Monthly Curriculum Review

August 30, 2014

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we have just finished our first month of school! 4E has been working hard to build routines and get to know each other. Building a strong “family” in 4E will help students take risks, try new things and work together for their 4^th grade year.

Here are brief blurbs about our current units of study:

During Reading Workshop, we worked in August Building a Reading Life, where students talked about their strengths and goals as readers as well as routines and strategies for improving reading performance. As we move into September our lessons will shift to Following Characters into Meaning. These teaching points will help students deeply investigate the characters in the books they are reading, which will help them develop interesting characters during the Arc of the Story narrative writing unit.

In Writing Workshop, students are taking the small moment ideas we gathered in August and building larger story plots or Story Mountains with our unit called Arc of the Story. This arc begins with a small problem and shifts to larger and larger problems, which must be overcome by a main character.  

For science, students are using the scientific method and a variety of experiments to explore magnetism. We are shifting into electricity next week as we explore circuit boards. Students will continue to explore both concepts and develop theories and understandings of how the two are connected

In math, students have been exploring Geometry. We have reviewed geometry basics such a identifying polygons, classifying triangles, angles, lines, and rays. Students will continue to measure angles, shapes sides, determine lines of symmetry, and classify shapes throughout September.

A note on homework: Please check your child’s Green Homework Folder.

Students are always welcome to bring home at school work to practice and review at home, as long as they return their work the next day.

Read: We are asking students to log their reading at school and at home and write short notes about their thinking while reading.

Writing: Once a week, students are asked to write to me or Ms. Morris with a reading response letter.

Occasionally, students will be asked to continue to work on drafts and idea brainstorming for writing workshop.
Science: Scientific Method Experiment homework is due mid-month. When your student is finished with their experiment, please send it into the classroom. Students will start sharing their experiments in class this week. Be creative with your questions and tests. The focus is on following the Scientific Method.

Math: all students should continue to work on either multiplication or division skills.

IXL and Khan accounts should focus on Geometry and basic computation skills.

Students may borrow games to use at home: Polygon Capture and Angle Tangle.

Thanks for reading, 

Ms. Chris

4th Grade Technology Update

Dear Grade Four Parents,

We are pleased to share that all grade 4 students have successfully participated in their first round of Technology Bootcamp, which took place yesterday afternoon. Technology boot camp is comprised of highly-focused mini-lessons aimed at teaching digital citizenship and technology skills in order to meet the needs and expectations of teaching and learning. All lessons have been carefully planned and are aligned with our AISC Technology Standards and Benchmarks. Sessions are hands on, led by teachers and technology specialists, and directly related to learning in the class.

Please take a moment to read through the lessons and ask your child to share what they have learned. It is important to note that these lessons are introductory and will be reinforced throughout the year and embedded into units of study.

Google Research Tool- Searching for information and images can be tricky. Students were introduced to the Google Research Tool. This tool is a built in feature in Google Docs and Slides which allows users to search and filter images by license without opening a new tab or exiting the document.

E-Portfolio Setup- Blogger accounts follow the same privacy guidelines as all the other web content at AISC. This means first names only, and no sharing of personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, or personal plans. Unlike the AISC web pages, the only way anyone can access your child’s portfolio is if they have the exact address which is not published or searchable by Google or any other search engine. Please look for your child to be be emailing home the link along with a template message that can be forwarded to any “cloud audience” people in your child’s life. We will also be including some tips and guidelines that can help those special people give encouraging feedback.

Gmail Profile Picture- Each student has a profile picture associated with their school email address. Email is a great communication tool. This year, your child will explore its many uses while learning to be a safe digital citizen. Please note, the profile picture is only visible to people within AISC domain, meaning only teachers and students at AISC will see the profile picture.

Creating Bookmarks- There are many online resources and tools your child will be accessing this year. This just makes navigation to important sites easier for everyone!

Creating a Youtube Channel- Your child created a Youtube channel of their own and practiced uploading a sample clip. Youtube is a great place to upload projects, video clips, or movies. Online safety is our first priority. Youtube videos are always set to Unlisted which means only people with the link can view the video.

