1. Mr. Franey
September 2016

2. Introduction A little bit about myself
09/17/99
Introduction
A little bit about myself
I live in Bridgewater, where my wife is also a teacher, and my daughter is a 5th grader.
20th year teaching in Montgomery
Undergraduate degree from Rutgers College
Graduate degrees from Rutgers Grad. School of Ed. 2

3. Tonight’s Agenda Curriculum Overview
09/17/99
Tonight’s Agenda
Curriculum Overview
A Typical School Day in Your Child’s Life at School
Class Rules
Homework
Report Cards
Testing & Assessment
Communication 3

4. Fourth Grade Reading Reader’s Workshop Format
Mini-lesson (Whole Class Direct Instruction)
Independent Reading
Individual Reading Conferences
Reading Partnerships
Interactive Read-Alouds
Partnership with Teachers College
Fourth Grade Reading Units
Interpreting Characters: The Heart of the Story
Reading the Weather, Reading the World (Nonfiction)
Interpreting Fiction Book Clubs
Reading History: The American Revolution
Historical Fiction Book Clubs
Mystery Book Clubs

5. Fourth Grade Writing
Focus on writing instruction at all grade levels through Writer’s Workshop
Writer’s Workshop Daily Format
Mini-lesson (Whole Class Direct Instruction)
Independent Writing
Individual Writing Conferences
Strategy Groups
Share
Interactive Writing
Partnership with Teacher’s College
Fourth Grade Writing Units
The Arc of Story (Realistic Fiction)
Boxes and Bullets: Personal and Persuasive
Essays
The Literary Essay
Bringing History to Life
(American Revolution)
The Craft of Fiction
Journalism

6. K-4 Mathematics Math in Focus
Math Workshop Approach
Mini-lesson
Whole Class Direct Instruction using a Concrete-Pictorial- Abstract progression.
Includes opportunities for students to discuss concepts and big ideas in each unit.
Practice
Games, Activities, & Written Practice
Small Group Instruction
Infused Technology
Fact Fluency Practice
Problem Solving Experiences
Tonight’s Year at a Glance document will provide more information about grade level topics.
Students may access their textbook online at Think Central www-k6.thinkcentral.com
Student IDs are student ID followed by a period and the school initials. (example, VES). The password for all student is their student ID.

7. A Day in the Life 9:30-10:00 Morning Work & Morning Meeting
10:00-11:00
Math
11:00-11:10
Snack
11:10-11:50
Writing Workshop
11:50-11:55
Brain Break (
11:55-12:35
Reading Workshop
12:35-1:25
Science or Social Studies
1:25-2:10
Lunch/Recess
2:15-2:50
Word Study & Read Aloud
2:50-2:55
Write Down Homework & Pack up
3:00-3:40
Special

8. K-4 Science and Social Studies
Exploration through 1580
Colonial America
American Revolution
Science
Motion and Design
Weather
At all grade levels, there is an increased focus on non-fiction and informational texts in both Science and Social Studies.

9. Class Rules Treat others with kindness & respect.
Agreed upon classroom rules
Treat others with kindness & respect.
Respect each other’s personal property and personal space.
Cooperate and help each other.

10. 09/17/99
Homework
Establish good independent study & work habits, reinforce learning.
Should be able to be done relatively unassisted
Expect about 30 minutes most nights split between math and literacy.
Please also help you child practice their multiplication and division facts to 100. (xtramath.org)
Homework assignment books arrived Tuesday
Opportunity to make-up missed or forgotten hw
I understand that our late dismissal time can make it difficult to finish hw on days when students have after school activities. If you could send me a note or a quick when this happens I would appreciate. 8

11. Classroom Assessments
Math:
Stoplight Assessments after each unit
Benchmark Assessment in Nov., Feb., & June
Students will review for these assessments in class and a study guide will go home as well.
Science and Social Studies
Assessments for each unit

12. Standardized Assessments
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
Reading and Math
10/24/16 and 10/28/16
PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers)
Testing window April 11 - May 13

13. Online Report Cards Three per year (December 23, March 31, & June 21)
No letter grades, instead student understanding of content is graded as proficient, partially-proficient, or non-proficient.

14. Band & Orchestra Lessons
Students will miss instruction when they leave for orchestra and band lessons.
Students are responsible for making up any work that they miss while at music lessons. I will do my best to help them during recess or other times that present themselves during the school day, but it is their responsibility to make up what they miss.

15. Communication E-mail kfraney@mtsd.us (best bet)
09/17/99
Communication
(best bet)
reminders from me about important dates (tests, field trips, school events...) please let me know if you haven’t received any s yet from me.
Parent Pick-up notes are required this year & they help me remember to send students to parent pick-up.
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
November & 21-22
Optional Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
April 4-6 9 15

16. Wish List
Tissues
Please remember to send snack

17. Room Parents
Mrs. Alpa Shah
and
Mrs. Michele Swain
Thank you!

18. General Questions

19. Thank You for Coming Tonight!