

Your child will receive a warning if the behavior Your child will receive a warning if the behavior is considered a minor offense & immediate action is considered a minor offense & immediate action will be taken if the behavior is serious. will be taken if the behavior is serious.

Rights & ResponsibilitiesRights & Responsibilities We work together as a communityWe work together as a community All students have the right to learnAll students have the right to learn Each child needs to take responsibility for his Each child needs to take responsibility for his

or her actionsor her actions Rewards & ConsequencesRewards & Consequences

Peace ScholarsPeace Scholars Literature Based LessonsLiterature Based Lessons Similar to I-Care Rules & includes a list Similar to I-Care Rules & includes a list

of Foulsof Fouls Lessons include topics about bullying, Lessons include topics about bullying,

empathy, respect, etc. empathy, respect, etc. Teaches morals and valuesTeaches morals and values Reinforces positive social skills and Reinforces positive social skills and

mannersmanners Role playing activitiesRole playing activities Cooperative group activitiesCooperative group activities GamesGames **Classroom rules were discussed Classroom rules were discussed

the 1the 1stst week of school and need week of school and need to be reviewed together with to be reviewed together with your child. your child.

ScienceScienceLife Science, Earth Science, Physical Life Science, Earth Science, Physical ScienceScience

Demonstrate understanding of concepts Demonstrate understanding of concepts through hands-on activities, projects, tests, through hands-on activities, projects, tests, workbook pages, worksheets, and graphic workbook pages, worksheets, and graphic organizers.organizers.

Students should be able to look up Students should be able to look up information for the textbook and apply it to information for the textbook and apply it to homework activities.homework activities.

Tests will be given on most of the chapters. Tests will be given on most of the chapters. Study guide will be given one week ahead of Study guide will be given one week ahead of time. time.

Knowing vocabulary words and meanings are Knowing vocabulary words and meanings are keykey

Project: Electricity or TestProject: Electricity or Test*Chapters are not done in order. Children should bring assignments *Chapters are not done in order. Children should bring assignments

home to have answers checked by an adult because there are not home to have answers checked by an adult because there are not many assignments and one poor grade will affect the letter grade many assignments and one poor grade will affect the letter grade given on the report card.given on the report card.

MathMath• Memorize Math Facts Up to 12 Memorize Math Facts Up to 12

(This will aid in more complicated math concepts)(This will aid in more complicated math concepts)

• Concepts: Concepts: Place Value, Computation, Fractions, Decimals, Place Value, Computation, Fractions, Decimals, Geometry, Measurement, Problem Solving, Extend Response Geometry, Measurement, Problem Solving, Extend Response Writing.Writing.

• HomeworkHomework may be differentiated and expected nightly. may be differentiated and expected nightly. Notes in class are written in red spiral & will help in homework. Notes in class are written in red spiral & will help in homework. Homework completion expected and is part of students’ effort Homework completion expected and is part of students’ effort grade. grade.

• There is an online component to our new math series that will be There is an online component to our new math series that will be accessed by students and can help with homework and extra accessed by students and can help with homework and extra

practice. practice.

• Assessments: Given after every chapter with quizzes along the Assessments: Given after every chapter with quizzes along the way.way.

Social StudiesSocial Studies

Concepts: Concepts: Our Nation, the United States: Its land and people, Our Nation, the United States: Its land and people,

the Midwestern Region and the state of Illinois. Map skills, life skills (notes, the Midwestern Region and the state of Illinois. Map skills, life skills (notes, how to find information), vocabulary, graphic organizers.how to find information), vocabulary, graphic organizers.

Assessments: Assessments: Tests (open book, multiple choice, Tests (open book, multiple choice,

vocabulary, map skills and writing). vocabulary, map skills and writing).

Projects: Projects: Timeline, Landforms, Illinois ABC bookTimeline, Landforms, Illinois ABC book

Notes: Notes: Each child is responsible for taking their own notes unless Each child is responsible for taking their own notes unless

he or she has an I.E.P. These notes will be written in their blue spiral and are he or she has an I.E.P. These notes will be written in their blue spiral and are encouraged to be used to complete homework assignments and study for tests. encouraged to be used to complete homework assignments and study for tests.

Reading: Reading: Use the textbook to teach how to read and find Use the textbook to teach how to read and find

informational text. informational text.

Specials Specials ArtArt MusicMusic Physical EducationPhysical Education

ODDS and ENDSODDS and ENDS

Book OrderBook Order Checks need to be made out to Checks need to be made out to

scholasticscholastic Online ordering availableOnline ordering available Late orders not acceptedLate orders not accepted

ConferencesConferences

November 24-25 November 24-25 (Mon. and Tues.)(Mon. and Tues.)

Students are asked to attendStudents are asked to attend Sign-up available tonight in the library and Sign-up available tonight in the library and

a reminder will be on posted on the 1a reminder will be on posted on the 1 stst quarter report cardquarter report card

Can call office to request a conference Can call office to request a conference

44thth Grade Website Grade Website Current Spelling ListsCurrent Spelling Lists Major ProjectsMajor Projects Class ScheduleClass Schedule Welcome to Open House PowerPointWelcome to Open House PowerPoint Please give us a few weeks to updatePlease give us a few weeks to update

DonationsDonations Hand sanitizerHand sanitizer Games for indoor recessGames for indoor recess

MORE ODDS & ENDS MORE ODDS & ENDS

Important InformationImportant Information Picture Day Picture Day Field TripsField Trips Attendance / TruancyAttendance / Truancy Vacations Vacations Requesting HomeworkRequesting Homework School SuppliesSchool Supplies Healthy Snack (no peanuts) & Water Healthy Snack (no peanuts) & Water Eat BreakfastEat Breakfast Get a good night’s sleepGet a good night’s sleep Classroom partiesClassroom parties

Report Card Report Card QuarterlyQuarterly

Midterms Midterms are sent home in mail if are sent home in mail if

your child is receiving below a C. your child is receiving below a C.

Grading Scale:Grading Scale: A =100-92 A =100-92 Effort GradesEffort Grades 1= excellent 1= excellent B = 91-93 2 = satisfactoryB = 91-93 2 = satisfactory C = 82-74 3 = needsC = 82-74 3 = needs D = 73-66 improvement D = 73-66 improvement

Thank You For AttendingThank You For AttendingOur Fall Open HouseOur Fall Open House

Sign-up for field trips and classroom partiesSign-up for field trips and classroom parties Remember to sign up for your child’s Remember to sign up for your child’s

parent/teacher conference.parent/teacher conference. Please call or e-mail any of the 4Please call or e-mail any of the 4 thth grade grade

teachers if you have any questions or teachers if you have any questions or concerns.concerns.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year!We are looking forward to a fantastic year!