1. Welcome to 4 th Grade Greenfield Intermediate School

2. The 4 th Grade Teachers rfada@gcsc.k12.in.usrfada@gcsc.k12.in.us Rhonda Fada: reading, ELA and social studies rfada@gcsc.k12.in.us hjohnson@gcsc.k12.in.ushjohnson@gcsc.k12.in.us Heather Johnson: reading, ELA and social studies, Quest reading and ELA hjohnson@gcsc.k12.in.us klewis@gcsc.k12.in.usklewis@gcsc.k12.in.us Kim Lewis: math and science klewis@gcsc.k12.in.us arush@gcsc.k12.in.usarush@gcsc.k12.in.us Amber Rush: math and science, Quest math arush@gcsc.k12.in.us sseelman@gcsc.k12.in.ussseelman@gcsc.k12.in.us Sara Seelman: reading, ELA and social studies sseelman@gcsc.k12.in.us czellers@gcsc.k12.in.usczellers@gcsc.k12.in.us Courtney Zellers: math and science` czellers@gcsc.k12.in.us dbatton@gcsc.k12.in.usdbatton@gcsc.k12.in.us Deena Batton: resource dbatton@gcsc.k12.in.us Amy Bishop, Amber Markus and Tiffany Reighley: Instructional Assistants

3. Tonight’s Focus We are pleased to meet with you tonight to discuss questions you may have about 4 th grade at GIS. For the privacy of your child, we will NOT be discussing individual student performance. We encourage you to sign up for the Parent-Teacher Conference. They are October 29 and November 2. If you feel it is necessary to speak with your child’s teachers before conferences, please contact us to schedule a meeting before or after school.

4. Principal’s Principles Principal’s Principle #1 Treat others as you want to be treated No Matter How They Treat You! Principal’s Principle #3 Respect the learning. Principal’s Principle #2 Control only those things that are in your control, don’t worry about that which you cannot control.

5. 4 th Grade Values RESPECT yourself, your school, and others who are here to learn. MAKE GOOD CHOICES. Life is about making decisions and being the best you can be. BE RESPONSIBLE. Plan and prepare to work hard. Do the things you know you should. Keep our school SAFE and SECURE. Take PRIDE and be PROUD to make your school the best it can be.

6. Blue Day Schedule 7:50 – 7:55Homeroom 7:55 – 10:20Class 1 10:25 – 10:45Class 2 10:50 – 11:20Lunch 11:25 – 11:50Recess 11:55 – 2:00Class 2 2:05 – 2:10Homeroom

7. Gold Day Schedule 7:50 – 7:55Homeroom 7:55 – 9:30Class 1 9:35 – 10:45Related Arts 10:50 – 11:20Lunch 11:25 – 11:40Recess 11:45 – 12:05Class 1 12:10 – 2:00Class 2 2:05 – 2:10Homeroom

8. Grades Every student will have a final grade of A, B, C, D or F. That grade will be a reflection of the student’s performance in class according to Indiana Standards. A= exemplary mastery of the standards B= showing acceptable mastery and growth of the standards C= Showing growth in most standards with some mastery D= minimal mastery and minimal growth F= non mastery, little growth, below grade level

9. Grading Practices

10. Why do we give grades? What do they mean?

11. What does each illustration tell you?

12. What do grades NEED to do? Communicate progress and achievement to families Communicate progress and achievement to professionals Inform the instructional process

13. Who would you hire for a job at a local repair shop? “This case study illustrates the critical connection between teacher’s intent and how grades are actually calculated” (O’Connor 31).

14. Case Study

15. Which student would you want to pack your parachute? Chronological trails

16. Mean vs. Median Student Y 9699946197 9699946197 –Mean = 89.4% –Median = 96% –Is this a “B” student? Student Z –Mean = 71.2% –Median = 68% –Should this student pass? Student Z 92 74 68 64 58 Student Z 92 74 68 64 58

17. The Effect of 0 Student A 868686086 868686086 Mean = 68.8% –Does this accurately reflect what the student knows and can do? Median = 86% Mode = 86% Mean (with 50% instead of 0) = 78.8%

18. Traditional vs Standards Based Grades TestsQuizzesHomeworkProjects Standard 1 –Critical topic A –Critical topic B –Less critical topic D Standard 2 –Critical topic A –Critical topic B –Critical topic C

19. Assessment and Reporting Traditional: 81%= B- Standards Based: Critical topic 1(S1)= C+ Critical topic 1(S2)= B+ Critical topic 2(S2)= B-

20. Grades Check PowerSchool to monitor your student’s grades. Teachers will post grades as frequently as possible. Updates should appear every week. A student’s grade can change often throughout the grading period. Each teacher determines how assignments will be scored. Tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects, etc. can hold different weights toward the final grade. Report cards are posted online or in hard-copy (at request) each 9 weeks.

21. Absent Work It is GIS policy that the student has one day to make up absent work for each day absent. It is the responsibility of the student who is absent to get with teachers to determine what he/she missed. This can be done when your student returns to school. Arranging to have your student’s absent work picked up is helpful. This is preferred if your student will be absent for several days. Notification can be made with a call to the office or an email to your student’s teachers.

