Welcome to Welcome to Ms. Jester’s 4Ms. Jester’s 4thth Grade Class Grade Class

Ms. JesterMs. Jester Originally from Barrington, New Originally from Barrington, New

JerseyJersey

I have lived in all 3 Delaware I have lived in all 3 Delaware Counties, but I now reside in Counties, but I now reside in Newark, De. Go UD Blue Hens!Newark, De. Go UD Blue Hens!

Graduated from the University of Graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Education/English Discipline in Education/English Discipline

Graduated from the University of Graduated from the University of Delaware with a Master of Delaware with a Master of Instruction Degree with a Instruction Degree with a specialization in technology.specialization in technology.

Certified grades K-8Certified grades K-8

GoalsGoals

Provide a caring, Provide a caring, welcoming, and comfortable welcoming, and comfortable learning environment where learning environment where students feel confident to students feel confident to become risk-takers.become risk-takers.

Improve students’ academic Improve students’ academic content knowledge and content knowledge and skills to prepare them for skills to prepare them for the “Real World.”the “Real World.”

PBS (Positive Behavior Support)PBS (Positive Behavior Support)

Positive behavior support (PBS) is a Positive behavior support (PBS) is a school wide behavioral management school wide behavioral management system that recognizes and system that recognizes and encourages positive behaviors. PBS encourages positive behaviors. PBS establishes clear and consistent establishes clear and consistent expectations and language expectations and language throughout Brick Mill Elementary throughout Brick Mill Elementary School. School.

Respectful, Responsible, and ReadyRespectful, Responsible, and Ready

RTI (Response To Intervention)

This is a statewide initiative. During this time, every 4th grade student will go to their

assigned group. Students are assigned to groups based on their greatest

need, as determined by assessments and benchmarking (reading inventories, DIBELS, MAP, etc.)

If a student has a need for a group, they will attend the group for a 6 week period and will then be re-assessed to check for progress.

It is likely that students will be moved through several different groups throughout the year

RTI groups consist of:

• Reader’s Theater• Math Enrichment• Real-Life Comprehension• Fiction Comprehension

Strategies• RARE• Literacy Circles

Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS)

Beginning September 20, 2010 DCAS testing will begin, which will include tests in reading and mathematics for grades 3 through 10. These online tests will help to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses so that teachers can focus the instruction in your child’s classes to meet the needs of their students.

Online testing will provide immediate feedback

If you would like more information about the DCAS Test - http://de.portal.airast.org

Fourth Grade Writing Curriculum Fourth Grade Writing Curriculum

The Writing Academy – the curriculum focuses on meeting The Writing Academy – the curriculum focuses on meeting the needs of diverse learners through lessons that focus on the needs of diverse learners through lessons that focus on visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. The curriculum visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. The curriculum continues to support our use of 6 traits with added emphasis continues to support our use of 6 traits with added emphasis on voice and personality in writing. on voice and personality in writing.

Fourth Grade Reading CurriculumFourth Grade Reading Curriculum

Scott Foresman Scott Foresman

Reading StreetReading Street

We typically will read a story from our Anthology

Throughout the week or so, we will focus on specific reading skills (comprehension, problem/solution, making inferences, summarizing, etc.)

• Students will have opportunities to work individually, with partners, in small student groups, and in a small teacher directed group.

• Students will demonstrate their skills through class work, centers, and teacher observations throughout the week.

Fourth Grade Reading CurriculumFourth Grade Reading Curriculum Comprehension Skills

Author’s purpose Cause & effect Compare & contrast Draw conclusions Fact & opinion Follow directions Generalize Graphic sources (charts,

diagrams, maps, graphs, and tables)

Main idea & supporting details Realism/fantasy Sequence of events

Comprehension Strategies for Reading Street by Scott Foresman

Preview the text Set & monitor reading purpose Activate & use prior knowledge Make, confirm, & modify

predictions Monitor comprehension & use fix-up

strategies Use graphic organizers to focus on

text questions Answer questions Generate questions Recognize text structure: story &

informational Summarize text by retelling stories

or identifying main ideas Visualize; use mental imagery Make connections

Reading Centers

Working With Words/Spelling Each new story, students will be given a Spelling Contract

Word lists will consist of 20 spelling words and 5 challenge words

Students are required to complete 4 spelling activities by the due date listed on the contract.

Contracts are to be turned in on the due date with all boxes initialed.

Tests will be given on the due date.

