1. Grade 4 Mrs. Hummel Mrs. Alves Mrs. Memmott

2.  The West Haven Board of Education is using the Common Core curriculum to prepare the students for the Smarter Balance (SBAC) test.  Each unit we teach has essential questions that your child should be able to answer at the end of the unit.

3.  In reading, we will be focusing on non-fiction texts, such as science or history. Please encourage your child to read more non- fiction texts.  Please encourage your child to read daily and visit our libraries in West Haven.

4.  There are six units. We will be focusing on the following: ◦ Theme ◦ Summarizing ◦ Compare & Contrast ◦ Text Structure ◦ Graphic Sources ◦ Main Idea ◦ Text Features ◦ Genres ◦ Story Elements

5.  The students will be learning different styles of writing. ◦ Personal Narrative Writing ◦ Compare and Contrast Essays ◦ Expository Writing ◦ Persuasive Writing ◦ Narrative Writing ◦ Poetry ◦ Journals

6.  There will be a new word list each week.  Each list consists of 15 words.  Pre-test will be given on Mondays. Tests will be given on Fridays. Any student who earns a 100 on Monday, will not have to take the test on Friday.

7.  Each list will be covered for 2 weeks.  You can have your child visit wordlywise3000.com to practice words.  This website can be found on the sheets sent home with the words and definitions on them.  There is an app that you can use for Wordly Wise practice.  Please encourage practice and use of all of our new words.

8.  Have your child practice and master the multiplication tables. This skill will help in all areas of math.  There are 8 units in math. ◦ Factors and Multiples ◦ Understanding and Using Place Value to Multiply and Divide ◦ Multi-Digit Whole Number Computation ◦ Building and Understanding of Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication of Fractions ◦ Solving Problems Involving Measurement and Data ◦ Exploring Angles and Angle Measurement ◦ Understanding Properties of Two-Dimensional Figures

9.  There are 4 units in science.  Each teacher will be responsible for teaching 1 science unit to all 3 classes. Students will switch classes for these visits. ◦ Mrs. Alves will teach Force & Motion. ◦ Mrs. Hummel will teach Magnetism & Electricity. ◦ Mrs. Memmott will teach Water Cycle. ◦ Each teacher will teach Food Chains & Webs to their own classes.

10.  These are the fourth grade social studies units: ◦ Geography ◦ Native Americans ◦ Connecticut  We will have a program on the Native Americans when studying that unit.

11.  Each class will be going to the Computer Lab as well using laptops that can be brought into the classroom.  The children will also be using word processing programs, as well as the internet to do research for performance tasks.

12.  The students will be using the computers for Lexia and Symphony.  Students can access Symphony and Lexia from home.  It is strongly recommended that you have your child use it for at least 20 minutes a week at home.  Logon information will be sent home.

13.  Every student will receive homework grades for math, reading and writing.  Every student receives a 100 for homework at the beginning of the marking period.  5 points will be taken off for each missed assignment.  Please check your child’s homework nightly to be sure it is packed.

14.  Mrs. Drenzek will continue her reading journey this year.  The details for her journey will be announced at an assembly later this month.  Please have your child keep track of the pages that are read. Homework pages can be included in this count.

15.  All fourth graders will participate in chorus.  There are two evening concerts this year. Please make every effort to attend.  Save the Dates ◦ December 9, 2014, winter concert (snow date December 11, 2014) ◦ May 7, 2015, spring concert

16.  Below is a list of some of the field trips we plan on taking: ◦ Connecticut Science Center ◦ Eli Whitney Museum ◦ Yale West Campus  Below is a list of fun activities we plan on participating in: ◦ School Wide Field Day ◦ Fourth Grade Bowling ◦ Promotion Ceremony

17.  Read newsletter and all notices your child brings home.  Pay attention to important dates.  Encourage your child to read daily.  Practice vocabulary and spelling words with your child.  Have your child practice multiplication tables.  Make sure your child has everything he/she needs for school.