CURRICULUM NIGHT 4 TH GRADE CATS SCHOOL YEAR

Students will think critically, making connections across the curriculum Students will engage in hands-on activities Students will work together to solve problems and produce projects Students will participate in in-depth studies Students will develop and modify short term and long term goals Students will be self- directed learners Students will develop appropriate interpersonal skills Students will locate and utilize effective resources Students will design and create quality products C.A.T.S. GOALS AND INTENTIONS

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION Same content area, with more breadth and depth Project based learning Make connections through curriculum Accelerate pace of study Encourage broad variety of products More critical thinking Allow for in-depth learning Real world assignments Cooperative learning Recognition of different learning styles

READING Reading is an important part of our everyday lives. Students should read for enjoyment as well as for school and learning. There will also be cross-curricular reading. This year students will have the opportunity to read at their level when checking out books from the library and also in the classroom. There will be occasions when the students will have the opportunity to read a book of their choice at school. However, we expect independent reading practice to be a part of each child’s evening routine in addition to any homework assignment he/she might have. In our class, we will utilize Literacy Circles and discussions to bring depth to reading. We will focus on having more complex text and discussion in a whole group and small group setting.

LANGUAGE ARTS/WRITING Great writers write everyday! It is impossible to separate reading, spelling and language; therefore we would not want to. Thus, our writing program focuses around all aspects of language. We concentrate on the Six + 1 Traits of Writing tool. This tool will help students learn how to organize their writing with clear ideas and content. Students will also explore with creative word choices while exercising all the conventions of good writers. Spelling tests will be given each Friday.

MATH The topics to be covered include: fractions, number sense, and geometry. We will be using a variety of math games, puzzles and manipulatives to teach the concepts. We will concentrate a great deal on problem solving and critical thinking. All instruction will help prepare students for real-life problems where math skills are required.

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES SCIENCE – The students will be studying Classifying Living Things, Populations and Ecosystems, Animals and Adaptations, Energy and Magnetism, and the Water Cycle. We will be exploring these topics through the scientific method. There will be science fair projects completed at school in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. SOCIAL STUDIES – The students will be studying the history of Arizona. We may be taking a few field trips that enhance this study. We will also have a Wax Museum that showcases people from our state, which will include a research project and might require some extra help at home from parents. Because Social Studies involve a lot of reading and comprehension strategies, we will be integrating Reading and Social Studies as often as possible. In our classroom, we will also be using Primary Source documents and other supplemental materials when available to learn more in depth about the topics we will be discussing.

HOMEWORK HOMEWORK – Homework will consist of practice of what was studied throughout the day as well as review information to assure your child continues to build on existing skills. Students’ assignments will be written in their planner (I call it their agenda). The planner needs to be signed on a daily basis. Please check your child’s homework before signing the planner. This will continue to help your child learn to treat his/her homework as a valuable part of learning. Homework will be assigned on a daily and weekly basis. Each night (Monday-Thursday) students will have math homework that will be assigned by their math teacher. Each week the students will receive a choice board which will be assigned on Friday and must return the following Friday. There will also be several larger projects spread out throughout the school year..

REMINDERS  Dress Code  Junk Mail  Grade book  Drop Off/ Pick up