1. Welcome 4th Grade Curriculum Night August 30, 2011 Mrs. Baird Math/Science Mrs. Connell LA/SS Mrs. FreeneySelf Contained Mrs. Harris Math and Science Mrs. Montgomery LA/SS

2. Communication Planners -- *transportation changes in writingPlanners -- *transportation changes in writing Webpages: check frequentlyWebpages: check frequently Email / Phone: Our contact information is on the webpage. Due to the district filter, if you do not receive a response to an email within 24 hours, please call the school.Email / Phone: Our contact information is on the webpage. Due to the district filter, if you do not receive a response to an email within 24 hours, please call the school.

3. Student Agenda Expectations (Planner) Planner signed daily—teacher & parentPlanner signed daily—teacher & parent Student will record assignments and/or learning goalsStudent will record assignments and/or learning goals Parents note transportation changesParents note transportation changes

4. Homework: check each teacher’s website for policies District Policy for daily and test grades: www.nisdtx.org “Grading Guidelines”

5. Grades: Communication & Access 3 week progress reports 6 week report cards Access in E-School Plus through NISD website

6. DisciplineLove&Logic Making Responsible Choices www.loveandlogic.c om

7. Language Arts Reading Workshop- this block consists of 15 minutes of direct instruction, a 40 minute independent work period, and a 10 minute closing. During the reading workshop, students will focus on reading strategies, novel studies, independent reading, guided reading, and reading response. Writing Workshop- this block consists of a 10 minute mini- lesson, 40 minute independent work period, and a 10 minute closing. Students will focus on the writing process while working on expanding and supporting their writing ideas. This time will include independent writing, peer editing, one on one conferencing, grammar instruction, and peer collaboration. Word Work- this time will focus on spelling and vocabulary development. Mrs. Connell, Mrs. Freeney, and Mrs. Montgomery

8. Social Studies It’s All About TEXAS!!! Geography Citizenship Government History Economics Culture Technology

9. Math Target the ? and 10 Minute Math will warm your child’s mathematical mind up at the beginning of class. Investigations lessons will encompass solving problems to learn mathematical concepts (operations, geometry, number sense,etc..) Workshop times are weekly and will provide opportunities to reinforce, develop and extend concepts. Fact Fluency is a must. To be successful, your fourth grader needs to be efficient, fluent and accurate with addition and subtraction facts. We will focus on multiplication and division facts this semester. Please review at home daily! Mrs. Baird, Mrs. Freeney, and Mrs. Harris

10. Science Science class will be a mixture of hands on discovery, non-ficition reading and expository writing…We will discover science, read about it and write to reinforce our understanding. Students will keep a science notebook in class to record labs, respond to videos and articles. We will use the notebooks to display data, charts and graphs and write conclusions in CER format. Several formative grades will come from their notebook work. Mrs. Baird, Mrs. Freeney, and Mrs. Harris

11. Volunteering Parent volunteer forms availableParent volunteer forms available Background check / forms from office and on Beck website (background checks need to be updated yearly)Background check / forms from office and on Beck website (background checks need to be updated yearly)

12. Birthday Celebrations Parents are able to provide a treat to be shared within the last hour of the day. The treats must be dropped off at the office, or the student can bring them to the classroom. There can be no party favors, no parent attendance, and no pictures. The treat time will be limited to 10 minutes according to the Beck Handbook and NISD policy.

13. Websites Beck WebpageBeck Webpage www.nisdtx.orgwww.nisdtx.orgwww.nisdtx.org Select Schools buttonSelect Schools button Select Beck Elem.Select Beck Elem. Access teacher webpages / “Staff”Access teacher webpages / “Staff” Lori Baird Allison Connell Ashlee Freeney Cori Harris Christe Montgomery

14. Thank you so much for spending this time with us! We are looking forward to a great year. Lori Baird, Allison Connell, Ashlee Freeney, Cori Harris, and Christe Montgomery