Curriculum Night

1. Curriculum Night August 29, 2013 Mrs. Franks Fourth Grade Ross Elementary

2. Important Information • Mr. Franks’Email: frankss@nhsd.net Purpose of email • Mrs. Jordan’s Email: jordanp@nhsd.net • Mrs. Franks’ Extension: (412) 318-1000 ext5122 Best time to call:8:30-8:50, 12:15-12:3 • Teacher’s Webpage www.rossb42.weebly.com (All assignments will be posted here daily)

3. REMIND 101 • This school year I will be utilizing the website www.remind101.com as a way of sending out important messages to you. This is a free service; however, if you choose to receive the message via text, then standard messaging rates will apply. I plan on using it to notify you and/or your student of upcoming tests, projects or deadlines. I will not use it to send daily homework as that information is available on homework hotline. You will not be able to see my phone number and I will not be able to see your number. You will not be able respond to any text that I send. All that enroll will receive my messages using the text-messaging component on their phone. • If you want to enroll,text this message: @08bb3 to the phone number (858) 375-1807. • (the 0 in the message is a zero and the letters are the letter b)

4. Birthday Treats Suggested treats include: Parents may choose to send a treat bag to school for special occasions such as Halloween, Winter holiday, Valentines or Birthday.  Treat bags can be filled with food and non-food items and will be sent home with the children.  Treat bags ideas include:

5. Educational Trips • Must be educational and approved in advance through the office • Basic work will be provided the day before the first day of absence • Students have 5 days to turn in the missed work

6. Early Dismissals, ETC. • Plan ahead and have a note ready in the morning • Please make sure your child is on time each day • Adds stress • Tardiness is a hard habit to break • Detracts from routine and we start right away each day

7. Make up Work • It is not necessary to request make up work for one day of absence. • Pick up time for work must be at the end of the school day. • Please send an email when you need to request work for your child.

8. Literacy • Using Harcourt’s Storytown (sixth year with this program) • Goal: to enable your child to become a proficient/advanced reader. • Concentration on focus skills and strategies, oral reading skills, comprehension, and developing vocabulary.

9. Reading Assessments • Weekly Lesson Tests • Assesses story comprehension, vocabulary, focus skill, grammar, and spelling • Theme Tests • Used as Local Assessment and assesses cumulative reading skills every 6-8 weeks. • Critical Thinking Skills-Thoughtful Logs • Reading Logs and Journals-10 entries and 10 paragraphs

10. Reading Counts • Used as a grade throughout the school year. • Assessed periodically • At each “due date,” the student must have a minimum of 3Reading Counts points to receive 100% (this is one book.) • Students should have a Reading Counts books at their desk to be reading at all times.

11. Grammar • Students will focus on one grammar skill per week • Assessed on this grammar skill on each weekly lesson test • Written assignments across the curriculum can be used to asses grammar, usage and mechanics. • Reading Journals will be assessed for grammar each month

12. Spelling Tests and Homework • Each week, students will receive a “Lesson Homework Packet” consisting of cursive handwriting practice and spelling homework pages. • Homework assignments will be distributed on Day 1 and due on Day 6 • Spelling Tests will be on Day 6 of the cycle

13. Writing • Using the four square writing approach • Students will be writing in all subject areas • Spending a significant amount of time practicing to write Persuasive, Narrative, and Informational Writing pieces • End of the Year Goal: to write a 4 paragraph essay

14. Math in Focus

15. Math in Focus • This is a conceptually-based program that focuses on problem-solving and reasoning skills. • It is designed with fewer lessons which will be taught over multiple days to allow time to explore each concept more in-depth. • Students will be keeping a folder in class that contains all pages and resources for the program. When students have homework, they will be bringing their folders home with them.

16. Math in Focus • The students’ homework will vary each night depending on the amount of practice each student needs to learn the skill. The homework will come from either the Student Workbook, Reteaching Workbook, Extra Practice Workbook, or the Enrichment Workbook. • Home –School Connection and Chapter Wrap Up • Keep throughout the chapter and use to gauge chapter test preparation

17. Math in Focus • The students will have access to their textbook and all materials and resources online. Log-in information will be coming home shortly. • The manipulatives that are used in the lessons are also available to use online. The students will be using the website: www.thinkcentral.com. • *All Math in Focus and Storytown resources are available at the same website.

18. Science • We will be using the science series called, “FOSS” (Full Option Science System) again this year. This series has guided the development of successful active-learning science modules. • The FOSS developers designed the curriculum based on the fact that elementary students learn science best by doing science.

19. Science Kits • They will be delivered every 9 weeks and include all materials for students to participate in hands-on investigations. • We will be using the following modules: • 1st– Structures of Life • 2nd– Physics of Sound • 3rd– Earth Materials

20. Science Binders • Students will be responsible for keeping an ORGANIZED binder • Binders will contain all notes, observations, and drawings for each science investigation • Binders will be graded approximately 2 times per semester

21. Science Grading • Response Sheets – students will apply skills learned in each investigation to a real-world situation • I-Checks– students will be given as a pretest, 1 day of review and then students are given the I-Check back to make any changes before it is graded • Survey Posttest/Pretest – Module test given in the same fashion as the I-Checks

22. Social Studies • Basic Geography - Map & Globe Skills - Continents & Oceans • Our Community • Native Americans • People From Many Places - Immigration • Our Government

23. PSSA • Math and Reading – during the weeks of March 17 - 28, 2014. • Science – during the week of April 28 – May 2, 2014. • A schedule of exact testing dates will be given prior to testing.

24. PSSA Preparation • For the math, reading, and science portion of the PSSA, students will be completing skills practice packets and using Study Island to help prepare for the assessment. • The practice packets will look like the real tests so the students will be acquainted with the format and types of questions on the PSSA assessment.

25. Homework • Refer to the Survival Handbook for Homework if necessary • Homework will be given almost every single night. • Math is the subject where homework will be given on a daily basis in most cases. Also, please study math facts • Spelling –one page per night, but students may work ahead • Reading Logs and Journals-students will read and record minutes and write 10 paragraphs each month about what they have read • Social Studies-Mrs. Jordan • Science-Response Sheets

26. Homework Assignment Book • The students are required to bring home their homework folders and assignment books each night with their assignments written in them. The assignment books should be signed by a parent or guardian each night and the student will bring their assignment book back to school on the next school day. • Homework will be posted on my website each day.

27. Report Cards • Two years ago we changed from a quarterly system to a 2-semester system for report cards. • They will be distributed during the end of the first semester (January) and at the end of the second semester (June). • Please check ProgressBook often for your child’s up-to-date progress. A letter will be sent home with your username/password if you do not have it already.

28. 6 Day Schedule • This was created in order to provide equity in that classes are not lost because of a school cancellation.

29. Thank You!! • Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night! • Please do not hesitate to contact with me if you have any comments, questions, or concerns throughout the school year! • Curriculum Night Power Point can be accessed through my webpage under the Classroom Homepage tab.