Curriculum Night Curriculum Night

2011-20122011-2012

Welcome to 4Welcome to 4thth Grade Grade

Switching Classes and ScheduleSwitching Classes and Schedule

7:35- 17:35- 1stst Bell Bell7:45- Tardy Bell7:45- Tardy Bell7:45-7:50- Morning Procedures/ Announcements7:45-7:50- Morning Procedures/ Announcements7:50-8:50- Period 1A 7:50-8:50- Period 1A 8:50-9:50- Period 1B8:50-9:50- Period 1B9:50-10:40- Specials9:50-10:40- Specials10:40-11:40- Period 2A 10:40-11:40- Period 2A 11:40-12:10- Recess 11:40-12:10- Recess 12:15-12:45- Lunch12:15-12:45- Lunch12:45- 1:45- Period 2B12:45- 1:45- Period 2B1:45-2:40- Language Arts1:45-2:40- Language Arts2:40-2:45- Pack up Dismiss 2:40-2:45- Pack up Dismiss

Math Math • Emphasis on the four main operations Emphasis on the four main operations

including adding and subtracting both including adding and subtracting both whole numbers and decimals.whole numbers and decimals.

• Fractions and ProbabilityFractions and Probability

• GeometryGeometry

• GraphingGraphing

• An undercurrent of problem solving and An undercurrent of problem solving and critical thinking will accompany all units. critical thinking will accompany all units. THIS IS HUGE!!THIS IS HUGE!!

44thth Grade Science Curriculum Grade Science Curriculum11stst 9 Weeks 9 Weeks 22ndnd 9 Weeks 9 Weeks Lab Safety/Introduction WeatherLab Safety/Introduction Weather Physical Properties of Matter Patterns & ChangesPhysical Properties of Matter Patterns & Changes Mixtures & SolutionsMixtures & Solutions Properties of Soil Properties of Soil Water CycleWater Cycle Weathering & Erosion Weathering & Erosion

33rdrd 9 Weeks 9 Weeks 44thth 9 Weeks 9 Weeks Renewable & NonrenewableRenewable & Nonrenewable Energy Transfer of Organisms Energy Transfer of Organisms ResourcesResources Adaptations & Behaviors Adaptations & Behaviors Conductors & InsulatorsConductors & Insulators Plant & Animal Life Plant & Animal Life CyclesCycles ElectricityElectricity Force on ObjectsForce on Objects

Arrive on time with materialsArrive on time with materialsTurn work in on timeTurn work in on timeActivity participate in large & small group discussions and Activity participate in large & small group discussions and inquiriesinquiriesUse respectful conversation and listening skillsUse respectful conversation and listening skillsFollow Science Safety RulesFollow Science Safety Rules

Classwork/Homework ExpectationClasswork/Homework ExpectationAssigned Homework Assigned Homework is usually once every 2 weeksis usually once every 2 weeksSpecial Projects - usually 3 a year – part of which may Special Projects - usually 3 a year – part of which may require the student to complete a portion outside of the require the student to complete a portion outside of the classroomclassroomClasswork often consist of small team inquiriesClasswork often consist of small team inquiriesEach Student is responsible for his assigned job (There will Each Student is responsible for his assigned job (There will be an individual and a group grade for Team Activity.)be an individual and a group grade for Team Activity.)

Science ExpectationsScience Expectations

Social Studies- Texas HistorySocial Studies- Texas History---We will examine the history of Texas from the ---We will examine the history of Texas from the

early beginnings to the present within the context early beginnings to the present within the context of influences of the Western Hemisphere.of influences of the Western Hemisphere.

---We will discuss the geographical impact on the ---We will discuss the geographical impact on the people, economics, and government of Texas.people, economics, and government of Texas.

---We will include the importance of the many ---We will include the importance of the many cultures that have had and continue to shape cultures that have had and continue to shape Texas.Texas.

---Students will be involved in many self-guided, ---Students will be involved in many self-guided, interest based projects to guide their learning.interest based projects to guide their learning.

ReadingReading

Reading and Language Arts go hand in hand. Reading and Language Arts go hand in hand. There are two overarching goals for students for There are two overarching goals for students for the year.the year.

1)1)Fourth graders read every day.Fourth graders read every day. A wide variety A wide variety of genres and levels of complexity. of genres and levels of complexity.

2)2)Fourth graders write every day. Fourth graders write every day. Students Students typically write better when they write about typically write better when they write about topics, issues, and experiences they know best. topics, issues, and experiences they know best. Reading builds background knowledge that Reading builds background knowledge that makes writing easier.makes writing easier.

Language ArtsLanguage Arts---- We will focus on development of correct ---- We will focus on development of correct

grammar and sentence production.grammar and sentence production.

---- The students will write narrative ---- The students will write narrative compositions based on their personal compositions based on their personal experiences.experiences.

---The students will develop writing that ---The students will develop writing that focuses on factual information found in focuses on factual information found in science, social studies, and math.science, social studies, and math.

---This will all be done via the format of the ---This will all be done via the format of the writer’s workshop. writer’s workshop.

