1. Welcome to Ms. Sherwood’s 4th Grade
Room: 27
Phone: (480)

2. 4th Grade Common Core Reading
The standards establish a “staircase” of increasing complexity in what students must be able to read so that all students are ready for the next grade level and eventual demands of college.
This will be the 3rd year with our new textbook Journeys.
There are many differentiation components for small group and whole group.
Students have a Reader’s Notebook that will have all spelling, grammar and vocabulary assignments. You will see this book coming home throughout the week.
The students will also participate in literature studies that will have assignments and projects to be completed.

3. 4th Grade Common Core Writing
The ability to write logical arguments based on supportive details, sound reasoning, and text- based evidence.
Research—both short, focused projects, and longer term in depth written assignments.
Samples of student writing (mentor text) will accompany many assignments to help establish adequate performance levels in writing arguments, informational/explanatory texts, and narratives.

4. 4th Grade Common Core Speaking and Listening
The standards require that students gain, evaluate, and present increasingly complex information, ideas, and evidence through listening and speaking as well as through media.
An important focus of the speaking and listening standards is academic discussion in one-on-one, small-group, and whole-class settings.
Major projects this year include: Civilization Project, Wax Museum, Weather Reports, and Literature Projects.

5. 4th Grade Common Core Math
This year starts the use of the new Math textbooks – My Math. There are many online components that you will have access to at home. The following are the standards that will be taught using the new books.
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Number and Operations in Base Ten
Number and Operations – Fractions
Measurement and Data
Geometry

6. Pair Teaching
This year we will be pair teaching for Science and Social Studies.
Each teacher will be entering grades specific to the subject(s) they teach.
Questions related to a subject should be directed to the teacher responsible for the content.

7. 4th Grade Curriculum Science
Classifying Living Things
Populations and Ecosystems
Animals and Adaptations
Energy and Magnetism
Water Cycle
We will be exploring these topics through the scientific method along with STEM based activities to provide hands-on learning for students. There will be science fair projects completed at school in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

8. 4th Grade Curriculum Social Studies
The students will be studying the history of Arizona. We will be taking a few field trips that enhance this study. We will also have a Wax Museum that showcases people from our state, which will include a research project and will require some extra help at home from parents.
Social Studies involves a lot of reading and comprehension strategies, we will be integrating Reading and Social Studies as often as possible. In our classroom, we will also be using Primary Source documents and other supplemental materials when available for more in-depth learning about the topics of focus.

9. Classroom Procedures
Agenda: Please check your child’s agenda daily, for assignments, due dates, homework, missing assignments, upcoming quizzes/tests.
Homework Policy: There will be a weekly choice board that will be given to students. Math homework is given Monday through Thursday and due back the next day. All due dates will be recorded in your child’s planner. Any work not completed in class will be expected to be completed for homework.
Folders: We use folders to keep things organized. Students should have 2 folders - one for use at school for work in progress and the other for homework and anything needing to be taken home.

10. ClassDojo
This is a motivational website that helps students stay on task and make good choices.
Students are awarded Positive Points when they are on task, prepared, showing respect, and participating.
Students are awarded Needs Work Points when they are off task, unprepared, showing disrespect, and talking out of turn.
The points are tallied and shown on a graph
The graph will be sent home with a weekly reflection completed by students.
They earn bead for a quarterly lunch with Ms. Sherwood.

11. Accelerated Reader
Students take the STAR test and then based on their reading range, individual student goals are set for the quarter.
Students read a book of their choice for 20 min at home and for at least 20 minutes at school, each day.
Students are responsible for taking tests when they have completed the book. Points are earned based on how well students score on each AR quiz. Those points accumulate towards the goal.
At the end of each quarter the students that have completed their goal will be a part the of the AR celebration.

12. Field Trips We are will be going on four field trips this year.
Basha Art Museum, The State Capitol Museum, Tempe Center for the Arts, Arizona Museum of Natural History.
I will ask for volunteers once we have the dates set. If we have too many then I will have drawing.
ECA Fees this year MUST be paid through Infinite Campus.

13. ECA Fees Important facts about Extracurricular Activity Fees
In order to use tax credit monies, Ryan Elem. is mandated by the State of AZ to charge a fee for every enrolled student.
The fees are assigned to each student based on their grade level and are determined by the grade level based on activities they plan for the school year.
Fees may also be assigned for clubs that meet before or after school.
The fees are assigned through Infinite Campus for you to view and pay.

14. Food/Celebrations
Students may bring in a healthy snack each day. (Quick and simple)
If your child is celebrating a birthday during the school year, please feel free to send in a non- food treat to share with the class. Please send them with your child on the day chosen to celebrate.
Students can bring a water bottle that can close completely to keep at their desks.
Café Food Prices
Lunch $2.60
Breakfast $1.50

15. Communication
Our goal … to do what’s best for your child … so we’ll work together to make it happen!
Agendas – signed nightly
Classroom website – updated regularly
Scheduled Appointments – as needed
Infinite Campus – updated weekly
Phone – (480)

16. Questions