Welcome to 4th Grade Back to School Night!Penelope SilvaSarah Gamble(Stephanie Reasoner)Kris WolfgangMarcy Shapiro

What’s Happening in 4th Grade? Goals for 4th Grade Reading Writing Math Science Social Studies Vocabulary Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset Life Skills- Anti-Bullying

Goals for 4th GradeNot only do we want to cover all of the Texas standards but we want to teach it in a way that is effective and engaging.

We will also work this year to prepare students for the challenges of 5th grade.

Reading – Reader’s Workshop

Mini Lessons – we will focus on comprehension skills

Independent Reading –

students will be reading fiction and nonfiction books

that are on their level

They will also use reading response journals

Vocabulary & Word Study – word parts, context clues

and figurative language are a main focus

Reading – Reader’s Workshop

Continued Guided Reading – this happens in a small group

setting to focus on individualized skills that need

more attention.

Conferences – with all students to help maintain an

open dialogue about what students are reading.

Book Clubs/Literature Circles – will be utilized to

encourage students to have open discussions about

a shared book that they are reading.

Writing – Writer’s Workshop

Mini Lessons – we will focus on different craft

lessons to help students develop their writing.

Genres - we will be focusing on writing

personal narratives and expository pieces.

Peer and Teacher Conferences– students will

learn how to conference about their writing with

other students, and with the teacher.

Math CGI- Cognitively Guided Instruction. CGI asks the

students to solve problems and to talk about and share strategies. We will use this metacognition to develop more complex skills and mathematical algorithms.

Place value, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are key to 4th grade math. We will spend a long time developing these number skills in order to create a solid foundation for more complex math concepts.

Math CGI- students use problem solving skills to work on

and then discuss a word problem.

Mini Lesson- we will focus on different math skills and students will learn steps and strategies for each concept.

Independent Math - students work on independent math projects, small group rotations, and math activities and games.

Instruction is differentiated daily both in small groups and for homework assignments.

ScienceScience will include a number of hands-on activities, as well as research and experiment design. This year we’ll study:

Earth and SpaceEcosystems and OrganismsAlternative Energy and weatherEnergy and electricityMatterLife cycles and heredity

Social Studies In 4th grade students learn about Texas

History We will move through the history of

Texas chronologically, slowing to spend more time on certain time periods

Much of the learning is done across content areas

Read primary sources and informational texts

Written journal entry assessments Students will:

Work on projects Participate in class discussions that relate

history to their lives today Take notes in their spirals

Study Trips Possible study trips include:

The Thinkery Pioneer Farms Mission San Jose and Mission Concepcion Central Library McKinney Roughs Nature Preserve Texas State Capital LBJ Library

We love parent chaperones but remember you are on the trip to assist the class’ learning and to keep everyone safe. Please refrain from using your phone or talking while a presenting is speaking.

Vocabulary This year we have a heavy focus on

academic vocabulary In addition to in-class vocabulary

instruction we set aside a daily 20 minute period where we can further practice the language that is imperative to higher level learning

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Carol Dweck Explains Mindsets

Tribes- Life Skills- Anti-Bullying Tribes Agreements

Attentive Listening Mutual Respect Appreciations / No Put Downs Right to Pass

These agreements act as our classroom rules. Our 4th grade curriculum is taught with many cooperative learning groups and the TRIBES agreements allow for greater productivity and respect for others in all school settings.

Life Skills and Anti Bullying Curriculum – designed to have students create tools and coping mechanisms for various social situations. We will define bullying and work toward a common understanding of why it will not be tolerated at NYOS.

HomeworkDrop Off- 7:30AMPick Up- 3:20-3:45- If you have an older child and would like your 4th grader released to him/her we need a signed permission slip.

Questions?

Thank You and Have a Great Evening!