Welcome
to
Back to School Night
2010-2011
4th Grade
Mrs. Gorges
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
• We welcome you and your child to the fourth grade at
Countryside School. This presentation will provide an
overview of the upcoming year and answer questions
you may have. Although it is just one grade higher,
fourth grade is a giant step from third grade in terms of
curriculum, academic requirements, and expectations.
As the fourth grade curriculum is broad, there is more
content for teachers to present and for students to learn.
• In order to maximize the potential of every fourth grade
student, we feel that there are specific goals all of us can
work to achieve.
Teacher Goals
1.
2.
3.
4.
Establish an atmosphere of trust
Focus on developing self-esteem in each child
Focus on the positive
Develop lesson plans that creatively facilitate
district curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking
whenever possible
5. Encourage a sense of student responsibility
and pride in his/her work
6. Be a positive role model
Student Goals
1. Believe in oneself
2. Be committed and determined to learn
3. Be responsible for your work and
behavior
4. Take pride in the quality of your work
5. Be positive to other students and adults
6. Become actively involved in helping
Countryside run as a true community
Countryside/Classroom Rules
• BE RESPONSIBLE
and Ready to Learn
• BE RESPECTFUL
• BE SAFE
4th grade testing
• Reading Levels (benchmark reading
assessment)
• CogAts (Fall-end of September)
• MAPS (math and reading- Fall, Winter,
and Spring)
• ISATs (Spring)
RtI
Response to Intervention
• Students who do not meet grade level
benchmarks in reading or math for fall, winter,
and spring will be receiving additional support
through means of reading/math interventions.
• Parents will be notified.
• Interventions will be given by our classroom
assistants, classroom teachers, speech
pathologists, reading resource, diagnostician,
extended resource teacher, etc.
• Interventions will take place during your child’s
science and social studies block.
Progress Monitoring
• Students receiving interventions will be
progress monitored weekly if not bi-weekly
to ensure they are making progress and
that the intervention is working.
Organization
• Homework and Note trays
• Subject Trays for completed work
• Labeled Folders: Friday Folder, Daily
Take-Home Folder; Unfinished work folder
• Reading and Writing Binder
• Box for misc. supplies
• Predictable Routine
• Schedules are posted
Math
• Emphasis will be on developing students’ ability
to use math problem solving processes and on
developing students’ math facts, skills, and
concepts.
• We will be covering place value (thru trillions),
rounding/estimation, number sense,
multiplication (2 digit by 1 digit and 2 digit by 2
digit), division (long division), fractions (adding,
subtracting, reduce/simplify, unlike/like
denominators), measurement, hands-on
algebra, decimals, geometry, patterns, and
problem solving.
Math Facts!!!!
• Please make sure your child is working
towards mastering their MULTIPLICATION
and DIVISION facts!
Reading
• We will continue to teach our students to be
active readers by using skills and strategies
throughout the reading process.
• We will be reading a variety of genres through
leveled books, self-selected books, magazine
articles, short stories, nonfiction, as well as
novels and selections from the Junior Great
Books.
• Books Reports-Mystery and Newbery Award
Winners, Self-Selected Book Report
Making Meaning
• Our core reading program
• Delivered in a “Reader’s Workshop” model
– Shared reading/writing & Guided reading/ writing
• Sharing with partners
• Interactive Read-Aloud
• Teacher Modeling
• Strategies and skills are explicitly taught and are in a
systematic order
• Individual Reading Conferences
• Small guided reading groups (instructional reading level)
• Genre Studies
Ideas to support Reading at
Home
• Model a love for Reading
– Conversations about books and various texts
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Books on Tapes
Read together as a family
Read to younger siblings
Read aloud to your children
Language Arts
• Using Step Up to Writing, students will be writing
narrative and expository essays (6 Traits of Writing)
• Students will also be free writing, completing writing
prompts, and responding to literature through writing
• We will be using the Rebecca Sitton Spelling program
which focuses on creating everyday spellers instead of
just “Friday spellers”. (more information in parent folder)
• Grammar-supplemental material will be used
• Making Meaning vocabulary program
• Word Sorts
Science
• Scientific Method/Science Process Skills
• Science Kits:
– Land and Water (Fall)
– Electricity and Magnetism (Winter)
– Ecosystems (Spring)
• Review of: Space, Rocks and Minerals
• National Geographic
Social Studies
• Geography/Regions (Map Skills and
Globes)
• Early Americans thru the Revolutionary
War
• Current events
Computers
• Ultrakey-keyboarding (three weeks each
day for 30 minutes)
• Additional computer times will vary
depending on activities and projects
• Compass Odyssey (MAP goals)
• Literacy Activities
Communication
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Daily Take-Home Folders
Friday Folders
Email/Phone
Weekly Newsletter (Fridays)
Assignment notebooks/planner (teacher
and parent initial each night)
• Teacher webpage
Homework
• All homework is due the following day
unless specified.
• 40-50 minutes per night including selfselected reading and studying math facts.
• Late/No homework tickets issued for late
or missing homework.
• All homework assignments will be
recorded in daily assignment notebook.
How can I help my child with
homework/school organization?
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Encourage and support Independence
Routine, routine, routine
Provide minimal assistance with homework
Encourage your child to reread assignments or
directions before beginning homework
Have your child read directions aloud
Encourage your child to ask specific questions
Use textbooks when needed
Use notes when provided
Encourage your child to ask teacher for help
Grading
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A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 50-59%
• On some assignments students may receive an
assignment grade as well as a spelling grade.
• Quarter averages are composed of test, quiz, homework,
and participation grades. All tests and quiz grades are
final.
ISAT
• ISAT testing will take place during the
month February.
• Students will be tested on the following:
– Reading
– Math
– Science
• Parent power point presentation
available on my webpage.
T.E.A.M.
Together Everyone Achieves
More
Thank you so much for
coming!!!
Please sign up for classroom parties and fall
conferences!