Fourth Grade Math CurriculumFourth Grade Math Curriculum

Terc (Investigations in Number, Data, and Space)Terc (Investigations in Number, Data, and Space) Unit 1 – Factors, Multiples, and ArraysUnit 1 – Factors, Multiples, and Arrays Unit 2 – Describing the Shape of DataUnit 2 – Describing the Shape of Data Unit 3 – Multiple Towers and Division StoriesUnit 3 – Multiple Towers and Division Stories Unit 4 – Size, Shape, and SymmetryUnit 4 – Size, Shape, and Symmetry Unit 5 – Landmarks and Large NumbersUnit 5 – Landmarks and Large Numbers Unit 6 – Fraction Cards and Decimal SquaresUnit 6 – Fraction Cards and Decimal Squares Unit 7 – Moving Between Solids and SilhouettesUnit 7 – Moving Between Solids and Silhouettes Unit 8 – How many Packages? How many Groups?Unit 8 – How many Packages? How many Groups? Unit 9 – Penny Jars and Plant GrowthUnit 9 – Penny Jars and Plant Growth

IXL/IXL/FasttFastt Math Math IXLIXL

At first glance, IXL Math is a simple Web tool that makes math study fun. But At first glance, IXL Math is a simple Web tool that makes math study fun. But at its heart, IXL Math provides a one-of-a-kind, individualized learning at its heart, IXL Math provides a one-of-a-kind, individualized learning experience that satisfies the needs of everyone involved in a child's education. experience that satisfies the needs of everyone involved in a child's education.

For students, IXL Math provides:For students, IXL Math provides: An engaging environment to strengthen their math skills. An engaging environment to strengthen their math skills. Opportunity to learn at their own pace. Opportunity to learn at their own pace. Math problems that are targeted to match their personal skill level. Math problems that are targeted to match their personal skill level. Question-specific explanations that enhance understanding. Question-specific explanations that enhance understanding.

For teachers and parents, IXL Math provides tools for:For teachers and parents, IXL Math provides tools for: Identifying a student's trouble spots. Identifying a student's trouble spots. Measuring a student's level of improvement for each skill over time. Measuring a student's level of improvement for each skill over time. Recording the amount of time a student spends practicing. Recording the amount of time a student spends practicing.

FasttFastt Math Math This program helps students develop fluency with basic math factsThis program helps students develop fluency with basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Fourth Grade Curriculum: ScienceFourth Grade Curriculum: Science

STC (Science and STC (Science and Technology for Technology for Children, NSF) Science Children, NSF) Science KitsKits

FOSS Science KitsFOSS Science Kits Units of Study: Units of Study:

Structures of Life, Structures of Life, Magnetism & Magnetism & Electricity, Land and Electricity, Land and WaterWater

Fourth Grade Curriculum: Fourth Grade Curriculum: Social StudiesSocial Studies

The Delaware Adventure / McGraw Hill Social The Delaware Adventure / McGraw Hill Social Studies SeriesStudies Series

Units of Study: Civics, Economics, Geography, Units of Study: Civics, Economics, Geography, HistoryHistory

Fourth Grade Curriculum: Fourth Grade Curriculum: Related ArtsRelated Arts

Art : Ms. GueArt : Ms. Gue Physical Education: Mrs. SumnerPhysical Education: Mrs. Sumner Music: Mr. JalbertMusic: Mr. Jalbert Technology: Mrs. CamponelliTechnology: Mrs. Camponelli Health and Fitness: Mrs. GuthHealth and Fitness: Mrs. Guth Guidance: Mrs. SakersGuidance: Mrs. Sakers Foreign Language (Mrs. Chang, Mrs. Cintora)Foreign Language (Mrs. Chang, Mrs. Cintora)

French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese)French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese)

Talent DevelopmentTalent Development

All forms of self-expression that tap into curiosities, talents or deeply held All forms of self-expression that tap into curiosities, talents or deeply held interests, when pursued to excellence, are deeply nourishing. The goal of interests, when pursued to excellence, are deeply nourishing. The goal of the talent development program is to identify and develop the creative the talent development program is to identify and develop the creative potential of every child. potential of every child.

Major Features of Enrichment Clusters:Major Features of Enrichment Clusters: --All activity is directed toward the production of a product or service.--All activity is directed toward the production of a product or service.--Students and teachers select the clusters in which they will participate. --Students and teachers select the clusters in which they will participate. --When possible, students are grouped across grade levels by interest areas.--When possible, students are grouped across grade levels by interest areas.--There are no predetermined lesson or unit plans.--There are no predetermined lesson or unit plans.--The authentic methods of professional investigators are used to pursue --The authentic methods of professional investigators are used to pursue product and service development.product and service development.--Divisions of labor are used to guarantee that all students are not doing the --Divisions of labor are used to guarantee that all students are not doing the same thing.same thing.--Specially designated time blocks are set aside for clusters.--Specially designated time blocks are set aside for clusters.

