Evans Elementary 4th Grade Curriculum Night

1. Welcome to Evans Elementary 4th Grade Curriculum Night

2. Welcome to the Fourth Grade! The fourth grade students are in for an adventurous year of learning!

3. Mission Statement All students, with support of staff, parents, and community will be provided a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be lifelong learners and citizens of good character who are prepared to contribute to an ever-changing, global society.

4. Vision Mary Evans students will be able to think critically and creatively, solve problems, and will learn to communicate effectively. Our students will learn to work effectively as individuals and as group members, develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and respect for others, recognize the contributions of individuals, groups and cultures in society, and demonstrate civic responsibility.

5. Beliefs • We believe in: • Creating a safe environment where each member is valued is paramount to establishing an exemplary school. • Setting high academic and behavioral expectations yield high student achievement. • Developing strong relationships, clear communication, and continuous reflection among all members of the Evans learning community is basic to the success of our school. • Establishing the connection between academic objectives and real life application is fundamental in creating life learners. • Accepting a role in developing citizenship in all students is essential to their lifelong success and the future of our country.

6. Rider Expectations Care about others and be honest. Obey teacher and adult directions. Respect all people and property. Keep all body parts and objects to myself. Yearn to be punctual and prepared daily.

7. 4th Grade Teachers Team 1 Ms. Eldridge- Math Science Mrs. Jordan- Reading Writing S. Studies Team 2 Mrs. Butler- Math science Mrs. Schneider- reading writing s. studies Team 3 Mrs. Tsutsumi- Math science Ms. Mena- reading writing s. studies

8. 4th Grade Schedule-Team 1 Jordan/Eldridge 7:40-7:45 Students are picked up from the Cafeteria 7:45-7:55 Announcements 7:55- 9:50 Block One 9:50-10:20 Recess 10:20 – 10:35 Block One 10:35- 11:30 Block Two 11:30- 12:00 Lunch 12:00-12:35 Rider Round- up 12:35- 1:10 Block Two 1:10-1:55 Specials 1:55-2:40 Block Two 2:40 - 2:51 Prepare for dismissal 2:55 Dismissal

9. 4th Grade Teams Two and Three Butler/Schneider & Tsutsumi/Mena • 7:45 - 7:55 Announcements • 7:55 - 8:25 Rider Round Up • 8:25 – 9:50 Block One • 9:50-10:20 Recess • 10:20 – 11:05 Block One • 11:05 – 11:30 Block Two • 11:30 – 12:00 Lunch • 12:00 – 1:10 Block Two • 1:10 – 1:55 Specials • 1:55 – 2:45 Block Two • 2:40 – 2:51 Prepare for Dismissal • 2:55 Dismissal Bell

10. Fourth Grade Curriculum • We encourage you to check out the following websites for information about state and local curriculum requirements. • www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/ • www.allenisd.org

11. Assessment Calendar • Dates: • Math Benchmark – Nov. 4th -8th • Reading Benchmark – Nov. 4th-8th • Science Benchmark – Nov. 4th -8th • Writing Simulation – Jan. 28th • Math Simulation – Feb. 18th • Reading Simulation – Feb. 19th • Writing STAAR – April 7th • Math STAAR – May 12th • Reading STAAR – May 13th • Science Comprehensive Assessment – End of May (TBD) Dates are subject to change as new directives could arrive from TEA.

12. Reading Workshop Mrs. Jordan, Ms. Mena, and Mrs. Schneider • Comprehension strategies • Phonics – Finding words within words – multi-syllabic patterns • Listeningand speaking to research, present, and defend ideas • Vocabulary • Finding text based • evidence to support • predictions and conclusions.

13. Book Challenge The best way to help students grow as readers and writers is for them to read!! Students will be challenged to read 20 books each semester. We will set weekly and monthly goals to help students achieve their challenge. This challenge is to encourage them to read and establish good reading habits. We hope to develop a life-long passion for reading!  To monitor comprehension and progress towards goals, students will be given choices as to how to respond to their reading. Their choice options will be posted on our website and will be due the last Friday of the month (beginning in September).

14. Writing Workshop Mrs. Jordan, Ms. Mena, and Mrs. Schneider • Writing Process • Genres • Personal Narrative • Expository Texts • Conventions and Mechanics (Grammar) • Word Work/Spelling • Handwriting (Cursive) Homework: Students will be assigned a homework packet on Monday. It will be due on Friday of the same week. Vocabulary/Spelling and/or Grammar assessments are scheduled on Fridays.

15. Science Ms. Eldridge, Mrs. Butler, and Mrs. Tsutsumi • Physical Science • Physical Properties of Matter • Matter & Energy, Force & Motion • Mixtures/Solutions • Earth Science • Erosion, Weathering, Properties of Soil • Natural Resources • Moon/Seasons/Shadows • Water Cycle and Weather • Life Science • Life Cycle, Adaptations, Food Chains/Food Webs, Inherited Traits

16. Texas History Mrs. Jordan, Ms. Mena, and Mrs. Schneider • Regions of Texas • Native Americans & European Settlers • Mexico’s Influence on Texas • Texas Revolution • Civil War, Reconstruction & Economic Growth • 20th Century Issues • Government

17. Math Mrs. Tsutsumi, Mrs. Butler, and Ms. Eldridge • Relationships in Place Value • Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Whole Numbers using flexible thinking and varies strategies in Problem Solving • Add and Subtract Fractions • Decimals • Equations and Patterns • Geometry- measuring angles with a protractor • Measurement • Homework: Will be given weekly, every Friday, and due the following Friday. Check your child’s agenda!

