4th Grade Curriculum Night: A Comprehensive Overview for Students & Parents

1. Welcome to Curriculum Night4th Grade • Welcome! • Housekeeping • Classroom Management • Curriculum Overview • Common Core Shifts • Homework • Schedule • Question & Answer • Special Classes Video

2. Housekeeping • Reminders: Traffic, cell-phones, visitors, & treats • Email communication is best! • Check-a-thon fundraiser began on 8/4.

3. For GOOD CHOICES . . . Earn respect & compliments Earn P.A.C.K. awards Earn “Basha Bucks” to spend in class auctions Earn classroom privileges Earn “Excellent” indicators on report cards . . .for POOR CHOICES …class meeting resolutions …loss of “Basha Bucks” to spend in quarterly auctions …loss of recess/privileges …parent contact …earn less-than-excellent indicators on report cards Behavior Plan

4. Curriculum Overview • Standards-based curriculum & instruction: -Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards Visit CUSD or the AZ Dept. of Education website to view standards • Assessment: AIMS Science (PARCC –more to come…)

5. Essential Language Arts (ELA) New reading adoption that is aligned with Arizona standards. 4th Grade now a 50/50 balance of more complex informational and literary text “AZ College & Career” standards emphasize informational reading comprehension and writing skills. Comprehension tasks now text-based rather than based on students’ prior knowledge or experience Building a staircase of text complexity using academic vocabulary and content

6. Reading • 4th Grade Journeys Basal Reader • Complex informational text (50%) • Literature study: Genres, authors, themes, etc. • Reading skill exercises • Vocabulary study & tests • Oral reading to develop fluency • Sustained silent reading • Literature read-along • Book quizzes, unit tests, and essay questions

7. Language • English grammar instruction & quizzes • Writing across the curriculum • 6 Traits of Good Writing • Spelling tests & self-editing • Narrative, informational & opinion • Poetry recitations & writing • Oral reports & presentations-(grade now) • Computer word processing • Research reports • Homework projects Handwriting • Cursive • Keyboarding • LEGIBILITY

8. Mathematics Strong conceptual knowledge and ability to apply to problem solving inside and outside of classroom Deeper conceptual understanding- extension of previous learning Procedural skill and fluency Strategic reasoning and collaboration Standards for Mathematical Practice 90 minutes daily Flexible grouping

9. Mathematics • TERC investigations & projects • Hands-on concept development • Balance of problem solving & computation skills • Class participation (“Explain your thinking”) • Mental math & logic • Homework practice & projects • Math journals, quizzes & unit tests • ACCRS links for teachers supplied by district

11. Science • 4th Grade Harcourt texts • Focus on inquiry skills and process • Science Fair – project done at school • Integration with math • Related vocabulary & spelling • Research emphasis • Presenting & note taking/journals • Homework projects • Quizzes and unit tests • Informational writing

12. Social Studies • 4th grade Harcourt texts • Arizona Social Studies Weekly • Geography & map skills • Related vocabulary & spelling • Research emphasis • Homework projects • Presenting & note taking • Quizzes and unit tests • Expository writing

13. Social Studies AZ Government/ Civics Arizona History & historical heroes Geography of the Southwest First Peoples of SW Economics (Jr. Ach.) Science Inquiry Process Life Science: Plants/Animals Physical Science: Electricity Earth Science: Weather/Water 4th Grade Topics

14. Technology • Keyboarding • Netiquette (etiquette on the net) • Publishing (brochures, letters, reports, stories, articles, essays, etc.) • Multi-media (Power Point) • Sign up for Email alerts on Basha Website

15. Grades • Parent Portal on Infinite Campus • Use of learning goals and scales • Participation and effort points • Progress Reports will be available only online unless teacher otherwise notified • Simplified report card • Report card grades according to district standards: (Percent scores instead of letter grades on report cards) • Consistently outstanding work (90-100%) = “A” • Consistently above average (80-89%)= “B” • Consistently satisfactory work (70-79%) = “C” • Consistently below standard (60-69%)= “D”

16. Homework • Read a minimum of 20 minutes per night & record on monthly Reading Log in folder & signed by parent---checked each week in class. • Assigned on a weekly basis: Comes home each Friday, due back the next Friday • Problems or questions? Students should ask their teacher for help on Monday or Tuesday. • Students will bring Agendas home at parent or teacher request.

17. STUDY SKILLS are the key to success in 4th Grade .

18. Daily Schedule • 8:05 Campus open • 8:25 Bell rings • 8:40-9:15 Science • 9:15-9:45 Special classes • 9:50-10:25 Social Studies • 10:25 Language Arts block begins • 10:55-11:35 Lunch recess/ lunch • 11:40-12:50 Language Arts block cont. • 12:50-1:05 Recess • 1:15-2:45 Mathematics • 2:50 Clean up and close • 3:00 Dismissal

19. Let’s Roll ! “You know that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time when the character is being formed.” -Plato