Back to School Night
2014-15
Mr. Lees
Room 21
4th Grade
Introduction
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My Experience and Background
The Classroom
No Excuses University/College Readiness
Why San Jose State?
Our Classroom Web Site
• “SPARTAN PRIDE”
www.powayusd.com/teachers/blees
• Updated as needed a few times a
month
• A critical resource for both students
and parents
• An added communication/contact
piece
Contact Info
• School e-mail:
blees@powayusd.com
• School phone and extension:
(858-748-4334 x-2121)
• Weekly e-mail distribution of class
newsletter (also posted to
classroom web site)
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4
Grade Curriculum
• Language Arts: Journal Writing,
Mountain Language, Spelling, Wordly
Wise, Reading Series, Core Literature
Books/Lit Circles/Novel Studies,
Common Core Standard Modes of
Writing (Narrative, Summary,
Response to Literature,
Expository/Reports of Information)
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4
Grade Curriculum
• Math: Math Expressions Common
Core Journal and Homework &
Remembering Book, California Math
Book supplementation, Basic Math
Facts, Math Word Wall
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4
Grade Curriculum
• Science: Biomes, Habitats, and Plant
and Animal Adaptations (Life
Science); Rocks, Minerals and Basic
Geology/Physical Geography (Earth
Science); Matter, Energy, Electricity,
and Magnetism (Physical Science)
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4
Grade Curriculum
• Social Studies: California History,
Geography, and Basic Economics
• The Arts
• P.E.
• Listening/Speaking Skills
• Character Education
Curriculum Enhancement
• Compass Learning
(cl.powayusd.com)
• Sumdog (www.sumdog.com)
• RIT games linked to classroom web
site
Assessment Plan
• At least once a week: Math Facts drills,
Spelling tests, Reading Selection tests
• At least once every two weeks: Wordly
Wise tests
• About once a month: Reading Theme
tests, Science chapter tests
• 5 times a year: Social Studies unit tests
• After every unit (could be 2-3 weeks long
or one month or longer): Math unit tests
Assessment Plan
• MAP testing 3 times a year (fall,
winter, spring) in Reading, Math, and
Language
• SBAC testing in writing
• SBAC in English/Language Arts and
Math and performance tasks
• Report cards each trimester
Organization
• Desk
• Notebooks (Reading,
Writing/Spelling, Math, Science,
Social Studies)
• Binder with dividers (same subjects
as above)—goes home, comes back
each day
• Supplies and replenishing them
Homework
• Primarily core subjects of Reading and
Math—daily written math assignment,
daily 30 minutes of reading, weekly written
reading log
• Unfinished classwork (Due Friday list)
• Prepare (STUDY!) for tests
• Parent Signature Items
• Assignments copied in Homework
Calendar and communicated in weekly
Newsletter, which is posted to Web Site
Extra Credit/Challenges
• Covers wide range of curricular and extracurricular areas
• Emphasis on creativity and leadership
(based on learning pyramid research)
• Competition and pacing/rigor also
important
• Opportunities offered in class and/or
posted to classroom web site and
communicated in weekly newsletter
• Changes every few weeks
Learning Pyramid
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Lecture 5%
Reading 10%
• Demonstration 20%
• Audio-Visual 30%
• Discussion 50%
• Practice By Doing 75%
• Teach Others 90%
Assertive Discipline
• Colt Way/Character Counts
• Optimal Learning and Working
Environment (Emphasis on Focus
and Work Ethic and Engagement)
• Rules/Guidelines/Policies for
Behavior and Work Completion
Assertive Discipline
• The Weekly Behavior Chart: goes home
Monday, comes back signed by parent
each week
• The classroom Weekly Hall of Fame
• The Weekly Spartan Bucks Checkbook
• Prizes/Rewards
• Warnings/Time-Outs/Missed
Recesses/Seat Changes/Other Parent
Contact/Effect on Report Cards
• Referrals
Goals and Incentives
• Goals Assemblies: based on goals
set by students after MAP testing
reveals areas of needed growth.
• Running Club Goal
• Read My Way to College Program—
earn an honorary degree!
Odds and Ends
• Scholastic Book Orders: About 2-3
times a month; passed out on a
Monday, due on Friday of that week;
checks can be made out to
“Scholastic Book Clubs” or you can
order at scholastic.com; takes 2
weeks to arrive usually.
Odds and Ends
• Field Trips: We are allowed 3 per
year—last year we went to University
of San Diego (college readiness),
Indian Hills Camp in Jamul (social
studies and science), Gemology
Institute of America (science).
• Mission Reports/Projects: Info on this
starts coming home in December;
entire process is finished at end of
January.
Odds and Ends
• Birthdays: Store-bought treats may
be brought in (one for each child); per
school board policy, we pass out
upon dismissal for afternoon recess
• Box Tops for Education: Please look
for these and save them for us—they
earn money for our school (and
bragging rights for our Little
Spartans!)
How Can Parents Help?
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Encourage your child/Support the teacher
Communicate with child and teacher
Join PTA/Support Foundation
Donations for requested items or events
Room Parents/Party Help
Special Projects/Events (ex: Jog-a-Thon)
Homework Mentor/Reading Buddy
Wishlist?
• College shirts for all our students (PTA is
in the process of setting up an online
ordering opportunity with an outside
vendor)
• Board Games for Rainy Day Recess
• Additional needed items will be
communicated throughout the year as
projects are planned.
Observations…
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Spelling is a growth area
Math facts—rusty?
Writing—will need lots of practice
Reluctant Readers
“Frequent Fliers”
Very social
Organizational skills stronger
Interpersonal skills stronger
In Closing…
• Optional Parent Homework
Assignment
• Article “We Can Get Our Kids
Reading”
• Q and A