1. 2014-2015 School Year Kaneland John Shields Welcome to 4 th Grade

2. Welcome Parents and Students!

3. Classroom Goals  Learn to the best of his/her ability.  Be willing to always try and give a best effort.  Develop critical and creative thinking skills.  Work cooperatively with the class, in small groups, and with a partner.  Become an independent worker in following directions and completing assignments.

4. General Information  Absences - Call the office 630-466-8500  Assignment Notebook - Please read and sign each night.  Homework - Weekly Reading log due on Monday.  Student Mail/Konnect  Water Bottles  Birthdays  PARCC Testing  Volunteer Opportunities  Class Rules – Student created rules will come home for your signature

5. 4 th Grade Schedule 8:40Bell 8:55 Math 9:55 RtI Power Half Hour 10:30 Specials 11:30 Math Facts 11:45 Writing Workshop 12:45 Recess/Lunch 1:30 Reading Workshop 2:35 Science, Social Studies, and Health 3:25 Dismissal

6. Math  Common Core Standards  Math Facts (Xtramath)  Nightly Homework  Flexible Grouping

7. Science Curriculum  Prairie  Ideas and Inventions *  Structures of Life  Earth Materials  Engineering  Health

8. Social Studies Curriculum  Prairie  Illinois *  United States Regions  Map and Globe Skills

9. Reading Workshop Curriculum  Whole Class Lessons  Small Group Guided Lessons  Independent Reading Activities based on comprehension strategies and skills specific to student need  Passport/Genre Studies  Realistic Fiction  Fantasy  Historical Fiction  Mystery  Science Fiction  Traditional Literature  Biography/Autobiography  Informational nonfiction  Poetry

10. Writing Workshop Curriculum  Focus on mini lessons to enhance students’ writing  Writing Traits: Ideas, Voice, Organization, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions  Types of Writing include: informational/explanatory, narrative and opinion/arguement  Variety of Genres: poem, story, report, brochure, letter, essay, and many more

11. Specials Schedule A Day – Art B Day – Music and PE C Day – Computer D Day – PE and Music E Day – Literacy and PE

12. Contact Information  Teacher: Courtney.Ward@kaneland.org  Parent: Please share your email and phone number.  Student Absence: Work may be sent home with a sibling or neighbor.  Parent/Teacher Conference: Sign-Up is in the Multi-Purpose Room.

13. PTO  Our wonderful PTO enhances the learning experiences for students with many opportunities and events throughout the year. In addition, they purchase additional technological devices for students to use!  Please stop by their booth for more information and volunteer opportunities!

14. Thank you for your time! I am looking forward to a great year! Any questions or concerns? Please contact me! 630-466-8500 ext. 210 (before 8:30 or after 3:30) Courtney.Ward@kaneland.org (anytime)