2. Welcome to Curriculum Night for the 4 th Grade

3. Reading Workshop  Reader’s Workshop  Mini-lessons on grade level skills are taught at the beginning of the lesson  Fountas and Pinnell testing  Differentiated Groups based on reading level

4. Writing Workshop We will be focusing on the four types of writing each quarter:  Narrative  Informational  Opinion  Document Based Questions (DBQ) Writing Process Effective Writing Skills Grammar

5. Spelling Spelling is still on the report card. We will use a rubric to determine your child’s “Spelling” grade. This is aligned with GCPS expectations. We began implementing these changes last year and will continue to implement best practices. Spelling grade will include all of the anchors of Word Study: *Phonemic Awareness *Greek/Latin Root Words *Spelling*Vocabulary *Handwriting*Fluency

6. Spelling Continued There will be a heavy emphasis on applying their word study knowledge in writing. We will analyze students writing throughout the day in all curriculum areas to determine his/her level of spelling.

7. Root Words 2 nd -5 th Greek and Latin Roots Focus One of the anchors of Word Study is vocabulary We will study a variety of Greek and Latin Root patterns throughout the year Students will have daily practice and tests for these roots

8. Science Units of study: Think like a Scientist, Water cycle, Weather, Solar system: stars, planets, constellations, seasons, moon phases, Light, Sound, Force and Motion, Simple machines, Ecosystems, and Adaptation/Survival Science Interactive notebooks Science Workbooks Science Lab Study guides before tests Mrs. Klein to support in Science Special

9. Social Studies “Those who never learn history are condemned to repeat it.” -Unknown Interactive Notebook Practice Book Units of Study  Geography Unit  Native American Cultures (Inuit, Kwakiutl, Nez Perce, Hopi, Pawnee, and Seminole)  European Explorers (Ponce de Leon, Columbus, Hudson, Cabot, Nunez de Balboa, and Cartier)  Colonial America  American Revolution  Founding of America  Abolitionist Movement

10. Math  Math Units:  First Nine Weeks: Number Sense, Data Analysis  Second Nine Weeks: Multiplication, Division, Measurement /Weight, and Order of Operation.  Third Nine Weeks: Decimals/Fractions, Plane Figures, and Measurement/Angles.  Fourth Nine Weeks: Algebra.  Math Interactive Notebook  Math Workbooks  Homework: Nightly math homework (Math Club)  Review/Preview Work  Math Online Textbook

11. Online Textbooks

13. Extensions

14. Grade Level Policy Check-out: No check outs after 2:45. Birthdays: If your child has a birthday, please make sure to get the correct number of treats for the students in your child’s homeroom. Please do not bring anything we need to use a knife for.

15. Make-Up Work Make-up work is to help your child to master the missed AKS, not necessarily to do every activity and assignment that he or she missed. Please Note: If a parent desires, he/she may phone the school in the morning prior to 9:30am (any later and we will not receive the message in time) and request that the assignments be available for pick-up in the office after 3:30pm of the same day. Any missed assignments/homework will be completed during “study hall” at our recess time.

16. Reporting Student Progress Parent portal: If you have not signed up, please make sure you visit the table in the foyer before you leave! Teachers can collect forms, must verify ID. Parent/student portal is how grades will be communicated with parents. Midterm Progress reports printed. Report cards will be sent home quarterly.

17. Grading Policies For all tests, students will receive a study guide in advance. As a 4 th grade policy, tests can not be redone for a better grade. Quizzes and classwork can be redone if a student scores a 73% or below. The 1 st and 2 nd attempt will be averaged for their new grade. For any assignments not turned in, a “NTI” (NTI=O) will be temporarily added into the grade book. This will change once the work is turned in. This allows you to see more clearly what is not turned in.

18. Important Dates Conference Dates: * September 24 th Wednesday and 25 th Thursday * February 25 th Wednesday and 26 th Thursday Interim Testing Interim’s at the end of 1 st and 3 rd nine weeks Post tests – end of 2 nd and 4 th nine weeks Standardized Testing Dates (Georgia Milestones): The month of April *Reading/Language Arts * Math * Science * Social Studies

19. Georgia Milestone Assessment For more information on Georgia Milestones: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and- Assessment/Assessment/Documents/Introducing%20 Georgia%20Milestones%20June%202014.pdf

20. Classroom Newsletters & Friday Folders Newsletters will be posted on the Taylor website on homeroom teachers’ websites as well as on eClass. We will post a newsletter every other week. Please read the newsletter to ensure you are aware of current events and targeted AKS. Friday Folders are sent home on the last day of the week. Eagle cards will communicate any concerns/compliments from the week. Multiple checks in one area (i.e. homework) reflect more than one occurrence.

21. Behavior Refocus Strategy (if they receive 2 checks in one day) Refocus Tickets will be sent home in the agenda. In the classroom,  First – a warning has been issued  Second – partial recess  Third –Refocus, no recess

22. Refocus Form REFOCUS FORM Student Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________ Subject in which Refocus was given: _______________________________________ Why were you asked to Refocus: __________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ What will you do differently to prevent this type of behavior from reoccurring? __________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ Are you ready to return to class? ______________ Student signature: ___________________Teacher signature: __________________ Parent signature: ____________________ REFOCUS FORM Student Name: ___________________________ Date: ________________ Subject in which Refocus was given: _______________________________________ Why were you asked to Refocus: __________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ What will you do differently to prevent this type of behavior from reoccurring? __________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ Are you ready to return to class? ______________ Student signature: ___________________Teacher signature: __________________ Parent signature: ____________________

23. What Can Parents Do? Encourage reading and writing in every situation you can Support students through homework, studying, projects Keep up communication with teacher Check agenda and homework nightly Read the newsletter Volunteer for school events Sign in with front office if visiting

24. Absence Excuse

25. Student Expectations Effort Team work Responsibility Respect Honesty We will be leading students through a tough year, and they (along with you) have our word that we will work hard; that is what we expect from my students as well