Welcome to Back To School Night 4th Grade 2014 – 2015 Ms. Cowan Mrs. Purdham Mrs. Ross Mrs. Strade

General Schedule 9:05 Arrival/ Un-pack/ Morning Work 9:25 – 10:10 Specials 10:30 – 11:40 Math 11:45 – 12:15 Social Studies/Science 12:15 – 1:10 Recess/Lunch 1:15 – 2:30 Reading 2:30 – 3:15 Writing 3:25 Dismissal

Communication Teachers can be reached through email, notes and phone calls Please check your child’s home folder, math folder, and assignment book nightly and sign Emails are checked in the a.m. and p.m.; please do not email midday about your child’s transportation or immediate matters, but instead call the office Other important information can be found on the 4th grade website

Organization Place for everything and everything in its place Assignment Book – sign each night, look for reminders and notes Desks and cubbies are checked on a regular basis Please help by checking the home folder - clean out papers regularly Absent folders

Classroom Management Ground Rules Warnings are always given We expect all Stone Mill students to follow the rules and expectations that have been set for them. Ground Rules Warnings are always given Check assignment book for comments about behavior Bullying Prevention Program Chance Store – Positive reinforcement program consistently used by all 4th grade teachers. Works like money – teaches saving, planning, decision making and prioritizing Students earn chances for bringing back notices the next day, work study skills and following directions. “Marble Jar” – the class works together as a community to earn “class parties”

Odds and Ends Birthdays Announced on PA, recognized in classroom, store bought treats may be shared in the lunchroom Volunteers Room Parents are needed to plan class parties for Halloween and Valentine’s Day Volunteers are needed for copying and other activities to prepare materials for students

Odds and Ends Instrumental Music Students are responsible for missed work because instruction continues Instrumental music occurs throughout the day on Thursdays Chorus Tuesdays 1:50 – 2:25 Due to high enrollment, no new lessons are taught during this time Memory Books Chronological record of student work and photographs from the year, creative outlet, also displays final copies of your child’s work

Math Classes are heterogeneously grouped To determine math levels the following criteria was used: - MSA & MAP-M scores from previous year - quarterly and final math levels and grades from previous year - pre-assessments given in June of 3rd grade - principal and teacher input - performance on units from previous year Compacted Math Class – students were placed in this class according to criteria mandated by MCPS

Math Please be sure that your child is completing math homework Basic math facts should be practiced as often as possible Be on the lookout for your child’s math folder to come home nightly For further questions please contact your child’s math teacher Please email your child’s math teacher to be added to the math distribution list

Reading Developing skills and teaching students to apply them to all content areas Higher Order Questioning Critical Thinking, Analyzing and Synthesizing Reading to Learn vs Learning to Read Emphasis on non-fiction texts Materials used to teach reading are: novels, expository text, read alouds, Junior Great Books, William and Mary

Reading Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Informational Poetry and Plays Greek Myths Fantasy Biographies/Autobiographies

Reading Grouping is flexible within the classroom and changes throughout the year based on need 4th grade goal is to read 24 books independently Students will complete a Reading Record to respond to the literature they have chosen

Word Study Pre-assessment given to determine current spelling stage 10 – 15 words are given each week from your child’s spelling stage Personal words can also be chosen from student work and content related vocabulary Spelling packets may be completed at student’s convenience over a two week period and will be handed in on the day of the test

Inquiry Learning Projects Writing Narratives Opinion Informative Use of Language Inquiry Learning Projects Each project will integrate subject areas with an emphasis on writing for final products 4 inquiry projects, one during each marking period

Science Students will participate in experiments and put the scientific process into action! Life Science Earth Science Engineering

Social Studies Baldrige Classroom Environment Geographical Settlement Patterns in MD and USA Native Americans and their Regions Map Study Colonization

Field Trips Coincide with Curriculum 2.0 in the subject areas of reading, science, and social studies Parents will be chosen at random to participate from those that volunteer

Grading and Reporting Rubrics are used so that students know what is expected Informal Assessments are given throughout instruction Informal and formal grading will be used in the form of N, I, P, ES Grades also come from class observations and discussions Learning Skills – Work Habits and TASS (Thinking and Academic Success Skills) Check marks are given for assignments that are checked for completion

We look forward to an amazing year and are appreciative of all the support you give us! Please proceed to your child’s classroom to write your child a letter and sign-up for conferences.