NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Preparing all students for success in a changing world
Bradford Woods Curriculum Night
Welcome
4th Grade
Curriculum Night
Fourth Grade Teachers
Mrs. Twidwell– 4A
Mr. Lundy – 4B
Mrs. Marshalek – 4C
Math Curriculum
Harcourt Publishing
Mathematics Program
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Rigorous mathematical program
Aligned with Pennsylvania Common Core
Develops critical thinking skills
Addresses individual differences
Written communication component
Various assessment pieces
Technology integrated into the program
Good transition between the elementary and middle school
programs
Rocket Math (Otter Creek)
Mastering math facts through
sequential daily practice
Math Placement Criteria
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ITBS (Iowa) Test Scores
End of Book Test
Teacher Attribute
Basic Facts
Both the total points and number
of students determine the grouping. The
difference between Academic I and II
is the pace and/or depth of the
curriculum.
Math Grouping
(Grades 3,4,5)
Academic 1 Students will study each concept in great depth, using
a variety of enrichment activities. Pacing may be quicker, depending
upon the needs of the students.
(Mrs. Marshalek, Mr. Lundy - 4th grade; Ms. Janardhanan – 5th
grade)
Academic 2 Students will study each concept, using a variety of
remediation and/or enrichment activities, based on the needs of the
students. Pacing will also reflect the needs of the students. Test
accommodations may occur.
(Mrs. Twidwell, Mrs. McCurdy – 4th grade)
All students will receive the same curriculum per grade level.
ELA – English / Language Arts
Themes and Lessons
• The Storytown series is organized by
Themes, Lessons, and Skills.
• Six Themes will be covered during the
course of the school year.
• Each Theme is comprised of a series of
Lessons. Each Lesson lasts for
approximately one week and is further
organized by a variety of stories,
activities, and skill development focus
points.
Harcourt Storytown
The Storytown series focuses on explicit, systematic
instruction with a spiraled review of key skills. Student
experience many opportunities for practice and the
application of concepts. In addition, a series of leveled
activities and resource materials exist to meet the varied
needs of learners. Sample skills that are developed through
these resources include:
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Various types of literature (Main and Paired Selections)
Robust Vocabulary (weekly quiz)
Comprehension (Focus Skills and Focus Strategies)
Fluency, Accuracy, and Reading Rate
Grammar and Writing
Use of Dictionary and Reference Sources
Writing Journal
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Weekly Writing Prompt –
due Wednesday
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Grading Rubric / Expectations
Text Dependent Analysis (TDA)
Require students to
provide evidence from
the text and to draw
inferences based on
what the text says in
order to support an
analysis.
Spelling
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Harcourt Spelling will drive spelling
instruction
Weekly Unit
Pretest on Monday, homework due
on Thursday, and test on Friday
Cursive practice
Social Studies
United States Regions
Explores the five major regions of the
United States, as well as the culture,
economic system, and government of the
nation.
Social Studies Content
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
Exploring the United States
United States Economy
Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
Southwest
West
Student Achievement
• Reinforcement of Reading,
Writing and Grammar skills
• Opportunity to explore
additional Math concepts
• Encompasses PA Core
expectations and skills
Science
Four Science Units
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Life Science
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Earth Science
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Physical Science
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Space and Technology
Content
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Experiments
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Quizzes and tests - Study guides; study
skills; essay questions
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Research projects (Power Point)
Make-up Work
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Pull-outs and absences
Pull-outs and Activities
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Band/Orchestra Lessons
Band/Orchestra Rehearsals (no make-up
work)
Chorus (no make-up work)
GOAL
Reading Support
ELA +
Speech
Other
Band, Chorus, & Orchestra Rehearsals
● Elective classes - not required
● Students who are not at a rehearsal will be…
o participating in extension/remediation activities
o working on special projects
o will NOT be scheduled for study hall-like periods
Band and Orchestra students need to bring their instrument and
music every week. Chorus students need to bring their music
every week.
● Band – Wednesday at 1:00
● Chorus – Wednesday at 1:45
● Orchestra – Wednesday at 1:00
● Band and Orchestra Lessons – Monday through Friday
Band Concert – Monday, Dec 21, 2015 (error on district calendar)
Band & Orchestra Lessons
● Schedules have been distributed by Mrs. Semanco & Mr.
Klicker
● Students are to attend their lesson every week
● They are to bring their instrument and music every week
● They may leave for their lesson five minutes before
scheduled lesson begins
● Band and orchestra students are required to make-up
any work missed while attending their lesson
District Tests
ITBS - Iowa Test of Basic Skills
January 11 – 15, 2016
CogAT - Cognitive Ability Test
February 1 – 5, 2016
 PSSA – Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
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(ELA, Mathematics, Science)
April 11 – 29, 2016
Homework Procedure
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Homework requests (per handbook)
Missed homework procedure – Signing of
the homework binder
Communication with parents after three
missed assignments (email, phone call or
note home)
Points for completion of homework
Assignment Book
Daily Assignment Board
Assignments are posted on teacher
web page.
Electronic Grade Book (Tyler)
and Report Cards
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Four grading periods (nine weeks)
On-line report cards with Tyler
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Link to NA web page
www.northallegheny.org and click on
the link
https://grades.northallegheny.org
Navigation of the North Allegheny
and BWE web page
www.northallegheny.org
Click on Bradford Woods Elementary and then Quick
Links to find information on a variety of topics.
On-Line Textbooks
Parents and students will have access to books and tutorial sites on-line.
Our BWE web page provides links to the Harcourt and Scott
Foresman products and applications.
http://www.eharcourtschool.com/ (Math and Social Studies)
http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do (Reading)
For all Harcourt books (Reading, Social Studies, Math) students
use their 6 digit number to login:
userid: na######
password: ######
http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com (Science)
For Scott Foresman books they use their 6 digit number and
Tigers1 for a password
Userid: NA######
Password: Tigers1
Clearances
Get Cleared – Volunteer
http://www.northallegheny.org/domain/1964
Classroom Behavior Management
Bradford Woods
Annual Science Expo
Friday, February 19, 2016
The Bradford Woods Science Expo is an opportunity for BWE parents and
other community adults to share their knowledge and expertise in some area
of science. Topics may include physics, earth and space, biology, technology,
or any science related topic. Formal demonstrations or informal exhibits are
welcome.
Demonstrations will be for BWE students and their families. Students will
rotate through areas of interest.
Exhibits will be on display throughout the evening and may include slide shows,
experiments, hand-on activities, lectures, visual displays, etc.
Examples:
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Astronomy
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Motion – gravity, pushes, pulls, friction
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Organisms – plant and animal survival, adaptations, classifications
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Environmental changes – air, water, soil, vegetation, people, wildlife
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Electronic technology – robotics, movie making, military, speech recognition,
artificial intelligence
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Geology – rocks, minerals, fossils, hazards
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Medicine
Interested parents: Expo Registration Forms will available on the BWE web
site or from your teacher. Please mark your calendar!
Wellness
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We adhere to the District Policy #3441
regarding wellness.
We strongly discourage edible birthday
treats.
Teachers may not use food as a reward.
If food is planned for any class event, an
ingredient list must be submitted to the
nurse 48 hours in advance.
Communication
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E-mail
atwidwell@northallegheny.org
bmarshalek@northallegheny.org
rlundy@northallegheny.org
Written note
Message through office
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724-935-5081
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Our Power Point Presentation will
be available on our web pages.
Feel free to visit your child’s
classroom.