It was a fantastic afternoon and the fourth grade team, in addition to the tech team, was excited to see so many students learning so many tech skills in such a short amount of time. These tech rotations will continue periodically throughout the year.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

The Fourth Grade Team and the AISC Tech Integration Team

From Ms. Chris about 4E

Communication via Moodle and Class Blog--AISC uses the web application Moodle.  Moodle, essentially, is a virtual learning environment that allows students to access all sorts of interesting content when they are away from school.

In 4E, I will primarily be communicating with all parents through my newsletter blog (4Ehasnews.blogspot.in). I will write a newsletter every other week but check in often to find school reminders, assignments, class pictures, student updates on school from their perspective, and more.

In addition, I encourage all parents to email me with any concerns, questions, appreciation, etc. It is always good to hear how students are doing at home as well as their perspectives on how school is going. I often see a different side to students in the classroom than the side you see at home. Please feel welcome to contact me at any time.

Parent Volunteers--At Back to School Night, I had a sign-up sheet for parent volunteers. I would love to have some parents come in a couple times a month to help students build math skills, to practice reading, to help publish stories, and more. If you are interested, please send me an email with the times that are best for you, and what you are interested in helping with.

Birthdays--In 4E, we celebrate birthdays at 3:15. Parents are welcome to send in or come into the classroom for birthday snacks. Please contact me to set up a date to celebrate your child’s birthday.

Drop off and Pick up--AISC has a new policy that all children need to be supervised on campus. Therefore, I will meet the students at the 4E pillar in the covered walkway at 8:25 to pick up the students. At the end of the day, I will bring students to their ASA class and keep the rest of the students at the 4E pillar until they are picked up. If you want your child to meet your driver outside, let me know and I can send them to the gate. If students are not picked up by 3:45, I will drop remaining students at Elementary Reception.

Back to School Night Information

Fourth Grade “Back to School Night” 2014-2015 School Year

Our Team--The Fourth Grade team is made up of five homeroom  teachers, 3 EAL specialists, and 2 teaching assistants:

• Rachel MacDonald 4A,
• Britt Thorpe 4B,
• Jyotsna Nanda 4C,
• Pam Thomson 4D,
• Christina Thompson 4E,
• Andrea Morris, EAL Specialist 4D
• Deanna Doherty, EAL Specialist 4B and 4C
• Ms. Mona and Ms. Valar are our teaching assistants.
• Ms. Lauren Schneider is our associate teacher

Computers in the classroom-- All grade four homerooms have a laptop for each student and 5 iPads in the room, but some students may wish to bring their own device too. If you have not done so already, please read the letter carefully (link below) from the IT department. If your son or daughter wishes to bring in his/her own technology, please print and sign the BYOT configuration form.

https://docs.google.com/a/aisch.org/document/d/1uhU2NAjzZk_TwMFUKZsah4JfgY8qFxAB50Y16nUPMU0/edit

Room Parent/PTA Volunteer--As in the past, we will be seeking a Room Parent/PTA Volunteer for each classroom. This position is combined. As you visit your child’s homeroom on August 21st, please consider volunteering for this. There will be a sign-up sheet in the room detailing the responsibilities required. We encourage two or even three parents to share the responsibility and take turns organizing events. In grade four, we have study trips, writing celebrations, end of term celebrations, and the like.

Curriculum: The Elementary School Handbook is a valuable source of information about AISC curriculum. Below is more specific information about grade four’s curriculum.  

Balanced Literacy--We follow the Columbia University Teacher’s College model and their units of study for reading and writing. Our current reading unit of study is termed "Building a Reading Life." This means that we are teaching students how to select “Just Right” books, read for long periods of time, log their reading, and begin to write and talk about reading. Other units include a look at characters in realistic fiction, historical fiction book clubs, non-fiction reading, poetry, and many readings for science and social studies. Writing workshop allows us to extend our reading into our writing and we are continually writing about our reading. These five themes allow us to build our writing life in grade four: narrative writing and building realistic characters, writing about history, poetry and its many devices, and personal opinions and the persuasive essay. Also, writing about science and/or social studies happens on most days.    

