Welcome to Fourth Grade Ms Pettigrew s Class Room

Welcome to Fourth Grade! Ms. Pettigrew’s Class Room 26 Curriculum Night 2017 -2018 Sign up for Conferences Will be done on Skyward Family Access later in the year.

Good Evening! I’m glad you’re here! • Please find your child’s desk • Read your child’s letter--please write back on the blank sheet of paper. • Check the back table to sign up for volunteer opportunities. • Please write down any questions you have during the presentation on the note card on the desk

About Me UW • Graduate of University of Washington (Bachelor of Science in Psychology) • Masters in Education • I have my professional teaching certificate • This is my seventh year of teaching, my second at Lakeridge Elementary.

About Me • I am a mother, friend, colleague and teacher. I have a full life! • Mother of two, ages 11 and 14 • I live on Mercer Island • Interests include travel, cooking, running, taking pictures, and reading • Lover of the arts – music and theater

My Teaching Philosophy • I believe that every student can learn and grow • I believe that mistakes are proof that you are learning and trying something new • I believe that we need a safe, supportive environment to learn, so I work to develop a feeling of comradery in the classroom

My Teaching Philosophy How does this look in the classroom? • We talk about Growth Mindset • I individualize instruction as much as possible • We do lots of hands on activities, with students able to extend their own learning • We build a fun, positive learning environment

Class Management System • Class Expectations – Show respect – Make good decisions – Solve the problem • • • Platinum Rule Classroom Bucket Points Table Group Points Stars of Recognition Logical Consequences

PRIDE • Students recognized when demonstrating positive behavior • P = Problem Solver • R = Responsible • I = Integrity • D = Determined • E = Empathetic • Behavior Reflection Sheet

4 th Grade Curriculum Plan for the Year • There a few areas I would like to discuss further: – Math – Reading – Writing – Science

In Math Expressions expect to see…. • • • …a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations; …an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly; …frequent practice of basic skills …lessons based on activities and discussion …mathematical content that goes beyond basic arithmetic …integration of language and math talk – students will be expected to explain HOW they got their answer – We practice!

Reading • Balanced Reading Approach—students will read books at their own level • Mondo is the reading program • It includes books that will be used for Guided Reading groups to work on specific skills, at the student’s instruction level band • Mondo will be used to identify your child’s reading level • Reading Fluency Practice - Seesaw

About MONDO Bookshop • Research-Based • Common Core Aligned • Foundational Literacy Skills – Phonics/Word Study – Fluency • Comprehensive – Whole Group – Small Group – Individual

Comprehensive Literacy Promotes Differentiation • Word Study and Phonics – Foundational and language skills for proficient reading • Modeled Reading/Read Aloud – Teachers model their thinking while reading • Shared Reading – Teachers and students read digital text together to construct meaning and develop reading, speaking, listening, and language skills • Guided Reading – Small groups meet with teachers to work on-level skills • Independent Reading – Students apply what they are learning

Writing Being a Writer – New this Year!!! • Narrative Writing – Students write realistic fictional narrative and fantasy, learning about the elements of plot, character development, and elaboration in both styles. • Opinion Writing- Students build an argument about a topic and arrange ideas and evidence. • Informational Writing – Students will research a topic of interest and write informational texts. Students will also use writing to develop instructional writing materials! • Poetry– Students will learn about the elements of poetry and explore their creativity

Thank you! • Washington State does not fund curriculum as a budget line item • 100% of this adoption was paid for by you through the Mercer Island Schools Foundation! • Without our partnership with MISF initiatives and support in the classroom would not be possible • Thank you!

Word Study – Being a Writer Students are taught how to learn words and how to remember words. • Strategies for learning vocabulary include : context clues, root words, prefixes and suffixes. • Conventions and Grammar through MONDO

Word Study Spelling New curriculum this year! So excited! New word lists each week. Linked to Phonics and phonemic awareness! I will be looking for ways to challenge students who master word lists early!

