Stetson Hills 2014-2015

A+ School of Excellence

Welcome to 4th GradeCurriculum Night

"You are free to do anything that will contribute to your learning or the learning of others."

Student Expectations:*Treat all people with kindness and respect*Respect all property*Come to class on time prepared to learn*Listen and follow directions*Work in a way that doesn't distract others from learning*Always try your hardest to do your best

It is my goal to encourage your child in a positive, supportive, nurturing environment. 

Consequences:Occasionally students have difficulty adhering to classroom expectations.  We will give students cues and reminders to get back on task.  If the child continues with the behavior the following may occur:*move student to another place in classroom*move student to another classroom*call parent / e-mail parent

* note in discipline log / student planner

Severe cases may be referred to the office.

Character CountsTrustworthiness

Respect

Responsibility

Fairness

Caring

Citizenship

Our Daily Schedule

8:45-10:15 Core 110:15-11:00                 Specials11:00-12:15                 Core 2 12:15-12:55 Lunch12:55-2:10                   Core 3 2:10-3:30                     Core 4 

Special AreasArt

PE

Band/Music

Technology

CurriculumThe fourth grade team uses materials that

Deer Valley Unified Schools has adopted that support the Arizona State Standards and CCR Standards (College and Career Readiness).

ReadingMathematicsSocial Studies/Arizona HistoryScienceWritingWords Their Way

Curriculum cont.“I Can” statements will be written by the

students in their planners at the start of each core class.

Parent CommunicationStudent Planner (notes)EmailRemind 101 app (text messages)

Homework ExpectationsHomework will be written by the students in their

planners.Math and reading homework can be expected

Monday – Thursday.Homework is given to practice particular skills.Homework may also include studying for a test.Homework will also include work not completed

in class, including any work missed when absent.

Homework PolicyHomework will be checked for completion during

RTI (homeroom). Students will turn in homework when arriving at

the appropriate core class.If students do not complete homework, he or she

will sit out at recess.An after school detention will be issued if a

student has 5 late/missing homework assignments.

Writing Students will use the writing process to publish a variety of genre-related pieces.

Expressive Personal narratives, stories, poetry

Expository Nonfiction writing that describes

Functional Directions, recipes, letters, thank-you notes, invitations

Persuasive Advertisements, paragraphs

Literary Response Journal entry, book review

Research Informational report

Reading

CCR Standards (College and Career Readiness)All Deer Valley schools use the Pearson reading program (district adopted curriculum) http://www.pearsonrealize.comHomework practices vocabulary, skills,

strategies, comprehension, and Close ReadingTests given after completing a story (6-8 school

days per story)

Scholastic Book Orders

Your child will have an opportunity to order books and software at a reduced rate through Scholastic Book Company.

Monthly selections.Easy on-line ordering available or order

through your child’s teacher.http://www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

Mathematics• CCR Standards (College and Career

Readiness)• All Deer Valley schools use Engage NY

program (district adopted curriculum) • https://

www.engageny.org/resource/grade-4-mathematics-module-1

• Homework practices skills/concepts taught daily

• Additional practice is optional. Problem Set and Exit Ticket

• Quizzes are standard specific• Tests given at the end of the module.

Some lengthy modules will include an mid-module test as well.

*Standards supported with FOSS curriculum.*Inquiry process embedded in each theme:

*Landforms*Environments*Electricity/magnetism*Water/weather

*Other standards supported with supplemental materials.

Science

Social Studies/Arizona History

Harcourt Social Studies/ Arizona textbook.

Focus on geography, history and government - from early civilizations to present.

Standards-Based Practices

Deer Valley Unified School District supports the use of standards-based practices.

What are standards-based practices?The purpose of Standards-Based Practices (SBP)

are to measure a student’s performance and product against defined grade level expectations. In using SBP, grades reflect what a student knows and can do, as outlined in the Arizona State Standards. Teachers in Grades K–8 will base report card grades on academic achievement only.

Stetson Hills’ Areas of Focus Regarding Grading Practices

Avoid Recording Zeros  Zeros skew the grade to a point where

accuracy is distorted.  Avoiding zeros helps students take responsibility for their learning and be held accountable for missing work.

Avoid Non-Academic Factors  Grades communicate student achievement in

relationship learning standards; students' grades will not be reduced or inflated due to student behaviors outside of the standards.  

What do grades mean? Grades are a way to communicate with students and

parents how a student is doing in relation to the Arizona state academic standards/Common Core

A+ through A / Primary grade of E (Excellent) Student is showing a high level of mastery, exceeding the standards. 

B+ through C / Primary grade of S (Satisfactory) Student is showing a good level of mastery, approaching to meeting

mastery, in the state standards. C- through F / Primary grades of N (Needs  

    Improvement) & U (Unsatisfactory) Student is falling far below or approaching mastery of standards.  

Continued missing or late assignments may result in a parent/teacher/student conference to develop a plan for success in meeting the standards

Grading PolicyMissing assessments will be recorded as 49%

and changed after work is complete.Nothing less than a 50% will be recorded, unless

missing.Teachers will manage retakes. Students will only be allowed one retake if the

grade is 69% or lower. 70% and higher is passing.

Retakes will reflect the mastery score in Powerschools.

If the student does not have a passing score after a retake, the higher of the two scores will be entered.

*On-line grade book for parents to access.*Need a username and password to log-in.*Your child’s code is the same as last year.*If you have misplaced your information, you can stop by the front office to get another copy. (You will need to show identification)*Every attempt will be made to update grades weekly.

Powerschools

Grade Level Website

http://dvusd.org/sh-4thgrade

Remains the Same

1-2 Letter grades (E,S,N,U)

3-6 Letter grades (A,B,C,D,F)

Averaging gradesComment sections

• Format• Content standards

listed• Performance level

indicated

Changes

Grades 1-6 Report Card Revisions

•Parents can now select the “Standards Grades” tab and will be able to see a performance level for each standard

•Parents can see the performance level of their student for each of the identified standards

•Letter grade reporting remains housed under the “Grades and Attendance” tab

Parent View in PowerSchool

Description of Performance levelsThe Performance Levels indicated by 1-4 are not based on a percentage. It is a performance indicator based on the student’s performance toward meeting grade level standards

4 = Demonstrates above grade level proficiency independentlyThe student consistently demonstrates above grade level proficiency independently* for this reporting period

3 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency independentlyThe student consistently demonstrates proficiency for the grade level concepts and skills independently* for this reporting period

2 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency with supportThe student usually demonstrates the skill or understands the concepts and meets grade level expectations with support for this reporting period

1 = Demonstrates below grade level proficiency with supportThe student performs below grade level with support and is not meeting expectations for this reporting period

*Independently: The ability to demonstrate proficiency of standards without assistance after being taught a concept or skill

•4 = Demonstrates above grade level proficiency independently

•3 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency independently

•2 = Demonstrates grade level proficiency with support

•1 = Demonstrates below grade level proficiency with support

Performance Levels

Thank you for visiting!