Open House

1
Open House

• 9/10/09

2
Agenda

• Curriculum
• Field Trips
• Volunteering
• Homework
• Behavior and Organization Expectations
• School Procedures
• Communication

3
Curriculum

• Math
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Science

4
Our Math Program

• Core Curriculum
• Everyday Math
• Supplementary Curriculum
• Spectrum Math
• Websites
• Houghton Mifflin
• Teacher created resources

5
Everyday Math Expectations

• A problem-solving approach based on everyday
  situations.
• An instructional approach that revisits concepts
  regularly.
• Frequent practice of basic skills, often through
  games.
• Lessons based on
  activities and discussion,
  not a textbook.

6
Everyday Math Content

• Numbers and Numeration
• Operations and Computation
• Data and Chance
• Measurement and Reference Frames
• Geometry
• Patterns, Functions, and Algebra

7
Language Arts

• Daily Language Arts Block
• Readers Workshop
• Writers Workshop
• Word Study integrated throughout literacy
  program
• Vocabulary Development
• Spelling
• Grammar

8
Workshop Model

• Mini Lessons focused on specific skills
• Student independent practice and application of
  skills.
• Conferencing and self reflection
• Student empowerment- making decisions as readers
  and writers.

9
Readers Workshop

• Students are reading at least one book a week at
  their level.
• Students chart their reading progress for goal
  setting and reflection
• Students work on specific reading comprehension
  skills.
• Our goal is that all 4th graders will be critical
  readers who can read across genres for
  information and enjoyment with comprehension and
  fluency.

10
Writers Workshop

• Writers Workshop Model
• Strategies for Quality Writing
• Multiple Genres
• Writing Process
• Publications and Celebrations

11
Social Studies

• Collaboration and Cultural Activities with
• Language departments (Chinese and ESOL)
• Art
• Library and Tech
• Our main units will cover
• World and Chinese Geography
• Ancient China and Modern China
• The First Emperor, Xian and the Terracotta
  Warriors
• Chinese Dynasties
• Importance of Rivers and Water in China

12
Science

• Science Project Area
• One unit per trimester
• Foss Kits
• Water Unit
• Magnetism Unit
• Structures of Life Unit

13
Possible Field Trips

• Shanghai Museum at the Pearl Tower
• River Field Trip and Cosco Experimental School
• Shanghai Museum
• Shanghai Expo

14
PTSA Coordinators

• Lisa Coe
• Sandy Ruiz

15
Volunteering

• Volunteer Options
• Room Parents
• Parties and 4th Grade Curricular Activities
• Classroom Volunteer
• Field Trip Volunteers

16
Homework Policy

• 40 Minutes plus Reading
• Students who do not complete assignments complete
  the work at recess.
• To create a home-school link, we will notify you
  by email if your student is not completing
  homework assignments.
• Fun Friday is for students who complete all of
  their homework and it is a celebration for being
  responsible all week.

17
4th Grade Behavior and Expectations

• This year the school is increasing the focus on
  respectful behavior throughout the school.
• Hallways
• Buses
• Lunchroom and playground
• Kindness towards others
• Appropriate use of facilities and materials
• Expect emails when there are concerns.

18
School Procedures

• If students are absent, let us know by email as
  soon as possible. Include if they have a fever.
• With a 6-day rotating cycle, it is very important
  that you help your child come to school prepared
  for their special classes.
• When you are in the school, you can bring your
  child to the high school cafeteria. Otherwise,
  you can eat with larger groups in the elementary
  cafeteria.

19
Technology

• 4th Grade Tech skills
• Lab-top troubleshooting skills
• Microsoft Word
• Google Earth
• PowerPoint
• Pages
• Internet Research Skills
• Classroom blogs
• i-movie
• Podcast software
• Please bring in a USB to help facilitate
  home-school technology assignments.

20
Communication

• E-Mail
• Class Blog

21
Class Blogs

• Visit the blogs regularly.
• We post important information on the blog.
• The blogs are interactive. Post comments!