Back to School Night 2015-16 Mr. Lees Room 21 4 th Grade.
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Transcript of Back to School Night 2015-16 Mr. Lees Room 21 4 th Grade.
Introduction
• My Experience and Background
• The Classroom
• No Excuses University/College Readiness
• Why San Jose State?
Our Classroom Web Site
• “SPARTAN PRIDE” www.powayusd.com/teachers/blees
• Updated as needed a few times a month
• A critical resource for both students and parents
• An added communication/contact piece
Contact Info
• School e-mail: [email protected]
• School phone and extension: (858-748-4334 x-2121)
• Weekly e-mail distribution of class newsletter (also posted to classroom web site)
4th Grade Curriculum
• Language Arts: Journal Writing, Mountain Language, Spelling, Wordly Wise, Reading Series, Core Literature Books/Lit Circles/Novel Studies, Common Core Standard Modes of Writing (Narrative, Summary, Response to Literature, Expository/Reports of Information)
4th Grade Curriculum
• Math: Math Expressions Common Core Journal and Homework & Remembering Book, California Math Book supplementation, Basic Math Facts, Math Word Wall, Math Talks/Number Talks, Math Literature, STEM Based Projects
4th Grade Curriculum
• Science: Biomes, Habitats, and Plant and Animal Adaptations (Life Science); Rocks, Minerals and Basic Geology/Physical Geography (Earth Science); Matter, Energy, Electricity, and Magnetism (Physical Science)
4th Grade Curriculum
• Social Studies: California History, Geography, and Basic Economics
• The Arts
• P.E.
• Listening/Speaking Skills
• Character Education
Curriculum Enhancement
• Compass Learning (cl.powayusd.com)
• Sumdog (www.sumdog.com)
• RIT games linked to classroom web site
Assessment Plan
• At least once a week: Spelling tests• At least once every two weeks: Wordly
Wise tests• About once a month: Science chapter
tests• Sporadically: Reading Selection tests• 5 times a year: Social Studies unit tests• After every unit (could be 2-3 weeks long
or one month or longer): Math unit tests
Assessment Plan
• MAP testing 3 times a year (fall, winter, spring) in Reading, Math, and Language
• SBAC in English/Language Arts and Math with additional performance tasks for each area
• Report cards each trimester
Organization
• Desk• Notebooks (Reading,
Writing/Spelling, Math, Science, Social Studies)
• Binder with dividers (same subjects as above)—goes home, comes back each day
• Supplies and replenishing them
Homework• Primarily core subjects of Reading and Math
—daily written math assignment, daily 30 minutes of reading, weekly written reading log
• Unfinished classwork (Due Friday list)• Prepare (STUDY!) for tests• Parent Signature Items• Assignments copied in Homework Calendar
and communicated in weekly Newsletter, which is posted to Web Site
Extra Credit/Challenges• Covers wide range of curricular and extra-
curricular areas• Emphasis on creativity and leadership
(based on learning pyramid research)• Competition and pacing/rigor also• Opportunities offered in class and/or posted
to classroom web site and communicated in weekly newsletter and also via Google Docs
• Changes every few weeks
Learning Pyramid• Lecture 5%
• Reading 10%
• Demonstration 20%
• Audio-Visual 30%
• Discussion 50%
• Practice By Doing 75%
• Teach Others 90%
Assertive Discipline
• Colt Way/Character Counts
• Optimal Learning and Working Environment (Emphasis on Focus and Work Ethic and Engagement)
• Rules/Guidelines/Policies for Behavior and Work Completion
Assertive Discipline• The Weekly Behavior Chart: goes home
Monday, comes back signed by parent each week
• The classroom Weekly Hall of Fame• The Weekly Spartan Bucks Checkbook• Prizes/Rewards• Warnings/Time-Outs/Missed Recesses/Seat
Changes/Other Parent Contact/Effect on Report Cards
• Referrals
Goals and Incentives
• Goals Assemblies: based on goals set by students after MAP testing reveals areas of needed growth and also challenges students to reach expected or optimal growth for the year.
• Running Club Goal
• Read My Way to College Program—earn an honorary degree!
• Scholastic Book Orders: Preferred method is to go online and order at scholastic.com using our classroom code; two or three different catalogues available per month; takes less than 2 weeks to arrive usually. Let me know individually if you prefer to order “snail mail” and send a check.
Odds and Ends
Odds and Ends• Field Trips: We are allowed 3 per year
—last year we went to University of San Diego (college readiness), Indian Hills Camp in Jamul (social studies and science), Gemology Institute of America (science).
• Mission Reports/Projects: Info on this starts coming home in December; entire process is finished at end of January or first week of February.
Odds and Ends• Birthdays: Store-bought treats may
be brought in (one for each child); per school board policy, we pass out upon dismissal for afternoon recess
• Box Tops for Education: Please look for these and save them for us—they earn money for our school
How Can Parents Help?• Encourage your child/Support the teacher• Communicate with child and teacher• Join PTA/Support Foundation• Donations for requested items or events• Room Parents/Party Help• Special Projects/Events (Fun Run, Field Trips)• Volunteering for schoolwide positions• Volunteering in the classroom (Arts Attack?
Science expertise?
Wishlist?• College shirts for all our students (PTA
takes lead on this)
• Board Games for Rainy Day Recess
• Athletic Equipment for PE Sports and/or Office Supplies or gift cards to places where these can be purchased
• Additional needed items will be communicated throughout the year as projects are planned.
Observations…
• Writing—will need lots of practice• Reluctant Readers• “Frequent Fliers”• Very social• Organizational issues• Work completion issues