1. Mrs.Gadepally 4th grade Regnart Elementary School
Back to School Night
Mrs.Gadepally
4th grade
Regnart Elementary School

2. Welcome to Room 15!
Please find your child’s desk and sit down. If there is another parent, please sit at the back table, or on the stools.
Our class presentation is from 6:00pm-6:30pm. I will review our class procedures, expectations, how parents can get involved, and briefly go over the curriculum.
This power point will be put up on my teacher web so you have access to everything that is being presented.
Please take a look at how you can help our class from copying cursive packets to getting much needed supplies. (Information is on the back table)

3. My Background/Experience
4th year teaching 4th grade 
11th year at Regnart (taught 3rd for 7 years)
Have taught children of all ages for the past 24 years
Mother of 2 (I have a son and a daughter) who have both gone through the Cupertino school district.
I have gone to school in the Eastern and Western parts of the world so I like to fuse both styles. 

4. Personal Philosophy Every student is a favorite.
Students are intelligent in different ways and will be encouraged (and pushed) to do their best
Their self-confidence will be built through positive reinforcement and lots of hard work.
To be fun, fair and friendly!  Yes, I am strict as needed.

5. Forms Thank you to everyone for returning the emergency card.
THERE ARE NO EMERGENCY PACKS BEING DISTRIBUTED THIS YEAR. If you have an old pack and bring it, that is fine, but we have supplies in school.
The student and parent technology consent forms are online. Thank you to everyone who filled them out. If you have not done so yet, please do. There is also a Media opt out option.
Thank you to everyone who returned the donation forms for the reading materials, science goggles, and planner.

6. Overview of this Presentation
Important information about our class:
Student expectations/behavior
Parental support and volunteer opportunities- please sign up
Homework
Tests
Communication
4th grade curriculum

7. Student Behavior/Expectations
Students should be able to work independently and ask questions when confused.
They should be helpful to each other and kind to their classmates
Students should put in their best effort when doing work.
Listening/focusing in class during instruction and following directions.
Pink and white slips as consequences

8. Parental Support
Students should come on time, rested, fresh, and have a snack in case they are hungry. Please encourage them to play for an hour everyday and do chores at home. It actually makes them better students! 
Students should bring their signed planner and homework folder to school everyday.
If they have a doctor’s appointment or you are taking them out of school early, please me ahead of time. Our day is packed and yes, they will be missing curriculum!

9. How Parents Can Help
We need room parents to help organize class parties and events in class.
Art Docents to run art lessons 4 times a year.
A Project Cornerstone parent
Class materials preparation at home, or copying materials once in a while
Field trip volunteers (Just let me know on the form when you get it.) Tech museum and Mission visit
Class materials donations-very much needed! District is downsizing the budget so things are tight. (IXL LA)

10. Parent Volunteers cont.
Classroom/Field Trip Volunteers:
Must have TB test and fingerprint scan on file in the office
TB test lasts 5 years
Fingerprint scan is for life 
Volunteers must sign in at the office and wear a name tag.
Parents can also volunteer in supporting the PTA with direct donations for music, art programs and aides as well as help out in different ways like in the running and reading programs.
Attend PTA meetings to be aware of what is going on in school and make your voice heard.

11. Homework Homework assigned nightly Monday through Thursday
Assignments are due the next day unless specified
Students write down the assignments in their planners daily and need a parent signature.
Approximately 60 minutes per night (240 per week) and does not include studying for tests.
Time to practice the learning we have done in class
Please review planner and homework each night
Late Homework form will be filled out if assignments are not complete. If your child is missing homework, they will do the assignment during recess.
Turning homework in on time is an important part of increased responsibilities in upper grades.

12. Assessments/Tests
Daily in-class assignments Homework Quizzes and tests Teacher Observation Self evaluation State mandated tests
District required performance assessments Reports Projects Oral Presentations Group work and interactions

13. Four Point Grading Rubric
4 - Advanced Proficiency (95% and above average)
3 – Proficient (75%-94%)
2 - Developing Proficiency (65%-74%)
1 - Limited/Minimal Proficiency (64% and below)

14. Communication Weekly Thursday folders-please read and sign
I will send many reminder s about upcoming events or information.
If you have any questions or concerns, I will get back within 24 hours at the latest.
Parent/student conferences in October.
Class website :
Daily homework
Weekly overview and schedule
Phone and Voic
(408) ext

15. Curriculum Overview Character Development Technology Public Speaking
Upper grade service opportunities
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
PE/ Art/ Music

16. Character Development
Our class motto: ”The End of Education is Character”
Read stories with morals and discuss
Life skills and practical application like weekend homework.
Conflict Resolution Strategies and implementation in classroom setting
Art and writing projects on human values
Classroom jobs that teach responsibility
Class activities that focus on collaboration

17. Technology Chromebooks in classroom (20)
iPads (one per student) with available keyboards in classroom
Google docs and Google classroom
Online homework (IXL Math and Newsela)
Technology is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum. Students will do research by going to specific sites, create power points and use a variety of apps to enhance learning.
CUSD typing club for practice. It will usually be assigned for homework.
Please send earbuds or headphones for your child for the year. They will use it at various times and will bring them back home at the end of the school year.

