1. The new 3rd/4th grade teacher
Ms. Birnbaum
The new 3rd/4th grade teacher

2. Don’t lose Library Books
Helps to support the students and staff in their quest for Information and Media Literacy.
Students come weekly as a class as well as other times when needed.
Students learn to use library resources such as the catalogue
Students use their skills to locate needed information for school as well as
personal uses.
Students are encouraged to select ‘free choice’ books for pleasure reading.
The 4th graders must choose one book on their tested reading level
Don’t lose Library Books

3. Reading
Students are tested on their Reading Level in multiple ways: BRI – out loud to me; SRI – silently on own
4th Grade Level text each week
Real Life stories
Questioning about reading builds comprehension and understanding…makes connections

4. Assignments Reading Logs James Travis 150 50 600 200 5,400 1,800
reads 30 minutes per night,
5 times per week
Travis
reads 10 minutes per night,
5 times per week...or not at all
In one week:
150
minutes of reading 50
In one month:
600
200
In one school year:
5,400
1,800
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful in school and life?
How do you think each student will feel about himself as a learner?

5. Assignments Every Week Reading Logs 150minutes per week
Backside filled out based on one of the books read – 2-3 sentences per response – Please correct spelling errors!
Reading Log filled out completely
Over 175 minutes, with backside filled out correctly = 4
In class minutes when possible
Read OUT LOUD when possible – students develop stronger reading skills because they hear their mistakes and correct them

6. Set Due Dates (usually 3-4 weeks out)
Assignments
Set Due Dates (usually 3-4 weeks out)
Study Island
About 2+ parts to each assignment
Must demonstrate 70% mastery or above
Redo each part if not 70% mastery
70%-80% mastery = 3
90% mastery = 3.5
100% mastery = 4
Easy way to improve overall grade
Helps practice skills and prepare for state testing
No games until all parts of current assignment are complete!

7. Writing
Exploration of a variety of writing for various purposes and audiences such as personal narratives, persuasive and expository writing, poetry, research, and letters
Focus on 6-Traits model
Emphasize writing process, meeting deadlines, and using trait-based rubrics

8. The focus for 6th grade social studies includes:
Curriculum
The focus for 6th grade social studies includes:
Geography skills
Current Events
Human impact on geography

9. Social Studies Projects
Assignments
Set Due Dates
Social Studies Projects
Follow rubrics
Prezi, PowerPoint, Poster Presentations
Projects

10. Math Math is where things get different (in a good way!) for my class!
I want to clarify: I only teach the 4th graders during Math instruction.
My 3rd graders are split between Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Hammerl
to receive 3rd grade Math instruction. In Math, we are working on
comparing fractions using different strategies to solve.
During WIN time, or Response to Intervention, or Intervention (in this
context they all mean the same thing) I have all my 3rd graders and
a selection of 4th graders from the entire grade. During this time, we
work on building our multiplication fluency by learning strategies to
solve multiplication equations.

11. Science
In science, the 4th grade students are currently presenting their
Animal Report Projects to the rest of the class.
Instruction is for BOTH 3rd and 4th grade! We are learning
about changes to Earth’s surface and the landforms found on Earth.
Together we are watching short clips depicting the changes found
in our text and then following a class discussion we record our notes
in our folders.

12. HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR STUDENT ?
Spot check homework!!
Point out inaccuracies but let the student correct the assignments themselves.
Encourage your student to look up what they do not know (internet, older siblings, encyclopedias or other informative texts).
Ask your student to discuss and explain what they learned in class each day, according to the agenda notes.
Talk about how important it is to develop into a strong reader and writer.
Have your student READ OUT LOUD any of their writing, including the back of their reading logs so they catch mistakes.

13. Assignments
Plan
I do my best to provide MORE than enough time to complete all homework assignments. Help your child to organize their time and complete assignments early so that they are not overwhelmed right before a due date.
Suggestions:
Read additional minutes on weekends
Complete one Study Island assignment each day or on weekends
Start early on all additional projects throughout the year

14. Our students are not yet independent. They still
Help without hovering
Help your student in the
following ways:
Time management
Focus on purpose/following directions
Proofreading (but not altering assignments)
Monitoring the agenda
Problem solving
Our students are not yet independent. They still
need support in these areas to continue learning how to be responsible citizens.

15. Class Websites http://sbirnbaumhorizon.weebly.com/
Now for a quick tour of my classroom website!
I plan on uploading new content to each subject as we learn
new concepts. This will typically occur Friday evenings. I will
ALWAYS post extra copies of homework, rubrics and assignment
Information with all new assignments.