1. Welcome to Back To School Night
4th Grade
2014 – 2015
Ms. Cowan
Mrs. Purdham
Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Strade

2. General Schedule
9:05 Arrival/ Un-pack/ Morning Work
9:25 – 10:10 Specials
10:30 – 11:40 Math
11:45 – 12:15 Social Studies/Science
12:15 – 1:10 Recess/Lunch
1:15 – 2:30 Reading
2:30 – 3:15 Writing
3:25 Dismissal

3. Communication
Teachers can be reached through , notes and phone calls
Please check your child’s home folder, math folder, and assignment book nightly and sign
s are checked in the a.m. and p.m.; please do not midday about your child’s transportation or immediate matters, but instead call the office
Other important information can be found on the 4th grade website

4. Organization Place for everything and everything in its place
Assignment Book – sign each night, look for reminders and notes
Desks and cubbies are checked on a regular basis
Please help by checking the home folder - clean out papers regularly
Absent folders

5. Classroom Management Ground Rules Warnings are always given
We expect all Stone Mill students to follow the rules and expectations that have been set for them.
Ground Rules
Warnings are always given
Check assignment book for comments about behavior
Bullying Prevention Program
Chance Store – Positive reinforcement program consistently used by all 4th grade teachers.
Works like money – teaches saving, planning, decision making and prioritizing
Students earn chances for bringing back notices the next day, work study skills and following directions.
“Marble Jar” – the class works together as a community to earn “class parties”

6. Odds and Ends Birthdays
Announced on PA, recognized in classroom, store bought treats may be shared in the lunchroom
Volunteers
Room Parents are needed to plan class parties for Halloween and Valentine’s Day
Volunteers are needed for copying and other activities to prepare materials for students

7. Odds and Ends Instrumental Music
Students are responsible for missed work because instruction continues
Instrumental music occurs throughout the day on Thursdays
Chorus
Tuesdays 1:50 – 2:25
Due to high enrollment, no new lessons are taught during this time
Memory Books
Chronological record of student work and photographs from the year, creative outlet, also displays final copies of your child’s work

8. Math Classes are heterogeneously grouped
To determine math levels the following criteria was used:
- MSA & MAP-M scores from previous year
- quarterly and final math levels and grades from previous year
- pre-assessments given in June of 3rd grade
- principal and teacher input
- performance on units from previous year
Compacted Math Class – students were placed in this class according to criteria mandated by MCPS

9. Math Please be sure that your child is completing math homework
Basic math facts should be practiced as often as possible
Be on the lookout for your child’s math folder to come home nightly
For further questions please contact your child’s math teacher
Please your child’s math teacher to be added to the math distribution list

10. Reading
Developing skills and teaching students to apply them to all content areas
Higher Order Questioning
Critical Thinking, Analyzing and Synthesizing
Reading to Learn vs Learning to Read
Emphasis on non-fiction texts
Materials used to teach reading are: novels, expository text, read alouds, Junior Great Books, William and Mary

11. Reading Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Informational
Poetry and Plays
Greek Myths
Fantasy
Biographies/Autobiographies

12. Reading
Grouping is flexible within the classroom and changes throughout the year based on need
4th grade goal is to read 24 books independently
Students will complete a Reading Record to respond to the literature they have chosen

13. Word Study Pre-assessment given to determine current spelling stage
10 – 15 words are given each week from your child’s spelling stage
Personal words can also be chosen from student work and content related vocabulary
Spelling packets may be completed at student’s convenience over a two week period and will be handed in on the day of the test

14. Inquiry Learning Projects
Writing
Narratives
Opinion
Informative
Use of Language
Inquiry Learning Projects
Each project will integrate subject areas with an emphasis on writing for final products
4 inquiry projects, one during each marking period

15. Science
Students will participate in experiments and put the scientific process into action!
Life Science
Earth Science
Engineering

16. Social Studies Baldrige Classroom Environment
Geographical Settlement Patterns in MD and USA
Native Americans and their Regions
Map Study
Colonization

17. Field Trips
Coincide with Curriculum 2.0 in the subject areas of reading, science, and social studies
Parents will be chosen at random to participate from those that volunteer

18. Grading and Reporting
Rubrics are used so that students know what is expected
Informal Assessments are given throughout instruction
Informal and formal grading will be used in the form of N, I, P, ES
Grades also come from class observations and discussions
Learning Skills – Work Habits and TASS (Thinking and Academic Success Skills)
Check marks are given for assignments that are checked for completion

19. We look forward to an amazing year and are appreciative of all the support you give us!
Please proceed to your child’s classroom to write your child a letter and sign-up for conferences.