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Fourth Grade with Mrs. Nelson
2007-2008
Contacts:
978-921-6120 x 220
e-mail:
mnelson@beverlyschools.org
Centerville
School
* The foundation of the
Beverly Public Schools
4th grade curriculum is the state mandated, Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks. The curriculum will
be presented
in multiple formats including whole class instruction, small group, paired learning
as well as individual tutorials as needed.
Striving for a safe, fun, cooperative and respectful learning environment will encourage
students to take learning risks, motivate them to try their best and value their
own input and contributions to the class.
Literacy (Reading,
Writing, Spelling, Vocabulary)
The major goal in the
Reading
Curriculum is to foster a love of reading.
Literacy by Design pairs research-based instruction with classroom practices that
work.
This program is composed of whole class instruction, and small group instruction
in both reading and writing. “Literacy by Design follows the research that identifies
the Gradual Release of Responsibility as an effective model for supporting student
independence in reading and writing.
Independent reading and writing is part of the daily routine and is our ultimate
goal”.
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The daily lessons throughout the week include:
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Building Reading Skills – oral language, vocabulary, spelling and fluency
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Read and Comprehend – modeled reading, listening for a purpose, teaching
comprehension strategies Differentiated
Reading
Instruction – small group focus on skills listed above
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Supporting
Reading
Independence
– reviewing the comprehension strategy
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Building Writing Skills – writing forms, strategies, word study, grammar, and
shared writing Differentiated Writing
Instruction – small group focus on skills listed Above
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Supporting Writing
Independence
– reviewing and discussing strategies/skills
In addition, various genres will be chosen within grade level criteria.
Children will read trade books from awarded authors and demonstrate their
understanding of both literal and inferential comprehension through a variety of
activities. Students will also complete
monthly book projects, and enjoy Read Aloud as well.
The
Reading
Curriculum will be presented in a Guided
Reading
Approach within small groups. This
includes small group instruction with a large emphasis on independent reading. Groups will fluctuate throughout the
year.
* Other Forms of Writing not included in Literacy by Design
include FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAYS!!
Math
The math curriculum will include the concepts of place value through the millions,
estimation and computation, problem solving, probability, geometry, fractions and
decimals. A multi-sensory, hands-on
(concrete) approach will be used to optimize all learning styles of students.
Text and workbook:
Everyday Math
Math Games to supplement material being
taught
Math Journal for daily problem solving
Manipulatives such as calculators,
compasses, rulers, and computers will be used as needed.
Challenge of the Week
Science
The Science Curriculum will be taught by Mrs. Costain.
The exciting topics include Land and Water, Animal Studies, and Electricity. One unit will be taught per trimester. A lab format will be used, covering
the scientific method and experimentation.
Children will have access to the Science Lab for a truly hands-on learning experience.
History and Social Science
The Social Studies Curriculum will be taught by Ms. Costello. Students will be studying North America
with a concentration on the
US
, Civics and Government, Economics, and Map Skills.
Students will experience the land, climate, culture, government and economics
of their own continent. Topics will
include historic sites and monuments, laws, rights and freedoms, citizenship, natural
resources, scarcity and goods and services, bodies of land, landforms and water,
states, capitals and major cities in the
US
. Our neighbors to the north (Canada) and south (Mexico)
will be explored as well as the
Caribbean
Islands
and
Central America
. Projects, activities and assignments
will include a variety of materials and resources.
Classes will utilize the computer lab as much as possible for interactive
studies and research.
Writing Techniques
Although writing is part of the Literacy Block new to
Centerville
this year, we will be focusing a great deal on how to improve our writing.
A major focus of this will include using rich language in writing assignments
through the use of a thesaurus, expanding written language with details, figurative
language (similes, metaphors, hyperboles, etc.), and an entire trimester worth of
poetry techniques. Basic grammar skills
will also be reviewed and introduced, and there will also be a great deal of focus
on editing. This will be taught by
Mrs. Nelson.
MCAS
Grading
Language Arts & Math
Trimester
grading schedule
Weekly preparation
Letter grades and skill inventory checklist
Mandatory parent conferences in December
Here is some important information to make this a successful and exciting school
year!
ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOKS
At the end of each day, homework assignments,
test dates, and other important information will be written in the assignment notebooks. I write the information on the white
board for students to copy. It is the
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to copy down all the information and make sure they take
home the materials (worksheets, notebooks, etc.) necessary to complete their assignments. If they have already turned in an assignment
they do not have to copy it in their notebook.
I ask that each night, parents take a look at the assignment notebook, help your
child as necessary, and then sign the notebook page.
The assignment notebook
along with the homework folder should return to school every day.
I will check the notebooks periodically to make sure that they are being
filled out properly and that you have signed it.
HOMEWORK POLICY
* Homework will be given Monday through
Thursday
* It should take approximately 30 –
45 minutes (never more than an hour)
* Students should read at least 20
minutes at home every night (see reading log info. below)
* It is a reinforcement of what is
being done in class
* Students should try it on their own,
but can have help (please do not do it for them)
If your child does not have his/her
homework they receive a zero and be asked to fill out a Missing Homework slip. The note needs to be filled out by the
student and then signed by a parent.
It should be returned the next school day with the missing assignment.
Please make sure the assignment is done before signing the note.
The note lets you and the student know that an assignment is missing and
requires the student to explain why it was not turned in.
Any homework not turned in after two days will be a “zero” in the grade book. If homework is a lot of trouble, please
send a note in or call, and I will make time to help them with it in class. Students will not be allowed to use
school phones to call home for forgotten homework.
READING LOG
At the beginning of each month, your
child will be receiving a calendar that will stay inside of their Home/School folder. This calendar is for your child to “log
in” the amount of time they spend reading each night.
At the end of each week, I require that you sign the form to verify the home
reading. I would like to encourage
you to not always have your child read alone.
I feel it is important and wonderful for parents to read to their children,
or to take turns reading chapters each night.
This allows for some variety and a lot more interaction!
BOOK PROJECTS
As a fourth grader, the wonderful world
between the pages of books awaits your child as they spread their reading experiences. The book project styles are meant to
encourage you child to read and explore many different types of literature, and
to experiment with several types of reporting methods.
Your child will be required to complete a 4-5 book projects throughout the
year and present them to the class. These
projects will be assigned at particular times throughout the year. You will receive
more information and a book project contract at the end of the month!!
MAKE – UP POLICY
If your child is absent from school,
it is required that he/she make up the work that is missed.
The number of days your child is absent, will also be the number of days
he/she has to pass in his/her work.
I would be happy to put together homework for your child and send it home with a
friend, or you could stop by after school and pick it up yourself.
Just be sure to let me know!
QUALITY WORK
Quality work is work a student can be proud of. It follows
the directions, is neat, and was done carefully and checked. If a paper is received
that does not appear as it should, it will be given back to the student to do over.
This is on the student's own time. If a paper appears to show that the student did
not understand the concept, I will be glad to go over it with him or her.
RESPECT, RESPECT, RESPECT
In my class, I instill the importance
of making responsible choices and knowing that there are consequences if a choice
is made that endangers oneself or others.
In the same respect, I offer a great deal of praise and reward to those students
who make positive choices and demonstrate “role model behavior”.
Caring for others and the materials available to us in the classroom is important
to the entire class. I trust them to
keep things in order and to take responsibility for their actions.
The Crayon Box
That Talked by Shane DeRolf
While walking in a
toy store the day before today
I overheard a crayon box with many things to say.
"I don't like Red!" said Yellow, and Green said, "Nor do I!
And no one here likes
Orange
, but no one knows just why."
"We are a bunch of crayons that doesn't get along,"
said Blue to all the others, "Something here is wrong!"
Well, I bought that box of crayons and took it home with me,
And laid out all the colors so the crayons could all see. They watched me as
I colored with Red and Blue and Green,
And Black and White and
Orange
and every color in between.
They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shining bright on White clouds drifting by.
Colors were changing as they touched becoming something new.
They watched me as I colored, they watched 'til I was through.
And when I'd finally finished I began to walk away.
And as I did, the crayon box had something more to say.
"I do like Red!" said Yellow, and Green said, "So do I!
And, Blue, you were terrific so high up in the sky!"
"We are a box of crayons, each one of us unique.
But when we get together the picture is complete."
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