Welcome To Mrs. Villaluna’s 4 th Grade Class

1. Welcome To Mrs. Villaluna’s4th Grade Class Back to School Night Pleasant Valley Elementary

2. Questions During The Presentation??? • Please use the provided index card to write your name, contact (e-mail or phone), along with questions or comments. Thank you!

3. A Little About Mrs. Villaluna *Grew up in Sonoma County *Inspired by first grade teacher *Sonoma State Graduate *Began teaching in 1997 *Came to PV in 2008 *National Board Certification *Mom *Teaching and learning must be enjoyable…FUN!

4. Communication… It’s key to this year’s success! • E-mail: avillaluna@nusd.org • Phone: 897-5105 • Note • Our class website: http://mrsvpv.weebly.com • Students are welcomed to email me too! • Dispel rumors

5. http://mrsvpv.weebly.com • Please check often!

6. Fourth Grade: A Time of Responsibility and Ownership… • If your child has a need, please bring your child to our meeting. • Vital for your child to see his/her role as important and helps with ownership • Communication Binder, Reflections

7. Language Arts • Pearson Reading Street • Common Core standards based program that integrates reading, writing, and listening • Six Traits are used to directly teach writing and grammar • Reading Street Spelling program –SpellingCity • Daily Five, Morning Work, grammar

8. Core Literature • Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell • Patty Reed’s Doll by Rachel Laurgaard • By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman • Please enforce the reading rule at home: 30 minutes daily. Students will take A.R. quizzes on books read at home and during free reading time. • Students will keep track of the number of words they read each trimester based on the books they take an AR quiz.

9. Writing • Emphasis on details, specific nouns, vibrant verbs, and figurative language • Personal Narrative, Summary, Response to Literature, and Expository Report Writing • Focus on mastery of the 6 traits: ideas, organization, sentence fluency, word choice, voice, and conventions • Encourage your child to add details and information to make a picture for the reader • Help your child by asking questions about his/her story • Paragraphs!!!

10. Mathematics • Houghton-Mifflin Mathematics • Number Sense, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics & Probability, Graphing Equations, Negative Numbers, Mathematical Reasoning • Pre-tests, reteaching and review, and challenge work; differentiation for all • If your child has not completely mastered his/her addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. Please make this a priority over the next few weeks. • Xtra Math

11. Science • FOSS Science • The Environment, Rocks and Minerals, and Electricity and Magnetism • Inquiry-based learning • Encourage your child to visit FOSSweb to support their learning: http://www.fossweb.com/

12. Social Studies California Geography and History • Geographical regions • Native Americans • Explorers • Missions and Ranchos • Westward movement • The Gold Rush • Transcontinental Railroad

13. Other Important Curricula Physical Education • Wednesdays (45 minutes), Thursdays (45 minutes) Music • Tuesdays – 60 min • Music Exploration • Recorder • Period Music from California History Cursive Technology • Internet research • PowerPoint presentations • Word processing and typing • Independent Learning

14. Extended Learning Opportunities • Extended Learning is for students to explore a subject of choice. • For ALL levels of learners. • One project expected per student; Advanced learners will be expected to present three projects, one per trimester. • Projects can be worked on at home.

15. CA State TestingSTAR March, Writing & Spring, STAR Bill being proposed to take a year off from STAR. Use MAPS for measurement of academic progress.

16. Homework…“Whoever Does The Work Gets Smarter.” • What is the purpose of homework? • to reinforce and extend skills taught in class • to promote personal responsibility and good work habits in preparation for middle school and beyond • Nightly and monthly assignments • Math and Language Arts • Spelling City • Xtra Math • Math fact Review • Due the next day… rewards • 30 - 60 minutes… • 20-30 minutes of reading = at least two hours a week. Text complexity must increase.

17. Grading Policy… • 100 – 94 = 4 Exceeds Grade Level Expectations • 93 - 73 = 3 Meeting Grade Level Expectations • 72 – 60 = 2 Working Towards Grade Level Expectations • 59 – 0 = 1 Not Meeting Grade Level Expectations

18. Conferences…November 18 - 22 • Please sign-up this evening! • 20 minute meeting to discuss your child’s goals and progress in fourth grade.

19. Volunteering Opportunities… • Thank you in advance to anyone who is able to volunteer to help in the classroom. Volunteering requires TB clearance! • Opportunities to work in small groups, with individuals, help with assisting the teacher, and/or home projects. • Not about working with just your child. • Must be committed and arrive in a timely manner. • Please be private and be able to work in confidence.

20. Volunteer Opportunities… • Writing • Friday Folder Assistant • Room Parent(s) • Art Docent • Library Helper • Auction Project Coordinator • Mission Field Trip December 5th

21. Class T-Shirts Needed! • An ongoing memory for the students. Class set of T-Shirts needed for wearing on field trips, special events at school, or off campus. Can you help?

22. Other Items at Your Child’s Desk… • Questionnaire – please return by Friday, September 13th • Permission form for Donor’s Choose: Where class wishes come true! • Your child’s Response Journal…

23. Response Journal • Please kindly respond to your child’s letter in the Response Journal placed at your child’s desk.

24. Thank You For Being Here This Evening! • avillaluna@nusd.org • http://mrsvpv.weebly.com • Let’s Make It A GREAT Year!!