English Language Arts
SPELLING- Homework for spelling is given out every Monday. It is due every Friday, unless otherwise noted. Students need to categorize spelling words by phonetic sounds and spelling patterns. I ask the students not only study the words, but also study the patterns as well. At the beginning of the week the class completes a spelling activity tied into the phonetic sound pattern. Students keep their spelling page for the entire week to study the words.
READING- I use the Treasures reading basals, along with several novels to practice the Common Core reading standards. I start the beginning of each reading unit introducing and then discussing a variety of academic vocabulary and literary devices the students will use for that unit. Students have the opportunity for individual and group practice of these concepts with short passages as well as video and media clips. Students will then progress to larger basal stories or full novel studies applying these strategies individually.
I want everyone of my students to be a ravenous reader, as well as reading for deeper meaning. Many of these concepts are new to the students, since they have progressed from learning to read, and they are now reading to learn new concepts. Nightly reading for at least 20 minutes is very important to build fluent reading, as well as increasing student vocabulary. I understand if students have a prior commitment such as soccer, dance lessons etc. I do not assign homework over the weekends, so students have the opportunity to catch up on novels if they were unable to read during the week.
There will be trimester projects. This trimester students will read a biography novel and completing a bottle project. The second trimester students will complete a book buffet project where they will read an award winning novel that will be chosen from a list of options. The last trimester is a research project that will be a prezi presentation.
WRITING- Students will be expected to write a full narrative, as well as a 5 paragraph essay by the end of 4th grade. We will focus on expository, narrative and persuasive writing. Students will brainstorm and build on each type of writing every trimester. Students will be expected to edit and continually add details to their writing. They will also be expected to use technology with writing. Students will be writing a lot in response to text as well. We will be used the RACE text structure. Students restate, answer, cite and expand.
READING- I use the Treasures reading basals, along with several novels to practice the Common Core reading standards. I start the beginning of each reading unit introducing and then discussing a variety of academic vocabulary and literary devices the students will use for that unit. Students have the opportunity for individual and group practice of these concepts with short passages as well as video and media clips. Students will then progress to larger basal stories or full novel studies applying these strategies individually.
I want everyone of my students to be a ravenous reader, as well as reading for deeper meaning. Many of these concepts are new to the students, since they have progressed from learning to read, and they are now reading to learn new concepts. Nightly reading for at least 20 minutes is very important to build fluent reading, as well as increasing student vocabulary. I understand if students have a prior commitment such as soccer, dance lessons etc. I do not assign homework over the weekends, so students have the opportunity to catch up on novels if they were unable to read during the week.
There will be trimester projects. This trimester students will read a biography novel and completing a bottle project. The second trimester students will complete a book buffet project where they will read an award winning novel that will be chosen from a list of options. The last trimester is a research project that will be a prezi presentation.
WRITING- Students will be expected to write a full narrative, as well as a 5 paragraph essay by the end of 4th grade. We will focus on expository, narrative and persuasive writing. Students will brainstorm and build on each type of writing every trimester. Students will be expected to edit and continually add details to their writing. They will also be expected to use technology with writing. Students will be writing a lot in response to text as well. We will be used the RACE text structure. Students restate, answer, cite and expand.
Math
MATH- Most of the concepts in 4th grade in math are centered around multiplication. How frustrated and demanding math is this year, depends on the students automatic recall of multiplication facts. We will continue to review the multiplication tables in class. However, students are also learning new concepts that involve place value, fractions and geometry. The 4th grade curriculum moves very quickly throughout the year. Students start with single digit multiplication, but are expected to multiply 4 digit numbers by 1 digit numbers as well as 2 digit by 2 digit numbers by the end of the year. The best help you can offer your child for the year is finding a way to practice their math facts at home together. Students will not have math homework this year from the math books. They are to sign into Xtramath.org or to Math Prodigy games each night if possible. Some students who are struggling with particular math concepts and receive interventions with me will get a separate math worksheet occasionally as homework.
Science & Social Studies
Please note I have converted all of my science and social studies assessments to google forms so they are all digitally answered and graded. If you would like to look at the forms please see the science and social studies tabs of the classroom website. If you want to know grades for individual assessments I can email those to you.
SCIENCE- Students will be learning about life science, physical science and Earth and space science. I teach science by introducing the concepts, key vocabulary words and content for each unit for one week. The students are expected to take class notes, make predictions and have science discussions about the different concepts. Students will then apply that knowledge to different science experiments we will perform this year.
SOCIAL STUDIES- Students will focus mostly on New Mexico history this year. The beginning of the year focuses on Native American tribes and the different regions and land forms that are in New Mexico. Students will then learn about different Pueblos that were involved in the Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico. Students will then learn about Spanish explorers and Spanish settlers of the New Mexico area. We will then learn about the different regions of the United States, NM government and the historical timeline of New Mexico.
SCIENCE- Students will be learning about life science, physical science and Earth and space science. I teach science by introducing the concepts, key vocabulary words and content for each unit for one week. The students are expected to take class notes, make predictions and have science discussions about the different concepts. Students will then apply that knowledge to different science experiments we will perform this year.
SOCIAL STUDIES- Students will focus mostly on New Mexico history this year. The beginning of the year focuses on Native American tribes and the different regions and land forms that are in New Mexico. Students will then learn about different Pueblos that were involved in the Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico. Students will then learn about Spanish explorers and Spanish settlers of the New Mexico area. We will then learn about the different regions of the United States, NM government and the historical timeline of New Mexico.