Welcome to Colina’s Curriculum Night

WELCOME TO COLINA’S CURRICULUM NIGHT

Feel free to take a look at our bioglyphs in the hall and try to identify your student’s work based on the clues!

Agenda About me Class schedule,

classroom expectations, and homework policy.

Changes in curriculum due to adoption of Common Core Standards

Resources used to teach the common core standards

Parent information links regarding common core standards.

A TYPICAL DAY IN THE 4TH GRADE

Planner’s and announcements Math and Math IFG’s Specials – P.E., Library, Computer Lab,

Art and Music. Science, Social Studies, and Health Recess and Lunch Language Arts: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Literature

Grading Scale 90%-100% A 89% – 80% B 79%-70% C 69%-60% D Below 60% Failing Students scoring below 60% will be given

the opportunity to work with a teacher during Friday study hall and will repeat the assignment.

Student Responsibilities Love and Logic In this classroom, we do not cause a

problem for ourselves or others. Students are responsible for their own

learning.

Weekly Completion SheetStudents will bring home a

reflection sheet each Monday. It will summarize the student’s personal goals and behavior summary. Please look for the progress reports each Monday in your student’s take home folder, sign, and return the following day.

Homework Homework will be sent home on Monday

and due by the following Friday morning. Homework teaches responsibility and

time management. Homework will include math, reading,

writing, grammar and typing assignments.

Positive reinforcement Praise Participate in Friday incentives Positive note or phone call home

Behavior Consequences Warning Recovery in classroom or buddy teacher’s

room Study hall Phone call home from student

Common Core State Standards

The common core state standards were released in 2010.

The common core standards were designed with the workplace in mind. So, students will be working on taking the role of scientists, historians, researchers, and more.

Changes to Language Arts As the common core is implemented, students

will be expected to read more difficult text sooner, and discuss what they read at a more complex level. For example, instead of pulling out individual text elements, such as characters, plot, and setting, students will be reading or listening to various stories, and will compare stories using their understanding of text elements. (www.education.com)

There has been a shift to 50% literature and 50% informational text.

Language Arts In Language Arts, we will continue to use

the Harcourt series text books, thinking maps, and to teach the Common Core State Standards.

In reading the focus will be on understanding and analyzing more difficult text.

“Students should be able to read like detectives and write like investigative reporters” – David Coleman

The Shift in Mathematics Heavily focused on problem solving and

quantitative reasoning (applying mathematical concepts and skills to solve real world problems).

K-5 focus is on number and operations

Math We have 60 minutes for math and 30

minutes for Instruction Focus Groups in the morning.

Our resources include the Scott Foreman series text books and the Investigation series.

Changes to Assessments

Compared to current achievement tests, common core assessments will likely be more difficult. Ideally, instead of multiple choice tests, students will be analyzing and synthesizing information, writing essay responses, and answering in-depth questions to show how much they understand.

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness For College and Careers (PARCC) assessments will eventually replace AIMS

(www.education.com)

Science, Social Studies, and Health Reading and Writing will be heavily integrated

with Science, Social Studies, and Health in order to meet the Common Core State Standards.

Emphasis will be placed on analyzing and synthesizing the text in our Science, Social Studies, and Health resources. Students will use this informational text to me more informed about the world around them.

Social Studies We use the Harcourt series text books as

a resource. Fourth grade focus is on Arizona history.

Native Americans Government Map Skills Landforms Geography

Health We use the Harcourt Health series text

books. Life Management Skills Personal Health and Hygiene Safety and Injury Prevention Nutrition Human Growth and Development

Science In Science, we use Foss Science Kits to

guide our instruction. The 4th grade focus includes: The Scientific Process Magnetism and Electricity Water and Erosion Animal Adaptations Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

ContactI believe that frequent contact between

teacher and parent is key to the success of all students.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns.

My voicemail is 480-541-2747My e-mail (preferred) is

[email protected] information is listed on your

curriculum night phamplet

Thank you

Thank you for attending Colina’s 2014-2015 curriculum

night.