1. Fourth Grade Curriculum Manning Elementary School September 2015

2. Communication is KEY! Students are the first line of communication Students are the first line of communication Agendas Agendas Conversations Conversations Email Email 4 th grade Blog 4 th grade Blog Specific instructions for major projects, etc. Specific instructions for major projects, etc. Good News Phone Calls Good News Phone Calls

3. How to reach us… E-mail is the quickest most efficient ccaliendo@cusd201.org kwalsh@cusd201.org tmazzacano@cusd201.org Phone calls can be made before or after school Phones do NOT ring in rooms until after 3:00 p.m. Specific messages are appreciated Please make an appointment before coming to school

4. Standards for Mathematical Practices Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Reason abstractly and quantitatively Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others Model with Mathematics Model with Mathematics

5. Standards for Mathematical Practices Use appropriate tools strategically Use appropriate tools strategically Attend to precision Attend to precision Look for and make use of structure Look for and make use of structure Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

6. So, how do we get the students to do that? University of Chicago Math 4 Series University of Chicago Math 4 Series Singapore Math Singapore Math Common Core Daily Skills Practice Common Core Daily Skills Practice Classroom binder Classroom binder KenKen KenKen Dyna Math Dyna Math

7. Comprehensive Literacy Model “CLM” Writing Aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Writing Aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Integrated in the CLM through reading response journals, vocabulary word work, and grammar lessons Integrated in the CLM through reading response journals, vocabulary word work, and grammar lessons Extends beyond CLM time into all subject areas Extends beyond CLM time into all subject areas Science Science Social Science Social Science Mathematics Mathematics Benefits of a Literacy Model Benefits of a Literacy Model Fosters personal accountability through independent effort Fosters personal accountability through independent effort Allows teacher to work individually and in small groups with students while optimizing individual growth Allows teacher to work individually and in small groups with students while optimizing individual growth Creates a collaborative learning environment between students Creates a collaborative learning environment between students

8. Comprehensive Literacy Model “CLM” 90 Minutes Language and Reading Block 90 Minutes Language and Reading Block Focus on challenging every child at their optimum instructional level Focus on challenging every child at their optimum instructional level Whole class activities focused on Common Core State Standards Whole class activities focused on Common Core State Standards Students are expected to practice skills tailored to their abilities Students are expected to practice skills tailored to their abilities Reading Strategies Reading Strategies Making Inferences Making Inferences Making Predictions Making Predictions Summarizing Summarizing Reading Fluency Reading Fluency Making Connections Making Connections

9. Spelling: Rebecca Sitton Taught by Mrs. Mazzacano Words tested are targeted for mastery (core words) Words tested are targeted for mastery (core words) This research based instructional program ensures that students learn to spell in the context of writing not just for a test This research based instructional program ensures that students learn to spell in the context of writing not just for a test No weekly spelling lists No weekly spelling lists Repeated words on tests Repeated words on tests Language/grammar component to program (skill test) Language/grammar component to program (skill test) Reinforces reading comprehension Reinforces reading comprehension

10. Social Studies Taught by Miss Caliendo Social Studies Alive! America’s Past by TCI Social Studies Alive! America’s Past by TCI Topics Covered Topics Covered Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt Early Civilizations Early Civilizations Explorers Explorers Colonization Colonization Revolutionary War Revolutionary War Political, social, and economic impact/influences in history Political, social, and economic impact/influences in history Hands on, interactive series Hands on, interactive series

11. Science Taught by Mrs. Walsh Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) First year of implementation First year of implementation Topics Topics Impact of Earth on humans Impact of Earth on humans Natural Resources/Environment Natural Resources/Environment Animal Behavior and adaptations Animal Behavior and adaptations Living Organism structure Living Organism structure Light waves and Sound Light waves and Sound

12. Scientific Practices Construct Construct Model Model Reason Reason

13. So, how do we get the students to do that? Rainforest Animal Project Rainforest Animal Project Science Fair Project Science Fair Project Student Scientist of the Week Student Scientist of the Week Discover a Scientist Discover a Scientist Many other projects, discussions and activities will be explored throughout the year. Many other projects, discussions and activities will be explored throughout the year.

14. Grading The grading scale we use: The grading scale we use: A=100%-90 Excellent Work A=100%-90 Excellent Work B=89%-80% Good Work B=89%-80% Good Work C=79%-70% Average Work C=79%-70% Average Work D=69%-60% Improvement Needed D=69%-60% Improvement Needed F=59%-0% Unacceptable Work F=59%-0% Unacceptable Work **be on the look out for “Fix and Return” papers coming home with your child, these are an opportunity to improve skill knowledge and student grades**

15. Behavior Classroom Rules (general): 1. Respect Everyone. 2. Do your best work at all times. 3. Be a responsible student. 4. Work quietly. 5. Be a positive member of the class.

16. Absences Students will receive an extra day to make up work if they are out sick. Students will receive an extra day to make up work if they are out sick. If your child is going to be out for more than 2 days, please call the office and we can prepare homework to be sent to the office for pickup. If your child is going to be out for more than 2 days, please call the office and we can prepare homework to be sent to the office for pickup. Students should be proactive after an absence and ensure they receive their missing work Students should be proactive after an absence and ensure they receive their missing work Homework and make-up work will not be given out ahead of time due to a vacation Homework and make-up work will not be given out ahead of time due to a vacation

17. Homework Students are assigned homework on a regular basis. Students are assigned homework on a regular basis. Daily assignments are written in assignment notebook together as a class Daily assignments are written in assignment notebook together as a class Daily checklist for students and parents to review Daily checklist for students and parents to review Completing Homework Completing Homework Essential to academic success Essential to academic success Students should be able to complete work independently Students should be able to complete work independently Missing/Incomplete Work Missing/Incomplete Work Needs to be made up Needs to be made up

18. Fourth Grade Fourth grade is a year of tremendous growth and independence. Together we can help your child become a successful student.