Tarwater Elementary 2013-2014

1. 0 Miss Migala’s 4th Grade Room 24 Tarwater Elementary 2013-2014

2. About the Teacher • Originally from Chicago, Illinois- Go Bears! • Grew up in Ahwatukee • B.A. and M.A. from Arizona State University • 2nd year working in the Chandler School District • 1st year at Tarwater- love our school!

3. Classroom Schedule • 8:20- Morning Warm Up • 8:40- Saxon Math • 10:00 – Recess • 10:15- Reading Foundations/Writing • 11:20- Lunch • 12:00 – S.S.R. • 12:20- Science/Soc. Studies/ELA rotations • 1:50- Catch up/Binders/Packup • 2:15- Specials • 2:50 - Dismissal

4. Language Arts • Reading • Harcourt • Phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension • Small group instruction • Literature Studies • Author Studies • Genre Studies • A.R./Self Selected literature • Book Orders: approx. once per month • Writing • Rebecca Sitton Core Words • 6 Traits • Mountain Language • Narratives • Functional Text • Reports

5. Math • Saxon Math: • Numbers and Operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percents) • Algebra • Geometry • Measurement • Data Analysis & Probability • Problem Solving • *We will be switching classes to better meet the needs of our students.

6. Science • Inquiry process: variables in scientific method • Earth Science: changes to the Earth’s surface • Life Science: types of plants and how things interact • Physical Science: study of energy • Solids, Liquids, Gas

7. Social Studies • Units of study come from Harcourt Program • Arizona History • American History • World History • Civics/Government • Geography

8. Types of Instruction • Whole Group: direct instruction to the entire class. May be based on students’ needs • Cooperative Groups: Students work together on project or task. This may be a mixed group of differing strengths/abilities • Independent Activities: Students work alone to complete a task.

9. Homework • Saxon Math: will come home Monday – Thursday. Review each problem with your child each evening. • 20 minutes of reading each evening. Your 4th grader has already set their Accelerated Reader goal for 1st quarter. • Projects are possible throughout the year • Make sure to note your child’s reading minutes and sign their agenda each evening.

10. Policies & Procedures • Birthdays • Behavior/Discipline • Absences: Please call attendance line at 480-883-4303 • Community Building: Class Meetings, classroom energizers

11. Communication Important Binder: keep all student work in their binder until end of each quarter Important Folder: Check daily Planner/Agenda:there’s a spot at the bottom of each daily column for you to sign as well as the reading sections to sign for daily student reading. Quarterly Progress Report & Report Cards Communication:emails, notes, & phone calls migala.kari@cusd8o.com

12. Field Trips • We have many fun field trips planned for this year: • State Capital (AZ government/AZ history) • Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum (AZ plant & animal adaptations) • Heard Museum (Arizona studies)

13. Tax Credit We use tax credit money to fund all of our field trips ($75): Married – up to $400.00 Single – up to $250.00 *Get all the money back at tax time *Some employers match tax credit

14. Volunteer in our Classroom! Volunteers • 4th grade LOVES volunteers: • Room Parent • Junior Achievement • Art Masterpiece • Field Trips • Copies & clerical • Class Parties • *Please sign up in the back of the classroom • *Volunteers must have volunteer forms on file in office • *Don’t forget to sign in at the office

15. Thank You for taking the time to attend Open House! I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities! migala.kari@cusd80.com