2012-20132012-2013

This is my 2nd year at Patterson, as well as my 2nd year teaching 4th Grade.

This is my third year teaching CTA. Personal Info:

Bachelors in Criminal Justice, from Boise State in 2001

Masters in Elem. Ed from University of Phoenix in 2009

CTA Classic

Uses Saxon Math and is 1 year ahead.

Math concepts are taught through spiraling.

To keep aligned with math standards, supplemental material is used.

4th grade students will be piloting a new district acceleration program.

Weekly timed tests will be graded. This is a separate line on the report card and does NOT affect the overall math grade.

Uses Scott Foresman for math, and is on grade level.

Math concepts are taught in overall units.

To keep aligned with math standards, supplemental material is used.

4th grade students will be piloting a new district acceleration program.

Timed tests are not part of the Classic report card.

CTA Classic

Uses Opencourt, as well as McCall Crabs.

Supplemental materials may be used.

Easy Grammar is used, and aligns with the district standards.

2 Oral Recitations a quarter.

The Writing Road to Reading and Thinking Maps are used.

Projects are the same or similar.

Silent Reading Time

Uses Harcourt. Supplemental

materials may be used.

Grammar follows the order listed in Harcourt as well as the district standards.

The Writing Road to Reading and Thinking Maps are used.

Projects are the same or similar.

Silent Reading Time

CTA Classic

Uses The Spalding Method. It integrates, spelling, writing, and reading.

Spelling words are from the Ayres word list.

Phonograms OPR & WPR

Spelling notebooks. Dictation and marking. Spalding Cursive is used.

Words are from the Harcourt text.

The weekly words usually have a skill or theme, such as words with the “long a” sound.

Weekly spelling tests are given.

CTA and Classic use the same Harcourt Social Studies text.

Supplemental materials, such as Splash! Publications are often used.

Lessons, assignments, and projects are aligned with state and district standards.

Quarter 1 Project: Salt Dough Map of AZ Quarter 2 Field Trip: State Capitol Museum Quarter 3: Pioneer/Western Day Quarter 4: Famous Arizonan Wax Museum

CTA and classic use the same Harcourt Science text.

Supplemental materials, based on the unit being taught, are used.

Lessons, assignments, and projects are aligned with state and district standards.

Quarter 1: Life Science (Cells, adaptations, resources).

Quarter 2: Electricity and Magnetism… Begin Science Fair.

Quarter 3: Finish Science Fair… Earth Science (The Water Cycle, Weather, etc.)

Quarter 4: Review and apply The Scientific Method.

HW will take the average student around an hour. This does NOT include AR time.

HW is assigned Monday-Thursday. Includes:

30 math problems from the Saxon text. Spelling Either a grammar or reading assignment. AR Reading if needed.

Long-term projects will require extra HW time.

HW is graded based on COMPLETION. There is a separate line on the report card for HW.

Students will take a STAR test quarterly to see what their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is. This is the level at which the student can successfully read independently. I am somewhat flexible with this because of

students’ interests and background knowledge. Students will receive a Quarterly Goal. Students will read books and test on them. Students WILL be graded on AR, based on

the completion of their goal, and their average scores. This does NOT affect the overall Reading grade.

AR Home Connect

Mr. Douwstra has made changes to the Millionaires Club.

Awards are based on word count. 4th graders’ word count goal is 750,000

words.Students will receive an award when

they’ve reached ½ of their grade level goal.When they’ve reached their goal. If they read 1, 2, 3, or 4 Million words.

4th Grade’s Incentive Program. (Similar to “Rock Star Readers” in 3rd Grade).

Students will receive awards in 4 categories…Word Count# of non-fiction books readMeeting their goal and going over itEnd of quarter average score.

The difficulty for reaching these awards will change quarterly, so watch for the flyer each quarter.

I will e-mail 1 time per week with information that I feel is valuable.

When we need volunteers or supplies, I will either contact you via e-mail.

E-mail is the easiest way for us to keep in touch.

Students MUST have a note, or I must have a phone call or e-mail if there is a change of plans for the way your child gets home. If I don’t have this, your child will go home their “normal” way.

Behavior Incentives

We use the Green, Yellow, Red, and Double Red system.

A red will result in a “written warning” and the parent will need to sign.

A double red will result in a detention.

Daily Brain Break Fun Friday Praise Notes home Special Treats Etc.

Students will fill our their behavior logs daily. Parents should initial this daily.

They should also fill out their reading log whenever they read. (This DOES include when they read in-class).

Parents should sign the reading log at the end of the week.

Agendas are filled out at the end of the day, reminding the students what their HW is for the night. You do NOT need to sign this. If HW becomes an issue for a child, a parent

signature may become required at that time.

4th Grade is the year that we study AZ. Therefore, there are a LOT of great field trip ideas.

The only way we can go on one or more of these field trips, is if YOU help out with Tax Credit money.

This is NOT a deduction, but is a refund. (Talk with your tax preparer for more information).

Singles can donate up to $200 and Married Couples can donate up to $400.

Make sure to mark your form for 4th Grade Field Trips.

New online grade book: Infinite Campus

Math Book: I’m looking into whether or not there is an online version available.

Thank you for attending Curriculum Night…

If you have any questions… Ask away!