Science • Food Chemistry • Circuits and Electricity • Sound • Plant Life Cycle

Experts Wanted • If you are an expert in an area that we are studying and feel comfortable in front of a classroom, I would love to have you. • Please contact me and let me know your area of expertise

Technology Integration • • Seesaw Front Row Xtra Math Myon One Drive Google Coding

Seesaw • Communication tool for the whole class – must be invited to class (you should have already received an invitation). • Also an online portfolio – students will create an individual account where they can post work for you to see! • Permission to Post

Communication • I won’t believe half of what they tell me about you if you don’t believe half of what they tell you about me. • Assume Best Intentions • Email or call me with any concerns/ questions • Website • Friday is the day things are sent home – Corrected work – Information from school, permission slips etc

Newsletters every Friday I will send home a newsletter via email or See. Saw. • Newsletter will have important information and dates of upcoming events so please make sure you read it • Week in Review – written by students! • Almost

Daily Schedule Specialists Schedule – Library is on Thursday – Art with Mrs. Tran is on Thursdays, every other week. – Music is Tuesday and Friday – PE is on Monday and Wednesday – Spanish is on Monday and Wednesday

Snack • We will have snack time twice a day (except Wednesdays) • Students need to bring their own snack- they cannot share • Snacks need to be healthy- top three ingredients should not be sugar • Examples: fruit/veggies, crackers, granola bars • No anaphylactic allergies in the class at this time! (I still can’t believe it!)

Homework/Planners • Homework will be assigned almost every night Reading 20+ minutes Math HW, Math fact practice Unfinished work Occasional writing assignments and other projects Planners We will fill out each day – PLEASE CHECK THESE! I will star planner Please sign planner after they complete their homework

Reading at Home • Students should read at least 20 minutes every night – They can read independently – They can read to someone else – Someone can read to them – They can listen to audio text • Possible Reading Log to follow as we get further into the year.

Star of the Week • Each full week a student is scheduled to be the star of the week • You will find the directions/schedule in the booklet • You do have one job on your child’s week!

Grading Rubric Grading is Standards Based. Meeting Standards: • Consistently Goes above and beyond =4 • Consistently Demonstrates = 3 • Usually Demonstrates = 2 • Seldom Demonstrates =1 • Half points indicate moving toward next level of standard

Field Trips/Celebrations • Several Field trips over the year • Still being finalized (others may be added) • Make sure you’ve completed the background check to volunteer – Toy Maker (in school) – December – MOHAI - Spring – Greenway to Sound – Spring – Pure Foods (in school) – after food chemistry

Field Trips/Celebrations • Celebrations: – Halloween – Tuesday Oct 31 st – Valentine’s Friendship Celebration – Wednesday Feb 14 th – End of Year – tbd • Food Considerations: - none at this time (please inform me if your child does have an allergy or sensitivity)

Birthday Celebrations • We will honor everyone's birthday in the classroom by singing to the student. The student can bring in small items to share with the class if they would like, and we will pass them out after first recess. • Please DO NOT bring any treats on your child’s birthday • See Birthday Celebration on See. Saw

Scholastic Book Orders • • I have created a class account QC 4 HQ is our code You may order books online only Books will be delivered to the class and given to your student (Let me know if it is a gift) • Class points accrue so that I can also build the classroom library

THANK YOU! • A huge thank you to the PTA, The Mercer Island Schools Foundation, and all parents for your continued support of everything we do in the schools. • We could not accomplish all the wonderful things we do without your support!!!

Room Parents • Thank you to this year’s two wonderful room parents! • Stephanie Gribble • Beth Flume • They will organize the class celebrations. • Contact Information

Volunteers • Volunteer Expectations • Volunteer opportunities will begin near the middle of October • You must sign volunteer paperwork in office if you plan on volunteering— even if it’s just for ONE field trip.

Supply Request • Avery 8160 labels (30 labels per sheet) • Earbuds for your child • 3 x 5 Notecards

Are there any questions? Thank you for coming! • • • Please make sure to write back to your child. Take paperwork with you and leave the notecard Please sign up for any volunteer opportunities before you leave if you wish.