A child is like a rosebud. Not all rosebuds bloom at the same time but each one is as beautiful as

the other.-Author Unknown

Welcome to Fourth Grade

Curriculum Night

Fourth Grade Teaching Team

Miss Kim Cornelissen

Mrs. Jayne Kelly

Mrs. Monika Petrous

Fourth Grade Specials Teachers

Mrs. Clos: Art

Mr. Hughes: Spanish

Mr. Mark Cavataio:Physical Education

Mrs. Teresa Kniseley:

Vocal Music

Mrs. Claudia Rzepka:

Media

Good Rest Eat a Good Breakfast Arrive on Time Set School as a High

Priority Make appointments

outside of school time Parents should report to

the office, not the classroom during regular school hours

Let’s Work TogetherCommunication with Teacher:

* E-mail* 4th Grade Website* Assignment book*Conference by appointment

Assignment Books Informs you of

homework each day Used for

Communication Please sign everyday

A - Excellent ProgressB - Good ProgressC - Fair ProgressD - Unsatisfactory ProgressE - Not Progressing

Plus: Strong DevelopmentCheck: Satisfactory DevelopmentMinus: Skill needs improvement

Report CardsFourth grade begins the use of traditional grades.

Standard grading scale used:

A + 100%C 73% - 76.9%A 93% - 99.9% C – 70% - 72.9%A – 90% - 92.9% D + 67% - 69.9%B + 87% - 89.9% D 63% - 66.6%B 83% - 86.9% D – 60% - 62.9%B – 80% - 82.9% E < 60%C + 77% - 79.9%

We are excited to use Edline reports for the 2012-2013 school year.

We will post reports after tests and graded assignments for you to access at your convenience.

Grades will be posted in math, science, and social studies.

Grades from literacy, word work, and writing will not be posted through Edline.

Edline

M.E.A.P. and C.C.S.S

This year, the students are given the MEAP in October, which assesses reading, writing, and math.

Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, the students will take the Common Core State Standards (C.C.S.S.) test in place of the MEAP.

We will be phasing out of the MEAP and focusing on CCSS. Currently, our units of study are meeting both needs.

The fourth grade homework policy is available in the curriculum night packet.

Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise noted.

Homework is a percentage of the overall grade.

Homework

Students are responsible for finding out what work they missed during their absence.

Students may use the Star Center to make-up work missed or work that was not finished in class.

Vacations: school policy does not allow us to send work ahead for students going on vacation. Students will have to makeup the work upon their return.

Absences

Math Expressions: Common Core

You will notice:1. There are no study links. The

homework book comes home every night. It will be imperative that this book returns to the classroom on time.

2. “Remembering” pages are done in class to support the previous lessons.

3. There are fewer units, but they are more in-depth.

4. This is NOT a spiral-type program. 5. Dr. Karen Fuson, author.

“Incorporates the best practices of book traditional and reform mathematics curricula. The program strikes a balance between promoting student-generated solution methods and effective research based methods.

6. Importance of Math Talk7. Promotes and integrates Cultures of

Thinking

Math Expressions: Common Core

• Place Value and Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction•Multiplication and Whole Numbers•Division with Whole Numbers•Equations and Word Problems•Measurement• Fraction Concepts and Operations• Fractions and Decimals•Geometry

Readers’ Workshop format includes:◦ Whole class mini-lesson◦ Small group instruction◦ Leveled independent/teacher support reading

Making Meaning Homework

◦ No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality literature 20-25 minutes per night

Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others

Small Group Instruction◦ Students meet with teachers based on ability or skill level◦ Alternate between strategy groups and book clubs◦ Incorporates Cultures of Thinking, importance of talk, learning from others

Homework◦ No nightly reading logs, but students are expected to read quality

literature 20-25 minutes per night◦ Weekly reading homework supports C.C.S.S. and 4th grade skills

Reader’s Workshop

Writer’s WorkshopOakland Schools MAISA Writing Units

Writing genres include: personal narrative, literary essay, poetry, test-taking strategies, informational writing, and content-based paragraph writing.

Our workshop includes:• Whole Group Mini-lessons• Independent Writing, supported by 1-on-1 and small

group conferencing • Sharing/Publishing

• Grading is based on daily writing entries, incorporation on mini-lessons in daily writing, final drafts, and content area writing, as well as, spelling and grammar.

• Journeys textbook (Houghton Mifflin)• Spelling inventory at the start of the year• Three tests that focus on different skills.

(approaching, meets, exceeds)• Students will meet 3 times a week• Introduce words (blind sort)• Small groups to identify patterns• Practice with vocabulary

• Tests will be given by their homeroom teacher on Wednesday mornings.

Word Study

• Houghton Mifflin grammar materials• Sequential and aligned with common core

• One concept will be introduced each week. We will practice it 2-3 times per week, in isolation and in context.

• Homework will be sent home, if not completed in class.• Due on the day of the quiz

• Ten point grammar quiz on Wednesdays/Thursdays.• Wednesday- Cornelissen and Petrous• Thursday- Kelly

Grammar

Mixtures & Solutions Earth Materials Electricity & Magnetism Environments

Science

Michigan History:◦ Michigan and it’s First People◦ Different Worlds Meet◦ War and Growth◦ Michigan and the 20th Century◦ How Michigan Works (Economics and

Government)Field trip to the state capitol and museum in

Lansing: Tuesday, June 10th

Social Studies

Dell Computer Lab Wireless Laptop Lab Apple iPad2 Lab Smart Response Remotes FLIP video cameras Smart Technologies SmartBoards

Technology

Mrs. Kelly & Miss Naugle Miss Cornelissen & Mrs. Belleville Mrs. Petrous & Miss Fragomeni We meet twice per month.

First Grade Buddies

Thank You For Coming!

We look forward to a positive, productive learning year. .