Reaching For Depth And Complexity

We strive to become Scholars!

One way differentiated instruction is accomplished in Room 19 is by integrating depth and complexity principles, theories, and generalizations into the core curriculum. Below you will see the icons used to help us reach depth and complexity.

Writing, Reading, Vocabulary, Spelling, Listening, And Speaking

Writing 

Our district requires students to complete 3 writing performance tasks; 1 per trimester. Much time will go into preparing each child for these performance tasks. 

The three genres for these tasks are: 

• Informative (read a variety of non-fiction texts to write multi-paragraph essays citing sources)
• Narrative (Using figurative language as well as components of story writing, students will write both personal narratives as well as creative stories)
• Opinion (Students will learn to "take a stand" on a variety of topics and write multi-paragraph essays arguing their point of view utilizing appropriate persuasive vocabulary)

Reading

The Language Arts series, Journeys, by Houghton Mifflin, is aligned with the California Language Arts standards and the Common Core Standards. Reading comprehension, vocabulary development, writing strategies, writing conventions, and literary responses will be incorporated with each story or novel we read.

Each Child has an individual AR Goal to meet each trimester based on reading every night at home for homework and their results from the STAR reading assessment.  Please look for your child's goal and the STAR results in September. 

Vocabulary/Spelling

Academic Vocabulary will be taught weekly and incorporated daily in all subjects.

Spelling 

Most weeks, the words will be the same for spelling and vocabulary.  Studying for the Spelling tests, which are on Thursday, will be the student's responsibility.  Please see this website and the "Spelling Word Study" page for ideas. 

Why Is Our Math So Different?

Watch this Video: http://vimeo.com/110807219

Welcome to Common Core Math

Huntington Beach City School District adapted a new Common Core math series this year from McGraw Hill called My Math! Students will be asked to "go deeper" in their understanding of math concepts. Common Core expects students to fully understand their thinking process and to be able to write about the steps they use to solve math problems.

In class we will be using math journals, white boards, videos, smart board lessons and their own text books (which they can write in) to help solve and explain their work.

Each student has a standards practice book which will be used daily and for homework.  See the link below to access the textbook online: http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do

California History is the focus for 4th grade this year.  Topics that will be covered through our Social Studies text book and research based projects include:

• California's Four Regions
• Native Americans
• Explorers
• Missions
• Ranchos
• Westward Movement
• Gold Rush
• Statehood

4th graders will participate in three science units. Our physical science unit will be Forces, our Life Science unit will be Human Body Systems, and our Earth Science unit will focus on rocks and minerals.

4th Grade Common Core State Standards

Common Core

Link specific for 4th grade math:

http://www.cgcs.org/cms/lib/DC00001581/Centricity/Domain/36/ParentGuide_Math_4.pdf

Link specific for 4th grade Language Arts:

http://www.cgcs.org/cms/lib/DC00001581/Centricity/Domain/36/ParentGuide_ELA_4_v1r5_newfont.pdf

As we look at our children's education, parents and educators need to prepare the next  generation to be productive contributing members of a global economy and an ever changing world.  This is creating a shift in education.  While educators have long been focusing on much of what Common Core standards encompass, all educators are now focusing on these elements in their classrooms. 

The major themes for teachers to focus on are called The 4 Cs:

• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Creativity

In addition, there will be a shift to nonfiction text materials, incorporation of technology, and students' backing up arguments with "evidence" derived from research.  Another emphasis will be on collaboration with others and on speaking and listening skills.

What parents can do to help their child succeed:

• Educate yourself about the new curriculum standards.  Go to pta.org and look under Core State Standards.  
• Engage your child in deeper conversations about what they are learning.  Do not accept one word answers from your child about what is going on at school. 
• Encourage your child to read nonfiction as well as fiction 

Please check out this short video, "Why Is Math Different Now?"

https://vimeo.com/110807219

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

The link below will give you more information about Common Core testing.  Students will be required to submit multiple sentence responses to support their answers during testing.  There will also be a student written essay based on multiple sources and media presented to the student during the test.  You can take a practice test to see what testing will be like.

• Go to the Smarter Balance link below:
• Click on "Assessments, "Practice and Training Tests"
• Your child DOES not need a login: Click on "Guest"
• www.smarterbalanced.org

California Department of Education

• Another link to learn more and take a practice Common Core Standards test.
• cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp

Room 19 Wish List

Ways to Help Our Class This Year:

• Monetary Contributions to Classroom Budget
• Gift cards to Staples, Michaels Craft Store, or Amazon
• Ink for our Printers
• Case of Copy Paper
• Lined Wide Rule Paper
• Astrobright Paper
• Overhead pens
• Boxes of Black Fine and Ultrafine Sharpies
• Classroom wipes: Baby wipes only
• Boxes of Tissue paper
• Colored Markers
• Help with monthly treats