WELCOME, FOURTH GRADE PARENTS!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

4th Grade Teachers:

Mrs. AndersonMrs. Griffith

Mrs. TaraborelliMr. Zimmerman

MRS. ANDERSON

MRS. GRIFFITH

MRS. TARABORELLI

MR. ZIMMERMAN

SWITCHING FOR CLASSES

Reading and math groupsYear-long groups with flexibility based on

need

ScienceEach teacher is responsible for a unit

Forces & Motion – Mr. ZimmermanEcosystems 2 & Space – Mrs. AndersonEcosystems – Mrs. GriffithWater Cycle & Weather – Mrs. Taraborelli

Communication among teachers

SWITCHING FOR CLASSES Inappropriate behaviors reported back

to HR teacher. Awards

HOMEWORK/CURRICULUM/TESTING 40 minutes per night for fourth grade

including reading Curriculum dictated by the State of PA who

has adopted the National Common Core Standards

Rigorous pacing required, therefore practice must be done at night

Standardized testing for math, reading, science, and writing (pilot)

Learning to read v. reading to learn Increase in inferential v. literal thinking Assessments are a combination of open and

closed book

OTTER CREEK – MATH FACTS

Memorization/automaticity v. “figuring out”

Multiplication (Jan.) and division (May)

Level-basedMedals – F, L, R, W (Multiplication)Special award and gift for those who

complete multiplication before the end of trimester 1 (early Dec.)

Silicone wristband for those who complete division

OTTER CREEK – MATH FACTS

Practice/quiz time each day in math class

Sample Practice Sheet

Your child will bring home a letter containing these instructions.

STUDENT NAME CODE

FIELD TRIP POSSIBILITIESHydroelectric Dam – Safe Harbor or Holtwood

Ephrata Cloister Community Days

Ag in the Classroom (district-wide fourth grade initiative)

SCIENCE WORKSHOP POSSIBILITIES

Lancaster County Conservation District

WatershedsBiodiversityWetlands

Hands-on, interactive activities

SPECIAL ACTIVITIESDress as a Character (October)

Thanksgiving(authentic foods from colonies)

Colonial Stations (right before holiday break)

Talent Show (May)

TECHNOLOGY FOR COMMUNICATION

Parent PortalStudent gradesClassroom information

District Calendar Online

District webpage/Fritz page

CONFERENCE SIGN-UP

Please sign up for a parent-teacher conference with your child’s homeroom teacher at the back of the cafeteria.

Thank you for joining us this

evening!