22. Homework Homework will be assigned. Homework is used as a review of skills being worked on in class. It is opportunity for students to work independently to practice skills. Students are expected to complete and turn in assignments on time. Homework is due at the start of the Rotation for which it was assigned. Missing or incomplete homework will be completed during recess in “study hall.”

23. Homework and Grades It is our expectation that homework is completed by the student. It is wonderful if you are able to help your student with his/her homework; however, if you are having to DO the homework because your student seems “lost,” please contact your student’s teachers. Work turned in LATE will be identified with “l” alongside the grade in PowerSchool. Work turned in LATE will be identified with “l” alongside the grade in PowerSchool. Absent work will be identified with “ab.” Absent work will be identified with “ab.” MISSING work will be identified with “m.” MISSING work will be identified with “m.” It is a teacher’s discretion as to whether missing work that is completed later will receive all, partial, or no credit.

24. Homework and Planners Students are expected to record assignments daily in their planner. Assignments will be on the board in every classroom. Always check your student’s planner for assignments NIGHTLY. Planners should be signed nightly. An ADULT signature is required on the planner. A signature on the planner is an indication that the adult has looked at each assignment and has verified completion. Homeroom teachers will check for signatures each morning. Teachers will stamp or put a sticker on the date if everything was turned in on time and complete. If something wasn’t turned in, teachers will note that in the planner either will a highlight or a NH.

25. MOOSE Binder M.O.O.S.E. stands for Managing Our Organizational Skills Everyday M.O.O.S.E. stands for Managing Our Organizational Skills Everyday Inside the binder your student needs: Inside the binder your student needs: –Assignment Notebook –Pencil Pouch –3-Pocket Plastic folders –Loose-Leaf Paper The following slide shows what the binder should look like and how it will be organized. The following slide shows what the binder should look like and how it will be organized.

26. MOOSE Binder This is the requested 1 ½-3 inch binder. This binder has front and back pockets for additional papers the students may wish to carry. This zippered pouch will be used to carry extra pencils, colored pencils, etc. for daily classroom use.

27. MOOSE Binder This is the assignment notebook that will be provided for daily use. Here is a plastic 2-pocket folder with 3 holes to go into the binder. Students need 3 folders, one for Math/Science, one for ELA/Reading/Social Studies and one to organize homework and take-home papers. Loose-leaf paper will be needed in the back of the binder for classroom activities.

28. 4 th Grade Economy Students will be involved in a mini-economy. Classroom money (MOOSE money) will be given in return for:  completing homework  getting the planner signed  attendance  good behavior Students will be able to use the money to qualify to attend special events and to purchase items at the MOOSE store. Students NOT following rules will lose money. Donations for the MOOSE store are accepted and appreciated.

29. 4 th Grade T-Shirts Shirts are $11 each. We provide Youth and Adult sizes. We have order forms tonight. Cash or check is accepted. Please make checks payable to GIS. Order forms due Friday, August 28 th.

30. Staying in Contact Students will be filling out their assignment planners DAILY. An adult should check the planner DAILY for assignments and messages from your student’s teachers. Please visit our webpage regularly for important updates, upcoming events, and classroom activities. You can access our page on the Greenfield Intermediate School website. Emailing and leaving voicemails are also great ways to keep in touch with teachers.

31. Staying in Contact We are sending out daily assignment updates via Remind so that you can double-check homework and announcements against your child’s planner. In order to receive messages on Remind, YOU must sign up via email or text. Informational sheets were provided at Meet Your Teacher Night or were sent home with your student the first couple days of school.

32. Remind

33. Cougars and Cubs Program Overview Cougars and Cubs is a program designed to provide educational resources for fourth grade students who attend Greenfield Intermediate School as well as offer mentoring and service opportunities for Greenfield-Central High School students who qualify. Twice a week select high-school students will travel to G.I.S to meet with fourth grade students for one-on-one tutoring/mentoring. A one-on-one approach to learning gives young students a chance to move past obstacles that may be preventing them from reaching their full academic potential and provides students access to individualized help. High school volunteers are given the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on child’s life as well as further develop their own leadership and mentoring abilities. The critical focus of Cougars and Cubs is to uncover and exemplify skills and potential in all of the students who participate, both the Cougars and the Cubs.

34. Cougars and Cubs: Primary Goals Primary “Cub” Goals: Foster a positive attitude towards school Provide guided homework assistance Build Reading and Math confidence and efficacy Model positive character traits These goals will raise reading and math comprehension and fluency and improve concept understanding and skill mastery. We hope this ultimately produces academic success and positive attitude toward school. Primary “Cougar” Goals: Set an example Improve leadership abilities Expand interpersonal skills Become a part of something bigger than yourself These goals will help students develop into productive citizens and effective employees. (college and career readiness)

35. Parent-Teacher Conferences Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on October 29 and November 2 from 2:30 – 7:00. Parents will be able to sign-up online via the GIS website for an appointment with your child’s homeroom teacher. Additional details will be provided closer to the date of the conferences.

36. QUESTIONS??? AttendanceTransportationMedicationLockers Paper Heading Student Handbook Volunteers/Field trips/Background check

37. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year with you and your student!