18. Public Speaking Mini lessons on public speaking
Each student will speak in front of the class every week starting in January.
Students learn to effectively communicate with peers in a group setting
They learn to speak with increased confidence
Students also develop better listening skills
Topics will be given ahead of time to prepare.

19. Upper Grade Service Opportunities
Library helper
Can be a part of school leadership (Student council)
Rainy day helper
Kitchen helper
Kinder helper
Traffic Valet

20. Textbook - Houghton-Mifflin; Traditions
Reading
Textbook - Houghton-Mifflin; Traditions
Literature Selections - Cricket in Times Square, Island of the Blue Dolphins, By the Great Horn Spoon, Reciprocal reading and literature circles
Time for Kids and Social Studies Weekly (California History and Character Development)
Complex text and Reading comprehension daily
Book Reports: Historical fiction, Biography, Non-fiction, and Newberry award winners.
Rule of 5
Online information and research on topics
Newsela (for non-fiction passages)
Reading Comprehension and Grammar everyday-Quiz Friday

21. Units of Study by Lucy Caulkins
Writing
Units of Study by Lucy Caulkins
It is an intense writing program that is being adopted by Regnart this year. 4 units of study with pre-assessments and post assessments.
Narrative (stories)
Opinion/Persuasive writing
Informative/Expository
Journals and binders
Word Study
Grammar
Vocabulary development

22. Mathematics Text : Houghton Mifflin: California Mathematics
Areas of Study:
Numbers and Place Value
Multiplication and Division- Please review facts
Algebra
Geometry
Fractions
Decimals
Measurement
Problem of the Month
Problem Solving Strategies

23. Science FOSS Science Resources and FOSS Science Kits
Areas of Study:
Solid Earth
Environments
Magnetism and Electricity
Science Notebooks (regular and virtual)
Hands on learning

24. Social Studies Areas of Study: California History Geography
Early Settlers and Explorers
Missions and Ranchos
Gold Rush
Immigration
Government

25. PE/ Art/ Music PE: Wednesday 1:30-2:15 PM Friday 9:20-10:05AM
Art: In class projects
Cross curricular
Mr.Dawson on Thursday from 9:00-9:15
Art Docent (parent run program)
Music: Monday 8:35-9:20 AM

26. A Day in Our Class
8:30 to 9:00 – PE (Monday), Library(Tuesday)DLR/RC (Wed-Fri)
9:00-10:05- Reading/Writing/Art (Thursday)/PE(Friday)
10:30- Timed tests/Correcting Homework
10:45-12:00- Math
12:45-1:30- Social Studies/Science/Literature
1:30-2:15- Science/Social Studies/PE(Wed)
2:15-2:55- Science/Social Studies
2:55-3:05- Homework/Planner/Pack Out

27. Common Core State Standards
The four C’s:
Creativity
Collaboration
Critical thinking
Communication

28. 21st Century Learners Model
Teaching critical thinkers (WHO)
Helping them to see the relevance (WHY)
Fostering 21st Century Skills (HOW)
Understanding and applying the content (WHAT)
We now begin with the WHO (21st century learners) in the center, instead of the WHAT.
For our learners, the WHY is relevance to them. WHY are they learning what they are learning?
Our students have all the WHAT they need at their fingertips. BUT, they don’t necessarily know WHY it’s important (IF it’s important). And, they don’t know how to apply the WHAT in a broader sense.
Students are surrounded by 'what' now our focus is on the 'why'.
It’s our job to guide our students to the WHY, the relevance to them.

29. How do we create the most effective or meaningful learning environment?
21st Century Skills
Common Core
State Standards
Old CA Standards
Communication
Creativity
Teaching
critical thinking
content specific
Collaboration
while using
content
skills
Critical thinking
The CCSS bridge the gap between the 21st C Learners/Skills with content specific skills.

30. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR CHILD WITH ME THIS YEAR AND COMING TONIGHT