HomeworkHomework

Parents Role- Homework is a student responsibility. It is the Parents Role- Homework is a student responsibility. It is the parent’s role to make sure their students are doing their homework parent’s role to make sure their students are doing their homework and if they need help, to discuss problem areas.and if they need help, to discuss problem areas.

Homework is given on an as needed basis in Math and Science.Homework is given on an as needed basis in Math and Science.

Reading- 100 minutes per week, homework sheet on a weekly basisReading- 100 minutes per week, homework sheet on a weekly basis

Planners- Planners are filled out every day. It is important that you Planners- Planners are filled out every day. It is important that you check your student’s planner on a regular basis.check your student’s planner on a regular basis.

Take Home Folders- These go home whenever there is important Take Home Folders- These go home whenever there is important information for your student to communicate with you about. This information for your student to communicate with you about. This includes notes from the office, sign up forms, news, and graded includes notes from the office, sign up forms, news, and graded papers. If you aren’t seeing graded papers come home, ask your papers. If you aren’t seeing graded papers come home, ask your student!student!

Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

• There are plenty of ways to get involved:There are plenty of ways to get involved:• FASTFAST• KGESKGES• Safety PatrolSafety Patrol• Student CouncilStudent Council• ChoirChoir• BankBank

STAARSTAAR

Test DatesTest Dates

- Writing, March 27- Writing, March 27thth and 28 and 28thth

- Math, April 24- Math, April 24thth

- Reading, April 25th- Reading, April 25th

Attendance/Make Up WorkAttendance/Make Up Work

• It is important to be at school every day. If It is important to be at school every day. If possible try to schedule appointments outside of possible try to schedule appointments outside of school hours. school hours.

• Please send a note or call the office in the event Please send a note or call the office in the event that your students cannot attend.that your students cannot attend.

• Make up Work- For every day absent, the Make up Work- For every day absent, the student will receive an additional day to student will receive an additional day to complete make up work.complete make up work.

• Make up work will be sent home in a “While you Make up work will be sent home in a “While you are out folder”.are out folder”.

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management

• Clipboard Clipboard

• Fun Friday LunchFun Friday Lunch

• StarbucksStarbucks

Contact informationContact information

Conference time 9:50-10:40. If you would like to Conference time 9:50-10:40. If you would like to meet with us, please email or call to schedule a meet with us, please email or call to schedule a time 24 hours prior. This helps us to be better time 24 hours prior. This helps us to be better prepared to answer any questions that you may prepared to answer any questions that you may have for us.have for us.Our fourth grade webpage can be found through Our fourth grade webpage can be found through the school website at the school website at http://www.gcisd-k12.org/schools/ges/Contact Contact

The best way to contact us is through email. Our email The best way to contact us is through email. Our email addresses are addresses are david.norvell@gcisd.net , , karen.redman@gcisd.net or or austyn.vietor@gcisd.net I I

Grading PolicyGrading Policy

Grades online- Sign up in the front officeGrades online- Sign up in the front office-Encourage your students to look online with you.-Encourage your students to look online with you.

Progress Reports and Report Cards Progress Reports and Report Cards -Reports will be given out on the third week -Reports will be given out on the third week only if a only if a

student is failing or has had a significant drop in their grade in student is failing or has had a significant drop in their grade in a subject area.a subject area.

-All students will receive a report on the sixth week.-All students will receive a report on the sixth week.-All report cards go home on the ninth week.-All report cards go home on the ninth week.

Responsibility Grade-A completion grade will be taken for each Responsibility Grade-A completion grade will be taken for each assignment given for completion at home. These grades will assignment given for completion at home. These grades will be averaged together and given as a be averaged together and given as a singlesingle grade at the end grade at the end of the nine weeks. There will be one responsibility grade per of the nine weeks. There will be one responsibility grade per subject.subject.

Further Important InformationFurther Important Information

• FAST News- Sign up for district updates at FAST News- Sign up for district updates at www.gcisd-k12.org..

• Cell Phones- All cell phones must be Cell Phones- All cell phones must be turned off and out of sight if they are turned off and out of sight if they are brought to school. If you need to contact brought to school. If you need to contact your student, please leave a message your student, please leave a message through the front office. This goes for other through the front office. This goes for other electrical devices as well.electrical devices as well.

Further Important InformationFurther Important Information• Snacks- Please prepare snacks that are Snacks- Please prepare snacks that are

considered healthy for your student throughout the considered healthy for your student throughout the year. Snacks such as cupcakes, cookies, chips year. Snacks such as cupcakes, cookies, chips are things that can be placed in lunches, but are are things that can be placed in lunches, but are not considered healthy snacks.not considered healthy snacks.

• Lunch Visitation- This year a separate table will Lunch Visitation- This year a separate table will be available for parents visiting their students. be available for parents visiting their students. Only your child can sit with you at the parent table.Only your child can sit with you at the parent table.

• Lunch Order Limits- You can go online and list Lunch Order Limits- You can go online and list provisions to your students’ allowable lunch provisions to your students’ allowable lunch choices.choices.

Further Important InformationFurther Important Information

• BirthdaysBirthdays

• Visitor Sign-inVisitor Sign-in

• Volunteering- Background checks are a Volunteering- Background checks are a must.must.