to Ms. Avallone’s Fourth Grade Class

1. to Ms. Avallone’s Fourth Grade Class Please find your child’s desk; we will begin shortly!

2. EDUCATION: Masters of Science in Elementary Curriculum           SUNY Brockport Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Health Science           SUNY Brockport                    

3. Teaching Experience • Greece Central School District • First Grade and Fourth Grade • Rochester City School District • One year internship teaching fourth grade • West Irondequoit Central School District • Second year in the district teaching Fourth Grade

4. Fourth Grade Curriculum • English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Writing Workshop • Word Study

5. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Development of strategies through practice to increase word recognition, comprehension and fluency

6. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Independent Reading • Guided Reading • Read Alouds • Literature Discussions

7. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Independent Reading: chapter books and picture books; comprehension demonstrated through weekly written letters in literature response journal

8. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Guided Reading: used to reinforce and practice targeted strategies in a small group setting Traditions, anthology, Houghton Mifflin, 2001

9. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Read Alouds: chapter books and picture books to develop listening skills, practice reading strategies, recognize and appreciate author’s craft

10. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Reading Workshop • Literature Discussions: small group verbal discourse to deepen understanding and develop higher level thinking skills

11. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Teacher sharing and mini-lessons • State of the Class • Independent writing • Guided writing • Investigations • Group share

12. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Teacher Sharing Time: sharing literature to spark students interest and motivate them for writing

13. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Mini-lessons: teacher-directed lesson focusing on pre-writing activities based on class instructional needs, a particular piece of literature or a skill or strategy needed.

14. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • State of the Class Conference: each student tells what he/she is doing that day.

15. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Independent Writing: students are involved in writing over a specific amount of time; can be writing in their Source Books or on a writing project

16. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Guided Writing: small group work with teacher based on a specific need

17. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Investigations: students are involved in studies such as author or genre study, oral presentations or project work

18. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • Group Sharing: students share what they are doing or have done; may be “Author’s Chair”, or quick “read around”.

19. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Word Study • Students are assessed based on level achieved at the end of previous year • Students develop understanding and experience in specific spelling features of word groups

20. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Word Study • Students practice word sorts and activities designed to integrate patterns of words

21. Fourth Grade Curriculum English Language Arts • Word Study • Assessment includes observations classroom work, ability to identify and discuss patterns, formal testing and transferring of patterns to students’ writing

22. Fourth Grade Curriculum Mathematics • Math Trailblazers—a spiral program • Focus is on problem solving • Strategies are developed for problem solving and computation • Content includes multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, geometry and measurement

23. Fourth Grade Curriculum Science • Introduction to Science • Classification and Attributes • Measurement • Electricity/Magnets • Rocks and Minerals

24. Fourth Grade Curriculum Science • Life Science (Plants and Animals) • Habitats/Attributes • Adaptations • Inventions and Technology

25. Fourth Grade Curriculum • Social Studies • Geography • Native Americans • Revolutionary War • United States Government • **Many of our field trips reinforce the units of study.

26. Fourth Grade Curriculum • Music • Physical Education • Art • Library • Computer Lab

27. Fourth Grade Curriculum • Field Trips • Helmer Nature Center • Rochester Museum/Science Center • Helmer Nature Center • Downtown Walking Tour • Journey into the Past • Genesee Country Museum • **Dates to be announced**

28. Birthday Celebrations • Celebrated during Friday Fun on the week of the Birthday • If student would like to bring in something quick on their birthday it must be something that can be passed out quickly (wrapped treats).

29. Homework • Due when assigned • If unable to complete, send note in with student • If two assignments are incomplete in one week, students will fill out form and complete that night (requires parent signature) • If student fails to complete homework twice in the same week, or begins to develop poor habits: • Study hall at lunch time • Note or phone call home

30. Thank you for your time! Thank you for sharing your children with me!