WELCOME Parents. Communication Classroom Blog: Email: [email protected] Follow.

WELCOME Parents

CommunicationClassroom Blog:

https://collins4th.wordpress.com

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradcollins406

School Blog: Camarenaelementary.com

Daily Schedule 8:15…Opening: Quick Write/Quiet Read/XtraMath

8:45…Math

10:00...Recess

10:15…Literacy Block: Shared/Guided/Book Club(Social Studies, Science embedded)

11:25…Lunch

12:10…Literacy Block: Read Aloud, Shared/Guided/Book Club, Writing, Grammar

(Social Studies, Science embedded)

M,W,F 12:15-1:00 PE

1:00 – 2:30 Social Studies/Science DI Rotation (M-Th)

2:30 tech help/writing extension

2:45…Dismissal

Eureka MathAlso known as Engage New York

Conceptual understanding first

Build, Draw, Explain … before algorithm

Daily practice, note taking, explicit instruction (Go Math materials and on-line support for homework)

Charts, notes, lessons & videos posted on the classroom blog

WritingStudents will use both a digital and a handwritten format

Grammar and editing are taught using the Looking at Student Work approach.

Students are taught three genres of writing:NarrativeOpinionInformational/Expository

Students will be using Google Classroom for many of our writing assignments as well as for doing their Writing journal and Book Club note taking. This is where they will publish their work digitally. They can also access this from home. This will enable them to build their portfolio as well as receive direct feedback from me. By January, I will have them post work on KidBlog that they can share with others and gain a greater audience and as well as feedback.

ReadingStudents are required to read for 30 minutes in class in addition to the 30 minutes required for homework.

Students will meet for small group instruction to work towards increasing fluency, building vocabulary, and strengthening reading comprehension. 4th graders are expected to read 120 WPM with 98% accuracy and score at least a 8/8 for comprehension to be considered a proficient reader.

Students participate in discussions during read aloud and shared reading using accountable talk

Both fiction and non-fiction text will be utilized throughout the school year

Book Club will begin at the end of this quarter. Students will be required to read daily and take notes on what they are reading. More information to follow..

Read Alouds This year we plan to read the following books in class:

Wonder, By R.J. Palacio (this is what we are reading now) This story is told from many perspectives. It is a cleverly written and moving piece of fiction. A must read for all.

Esperanza Rising

Out of My Mind

I am Malala [young Reader’s edition) (The focus is on the right to education and its value to society)

All four of these books are considered exemplary text. Students will discuss the subject content, the author’s writing craft, and the theme through classroom discussion and written response. Please engage your children throughout the year by asking them about their current read aloud and inquire about the details and the theme that we are focusing on.

TechnologyStudents will learn how to utilize:

The Classroom Blog

KidBlog (The second half of the year)

Edmodo

*Google Docs/ Google classroom

All of these can be accessed from home.

They will also be learning how to use a variety of presentation Apps that we have on our devices.

Each 4th grade classroom is equipped with 9 Ipads, 12 New IBM books and 5 MacBooks.

If you would like your child to bring their own device to use in class, please be sure to pick up a release of liability form this evening before you leave.

Social Studies

Students are learning about

California’s history.

ScienceThis will be the third year we are using the Next Generation Science standards.

These standards are designed to give students a deeper understanding in each of the core areas allowing for student to build on what they have learned the year before.

Students will have opportunities to explore and experiment in order to better understand this valuable content.

Physical Education

Our weekly schedule includes 100 minutes of physical education, most of which is done outdoors, however some of the activity may take place inside the classroom.

We go out to P.E. for 35-45 minutes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Keep this in mind when your child puts on their shoes in the morning.

P.E. is a requirement and therefore students are expected to participate. If your child has a condition that limits their participation, be sure to let us know so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Program Support

Music

Dance

Photography

Art

Theater

Digital Media

Over the course of the school year, there are specific days scheduled for grade level teaching teams to collaborate for the purpose of looking at student work and testing data as well as to design appropriate instruction for your children. During those times we will have 6 VAPA collaboration teachers working with your children in the following areas:

Wellness PolicyPlease remember, as per the district Wellness Policy, that food (including healthy items) can not be brought in to celebrate birthdays.

We are limited to two class parties (with food) per year. We will have one party just before the Christmas Break and the other at the end of the school year.

Students may have a water bottle in class. Please get something that can be sealed shut so that they do not spill their water on their work.

Please pack a healthy snack for the nutrition break.

Behavior Management

In room 316, we use Class Dojo for groups and individual behavior management.

Each student can earn points for being on task, discussion participation, and for taking on a classroom responsibility.

Prizes from the prize box are won with 20 points.

Points are lost for bad choices

HomeworkHomework is assigned weekly, due every Monday

Students are encouraged to record their homework assignment on a homework log or planner

If it takes your child more than an hour to complete their homework, please send in a note.

Students are required to read at least 30 minutes every night

How You Can HELP

Your child’s success in school is dependent upon all of us doing our part and that requires communication

Follow the classroom blog so that you are notified by email each time new information is added

Follow the Camarena school blog so that you are aware of calendared items and special events.

Schedule your conference

If you have some free time and would like to volunteer, please do so

FieldtripsWe are researching which fieldtrips we believe best correlate with the fourth grade Common Core Standards.

Transportation is costly, therefore we are limited to the amount of field trips we can take and will ask for bus fee donations to help support any of our school day outings.

We are currently scheduled to do the overnight stay on the Star of India (end of Jan). The cost for each student to participate in this outing will be approximately $80.00. We will have more information for you by the time we have conferences.

AssessmentsFourth Grade Students are assessed in Reading, Writing and Math.

There are 7 modules in our math program. Each of those modules include a pre, mid and post assessment. We use pre-assessments to gauge your child’s current level at the beginning of each module in order to help guide our instruction throughout the school year.

Students are given a pre and post writing assessment each quarter.

Students are given the QRI reading assessment to check for reading progress throughout the year.

Students are given district and state assessments at the end of the year in all three of these areas.

ConferencesI will post a google calendar on the blog. Email me 3 good time slots, and I will plug in your appointment.

Feel free to bring a list of questions when attending your child’s parent-teacher conference so that we don’t forget to cover anything.

QUESTIONS????