MADISON Mustang Pride… Presentation on Madison’s SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM for Students of 4 TH AND 5 TH Grade

SPECIALIZATION MATH READING/S OCIAL STUDIES SCIENCE/WRITING

What is Specialization? Specialization means… Each day students will learn with all three grade level teachers who focus on specific curricular areas.  Reading / Social Studies  Science-Health / Writing / Spelling  Math

How does Specialization benefit students? Specialization schools showed a significant difference in MCA Reading performance for struggling students. Specialization schools were among the top in AH for performance on MCA Science results. (Madison students also scored highest in the district, which compliments the excellent teaching done by our staff.) Specialization school students stated positive comments about changing classroom environments and teachers.

How does Specialization benefit teachers, thereby benefitting students? Teachers core subject area knowledge strengthened, allowing more in-depth learning. Improved instruction in the core subject area, free of other curriculum distractions. Improved planning and collaboration, based on professional development.

Daily Schedule Example Grade 4 Specials (Art, Music, Media, Phy. Ed.) 1 st Block (Reading/S. Studies) Lunch 2 nd Block (Math) Recess 3 rd Block (Writing/Sci.) Grade 5 1 st Block (Math) Lunch Specials (Art, Music, Media, Phy. Ed.) 2 nd Block (Writing/Sci.) Recess 3 rd Block (Reading/S. Studies)

Reading / Social Studies Comprehension Fluency Vocabulary United States Geography United States History (MN emphasis in grade 5)

Math Computation Number Sense Data Geometry Algebra Measurement

Science Grade 4 Focus areas Land Forms Water Small Things Life Cycles Grade 5 Focus areas Solar System Sound Models & Designs Food & Nutrition

Grade 4 & 5 Health Bus Safety Growth & Development Life Skills Diseases Gr. 4 - Kindness Retreat Gr. 5 - CounterAct Program

Grade 4 & 5 Writing New Lucy Calkins Units of Study Realistic Fiction Poetry Letter Writing Writer’s Workshop Descriptive Writing

Grading and Report Cards Trimester 1: Sept. 8 – Dec. 4 Trimester 2: Dec. 7 – Mar. 12 Trimester 3: Mar. 15 – June 10  Not every area will be graded on each report card E, S+,S, P, N Grading System E = well above grade level S+ = above grade level S = grade level P = progressing toward grade level N = needs improvement

Homework Policy There will be homework every night of approximately minutes. All homework assignments will be recorded in Assignment Notebooks. Assignment Notebooks must go home every day and must be returned the next school day. The notebook requires a parent/guardian signature or initials. Your signature indicates that you have seen your child’s completed homework assignments.

How to Contact Your Child’s Teacher Voic Assignment Handbook

How Your Child’s Teacher Communicates To You Individual web pages Monthly grade-level newsletter Assignment Notebook Conferences Graded papers Phone

Parent/Teacher Conferences October – Goal setting conference with all grade level teachers together, focusing the conversation on the highest priority goal. February – Goals revisited 10 minute conferences

Specific questions can be addressed to the grade level teachers. Thank you for coming! Mustang Pride….