Back to School Night 2015-16

Mr. Lees

Room 21

4th 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: blees@powayusd.com

• 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

In Closing…

• Optional Parent Homework Assignment

• Article “We Can Get Our Kids Reading”

• Q and A