1. 2013-2014

2.  This is my 6 th year at Patterson, as well as my 6 th year teaching 4 th Grade.  This is my second year teaching CTA.  Personal Info:  Bachelors in Elem. Ed. from ASU in 2006  Masters in Elem. Ed from NAU in 2007  Kids (Owen 7 and Hayden 5 ½).

3. CTAClassic  Uses Saxon Math and is 1 year ahead.  Math concepts are taught through spiraling.  To keep aligned with new Common Core math standards, supplemental material is used.  4 th grade students will be piloting a new district acceleration program.  Weekly timed tests will be graded. This is a separate line on the report card and does NOT affect the overall math grade.  Uses Scott Foresman for math, and is on grade level.  Math concepts are taught in overall units.  To keep aligned with new Common Core math standards, supplemental material is used.  4 th grade students will be piloting a new district acceleration program.  Timed tests are not part of the Classic report card.

4. CTAClassic  Uses Opencourt, as well as McCall Crabs.  Supplemental materials may be used.  Easy Grammar and Spalding is used to meet Common Core standards.  2 Oral Recitations a quarter.  The Writing Road to Reading and Thinking Maps are used.  Projects are the same or similar. 50% Non-Fiction and 50% Fiction  Silent Reading Time  Uses Harcourt.  Supplemental materials may be used.  Easy Grammar or Harcourt is used to meet the Common Core Standards.  The Writing Road to Reading and Thinking Maps are used.  Projects are the same or similar. 50% Non-Fiction and 50% Fiction  Silent Reading Time

5. CTAClassic  Uses The Spalding Method. It integrates, spelling, writing, and reading.  Spelling words are from the Ayres word list.  Phonograms  OPR & WPR  Spelling notebooks.  Dictation and marking.  Spalding Cursive is used.  Words are from the Harcourt text.  The weekly words usually have a skill or theme, such as words with the “long a” sound.  Weekly spelling tests are given.

6.  CTA and Classic use the same Harcourt Social Studies text.  Supplemental materials, such as Splash! Publications are often used.  Lessons, assignments, and projects are aligned with state and district standards.  Quarter 1 Project: Salt Dough Map of AZ  Quarter 2: Pioneer/Western Day  Quarter 3 Field Trip: State Capitol Museum  Quarter 4: Famous Arizonan Wax Museum

7.  CTA and classic use the same Harcourt Science text.  Supplemental materials, based on the unit being taught, are used.  Lessons, assignments, and projects are aligned with state and district standards.  Quarter 1: Life Science (Cells, adaptations, resources).  Quarter 2: Electricity and Magnetism… Begin Science Fair. Field Trip: Chandler Water Festival  Quarter 3: Finish Science Fair… Earth Science (The Water Cycle, Weather, etc.)  Quarter 4: Review and apply The Scientific Method.

8.  HW will take the average student around an hour. This does NOT include AR time.  HW is assigned Monday-Thursday.  Includes:  30 math problems from the Saxon text.  Finish/Correct timed tests from the day.  Spelling  Either a grammar or reading assignment.  AR Reading if needed.  Long-term projects will require extra HW time.  HW is graded based on COMPLETION. There is a separate line on the report card for HW. SIGNATURES count as part of the HW grade.

9.  Students will take a STAR test quarterly to see what their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is. This is the level at which the student can successfully read independently.  I am somewhat flexible with this because of students’ interests and background knowledge.  Students will receive a Quarterly Goal.  Students will read books and test on them.  Students WILL be graded on AR, based on the completion of their goal, and their average scores. This does NOT affect the overall Reading grade.  AR Home Connect  My Expectations: Students should test on a non- fiction book at their AR Level weekly. They should continue to read chapter books of interest to them.

10.  Mr. Douwstra has made changes to the Millionaires Club.  Awards are based on word count.  4 th graders’ word count goal is 750,000 words.  Students will receive an award when they’ve reached ½ of their grade level goal.  When they’ve reached their goal.  If they read 1, 2, 3, or 4 Million words.  For the last 2 years, a 4 th Grader has been the top reader in the school. Last year the top reader read over 6 million words. Can we do it again?

11.  4 th Grade’s Incentive Program. (Similar to “Rock Star Readers” in 3 rd Grade).  Students will receive awards in 4 categories…  Word Count  # of non-fiction books read  Meeting their goal and going over it  End of quarter average score.  The difficulty for reaching these awards will change quarterly, so watch for the flyer each quarter.

12.  I will e-mail 1-2 times per week with information that I feel is valuable.  I will try to send an update e-mail on Fridays in lieu of a newsletter.  When we need volunteers or supplies, I will either contact you via e-mail, or through signupgenius.com.  E-mail is the easiest way for us to keep in touch.  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please come to me first.  My classroom phone number is 224-3672. It will automatically go to voice-mail and I will call you back at my earliest convenience.  Students MUST have a note, or I must have a phone call or e-mail if there is a change of plans for the way your child gets home. If I don’t have this, your child will go home their “normal” way.

13. BehaviorIncentives  We will be using ClassDojo, and online program.  Students will earn positive or negative “Dojo Points” depending on their behavior.  Points will be logged in students’ agendas.  A weekly e-mail should come to you from ClassDojo.  Daily Brain Break  Fun Friday  Tickets (to be drawn on Fridays for a visit to the treasure box).  Praise  Notes home  Phone calls  Special Treats  Etc.

14.  Agendas are filled out at the end of the day, reminding the students what their HW is for the night. You DO need to sign this.  Filling out agendas and having them initialed by a parent is part of the HW grade.  Behaviors will be logged in the agenda.

15.  4 th Grade is the year that we study AZ. Therefore, there are a LOT of great field trip ideas.  The only way we can go on one or more of these field trips, is if YOU help out with Tax Credit money.  This is NOT a deduction, but is a refund. (Talk with your tax preparer for more information).  Singles can donate up to $200 and Married Couples can donate up to $400.  Make sure to mark your form for 4 th Grade Field Trips.

16.  Online grade book: Infinite Campus  Math Book: PDF is online.  Website: Patterson http://mychandlerschools.org/patterson http://mychandlerschools.org/patterson  Select “Teacher Pages”  Select Cumbo  Website: Cumbo  http://mychandlerschools.org/page/19260 http://mychandlerschools.org/page/19260  Long-term assignments, oral recitations, or assignments that need an explanation will be posted.  I will try to put up the weekly HW.

17.  Thank you for attending Curriculum Night…  I’m sure you have questions… Ask away!