1. Welcome to the Fourth Grade Parent Night
Sept. 20, 2010

2. Agenda Math Reading Writing Science Social Studies
HHH (Howling Half Hour)
Switching Classes
Behavior and Reward Time
Q & A
Plus/Delta

3. Math
Math adoption for all elementary schools in the district is: enVision by Scott/Foresman
Web-based resources as well as print materials
Teachers will supplement math series with Accelerated Math, The Problem Solver, and Study Island.
Essential Curriculum for the first semester is on each teacher’s webpage

4. Math
Math facts: students need to know their basic addition, subtraction and multiplication facts in order to be ready for long division
All classes have covered place value, are working on addition and subtraction, and will be moving on to multiplication
Help us with math by:
Stressing neatness and accuracy with homework
Help drill math facts (driving to practice or waiting in line are great times)
Use websites that make practice fun (ex.

5. Reading
Basal reader is by Scott Foresman and includes spelling and grammar
Reading series also includes leveled readers for differentiation in reading levels
All teachers also teach novels to provide an exposure to different genres
Book reports will be assigned monthly to allow students to choose their reading material

6. Reading Accelerated Reader
Students are tested in the STAR program to determine their reading level
Students receive a point level goal to meet
Reward events are scheduled to encourage students to meet their goals
Students can retest if they do not achieve 80% on the AR test

7. Reading
RUNNERS and STEPS to Success strategies are used to help with comprehension
Help us by:
Making sure your student continues to read at home
Remind your student to bring their AR book to school so they can read the same one at home and at school

8. Writing We write for many reasons
Compare and contrast
Persuade
Inform
Entertain
Express an opinion
Students write several times a week in journals

9. Writing
Department of Public Instruction requires an assessment four times per year
Two assessments are on-demand
Imaginary story
Personal narrative
Two assessments are content-specific
Research paper about a specific, assigned topic
Research will be done at school
Each assessment is scored by two teachers using a rubric

10. Science Four major areas of instruction
Nutrition
Animals and Adaptations
Magnets and Electricity
Rocks and Minerals
Science & Social Studies are each taught throughout the quarter

11. Social Studies
North Carolina history and how it relates to the five themes of geography
Location
Place
Environment
Movement
Region
History will include the settlement of NC and the native peoples

12. Howling Half Hour Intervention/enrichment time for 30 minutes per day
2 days per week of math, 3 days of reading
Intervention is focused on targeted objectives
Based on gaps identified by CFA’s and PA’s
Small groups of no more than 8 students working with the teacher
Groups change based on need

13. Howling Half Hour Enrichment for other students
Still focused on targeted objectives but at a higher level of thinking
Enrichment may be in small groups or individual work

14. Inclusion I-SS has adopted an inclusion model for EC students
Mrs. Nancy Lee is our inclusion teacher and co-teaches with Mrs. Connelly and Mrs. Yerger
In order to meet the needs of all students, some students are switching classes
Teachers plan together and continually monitor student progress to ensure students are learning and meeting goals

15. Reward Time
Once a month to say “Good Job” for reading and getting AR points
Must also have good behavior and do homework to attend
Can have 3 strikes in the month, when they receive the 4th one, they miss the event
Each event has a theme
Next one goes with fall/book character day
Will do Electronics Day, Beach Day, etc.
Help us with this by:
Encouraging reading
Helping your student with comprehension
Take your student to the public library to get books

16. Q & A If you have general questions, please feel free to ask them now
If you have specific questions for your child’s teacher about your student, please see your teacher to schedule a conference
Please take a moment to tell us what you thought of the evening. We value your input!