Miss Kim Cornelissen Mrs. Jayne Kelly Mrs. Monika Petrous

Mrs. Clos: Art Mr. Hughes: Spanish Mr. Mark Cavataio: Physical Education Mrs. Teresa Kniseley: Vocal Music Mrs. Claudia Rzepka: Media

 Good Rest  Eat a Good Breakfast  Arrive on Time  Set School as a High Priority  Make appointments outside of school time  Parents should report to the office, not the classroom during regular school hours Communication with Teacher: * * 4 th Grade Website * Assignment book *Conference by appointment

 Informs you of homework each day  Used for Communication  Please sign everyday

A - Excellent Progress B - Good Progress C - Fair Progress D - Unsatisfactory Progress E - Not Progressing Plus: Strong Development Check: Satisfactory Development Minus: Skill needs improvement

Standard grading scale used: A +100%C73% % A93% %C – 70% % A – 90% %D +67% % B +87% % D63% % B83% %D – 60% % B – 80% %E< 60% C +77% %

 We are excited to use Edline reports for the school year.  We will post reports after tests and graded assignments for you to access at your convenience.  Grades will be posted in math, science, and social studies.  Grades from literacy, word work, and writing will not be posted through Edline.

This year, the students are given the MEAP in October, which assesses reading, writing, and math. Starting in the school year, the students will take the Common Core State Standards (C.C.S.S.) test in place of the MEAP. We will be phasing out of the MEAP and focusing on CCSS. Currently, our units of study are meeting both needs.

 The fourth grade homework policy is available in the curriculum night packet.  Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise noted.  Homework is a percentage of the overall grade.

 Students are responsible for finding out what work they missed during their absence.  Students may use the Star Center to make-up work missed or work that was not finished in class.  Vacations: school policy does not allow us to send work ahead for students going on vacation. Students will have to makeup the work upon their return.

You will notice: 1. There are no study links. The homework book comes home every night. It will be imperative that this book returns to the classroom on time. 2. “Remembering” pages are done in class to support the previous lessons. 3. There are fewer units, but they are more in-depth. 4. This is NOT a spiral-type program. 5. Dr. Karen Fuson, author. “Incorporates the best practices of book traditional and reform mathematics curricula. The program strikes a balance between promoting student-generated solution methods and effective research based methods. 6. Importance of Math Talk 7. Promotes and integrates Cultures of Thinking

Place Value and Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Whole Numbers Division with Whole Numbers Equations and Word Problems Measurement Fraction Concepts and Operations Fractions and Decimals Geometry

 Readers’ Workshop format includes: ◦ Whole class mini-lesson ◦ Small group instruction ◦ Leveled independent/teacher support reading  Making Meaning  Homework ◦ No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality literature minutes per night  Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others  Small Group Instruction ◦ Students meet with teachers based on ability or skill level ◦ Alternate between strategy groups and book clubs ◦ Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others  Homework ◦ No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality literature minutes per night ◦ Weekly reading homework supports C.C.S.S. and 4 th grade skills

Oakland Schools MAISA Writing Units Writing genres include: personal narrative, literary essay, poetry, test-taking strategies, informational writing, and content-based paragraph writing. Our workshop includes: Whole Group Mini-lessons Independent Writing, supported by 1-on-1 and small group conferencing Sharing/Publishing Grading is based on daily writing entries, incorporation on mini-lessons in daily writing, final drafts, and content area writing, as well as, spelling and grammar.

Journeys textbook (Houghton Mifflin) Spelling inventory at the start of the year Three tests that focus on different skills. (approaching, meets, exceeds) Students will meet 3 times a week Introduce words (blind sort) Small groups to identify patterns Practice with vocabulary Tests will be given by their homeroom teacher on Wednesday mornings.

Houghton Mifflin grammar materials Sequential and aligned with common core One concept will be introduced each week. We will practice it 2-3 times per week, in isolation and in context. Homework will be sent home, if not completed in class. Due on the day of the quiz Ten point grammar quiz on Wednesdays/Thursdays. Wednesday- Cornelissen and Petrous Thursday- Kelly

 Mixtures & Solutions  Earth Materials  Electricity & Magnetism  Environments

 Michigan History: ◦ Michigan and it’s First People ◦ Different Worlds Meet ◦ War and Growth ◦ Michigan and the 20 th Century ◦ How Michigan Works (Economics and Government) Field trip to the state capitol and museum in Lansing: Tuesday, June 10th

 Dell Computer Lab  Wireless Laptop Lab  Apple iPad2 Lab  Smart Response Remotes  FLIP video cameras  Smart Technologies SmartBoards

 Mrs. Kelly & Miss Naugle  Miss Cornelissen & Mrs. Belleville  Mrs. Petrous & Miss Fragomeni  We meet twice per month.

We look forward to a positive, productive learning year..