18. Punctuality • Our campus opens at 7:30 • Teachers will pick students up promptly from the cafeteria at 7:45. • If students are eating breakfast, they need to arrive in time to finish breakfast by 7:45. • Students will be considered late if they arrive after 7:50. • 3rd, 4th, and 5th gather in the café

19. Attendance Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his/her education – to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery. Two state laws Compulsory Attendance - the required presence of school-aged children in school (unexcused days) Attendance for Credit – to receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student in grades Kinder-12th must attend at least 90% of the days the class is offered (unexcused & excused) Refer to the AISD Student Handbook, pages 32-37, for more information.

20. Missing School • Please call the absence line (972) 236-0600 Ext. 3373 • Arriving Late – please park and walk your student in • Absent – notes must be received by the school within 3 days of the absence • Parent Note - Skyward is the best way to send • Doctor Note – Parent may hand deliver to receptionist when checking student back into school or parent may email Alison.Wills@allenisd.org a picture of the note • Parent and Doctor Notes – may be hand delivery by student(s) to their homeroom teacher • Parent Notes must include • Student name, date(s) of the absence, reason for the absence, parent signature (Skyward access fulfills this) • Doctor Notes must include • Student name, date of appointment, doctor signature • If student needs to be absent for more than the appointment, per doctor’s order, dates must be included on the doctor’s note.

21. Entering a Skyward Note • Log-in to Skyward Parent Access Portal using your parent login and password • Click on Attendance • Click on Attendance Request • Choose Add a Request • Choose All Day to report a full day absence or Uncheck All Day to enter start and end times • Fill in the Comment Section with reason for student absence • Choose Save

22. Clothing • Please send your child with comfortable clothing suitable for the weather. • With few exceptions, we have recess outdoors every day. • At times, room temperatures vary inside the classrooms. Please consider sending a light jacket or sweater that can be kept in the room. • Your child needs to wear athletic shoes on Gym days. A sticker has been placed in your child’s agenda with their gym days marked.

23. Water Bottles and Snacks • Your child is encouraged to bring a water bottle —especially during hot weather. • Please label their water bottles with a paint pen or permanent marker. • Students are allowed to bring their own healthy snacks daily. Please be mindful of our nut allergies.

24. Conferences • Fourth grade’s conference time is 1:10-1:55. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher during this time. • Parent conferences will be scheduled by your child’s homeroom teacher during the first semester, if necessary.

25. Special Area Teachers • Julie Preston: Art julie.preston@allenisd.org • Nichole Duncan: P.Enichole.duncan@allenisd.org • Elaine Quillman: Music elaine.quillman@allenisd.org

26. Grading Policies • AISD policy states that grades will be weighted as listed below: • 60% of grade is daily work • 40% of grade is tests, quizzes, and projects • Late work (not for absence) will have 10 points deducted per day • Make-up work due to absence – for every school day absent, the student has one school day for completion • Conduct grade • 0-4 marks = Outstanding • 5-7 marks = Satisfactory • 8-11 marks = Needs Improvement • 12+ marks = Unsatisfactory

27. Grades • Graded papers will be labeled and sent home in their Wednesday Folders on Wednesdays. • A circle around the grade indicates that it has been entered in the grade book. • Grades will be accessible for you to view on Family Access. • Skyward/Family Access is accessible under “Quick Links for Parents” on the Evans website. • You must have a current email updated in the office in order to access Skyward. Skyward

28. Progress / Report Cards • Report cards are electronically posted to Skyward every nine weeks. • Progress reports will be posted in Skyward for review during the 3rd-5th week of the grading period.

29. 4th Grade Field Trips • TBA • We will send more information as soon as we have it.

30. Things Parents Can Do To Help • Help with homework and practice multiplication facts daily. • Help with spelling/phonics and vocabulary as necessary for all subjects. • See that your child reads at least 20 minutes daily. • Go over graded papers carefully with student – have student explain why the answer was wrong or was it a careless mistake.

31. Communication • Wednesday Folder • Handouts and announcements • Graded and Completed Work • Grades entered in the grade book are circled • Daily Agenda • Filled out on Monday for entire week in all classes. • Contains objectives, homework, information • about important dates • Conduct Sheet • Is stapled in the front of the agenda • Please review agenda and conduct sheet regularly • Parents signature is required

32. Communication Contact Information: Evans’ phone number: 972-747-3373 Katie Tsutsumi(Math/Science) Kathryn.Tsutsumi@allenisd.org Caran Eldridge(Science/Math) Caran.Eldridge@allenisd.org Tina Jordan (Reading/Writing/SS ) Tina.Jordan@allenisd.org Cheryl Mena (Reading/Writing/SS ) cheryl.mena@allenisd.org Sandy Schneider(Reading/Writing/SS) Sandy.Schneider@allenisd.org Erica Butler (Math/Science) Erica.Butler@allenisd.org Please allow 24 hours for us to respond to your emails or phone messages. If you are informing us of a transportation change, please make sure to email us BEFORE 12:00. If that is not possible, please call the office so they can assure we receive your message BEFORE dismissal.

33. Skyward • Skyward will be used as our main form of communication. • Please be sure your email is up to date in the office, as these are the email addresses that will be used for communication. Please see the attached instructions to access. 

34. Thank you for coming. We are really looking forward to a great year with you and your children.