1. Welcome to 4 th Grade! 2015-2016 Curriculum Night

3. School Governance Council You may have already heard by now that Fulton County Schools became a Charter System in July 2012. This means that schools will have more local decision-making authority and the flexibility to implement innovative ideas and strategies to create educational opportunities that meet the needs of their students and school communities. Each charter system school will have a School Governance Council (SGC) that will play a critical role in the success of each school. Each SGC is comprised of 3 parents/guardians 2 teachers 2 community members 2 school employees the principal (non-voting) 2 students (high school only, non-voting). The SGC will work with school leadership and the community to help determine the long-term direction of the school, design innovative solutions to increase academic achievement, and serve as school ambassadors to the local community.

4. Volunteer/Visitor Information In addition to the buzzer system, this year a system wide visitor/volunteer identification system is being implemented, which will allow us to identify and manage all visitors and volunteers at our school. A volunteer includes any person (including parent/guardian) who leads or assists students other than their own in a classroom/school wide program/activity, chaperones a trip, reads to a student or group of students, assists with field day, etc.

5. We truly appreciate each and every one of you who volunteers your time and efforts at LWE and we know you are a big part to the success of our students. If you plan to volunteer at any time during the school year, you will need to complete the Online Volunteer Process prior to volunteering at http://fcsvolunteers.businesscatalyst.com/index.html. After completing this process, you will receive a confirmation email. Upon entering the building the first time, you will need to present your driver’s license to the front desk. After the initial volunteer time, you can then check in using the visitor/volunteer kiosk station. You will receive a badge each time you check in that must be worn at all times while on campus. http://fcsvolunteers.businesscatalyst.com/index.html If you are just visiting the school (attending a parent/staff meeting, eating lunch with your child, signing your child in/out), you will still need to present your ID to the front desk and obtain a visitor badge.

6. School Policies Refer to the student handbook for various policies and procedures including: –Attendance (notes within 3 days) –Birthdays (treats can be shared in the classroom, no invitations passed out at school) Consider a healthy choice for birthday treats –Transportation (send written note for changes) –Medication (must be taken in clinic with a note) –Cafeteria (no outside fast food or soda) –Safety (visitors sign in at front office)

7. Fourth Grade Philosophy I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand -Author unknown Together, we believe that children learn most efficiently in a comfortable environment, through active learning, with cross-curricular connections. We incorporate these ideals into our daily classroom lessons and routines.

8. Fourth Grade Procedures GOAL: for students to become more independent & responsible - Signed papers on Friday (every week) –Life Binder –Tests and Projects Dates written in agenda at least a three days in advance –Homework Written in agenda Assigned daily (Monday – Thursday) Homework should be completed in 40-60 minutes

9. Communication Emails Website- Current standards, educational links –LWE4thgradewebsite.weebly.com Signed papers- instructional and behavioral feedback Conferences- Goal setting, current levels, instructional strategies

10. Discipline Cycle Step 1: Verbal reminder/reprimand Step 2: Time-out in another classroom Step 3: Action Plan filled out – copy sent for parents to sign Step 4: Office referral Checkbooks and Alphabet Moves

11. Grading Policies Numerical grades are used on report cards Late work and missing work will be recorded as incomplete and must be completed On-level students will be offered recovery for failing grades on summative assessments (tests) in order for them to achieve a maximum grade of 70% Advanced and Accelerated students will not be offered grade recovery per Fulton County policy Math- Class work-10% Projects-20% Quizzes-25% Assessments-45%. Language Arts- Listen/Speaking- 15% Quizzes-25% Class/ Projects- 20% Assessments- 40% Social Studies- Assessments- 40% Quizzes-25% Class/Projects 20% Listen/Speaking- 10% Science- Assessments- 40% Quizzes-25% Journal-20% Class/Projects- 15% http:// portal.fultonschools.org/parents/Pages/default.aspx

12. Don’t Forget Please send a healthy snack each day Please be on time-the first bell rings at 7:10 and the tardy bell is at 7:40 Please remember to sign up for a conference with your homeroom teacher! If you need to contact me, please e-mail me and I will respond within 24 hours

13. A common set of standards ensures that all students, no matter where they live, will be focused on graduating from high school prepared for postsecondary education and careers. In an increasingly mobile society, families with children transferring to new schools will not have to adjust to new learning expectations. Standards will be the same for all students in state of Georgia, making transitions smoother for students. What do parents need to know about GSE?

