Welcome to Curriculum Night 2015 – 2016

Thank You For Coming!

Contact Christopher Bruff Via note sent with your child Via telephone: Via on Twitter Change in dismissal: send in a note or call office

A Note About Please do not use for urgent matters messages in the Lexington Public Schools are considered public documents and may not be kept confidential For confidential issues, a time when I can reach you by phone

4th Grade Events Big Backyard to Lexington Reservoir October 20, 2015 (Rain date October 21) Harvard Museum of Natural History/ Peabody Museum Spring 2016 (date TBD) Big Backyard to Whipple Hill Spring 2016 (date TBD) If you’re interested in volunteering for field trips, please be sure you have a current CORI form on file in the office

4th Grade MCAS English Language Arts Long Composition - Tuesday, March 22, 2015 Reading Comprehension (2 sessions) – March 30, 2016 April 1, 2016 Math (2 sessions) – May 11, 2016 & May 12, 2016 Please do not book travel at these times.

Student Conferences Fall Conferences Wednesday and Thursday Afternoons October 28, 29 and November 4, 5 Spring Conferences Wednesday and Thursday Afternoons April 6, 7, 13 and 14 Sign Up Genius

Report Cards  Standard-Based Report Cards  Twice a year  January and June  More Information:  Online video (lps.lexingtonma.org, Click on ‘K-5 Standards-Based Report Card Information’)lps.lexingtonma.org

Homework 30-40minutes of assigned homework per night (Monday - Thursday) Reading at least 30 minutes per night Reading log Math Facts Flash Cards Occasional weekend assignment (ex. Long term assignment) This Week I Notebook

Grade 4 Expectations  Respect  Responsibility  Increased Independence  Organization  Making Good Choices  Effort  Having Fun

Curriculum Overview

Morning Meeting  Responsive Classroom  Every Morning  4 components  Greeting  Share (Smiley)  Activity (Growth Mindset Video)  Schedule/Message  Purpose: Belonging, Significance, Fun

Technology Wireless laptops in the classroom Type To Learn Guided Internet Research FASTT Math/Fraction Nation Microsoft Word iPad Projects Class Blog Explain Everything

Science Animal Adaptations - Crayfish Moon, Sun, Planets – Measuring Time Rocks and Minerals Technology and Engineering embedded Focus on observation and scientific writing LPS is adopting Next Generation Science Standards

Social Studies Immigration North American Geography U.S. Regions, Mapping Skills, Landforms Canada Geographical, physical, cultural, and economic aspects Mexico Geographical, physical, cultural, and economic aspects

Questions so far?

Math What are students learning? Continued topics Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions Geometry New topics Decimals, Multi-digit multiplication and division, heavier focus on fractions How am I teaching? Workshop model Everyday Math Curriculum with supplemental materials Pre-assessments to determine students’ instructional needs Independent practice, small groups, stations-based, hands on, open-ended questions, on-going review throughout the year

Sample Lesson Mini Lesson Active Engagement Share

Language Arts - Reading Reader’s Workshop: Focused Mini-lesson Independent reading Writing about reading Small group instruction Interactive Read Aloud Various Genres Teacher Modeling Reading Strategies

Quiz On the yellow Post-It Note, please answer the question. What is a fixed mindset? How will you encourage your child this year to not have a fixed mindset?

Language Arts - Writing Writer’s Workshop Writing in writer’s notebooks Conferring with teacher Writing Process Collecting, Planning, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing Genres: Narrative, Expository, Informational Narratives, Essays, Informational Writing, Poetry

Language Arts - Word Study Weekly list of words -share common pattern Differentiated word lists determined by pretest Spelling homework on occasion

Learn More About Our Curriculum Click on Curriculum Click on Curriculum Overview Click on K-5 Curriculum Benchmarks FY15

Questions? Will my child miss academic learning time if they do Strings? Should my child read the same book until they finish it?

Blank note card activity Take some time to think about what you are going to do to encourage your child to have a growth mindset this year. The blank note card will be collected and will be given to your child to read on the last day of school. What message would you like to have them read? Write it.

Thank You For Coming!

What you can take with you. Math About Me Poster Curriculum Handouts Parent Letter