Welcome to Curriculum Night

~Ms. Nordell

Childhood is a journey not a race!

Find your child’s seat. Please start coloring a bookmark for your child using supplies from their desk. Please write their name on the

back and cut it out for me to laminate.

About Me

Key Content

I can understand fourth grade

curriculum, procedures, and

expectations that will help us

work together so that my child

is successful in 4th grade.

My goals for this class…

• Foster love and curiosity of learning• Build and enhance social skills

- cooperation, communication, confidence• Increase independence and organization• Develop Habits of Mind, Future Ready Skills,

Thinking Skills- Responsible risk taking, Quality Producer, Inferring

• Develop strategies for problem solving• Create an understanding of logical consequences• Prepare for the Smarter Balanced Assessment• Transition to upper grades, increase personal

responsibility for learning

Student Expectations

Students are expected to:• arrive at school on time• come to class ready to actively

engage themselves in learning• be responsible for themselves• make choices that don’t cause

problems for others• consistently turn in their best work• follow the Wildcat Way

Parent Expectations

Parents are expected to:• provide an appropriate and supportive

environment for completing homework• empty and review your child's Home

Folder• look at child’s planner• contact me with problems, questions, or

concerns

It is my hope that parents will become just as excited about fourth grade as their students!

A Day in the Life of a 4th Grader 9:10 Morning Work

9:25 Integrated Studies/Second Step/Art/Type to Learn

10:30 Recess/Snack

10:45 Reading

11:45 Writing

12:35 Lunch

12:45 Recess

1:15 Math

2:30 Read Aloud, Planners, Jobs, Clean Up/Pack Up

2:55 Recess

3:10 Specialist

3:40 Dismissal

Classroom Management

My goal is to keep classroom & behavior management as positive as possible!

• Marble Jar• Team Points• Tickets• Praise• Treasure Box• Classroom Money/Marketplace

As needed:• Verbal warnings• CC Points• Thinking Zone• Fines

Standards Based Curriculum• Reading – Reading good-fit books, Reader’s Workshop Model,

Fiction and Non-Fiction, Poetry

• Writing – Narrative, Opinion, and Informational Writing

• Math – Math Expressions Common Core Edition, Fact fluency (x,÷)

• Integrated Units

Washington – Geography, Forests, and Sustainability

Asia – Geography, Connections to Washington

Science – Structures of Life (seeds, beetles)

• Art – Art Docent lessons

• PE/Music/Library/Technology

What is this Common Core buzz?

The Common Core State Standards are the new

national standards that schools are using to

ensure all schools are learning similar topics

across the nation.

Homework• Meant for practicing skills covered in class• Establish a consistent, organized place for homework

to be completed• Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but don’t

do the work for them• 100 minutes/week of Reading and 50 minutes/week of

Math– Fill out and return homework slip each week as evidence

• Approximately 30 - 40 minutes per night

– 10 minutes of Math Fact practice to build fluency

– 20 minutes of Reading

– Supplemented with occasional projects, finishing assignments,

writing assignments

Grading• Tahoma School District uses a standards based report

card system

• 4th grade evaluation key 4 Exceeds grade level expectations 3 Meets grade level expectations 2 Approaches grade level expectations/needs additional

practice or support 1 Below grade level expectations/area of concern

• Quick Check Rubric+ or I got it! I could help others. I’m close…I can ask questions to clarify.- I’m off. My teacher is planning to help me, but I can ask for more help!

• Four criteria: Accuracy, Timeliness, Completeness, Neatness

Absences and Tardies

• Pre-arranged absences please complete and return form in handbook (also available online)

http://lwes.tahomasd.us/

• Call or email the office if your child is home sick to excuse the absence 425-413-3500

Press or say 2, then press or say 1

• Make up work will be sent home with student upon their return to school.

• Please, please, please keep your child home if they are ill!

Volunteers• Helping in the classroom

– Clerical work such as copying, bulletin boards, correcting

• Working with students – Support math fact fluency program

• Occasional take home projects• Field trips as needed – Shadow Lake Bog scheduled

for October 29th. • Art Docent – Thank you for taking on this responsibility.

All volunteers must be cleared through the district volunteer training. If you need more

information, please ask! I’d love to have you!

Communication• Open door policy• Methods of contact

Phone: 425-413-3500 Email: cnordell@tahomasd.us Swift website – updates, messages, helpful links

• Regarding email Check and respond to email between 4:00 – 4:15 Please keep emails brief For longer messages, consider a phone call Beware of slippery fingers Send urgent messages to the office

• Allow 48 hours for a response

Miscellaneous

• Birthdays No food treats, please Small non-food treats okay as long as shared with

the whole class

• Snacks Healthy, must be eaten outside at recess

• Passes for bus, walking, bikes Must have a written note, pg. 45 of

student handbook Students give to me first thing in the morning Please call the office to change plans before 3:25

on date of change

Wish List

• Prize box prizes• Auction prizes at the end of the year• Disinfecting wipes – Wet Ones in pink tub• Kid friendly non-fiction books

Thank you! Please…

• Leave any questions you have on a sticky note with your name and I’ll get back to you

• Make sure the bookmark is cut out with your child’s name labeled

• Sign and leave your volunteer interest form or return via kid mail