Back to School Night

Ms. Flanagan’s

Fourth Grade, Ferry School

Agenda

Curriculum OverviewClassroom PoliciesProjects/Special Events

Angela Duckworth

Motivating students and the importance of “grit”

Reading Instruction:

Reading Workshop1. Every session starts with a lesson. Lessons will cover

topics such as: character traits, author’s point of view, genre elements, figurative language (simile, personification…), theme, foreshadowing, plot, responding to reading in a log, note-taking while reading, choosing a “just right” book..

2. IDR Time- Independent Directed Reading (During this time students read from their “just right books” while I conference with students individually, in strategy groups, administer Fountas & Pinnel tests, etc.

3. Class comes back together a shares some final points before the session ends.

Reading Genres #1

NarrativeRead, identify and describe the

defining characteristics of poetry myths

legends fantasy

adventure

Myths

Fantasy Novels

Adventure Novels

Reading Genres #2

InformationalRead and identify informational text

patterns in autobiography/biography

personal essay almanac

newspaper

Reading Instructional Materials

Making MeaningComprehension building program

using read alouds (20 minutes/3 times a week)

Reading Instructional Materials

Informational articles* and short reading passages

Covering topics such as:Main idea

Fact vs. OpinionInferences

Drawing Conclusions

*Time for Kids (provided by PTO)

Homework- Oral Book Reports

1 per month (minimum)Students sign up when ready.They meet with me to discuss their book.A written record will be kept.This will be part of their reading grade.The book can be read at home and/or

during classtime.

Weekly Reading Log

Homework-Independent Reading Record

Student Independent Reading Record Ferry School…Teacher: Ms. Flanagan…Grade 4

Student _________________________________________________ Grade 4 Date of report

Title Author (last name)

Pages

Great summary …lots of details

included (character names, correct sequence

of story…)

Good summary ...some good details included but possibly not the most logical order

Needs improvement in sharing books…could tell student read book, however student needed lots of prompts

Oral Reading Code

Oral Reading Codes

+ excellent √ good / did not read this time

Independent Reading Report (monthly)

Independent Reading Report Pages recorded for the 2011-2012 school year (September- May)

Teacher: Ms. Flanagan Grade: 4

Student _______________________________

Month Number of Books

Number of Pages

September October November December January February March April May TOTAL (Sept.-May) June* not counted for report card

Writing Modes #1

NarrativeStudents will write in these forms

Myth or LegendFantasy

AdventurePoetry

Personal Narratives

Writing Modes #2

InformationStudents will write

Comparative piecesResearch project*

DirectionsOpinion pieces

Letters

Grammar and Usage

Fourth grader students will identify and use many grade appropriate grammar rules.

Some examples include: regular and irregular verbs, simple and compound sentences, apostrophes in contractions, quotation marks and commas in salutations and to set off words, phrases and dialogue…

Spelling

Words are selected based on spelling patterns and high frequency word lists

Students will pretest into one of 3 levelsLevels can change based on

performanceTests weeklyNo separate spelling grade on report

card

Speaking Conventions

Students willAdjust their use of language to

communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes

Make presentationsBegin to use eye contactPractice noe card rehearsal

Presentations (homeroom)

Curriculum coordinated plays or Readers’ Theater will be performed a few times a year (topic examples: importance of parents, holiday, writing…)

10-15 minutes eachNo costumesPlease assist with learning lines

Handwriting

Fourth Graders willPractice writing neatly and legibly in

manuscript and cursiveImprove keyboarding skills

Science

Teacher: Mrs. Gerow

Science Topics: Earth Materials, Solar System, Magnets and Electricity

Math

Math Series: Everyday Math Math Topics: whole numbers, graphing, geometry,

measurement, fractions, time, money, problem-solving Study Links- frequent homework Differentiation will occur during lessons

Math

Math Toolkit

Math

Differentiated lessons and games

Social Studies #1

History We will use examples from Michigan history (from

statehood to the present) as a case study for learning about the US geography, economics and government.

Social Studies #2

Geography Map work- elevation, climate, population density… Understanding the work and tools of geographers Human case studies involving the influence of

migration and culture on the United States.

Social Studies # 3

Civics and Government Students will learn about how the government works Topics explored include powers of the federal government, rule

of law, checks and balances, separation of powers, and individual rights.

Students will study how all of these topics affect their daily lives.

Social Studies #4

Economics Students will deepen their understanding of the economic

principles with a focus on market economies. Students will learn how to think like an economist. Students will develop an understanding of topics such as

price, competition, incentives, specialization, division of labor, interdependence and explore their effects on productivity.

The circular flow model is introduced.

Social Studies #5

Public Discourse, Decision Making, and Citizen Involvement

Students deepen their understanding of public issues and the importance of citizen action in a democratic republic.

They will learn about and analyze public policy issues in the U.S.

Students will participate in projects to help or inform others.

Community Service Projects

Writing a Research Report- State Reports

Use the writing process to produce and present a research project using a teacher approved topic. Students will learn about

Finding and narrowing research questions Using a variety of sources Taking notes Organizing relevant information to draw

conclusions

Speaking Conventions

Students willAdjust their use of language to

communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes

Make presentationsBegin to use eye contact Practice note card rehearsal

Homework

Science-Mrs. Gerow

All other homework- Ms. FlanaganMost homework from me will come home on a Friday and the student

will have until the following Friday to return the completed assignments.

Daily Reading Log-due Fridays

Spelling activities-due Fridays

Writing Assignment-writing and identifying author’s purpose- due Fridays

Math Study Links- about 3-4 times a week

Projects

There will be some long term projects this year.

These will include creating a business and writing a research report (state project).

Homeroom Weekly Report

The report will come home on Fridays.Please sign and return on Monday.The report will give you information on

your child’s behavior and work completion for the previous week.

Homeroom Weekly ReviewYour Child’s Weekly Review from Ms. Flanagan

Student ___________________________________________________________ Date ______________________________________________________________

BEHAVIOR UPDATE

Behavior Grade Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday GOOD

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Your child’s NEEDS IMPROVEMENT means that they need to work on the following area(s): _______being a kinder classmate _______listening during lessons _______staying in your seat _______using class time well _______raising your hand _______respecting other’s belongings _______following lunchtime rules _______following playground rules

ACADEMIC UPDATE

_______Your child completed most assignments on time and to his or her personal best this week. _______Your child had assignments that were late, incomplete or not up to his or her personal best this week. _______Your child is missing assignments for this week. The missing assignments are listed on the back of this paper. I have read and reviewed my child’s Weekly Review from Ms. Flanagan.

Parent Signature______________________________________________

Flanagan Fun Money

This can be earned for various reasons.The fun money may be spent on

designated days for prizes like pencils, homework passes, treats, stuffed animals, other small toys, lunchtime movie in our classroom and outings.

The designated spending days will occur about every two weeks.

Special Events (homeroom)

Literature Lockin (evening party at school in January– treasure hunt, pizza party, shirt painting, active games rotations…lots of fun) Friday, January 9 5:30-9:30 PM

Parent Tribute Night- you are showered with gifts, the students perform a play, and you should really mark your calendars for this one.

Thursday, April 23 7:00-8:00 PM

Possible Special Events (all)

Greek Day (myths) January 30th Ellis Island Simulation (immigration)

October 24th Community Service Projects (civics)

September 11th and moreFourth Grade Business Market Day

(economics) December 9th