BandBand

44thth/5/5thth Grade Grade Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone/baritone, Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone/baritone,

and percussion (xylophone and drums)and percussion (xylophone and drums)

Pull out programPull out program Students will be pulled out of class to attend two 25 Students will be pulled out of class to attend two 25

minute lessons per week. Students are responsible for minute lessons per week. Students are responsible for all material that they miss.all material that they miss.

LibraryLibrary

We will have Library check-out during SSR (Self-We will have Library check-out during SSR (Self-Selected Reading)Selected Reading)

Please make sure your child has his/her library books Please make sure your child has his/her library books here on the day they are duehere on the day they are due

A.R./S.S.R. Each student is encouraged to take one personal A.R. quiz a week

Students MUST bring their A.R. book to school each day

Each book has an A.R. level indicated either on the spine, on the outside back cover, or inside the back cover. That A.R. level must match your child’s A.R. levels (each child has three levels at a time)

An A.R. level of 4.0 indicates 4th grade, 0 months. If your child is not at that level yet, please encourage them to read their A.R. books often for their reading log at night. Ask them questions, also, as they finish their book to help ensure their comprehension.

Students are to keep their AR log in their Assessment Binder and record their score after taking a test. I will then initial the log. The assessment binder will come home every Friday for your review.

Once a student takes and passes 3 A.R. quizzes with 80% or higher, they will move up another level.

HomeworkHomeworkReading and Spelling

• Each new story, students will be given a Spelling Contract which also includes their reading log.

• Students are required to complete 4 spelling activities and 4 nights of reading 15 minutes by the due date listed on the contract.

• Contracts are to be turned in on the due date with all boxes initialed.

Other Subjects• Occasionally there will be homework in other subjects and this will be listed in their agenda book.

Friday Folders/Assessment Binder Friday Folder is located in Assessment Binder

Completed every Friday to keep you updated on your child’s behavior

Indicates how responsible, respectful, and ready your child has been all week with home/class work and behavior (no reflection on academic grades). Please sign each week

Assessment Binder contains all graded work. There will not be grades for every subject, every week. Please keep all graded work in binder. You will receive all graded work at conference time.

Report Cards

Your child will earn letter grades on their report card based on all graded work. Grades are determined as follows:

50% - class work and participation (Formative)

50% - quizzes, assessments, and projects (Summative)

First Marking Period will vary slightly in Reading as 10% of the

summative grade is for the Summer Reading Project

Please encourage your child to always do their best at home and

in the classroom.

ConferencesConferences Parent conferencing will be arranged for the first two marking periods, the Parent conferencing will be arranged for the first two marking periods, the

final marking period report card will be sent home with your child on the final marking period report card will be sent home with your child on the last day of school.last day of school.

End of 1End of 1stst marking period – November 12, 2010 marking period – November 12, 2010 End of 2End of 2ndnd marking period – February 8, 2011 marking period – February 8, 2011 Final report card sent home last student day.Final report card sent home last student day.

RecessRecess

Recess is provided daily.Recess is provided daily. Please make sure your child is prepared for outdoor Please make sure your child is prepared for outdoor

recess. If it is going to be below 60 degrees, they recess. If it is going to be below 60 degrees, they must have a jacket to go outside.must have a jacket to go outside.

Agenda BooksAgenda Books Assignments books are Assignments books are

checked at the end of each checked at the end of each day to make sure that class day to make sure that class assignments are recordedassignments are recorded

Agenda books also include Agenda books also include the Flying High, Caution the Flying High, Caution and Grounded System. and Grounded System. Green, Yellow, RedGreen, Yellow, Red

Please check your child’s Please check your child’s agenda book to monitor agenda book to monitor homework assignments, homework assignments, behavior stars, and behavior stars, and occasional teacher notesoccasional teacher notes

Contact InfoContact Info The best way to get a hold of me is through email. The best way to get a hold of me is through email.

Ms. Jester’s email address is: Ms. Jester’s email address is: stacy.jester@appo.k12.de.us

Agenda books are a great way to keep in contact with me…Agenda books are a great way to keep in contact with me…remember they are checked at the end of the each day.remember they are checked at the end of the each day.

If all else fails…contact the school at 378-5288If all else fails…contact the school at 378-5288

Thank you in advance Thank you in advance for your continued help for your continued help and support.and support.

I look forward to a fun, I look forward to a fun, exciting, and successful exciting, and successful school year!school year!