Social Studies--Our social studies curriculum centers on South Asia’s geography, culture, and history; and, big picture issues that lead to problem solving and a global perspective. Our study trip with StoryTrails allows us to spend a day with a South Indian family; and, our visit to Speed Trust allows us to explore the lives of women and children in India through an organization that is providing access to job training and education. During trimester two, we move to the ancient civilization of the Indus Valley and explore the roots of modern India. Archeologists believe that the Indus Valley traded with the ancient Mesopotamians, and that city planning may have began on a large scale on the banks of the Indus River. During our final trimester, our unit titled, “Water as a Human Right” provides a platform for exploring global water issues and their impact on human rights.

Science--Fourth graders use the scientific method and hands-on materials to grow into budding scientists. This year, they will work in collaborative groups; they will observe and record their findings in a science notebook; and they will read books and articles about science throughout the year. During trimester one, our unit, Magnetism and Electricity, builds observation and collaboration skills while learning new content. During trimester two, we push our thinking about energy further while studying “Solar Energy”. We end the year with a look at the Solar System. Our study trip to the Birla Planetarium allows us to further spark our curiosity about the stars.

Math--Fourth grade is a big year for math. Students will build competency in multiplication and division facts. They will also be developing skills in geometry, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Our goal is to differentiate math teaching and learning as much as possible. With laptops available in all grade 4 classes, teachers are further able to differentiate math instruction using online tools, such as IXL and Khan Academy.

Field Trips--Fourth graders will go on four school outings that support the curriculum.  

• Organic Farm: guided by Story Trails--Most Indians are still living in rural areas and therefore a visit to a farm is an essential piece of our study of “Life in India”. Approximately two hours from school, this farm is truly an organic farm and our students get to see it up close. We even get to sow some seeds!
• Speed Trust--Exposure to social issues, such as gender imbalance, is essential to understanding “Life in India and South Asia.” Speed Trust is an organization that helps single mothers learn a skill and join the workforce: they are trained as rickshaw drivers! Additionally, Speed Trust runs daycare for the children of these women. This provides a service opportunity in that grade four students get to read children’s books to these children. This is such fun!
• Hyundai Car Factory--We are lucky for the opportunity to visit this impressive facility. Chennai is an important global manufacturing city, and this trip exposes our students to another aspect of the economy of Chennai and “Life in India.” What a fantastic contrast from the organic farm visit. Hyundai employs many locals and they also have a fascinating water re-capture system.
• Birla Planetarium--In the spring, students study the solar system.  Our visit to this planetarium, about thirty minutes from school, presents students with a show about the solar system and the universe.

1st big homework assignment

In 4th grade, a big part of our science units is exploring and utilizing the Scientific Method. Therefore as a start to the unit I would like the students to do an experiment at home with their families. The form and information are linked here.

Students have a month to find, complete, and write up an experiment. When they are ready they should bring their written form to school and sign up for a time to share with the class. The worksheet needs to be completed by September 19th.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.

Bring Your Own Technology Information

Dear Parents,

We are pleased to announce the launch of our optional Bring-Your-Own-Technology (BYOT) program in Grade 4 this year.  Many of you have chosen to purchase a device or send an existing device with your child to school this year.  Although Grade 4 students will have access to a personal PC laptop in their classrooms,  a variety of other devices can enhance the learning experience for students.  In addition, students bringing their own technology can access the digital side of their learning after school and from anywhere with an Internet connection.  This device may include any of the following:

• Laptop (PC or Mac)
• Tablet (Android or iPad)
• iPod Touches

Students may bring in their devices to school beginning Monday, August 18.  We will configure devices on the day they are brought in, however, parents may send a device with their child anytime after this date.  To enable the IT department to properly configure the device, please disable all passwords temporarily on that day and ensure the operating system is set to English.  

Please bring any questions you may have to the ES Back to School Night on Thursday August 21.

Documents Attached Below

1. BYOT Configuration Form (parent signature required)
2. ES Condensed Responsible Use Policy for Parent Signature
3. ES Optional BYOT FAQ

Welcome to 4E!
We finished our first short week of 4th grade and I wanted to take a moment just to welcome you all and share some first day of school "mug shots!"

We will be spending the first couple weeks of school focusing on getting to know one another and building a strong 4E team. A lot of our work this year will be building on our existing knowledge and challenging us to go further and deeper into our own thinking. We will need a strong team to help support us in this work.

I will continue to write a bi-weekly newsletter as well as post important information on this blog. Please subscribe to the blog so you are alerted when I add content.

