Welcome to Curriculum Night!

1. Welcome to Curriculum Night! Bolin Elementary 4th Grade 2013-2014

2. Welcome Parents! • We have already started a fabulous year! Please listen to the recording!

3. Reading Taught by: Miss Daniels

4. Reading Strategies In the primary grades, students have been learning to read. As 4th graders, students are reading to learn. This year we are focusing on strategies that great readers use to strategically understand the text they read. We will be working on the following strategies to help us think deeper as readers: • Inferring - Questioning • Determining Importance -Synthesizing • Visualizing -Knowing/Wondering Genre We will begin our genre study on 9/9 and cover the genres listed below. Right now, the students are required to keep a realistic fiction book in my room that they will read during independent reading time. The genre they read in class will change throughout the year. When they are reading books in other classes or a home , they may read any genre! -Realistic Fiction -Mystery -Non-Fiction -Biography -Historical Fiction -Fantasy -Science Fiction -Fairy Tales & Folktales -Poetry

5. Reading Homework-Minutes • The students must read 20 minutes per night (80 minutes per week). • -They are aware that how they divide up that 80 minutes is up to them. If they are busy one night and want to read 40 minutes one day to make up for the 20 they missed, then that is fine • * The class that reads the most minutes for the year gets a party. So, encourage your child to read more than the minimum, if possible. • 2. A parent, guardian, caretaker, older sibling, etc. must sign their agenda once per week (I suggest Thursdays) once they have finished their 80 minutes of reading. • -By signing the agenda, you are acknowledging that they read their 80 minutes. Their reading log (located in their reading folder) should be filled out every time they read, so they should be able to show you exactly what/when they read, in case you weren’t there. • - The minutes they read in class that they record on their reading log DO NOT COUNT for their 80 minutes of reading at home. • * If your child gets their agenda signed every week this year, they will get to participate in the pizza party I throw for them during lunch one day at the end of the year.

6. Reading Homework-Book Reviews The students also have book reviews to complete as their written reading homework. • They must complete a minimum of 4 book reviews per nine week period. Therefore, they must read a minimum of 4 books every nine weeks. These book reviews will be due the Friday before the last week of each 9 weeks. I will give the students many reminders to complete these. • They will complete a book review for every single book they read. They will show me their book reviews to prove that they read the book and get credit for our book challenge. The book challenge is explained after the next slide. • The book reviews will be in your child’s reading folder. • The next slide has a blank example of one.

7. ________________________’s Book Review Book Title_______________________________ Author_________________________________ Genre_____________________ Here is the format for the book review. This is what one book review will look like only it will be larger. They will do a minimum of 4 per nine weeks. This book was about…. My favorite character if fiction orfact if nonfiction in the book was____________________________________ Because…… I liked/didn’t like this book because…. You should/should not read this book because…

8. Book Challenge • The students have a 40 book challenge as their goal. • They will have to read 5 realistic fiction, 5 historical fiction, 5 fantasy, 5 informational, 2 mystery, 2 science fiction, 2 folklore, 2 poetry, 2 biography, and 10 chapter books. • Although this may seem overwhelming, it is very possible for every student to complete this. It is a great goal for the students, and they should enjoy it because they get to pick the specific books they read! • For every ten books they read, they will get a reward. If they personally complete their 40 book challenge, they get a party at the end of the year! • For every ten books they read after they complete the 40 book challenge, they still get a reward. • The next slide has a blank example of one.

10. Reading Recap • Recap: students read 80 minutes per week, they get their agenda signed once a week, they complete a minimum of 4 book reviews per nine weeks, and they are working to complete their 40 book challenge. • We want to encourage them to read as much as possible!! • If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to schedule a conference with me or email me. It’s going to be a GREAT year!!! - Miss Daniels “Dare to dream it! Dare to read it!”

11. Writing, Spelling, and Social Studies Taught by: Mrs. Volling

12. WRITING • In 4th grade, students will be responsible for learning to write numerous types of compositions. Two of the main types are Personal Narratives and Expositories. We will work in class on learning skills that include the following: • Paragraphing / Organization / Progression of ideas • Focus • Topic Development • Grammar • Use of Language / Sentence conventions • Spelling • Writing pieces will be kept at school in a portfolio, so that we can use them throughout the year for self – analysis of growth. If you would like to view your student’s writing pieces, please feel free to schedule a conference and enjoy their wonderful work. – Mrs. Volling

13. Spelling Homework • Students will be responsible for spelling homework throughout the year. Although word lists may not be assigned every single week, our studies will include activities that will nurture creative thinking, sentence • fluency and development, and vocabulary. We will spend class time each day working on our words including Challenge Words that will enhance our writing. • Homework will be assigned on Tuesdays and due the following Monday. The homework assignments will be listed on a sheet with our words which we are studying. Please have your child write neatly and put his/her name on the paper. • -Mrs. Volling

14. Social Studies • Our Great state of Texas! • Geography- • Mapping Skills • Landforms • Latitude and longitude • Regions of Texas • Native Americans • Alamo • Government We will enjoy learning about the history of our great state! – Mrs. Volling

15. Math and Science Taught by: Mrs. Heisler

16. Math • Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction with re-grouping • Metric and customary Measurement • Multiplication and Division Facts • Place Value • Geometry • Fractions • Probability Please help your child with quick recall of facts with games and flashcards. 

17. Math Homework • Homework will be given out every night (Monday thru Thursday) and due back the next day. • Homework will consist of what we are learning in class. This should not take them more than 15 to 20 minutes.

18. Science • Scientific Method • Scientific Process Skills • Safety and weather • States of matter • Animal adaptations • Fossils • Hands-on learning in the lab often

19. STAAR • Writing = April 1st •   and April 2nd • Math = Apri1 22nd • Reading = April 23rd

20. All Homework • Incomplete work from the day= Homework • Absent Student? Any work that needs to be completed from the day he/she is absent will be given one day to complete. (1 day absence = 1 day to complete work) - Work can be sent home with a sibling or neighbor or picked up at the office. Please request the homework before noon. • Students may be assigned projects through out the year with specific instructions and due dates.

21. Communication Between Home and School • Tuesday Folders (please sign and return the next day) • You sign for the previous week. • Monthly Newsletters online • Binders • Conferences • Progress Reports • Phone calls, notes • Email is the best way to contact us during school hours. • Shawn_heisler@allenisd.org • Brenda_volling@allenisd.org • Breanna_daniels@allenisd.org

22. Questions? Comments? If you have questions after reading this, please email us, and we will send out one mass email with all questions and answers pertaining to this information. We are happy to schedule phone conferences or in-person conferences as well!

23. Thank You! • Remind your child to bring a water bottle for recess and a sweater for class each day. • Classroom T-Shirts are coming soon!! • Remember to wear on Wednesdays

24. Let’s Have a Great Year!