CLASS EXPECTATIONS/SYLLABUS 4th Grade
Mr. Deaton Rm. 14
COMMUNICATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
What Will Be Expected From Students
What You Can Expect From Your Teacher
What Will Be Expected From Home
BEHAVIOR
Noddin is implementing a PBIS initiative. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a multi-tiered approach to social-emotional well being with positive academic outcomes. In addition, restorative justice through the use of a peace table for conflict resolution and Council in the classroom where students are explicitly taught to think, listen, and speak from the heart supports student's social-emotional growth.
Students will also be using a behavior management game called Classcraft. You can follow your student's online avatar to monitor behavior.
ASSIGNMENTS
Late or missing work:
Absences:
Grading:
• A copy of the report card used in fourth grade can be found on the district webpage. www.unionsd.org
CURRICULUM
Common Core is a list of skills that every student will be taught, broken down by grade level and subject. You can view the list here. http://www.corestandards.org/
Language Arts
Union School District has officially adopted a new English Language Arts and English Language Development framework and resources. This framework combines effective, research-based instructional resources and strategies to ensure challenging, high-quality and standards-based instruction meets the needs of each and every student. Writer's Workshop focus on the format for teaching writing with many small mini lessons, refining a work over a period of time. Words Their Way allows students to increase vocabulary and spelling skills through orthographic study. Step up to Writing provides a framework that is especially helpful with research essays and providing evidence and support for young writers' ideas. Students will produce writing from 3 genres in 4th grade: narrative, informational, and opinion/argumentative.
Math
The adopted math curriculum is Eureka Math. This is a rigorous program that ensures students understand concepts fully. Prodigy, Zearn, Quizlet, and teacher podcasts will be available to support your student’s learning.
Science
The adopted curriculum is Mystery Science. This is a hands-on, experiment-based curriculum. Students will also participate in design challenges and study the Engineering Design Process. Full adoption of the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) is in-process. The STAR test given to fifth graders covers standards taught in fourth and fifth grade.
Social Studies
The adopted curriculum is Harcourt Reflections. Throughout the year students will be learning about California history including Native populations, missions, the Rancho Period and Mexican rule in California, westward expansion, the Gold Rush, entrepreneurship and California government.
Technology
We will learn coding, word processing, digital citizenship, and online research skills. Students will also use many apps and computer-based programs throughout the year. We will work collaboratively over Google Classroom, Google Drive, and various other sites. Students are expected to create an ongoing portfolio of their work using Google Sites that they should present at open house in May. Each student has access to a Chromebook on a daily basis. FAIR AND APPROPRIATE USE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY IS EXPECTED AT ALL TIMES.
Art
We are extremely lucky to have Art Vistas and our Clay program run by our fantastic parent volunteers.
Physical Education
This year we have a program called Recess 101 at our school. The Recess 101 coach will run a class once a week for 40 minutes. We also have PE twice a week for 50 mins with classroom teachers. Additionally, short 4-6 minute "brain breaks" or physical activity are given several times a day. All of these might include strength, cardio, and team sports. Your child should wear appropriate shoes for daily PE instruction and games. No Uggs, Crocs, or flip flops for the safety of our students. Students may not self-select to be excused from PE. Students will need a note from parents or physician to be excused from PE.
FAQs
My student’s writing has a ton of spelling and grammatical errors. Why aren’t they all marked?
The short answer:
We may have been focusing on a different skill with that piece of writing.
The long answer:
Noddin is using a writing program called 6 Traits. The premise of this program is to focus on only a few traits at a time to develop writing. The 6 Traits are Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions. For example, when students wrote their autobiographical poem, we focused on Word Choice, Ideas, and Voice. The lessons leading up to the writing, the editing and grading was based on those select traits. If we are studying a particular grammar skill, I may use their writing as an assessment for that subject.
I never see writing come home in the Thursday Envelope, where can I see their progress?
Students keep their writing in their writer's journal. This is a cumulative body of work. Mentor texts and writer's craft lessons expand on the student's repertoire of literary techniques.
OK, what is the purpose of the ABC Book?
The ABC Book requires students to independently set goals, research a topic, take notes, write a summary, write a narrative, and self assess their progress weekly. It is a lot of work, and can be painful at first. Each year I see the initial struggle first hand while we complete the first letters as a class. Trust me, it gets much easier! By the end of the year, researching a topic, writing a narrative and self-assessing is close to second nature. ABC Books in Mr. D’s class will be written using My Maps-Google (different than Google Maps).