August 5, 2014

Dear Parents of Fourth Grade Students,

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! We hope your summer holidays were relaxing and rejuvenating as we prepare for a positive and exciting year for your child. Below is some information to help you understand our grade four routines. We will be sharing more information with you during Back to School Night on the 21st of August.

Schedule and Supervision

The playground is supervised from 8:00 in the morning. If your child arrives before this time, please stay with him or her until a duty teacher is on the playground. When the duty teacher rings the bell at 8:25, students line up with their teachers in the covered area of the elementary playground. Look for your teacher’s sign. Teachers bring students into their classrooms by 8:30, so all students should arrive by this time. If your child comes late to school, he or she should pick up a yellow pass from the elementary reception before going to class.  

The school day for elementary students is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. At the end of the day, teachers bring the students downstairs. The playground is supervised from 3:30 until the bell rings at 3:45. After this time it is the responsibility of parents to supervise their own children if they choose to remain on the school grounds.

Please note that specials classes are now based on color groupings, and more information will be provided about that soon. Be mindful of your son/daughter’s color group.

Color Group	Monday Specials	Tuesday Specials	Wednesday Specials	Thursday Specials	Friday Specials
Red	Music, French	Art, Indian Studies	Art, French	Library, French, PE	PE, Music
Orange	French, Art	Indian Studies, French	Music, PE	Library, PE, Art	Music, French
Yellow	Ar, Music	Spanish, PE	Spanish, PE	Library, Indian Studies, Music	Spanish, Art
Green	PE, Indian Studies	French, Art	French, Music	Library, Music, Art	French, PE
Blue	Indian Studies, Spanish	PE, Music	Art, Spanish	Library, Spanish, Music	Art, PE
Violet	Spanish, PE	Music, Spanish	Indian Studies, PE	Library, Art, PE	Music, Spanish

Things to Bring

AISC provides all the basic stationery supplies for students such as pencils, erasers, and notebooks.  The classrooms are well-stocked with art supplies such as markers, colored pencils, and scissors. Therefore, it is not necessary for students to bring their own classroom or art supplies.

We encourage students to bring hats to wear on the playground. It can get cool in the classroom with the A/C on, so you may want to send a light sweater or sweatshirt to school. You can leave a hat and a sweatshirt in the classroom for your child. WATER BOTTLES are imperative since there are no cups at the water dispensers. Please write your child’s name on all items you send to school. Closed-toed shoes/sneakers are required for PE class.

Snack /Lunch

As just stated, it is crucial that you send a reusable water bottle to school with your child each day. Each classroom has a Kinley water dispenser inside so students can refill their bottles if needed during the day. Each day the students should bring a healthy snack to eat during their morning break.  

Students had the option to pre-order lunch for the first few weeks of school.  If you did not pre-order, please send your child with a healthy packed lunch every day.  

Grade Level Policies

Homework: Fourth grade students will begin receiving homework assignments in the second week of school.  The students will receive about 40 minutes of homework per night. As part of the homework requirement, students are expected to read for a minimum of 20 minutes in English every night. We also encourage reading in the home language.

Friday Folders: We will send various classroom and school-wide information inside of the Friday Folders.  Please read and remove all papers and remind your son/daughter to return the folder on the following Monday.

Birthdays: We are happy to celebrate birthdays in the classroom.  You are welcome to bring a cake, and all of the materials needed for serving. We request that you do not pass out goodie bags or gifts to students during these celebrations. Please contact your homeroom teacher at least a week in advance of your child’s birthday to schedule a time. If you are holding a private party, please distribute invitations outside of school.

School-Wide Policies

Please review the information in your parent/student handbook as it may answer many questions you have about school. We encourage you to read and discuss some sections with your child(ren). Please sign and return the back page.   

Important Dates

You are invited to attend the elementary Welcome Back Assembly on Friday, August 8th from 8:45-9:30. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with more information about our fourth grade program at Back to School Night on August 21st.

We are thrilled to begin another exciting year at AISC.

Warm regards,

Grade 4 Team

4A Ms. MacDonald, 4B Ms. T, 4C Ms. Nanda, 4D Mrs. Pam, 4E Ms. Chris

EAL Specialists Ms. Deanna and Ms. Morris

Associate Teacher Ms. Lauren