14. S.M.A.R.T. S.M.A.R.T. time ( Students Moving Around Teachers) is time allotted in the day to master core concepts and elevate learning to the next level. S.M.A.R.T. Time will occur from 7:45am to 8:15 daily. During this time students will review key concepts and/or engage in enrichment activities to further extend their knowledge. Students may be working in their homeroom or with other 4 th grade teachers/instructional support team members based on their needs.

15. Technology Many technological resources allow us cross-curricular connections with reading, research, and investigating. MimiosMimios Computer lab/IPadsComputer lab/IPads Classroom computersClassroom computers Wireless cart laptopsWireless cart laptops Study Island/ Spelling CityStudy Island/ Spelling City

16. Conferences Conferences will be held with homeroom teachers. We ask that you bring your child to the conference. I will be sending out an email that links to a website called SignUp Genius. Here you can choose a date and time that best suits your schedule.

17. Closing Remarks 4 Goals for the school year: * Help students become more independent * Provide students with the tools to monitor, evaluate, and have ownership over their own learning * Help students establish good work and study habits at both school and home * Have students grow as individuals inside and outside the classroom environment

18. Reading Students’ reading grades need to reflect their ability to comprehend grade level texts. Cold reads are an important tool to assess students’ comprehension. Cold reads will be used as test and quiz grades. Not all tests and quizzes will be cold reads. Skills based quizzes and tests will also account for a portion of the students’ grades within these categories.

19. Reading Reading fluency Vocabulary building with Root Words and Affixes Focus on context clues and comprehension Expand vocabulary both in verbal and written expression Read at Lexile level that is challenging 4-5 th grade Lexile 770-980 Foster a love of reading!! Common Core State Standards

20. Writing Workshop Idea development Organization Style Convention *6 + 1 Traits* Word Choice Ideas Sentence Fluency Conventions Organization Voice

21. Purposes of Writing To inform To entertain To persuade To respond to literature

22. Conventions/Grammar Basic understanding of parts of speech Relationship to the writing process Understanding of how to use appropriate reference materials Use of correct spelling in daily work

23. Social Studies Content: Native Americans Exploration in North America Colonial America American Revolution New Nation Westward Expansion Personal Finance

24. Health Education School Bus Safety Safety Mental Health Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Personal Health and Wellness Eating Healthy Violence Prevention

25. Math At LWE, your child has been placed in a math class with a group matching their academic level. Curriculum includes: –Georgia Math: Fulton County is adopting a new curriculum and should be arriving in January –Georgia Standards of Excellence At home: - practice to mastery (multiplication and division) -check for completion and accuracy of work - explore multiple strategies and deepen concepts

26. 4.1 Unit 1- Whole Numbers, Place Value, and Rounding Unit 2- Multiplication and Division Unit 3- Fraction Equivalents Unit 4- Operation with Fractions Unit 5- Fractions and Decimals Unit 6- Geometry Unit7- Measurement

27. 5.1 Unit 1- Order of Operations and Whole Numbers Unit 2- Adding and Subtracting with Decimals Unit 3- Multiplying and Dividing with Decimals Unit 4- All operations with Fractions Unit 5- 2D Figures Unit 6- Volume and Measurement Unit 7 –Geometry and the Coordinate Plane

28. Science Content –Habits of Mind –Solar System –Habitats and Ecosystems –Adaptations –Water Cycle –Weather –Sound –Light –Forces and Motion

29. Checkout our Fourth Grade Website LWE4thgradewebsite.weebly.com