1. Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School
Welcome!
SCHOOL YEAR
Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School
Mrs. Barbara McMahon
Grade 4
8/26/2019

2. Who is Mrs. McMahon?
Teacher for over 35 years Master’s degree with many credits in specialized coursework 2001 recipient of Gates Foundation grant entitled Teacher Leadership Project Knowledge of spectrum of curriculum from having taught grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, as well as experience as specialist for Talented and Gifted students, and computer specialist for a 5th/6th grade school in Massachusetts.
8/26/2019

3. About Our Classroom
Attendance: being on time leads to stress-free start Absences: please call if work is to be sent Trips: keep a journal, read. Other work to be made up upon return. Birthdays! – celebrated in afternoon. Treats for class of 28. Summer birthdays? NO PEANUTS! Parent Volunteers? YES, YES, YES! Sign up… Field Trips: Not possible without parental help. First field trip is scheduled for Sept. 28 to Fay Bainbridge Park to get inspiration from nature, as a writing project.
8/26/2019

4. 4TH GRADE HOMEWORK
Folders sent home on Monday afternoons with two due dates: Wed. and Fri. usually.
Parental assistance needed for child to make a work plan for the week’s assignments
TIME: minutes daily, including 20 minutes of reading in assigned book
QUALITY: Parental review needed: neatness, spelling, completion, thoughtful response
DUE DATES: Meeting deadlines successfully is an important life-skill. Child must organize folder and backpack to return work on time.
8/26/2019

5. 4th Grade Curriculum LANGUAGE ARTS: integrated themes:
JOURNEYS and ADVENTURES
MYSTERIES
GREEK MYTHOLOGY
SCIENCE FICTION/SCIENCE FACT
Reading contracts: balance of choice and assigned reading - promoting student independence
Writing – strong emphasis
often built around the ongoing theme
Spelling: Instruction in rules of spelling
the 100 Lifelong Words
personal word lists
8/26/2019

6. 4th Grade Curriculum MATHEMATICS – Investigations Math
Emphasizing number sense, mental math and reasoning
Much of the practice is accomplished through game playing
Memorization of basic math facts important
Considerable practice in basic arithmetic is still needed
HEAVILY SUPPLEMENTED by other math activities and lessons to include work in measurement, geometry, probability/statistics, all operations, and problem solving
8/26/2019

7. 4th Grade Curriculum History of Bainbridge Island
SCIENCE
Seeds and Germination
Water
Electric Circuits
Environmental Education at Olympic Park Institute
SOCIAL STUDIES
History of Bainbridge Island
Washington State history
Maps and Globes skills
Time for Kids weekly newsmagazine
8/26/2019

8. Parent Conferences
October 5, 6 and 7 Fall Planning conferences (AM+PM)
Sign up for Oct. conference at office TODAY
March 7-9 Spring conferences
Communication pathways
Telephone:
Note from home
Please make an appointment rather than if you have a major concern
8/26/2019

9. Grading
Tied to assessments and to progress in meeting the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRS) 4 = excellent performance, skills, knowledge (beyond grade level expectations 3 = solid performance and meets grade level expectations consistently 2 = partial understanding or accomplishment of grade level expectations. Student is progressing. 1 = student has difficulty understanding or achieving grade level knowledge and skills, and needs additional practice or support.
8/26/2019

10. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!
8/26/2019

11. QUESTIONS?
8/26/2019