Can my student bring in treats to celebrate his/her birthday?
Only a class set of pencils.
Homework is a battle and consistently takes hours for my student to complete.
According to Union School District, homework for a fourth grader should take about 40 minutes each night to complete. This is 40 minutes of continuous, focused, learning time.
Homework is a breeze and takes 15 seconds for my student to complete.
On my website I have many links to extension challenges. Here is a brief list of a few favorites.
www.khanacademy.org
www.zearn.org
www.redbirdlearning.org
I’ve heard the term “Common Core.” What is it exactly?
Short answer
Common Core is a list of skills that every student will be taught, broken down by grade level and subject effective for the 2014-2015 school year. You can view the list here.
http://www.corestandards.org/
Long Answer
Prior to Common Core, each state had their own list of standards for what students should be taught. These standards were known to be quite broad in content but not in depth. For example, in fourth grade math many topics would be introduced but there wouldn’t be time to explain or explore the depth of these concepts. With Common Core the content is more focused, which leaves students time to problem solve and be able to explain the reasoning behind the math they are learning. Common Core has been adopted nearly nationwide. Last year our district began using Common Core Math Standards. This year with will add in the Common Core Language Arts Standards
Mr. Deaton Rm. 14
COMMUNICATIONS
- Thursday Envelopes: These envelopes keep you in touch with programs happening at Noddin. Mr. Deaton is mindful of the importance of not wasting paper and our planet's resources. If it is not necessary, I won't print it. Some weeks, no Thursday envelope is sent home. Most work is digital and accessed via Google Classroom.
- Ask your child first: Please address any homework questions towards your student. This helps to establish the expectation that the student is responsible for what goes on in class.
- Check the website regularly for updates, Tweets, and resources.
- If there are any remaining questions or uncertainties, feel free to email me: [email protected]
EXPECTATIONS
What Will Be Expected From Students
- Responsibility- Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for schoolwork and learning.
- Quality -Best efforts on all work.
- Honest, responsible, respectful and caring behavior in the classroom.
What You Can Expect From Your Teacher
- A dedicated, well-planned approach to State and District curriculum standards.
- A commitment to every student and his/her individual needs and strengths.
- High expectations for students and their learning.
- A strong desire to work with parents as partners in your child’s learning.
What Will Be Expected From Home
- A quiet place to do additional learning at home if assigned and ample time to do it.
- Students should login to Zearn (math reinforcement app) on a nightly basis for 15-20 mins.
- 15 mins of independent reading is also expected and encouraged.
- Students who have not met in class deadlines are expected to finish at home. All deadlines for major assignments and Zearn are posted on the website daily.
BEHAVIOR
Noddin is implementing a PBIS initiative. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a multi-tiered approach to social-emotional well being with positive academic outcomes. In addition, restorative justice through the use of a peace table for conflict resolution and Council in the classroom where students are explicitly taught to think, listen, and speak from the heart supports student's social-emotional growth.
Students will also be using a behavior management game called Classcraft. You can follow your student's online avatar to monitor behavior.
ASSIGNMENTS
- Students and parents are expected to check the website for assignment due dates daily.
- It is a student’s responsibility to complete and turn in work on time.
- Much of the classwork this year will be computer-based.
- Your child will need access to a computer on a daily basis. If you do not have access to a computer, one can be checked out through the Tech. Dept. (see Mrs. Erbes or contact your teacher).
- Assignments are accessed through Google Classroom.
Late or missing work:
- Work is due by the date assigned.
- DO NOT allow your child to fall too far behind on Zearn. The skills practiced directly reinforce instruction and allow your child to practice fluency in math.
Absences:
- Absences do not automatically excuse a student from required assignments.
- Please contact your teacher if there is an absence on a due date.
- It is the student’s responsibility to gather work missed during an absence.
Grading:
• A copy of the report card used in fourth grade can be found on the district webpage. www.unionsd.org
CURRICULUM
Common Core is a list of skills that every student will be taught, broken down by grade level and subject. You can view the list here. http://www.corestandards.org/
Language Arts
Union School District has officially adopted a new English Language Arts and English Language Development framework and resources. This framework combines effective, research-based instructional resources and strategies to ensure challenging, high-quality and standards-based instruction meets the needs of each and every student. Writer's Workshop focus on the format for teaching writing with many small mini lessons, refining a work over a period of time. Words Their Way allows students to increase vocabulary and spelling skills through orthographic study. Step up to Writing provides a framework that is especially helpful with research essays and providing evidence and support for young writers' ideas. Students will produce writing from 3 genres in 4th grade: narrative, informational, and opinion/argumentative.
