Welcome Welcome to to

Back to School NightBack to School Night

2012-20132012-201344thth Grade Grade

Mrs. GorgesMrs. Gorges

Dear Fourth Grade Parents,

• We welcome you and your child to the fourth grade at Countryside School. This presentation will provide an overview of the upcoming year and answer questions you may have. Although it is just one grade higher, fourth grade is a giant step from third grade in terms of curriculum, academic requirements, and expectations. As the fourth grade curriculum is broad, there is more content for teachers to present and for students to learn.

• In order to maximize the potential of every fourth grade student, we feel that there are specific goals all of us can work to achieve.

Teacher Goals

1. Establish an atmosphere of trust2. Focus on developing self-esteem in each

child3. Focus on the positive4. Develop lesson plans that creatively

facilitate district curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking whenever possible

5. Encourage a sense of student responsibility and pride in his/her work

6. Be a positive role model

Student Goals

1. Believe in oneself2. Be committed and determined to learn3. Be responsible for your work and

behavior4. Take pride in the quality of your work5. Be positive to other students and adults6. Become actively involved in helping

Countryside run as a true community

Wildcat Rules

• BE RESPONSIBLE • Be READY to LEARN

• BE RESPECTFUL• BE SAFE

PBIS

• Positive Behavior Intervention System• By following school and classroom rules and

going above and beyond what is expected, students can earn PAWS.

• PAWS can be given by any member of the school staff.

• Each month students can cash in their PAWS to participate in a PAWS celebration “booster”.

• Students can use their PAWS in the classroom to cash in for different rewards.

4th Grade Testing

• Reading Levels (Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Reading Assessment)

• CogAts (Fall-end of September)• MAPS (math and reading- Fall,

Winter, and Spring)• ISATs (Spring)

RtIResponse to Intervention

• Students who do not meet grade level benchmarks in reading or math for fall, winter, and spring will be receiving additional support through means of reading/math interventions.

• Parents will be notified.• Interventions will be given by our classroom

assistants, classroom teachers, speech pathologists, reading resource, diagnostician, extended resource teacher, etc.

• Interventions will take place during your child’s science and social studies block.

Progress Monitoring

• Students receiving interventions will be progress monitored weekly if not bi-weekly to ensure they are making progress and that the intervention is working.

Individual Goal Setting

• The goal setting process will take place 3 times per year in both reading and math.

• Goals will be based on reading and math MAP scores & reading benchmark assessments- focusing on areas of weakness or below grade level.

• Each student will participate in the goal setting process and as a team (teacher, parents and student) we will work together to help the student achieve his or her goals.

•

Organization

• Homework and Note trays• Subject Trays for completed work• Labeled Folders: Friday Folder, Daily Take-

Home Folder; Unfinished Work Folder; Portfolio• Reading and Writing Binder• Box for misc. supplies• Predictable Routine• Schedules and routines are posted around the

room and located in student folders• Assignment notebooks will be filled out daily

Homework

• All homework is due the following day unless specified.

• 40-60 minutes per night including self-selected reading and studying math facts.– Reading minutes will need to be signed weekly– Math facts will need to be signed nightly

• Late/No homework tickets issued for late or missing homework and due the next day.

• All homework assignments will be recorded in daily assignment notebook.

How can I help my child with homework/school

organization?• Encourage and support Independence• Routine, routine, routine• Provide minimal assistance with homework• Encourage your child to reread assignments or directions

before beginning homework• Have your child read directions aloud• Encourage your child to ask specific questions• Use textbooks and given resources when needed• Use notes when provided• Encourage your child to ask teacher for help

Encourage your child to check over their work when completed

Communication

• Daily Take-Home Folders (notes and daily homework assignments)

• Friday Folders (parent signature needed-graded work and notes)

• Email/Phone• Weekly Newsletter (Fridays)• Assignment notebooks (teacher and parent

initial each night)• Teacher webpage (updated daily or weekly)

Ideas to support Reading at Home

• Model a love for reading and share your thinking as you read

• Compliment your child on his or her reading• Have conversations about the books and various texts

your child is reading• Books on CD• Read together as a family• Read to younger siblings• Read aloud to your children• Have your child read aloud to you• Ask questions

Spelling • We believe in creating everyday spellers not

“Friday” spellers.• Lists will be individualized based on a spelling

assessment.• Lists will include but not limited to grade level

words, words specific to each student’s individual spelling stage, content-area vocabulary words, grade level high frequency words, student chosen words, vocabulary

• words, and words from your child’s

writing.

Ideas to support Writing at Home

• Model a love for writing• Compliment your child’s work• Encourage your child to journal or write

stories• Provide support or assistance only

when needed or asked• Show interest in your child’s writings

and provide positive feedback• Celebrate good writing

Math Facts!!!!

• Please make sure your child is working towards mastering their MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION facts!

Computers

• Ultrakey-keyboarding• Additional computer times will vary

depending on activities and projects• Compass Odyssey (MAP goals)

– students can access Compass Learning at home.

• Compass Club• Classroom Blog

Grading

• A = 90-100%• B = 80-89%• C = 70-79%• D = 60-69%• F = 50-59%• On some assignments students may receive an

assignment grade as well as a spelling grade.• Quarter averages are composed of test, quiz,

homework, and participation grades. All tests and quiz grades are final.

ISAT

• ISAT testing will take place during the month February.

• Students will be tested on the following:– Reading – Math – Science

• Parent power point presentation available on my webpage.

T.E.A.M.Together Everyone

Achieves More

Thank you so much for coming!!!

ngorges@barrington220.org

847-756-2874