1. Welcome to 4th Grade Curriculum Night
Stetson Hills
A+ School of Excellence

2. "You are free to do anything that will contribute to your learning or the learning of others."
Student Expectations: *Treat all people with kindness and respect *Respect all property *Come to class on time prepared to learn *Listen and follow directions *Work in a way that doesn't distract others from learning *Always try your hardest to do your best It is my goal to encourage your child in a positive, supportive, nurturing environment. Consequences: Occasionally students have difficulty adhering to classroom expectations. We will give students cues and reminders to get back on task. If the child continues with the behavior the following may occur: *move student to another place in classroom *move student to another classroom *call parent / parent * note in discipline log / student planner Severe cases may be referred to the office.

3. Curriculum
The fourth grade team uses materials that Deer Valley Unified Schools has adopted that support the Arizona State Standards and CCR Standards (College and Career Readiness).
Reading
Mathematics
Social Studies/Arizona History
Science
Writing
Words Their Way

4. Curriculum cont.
“I Can” statements will be written by the students in their planners at the start of each core class.

5. Homework Expectations
Homework will be written by the students in their planners.
Math and reading homework can be expected Monday – Thursday.
Homework is given to practice particular skills.
Homework may also include studying for a test.
Homework will also include work not completed in class, including any work missed when absent.

6. Homework Policy
Homework will be checked for completion during RTI (homeroom).
Students will turn in homework when arriving at the appropriate core class.
If students do not complete homework, he or she will sit out at recess.
An after school detention will be issued if a student has 5 late/missing homework assignments.

7. Absences Most work will need to be completed as homework.
Vacations: We will collect assignments, and we will give the work to your child upon return to school.

9. Writing
Students will use the writing process to publish a variety of genre-related pieces.
Expressive
Personal narratives, stories, poetry
Expository
Nonfiction writing that describes
Functional
Directions, recipes, letters, thank-you notes, invitations
Persuasive
Advertisements, paragraphs
Literary Response
Journal entry, book review
Research
Informational report

10. Reading CCR Standards (College and Career Readiness)
All Deer Valley schools use the Pearson
reading program (district adopted curriculum)
Homework practices vocabulary, skills, strategies, comprehension, and Close Reading
Tests given after completing a story (6-8 school days per story)

11. Scholastic Book Orders
Your child will have an opportunity to order books and software at a reduced rate through Scholastic Book Company.
Easy on-line ordering available or order through Mrs. Swannie.

12. Mathematics CCR Standards (College and Career Readiness)
All Deer Valley schools use Eureka/Engage NY program (district adopted curriculum)
Each day homework is discussed and graded, fluency (review) items practiced, and new skill taught (problem set paper).
Homework practices skills/concepts taught daily
Quizzes are given after each topic within a module. (mirror exit tickets)
Tests given at the end of the module. Some lengthy modules will include a mid-module test as well.
Website Resource

13. Science *Standards supported with FOSS curriculum.
*Inquiry process embedded in each theme:
*Landforms
*Environments
*Electricity/magnetism
*Water/weather
*Other standards supported with supplemental materials.

14. Social Studies/Arizona History
Harcourt Social Studies/ Arizona textbook.
Focus on geography, history and government - from early civilizations to present.

15. Standards-Based Practices
Deer Valley Unified School District supports the use of standards-based practices.
What are standards-based practices?
The purpose of Standards-Based Practices (SBP) are to measure a student’s performance and product against defined grade level expectations. In using SBP, grades reflect what a student knows and can do, as outlined in the Arizona State Standards. Teachers in Grades K–8 will base report card grades on academic achievement only.

16. Stetson Hills’ Areas of Focus Regarding Grading Practices
Avoid Recording Zeros 
Zeros skew the grade to a point where accuracy is distorted.  Avoiding zeros helps students take responsibility for their learning and be held accountable for missing work.
Avoid Non-Academic Factors 
Grades communicate student achievement in relationship learning standards; students' grades will not be reduced or inflated due to student behaviors outside of the standards.  

17. What do grades mean?
Grades are a way to communicate with students and parents how a student is doing in relation to the
Arizona state academic standards/Common Core
A+ through A / Primary grade of E (Excellent)
Student is showing a high level of mastery, exceeding the standards. 
B+ through C / Primary grade of S (Satisfactory)
Student is showing a good level of mastery, approaching to meeting mastery, in the state standards.
C- through F / Primary grades of N (Needs       Improvement) & U (Unsatisfactory)
Student is falling far below or approaching mastery of standards.  
Continued missing or late assignments may result in a parent/teacher/student conference to develop a plan for success in meeting the standards

18. Grading Policy
Missing assessments will be recorded as 49% and changed after work is complete.
Nothing less than a 50% will be recorded, unless missing.
Teachers will manage retakes.
Students will only be allowed one retake if the grade is 69% or lower. 70% and higher is passing.
Retakes will reflect the mastery score in PowerSchool.
If the student does not have a passing score after a retake, the higher of the two scores will be entered.

19. PowerSchool *On-line grade book for parents to access.
*Need a username and password to log-in.
*Your child’s code is the same as last year.
*If you have misplaced your information, you can stop by the front office to get another copy. (You will need to show identification)
*Every attempt will be made to update grades weekly.
*Student access to Pearson Realize through PowerSchool only.

20. Grade Level Website

21. Parent View in PowerSchool
Parents can now select the “Standards Grades” tab and will be able to see a performance level for each standard
Parents can see the performance level of their student for each of the identified standards
Letter grade reporting remains housed under the “Grades and Attendance” tab
Parent View in PowerSchool

22. Performance Levels
4 = Demonstrates above grade level proficiency independently
3 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency independently
2 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency with support
1 = Demonstrates below grade level proficiency with support
Description of Performance levels The Performance Levels indicated by 1-4 are not based on a percentage. It is a performance indicator based on the student’s performance toward meeting grade level standards 4 = Demonstrates above grade level proficiency independently The student consistently demonstrates above grade level proficiency independently* for this reporting period 3 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency independently The student consistently demonstrates proficiency for the grade level concepts and skills independently* for this reporting period 2 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency with support The student usually demonstrates the skill or understands the concepts and meets grade level expectations with support for this reporting period 1 = Demonstrates below grade level proficiency with support The student performs below grade level with support and is not meeting expectations for this reporting period
*Independently: The ability to demonstrate proficiency of standards without assistance after being taught a concept or skill

23. Parent Communication Student Planner (notes) Email Flyers
Remind app (text messages)

24. Field Trip Arizona Capitol Museum: Friday, March 17th
Must have completed volunteer training to attend any Deer Valley field trip.
RSVP will be sent out

25. Thank you for visiting!