Math
The adopted math curriculum is Eureka Math. This is a rigorous program that ensures students understand concepts fully. Prodigy, Zearn, Quizlet, and teacher podcasts will be available to support your student’s learning.
Science
The adopted curriculum is Mystery Science. This is a hands-on, experiment-based curriculum. Students will also participate in design challenges and study the Engineering Design Process. Full adoption of the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) is in-process. The STAR test given to fifth graders covers standards taught in fourth and fifth grade.
Social Studies
The adopted curriculum is Harcourt Reflections. Throughout the year students will be learning about California history including Native populations, missions, the Rancho Period and Mexican rule in California, westward expansion, the Gold Rush, entrepreneurship and California government.
Technology
We will learn coding, word processing, digital citizenship, and online research skills. Students will also use many apps and computer-based programs throughout the year. We will work collaboratively over Google Classroom, Google Drive, and various other sites. Students are expected to create an ongoing portfolio of their work using Google Sites that they should present at open house in May. Each student has access to a Chromebook on a daily basis. FAIR AND APPROPRIATE USE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY IS EXPECTED AT ALL TIMES.
Art
We are extremely lucky to have Art Vistas and our Clay program run by our fantastic parent volunteers.
Physical Education
This year we have a program called Recess 101 at our school. The Recess 101 coach will run a class once a week for 40 minutes. We also have PE twice a week for 50 mins with classroom teachers. Additionally, short 4-6 minute "brain breaks" or physical activity are given several times a day. All of these might include strength, cardio, and team sports. Your child should wear appropriate shoes for daily PE instruction and games. No Uggs, Crocs, or flip flops for the safety of our students. Students may not self-select to be excused from PE. Students will need a note from parents or physician to be excused from PE.
FAQs
My student’s writing has a ton of spelling and grammatical errors. Why aren’t they all marked?
The short answer:
We may have been focusing on a different skill with that piece of writing.
The long answer:
Noddin is using a writing program called 6 Traits. The premise of this program is to focus on only a few traits at a time to develop writing. The 6 Traits are Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions. For example, when students wrote their autobiographical poem, we focused on Word Choice, Ideas, and Voice. The lessons leading up to the writing, the editing and grading was based on those select traits. If we are studying a particular grammar skill, I may use their writing as an assessment for that subject.
I never see writing come home in the Thursday Envelope, where can I see their progress?
Students keep their writing in their writer's journal. This is a cumulative body of work. Mentor texts and writer's craft lessons expand on the student's repertoire of literary techniques.
OK, what is the purpose of the ABC Book?
The ABC Book requires students to independently set goals, research a topic, take notes, write a summary, write a narrative, and self assess their progress weekly. It is a lot of work, and can be painful at first. Each year I see the initial struggle first hand while we complete the first letters as a class. Trust me, it gets much easier! By the end of the year, researching a topic, writing a narrative and self-assessing is close to second nature. ABC Books in Mr. D’s class will be written using My Maps-Google (different than Google Maps).
Can my student bring in treats to celebrate his/her birthday?
Only a class set of pencils.
Homework is a battle and consistently takes hours for my student to complete.
According to Union School District, homework for a fourth grader should take about 40 minutes each night to complete. This is 40 minutes of continuous, focused, learning time.
Homework is a breeze and takes 15 seconds for my student to complete.
On my website I have many links to extension challenges. Here is a brief list of a few favorites.
www.khanacademy.org
www.zearn.org
www.redbirdlearning.org
I’ve heard the term “Common Core.” What is it exactly?
Short answer
Common Core is a list of skills that every student will be taught, broken down by grade level and subject effective for the 2014-2015 school year. You can view the list here.
http://www.corestandards.org/
Long Answer
Prior to Common Core, each state had their own list of standards for what students should be taught. These standards were known to be quite broad in content but not in depth. For example, in fourth grade math many topics would be introduced but there wouldn’t be time to explain or explore the depth of these concepts. With Common Core the content is more focused, which leaves students time to problem solve and be able to explain the reasoning behind the math they are learning. Common Core has been adopted nearly nationwide. Last year our district began using Common Core Math Standards. This year with will add in the Common Core Language Arts Standards