Miss Pender 4th grade Room 209 Sept. 1, 2015 Curriculum Night Miss Pender 4th grade Room 209 Sept. 1, 2015

Welcome to Back-to-School Night! Make sure you sign up for parent-teacher conferences. The sign up sheet is located at the bean table in the back of the room. Leave a note for your child. There are blank sheets of paper and pens also located on the table.

Topics for the Evening Include: Introduction Class schedule Monday Folder Homework What If’s Grading Scale Elementary Progress Reporting System Mail Birthdays Assignment notebook Reading Math Science Social Studies English/Writing Art Technology Classroom behavior Communication Orchestra Band

Class Schedule Monday: PE 9:45-10:15 Tuesday: Art 9:45-10:45 Wednesday: Music 10:15-10:45 Thursday: PE 9:45-10:15 Music 10:15-10:45 Friday: LMC 9:45-10:45 * Lunch/Recess 11:55-12:40 * The children are encouraged to bring an extra pair of gym shoes for P.E. Their shoes may be stored in their locker.

HOMEWORK Homework is a chance for children to practice learning at home! Homework is due the Next Day! If they choose to bring homework after the due date he or she will receive a late slip and a 5 point penalty. If they choose not to complete the homework, they will automatically receive a 60%. Students who complete all their homework for the week will receive a positive reinforcement on Fridays.

What to Do If…… Doesn’t “get it”? Review notes from class Call homework buddy Ask you for help Write a note/email BEFORE school the next morning Takes much longer than 50-60 minutes to complete assignments? No-distraction environment Parent “supervision” Set a timer & allow mini-breaks LET’S CONFERENCE! Seems to be starting habit of late work? NIP IT IN THE “BUD”! Let’s ALL conference immediately

Please help your child by teaching them to: Mistakes are okay! Please help your child by teaching them to: Recognize when they have made a mistake Recognize that EVERYONE makes mistakes and that we remember best those lessons learned through making a mistake Recognize that making a mistake helps us to work harder Move on by creating a plan to not repeat the mistake FAMOUS FAILURES

Elementary Progress Reporting System Report Card will be sent home three times a year at the end of each Trimester Report card envelopes need to be signed and returned The report cards are yours to keep

Be sure to return it signed the next day Grade Reports At least once per month Some assignments take longer to grade & will be included on next print-out Be sure to return it signed the next day All late assignments need to be completed and handed in by the specific due date or the grade automatically becomes a 60%

Grading Scale Fourth grade students receive letter grades in core subjects. The grading scale is as follows: A+ 100 C 73 - 77 A 93 – 99 C- 70 - 72 A- 90 – 92 D+ 68 - 69 B+ 88 – 89 D 63 - 67 B 83 – 87 D- 60 - 62 B- 80 – 82 U 59 and below C+ 78 – 79

Assignment Notebook Each student purchased an assignment notebook (Thank You!) Daily check by teacher Student’s responsibility Parent signature is required daily

Monday Folder Graded Assignments Announcements Monthly Progress Report Classroom Newsletter every other week (E-mailed)

Reading Schoolwide Reading Fundamentals – reader’s workshop format Literacy Centers Guided reading (Daily 5) Independent Reading Novel studies

Language Arts Write Source We will be studying about grammar, mechanics, spelling, composition, vocabulary, and reference and study skills. Writing will be an integral part of Language Arts. There will be many forms of writing that will take place in fourth grade. Essay writing (Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive) research reports, and creative writing Vocabulary Study/Words Their Way

Math Stepping Stones by Origo Hands on experiences with manipulatives and visual representation Conceptual development of mathematics Traditional computation Four Units of Study: Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number and Operations (in base ten and fractions) Measurement and Data Geometry

Social Studies The theme of our social studies book is Regions. Units of study in fourth grade include: Understanding Geography A Nation of Many Peoples The Northeast The Southeast The Midwest The Southwest The West. Online textbook www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Science National Geographic Online component & hands-on experiments Earth Science: Rocks and Minerals Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Earth Structure and Systems Physical Science: Magnetism Forms of Energy Electricity Life Science: Living Things Body Systems

Spelling Spelling and Vocabulary Test every Friday. Students must learn how to spell the word and the definition of the word. Word lists are based upon Greek and Latin Roots, prefixes, suffixes, and affixes Spelling City

Technology Video clip Laptops, Ipods, Ipads, document camera, etc. Miss Pender’s Website Fourth graders will be receiving formalized instruction on computers in the Learning Media Center. Students will also have the opportunity to use a variety of technology in the classroom. (Power Points, Research Engines, Google Docs, etc.)

Technology Use of the Internet by way of Internet Explorer or Google Chrome is available to students on school laptops and IPads. Careful screening and bookmarking will be done by the classroom teacher prior to student use of the Internet. The district network also has aggressive filters to block inappropriate websites.

Behavior Plan In going along with the district values, students are held accountable for their decisions and their behavior through consequences. There are both positive and negative consequences to their actions and we have discussed both. Open lines of communication are very important when dealing with behavior issues, so I will be in direct contact with parents if there are any cause for concern. Above the Line/Below the Line Devil Dollars

Orchestra We VALUE music education! It is an elective & students have to make up work they miss when they are gone. (While You Were Out Sheets) Rotating schedule Student responsibility to ask questions, get clarification, find out what they missed

Birthdays Edible birthday treats are no longer allowed at Seth Paine. Non-edible items like pencils, erasers, etc. will be permitted. We have 27 students in our class.

Communication Monday Folder (sent home every week) Newsletter (e-mailed every other week) Progress Reports (sent home monthly) Megan.Pender@lz95.org 847-540-4771

Let’s work together to make this a great year for your child!! Ants Teamwork! Let’s work together to make this a great year for your child!! Ants