4th Grade Back-to-School Night
Chadwick 2020/2021
All About Me!
This is my 5th year teaching and my first year at Chesterbrook Academy! I have taught 4th grade and 2nd grade in both VA and NYC. I am a proud James Madison University grad with my Master's degree in Elementary Education. I have been married for 3 years and have two wonderful dogs, Griffin and Maddy! I enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring the area!
What to look forward to...
- Studies Weekly - PA History
- PA Day
- STEMScopes
- First In Math
- Technology - 1:1 iPads - Creating not consuming
- "I" Time - Organization, Planning, Goal Setting, Growth Mindset
- Partnership with Barclay Friends - Environmental Education
4th Grade vs. 3rd Grade
- Level of student independence
- Writing - various genres, writing to sources
- Leadership piece - Not the youngest of the oldest anymore
- Organization - "I" Time, Binder, Assignment book
- Time management & Due dates
- Rubrics - Student accountability
- Note taking - Sketchnoting on iPads (SketchesSchool & Logitech Crayon)
- Book Reports - heavier emphasis on writing and presenting
A Day in the Life of a 4th Grader
4th Grade Field Trips & Events
Project Based Learning
The first big project of the year is the Cardboard Box Challenge. Inspired by Caine's Arcade, this is an opportunity for students to work in small groups to bring their imagination to life. They will design and build a device entirely out of cardboard. Students will use their iPads to document each step of their creation, and share their final projects to the rest of the school.
The second big PBL of the year is LION's CAGE. This is a highly anticipated event in 4th and 5th grade. Students will invent a product, patent it, document each step, create a presentation and pitch their product to a panel of "Lions" that will fire questions at them about their designs. Each team hopes to walk away with an offer of investment. This will be held in late April.
What will your child learn in 4th grade?
- Writing Workshop
- Guided Reading Groups - More Complex Texts
- Phonics & Word Study
- Grammar
- Conventions
- Vocabulary
Math
- Place Value
- Addition and Subtraction of multi-digit numbers
- Multiplication by 1 and 2-digit numbers (strategies and properties)
- Division by 1-digit numbers
- Factors and multiples
- Fraction equivalence and ordering
- Addition and subtraction of fractions
- Multiplication of fractions
- Line plots
- Decimals
- Lines, Angles, Shapes
Social Studies
- Pennsylvania history
- Pennsylvania's waterways
- Pennsylvania weather/climate
- Early natives
- William Penn
- Ben Franklin
- Pennsylvania Government
- Pennsylvania's great men and women
STEM Scopes
- Organisms structure and behaviors
- Changes over time to Earth's surface and resources
- Using energy transformations
i-ready
- i-Ready is an on-line diagnostic assessment in reading and in math
- The diagnostic assessment will pinpoint a child's needs in reading down to the domain and sub-skill level by using sophisticated adaptive logic and a bank of thousands of test items.
- This allows teachers to differentiate instruction based on student needs.
- I-Ready provides a Lexile score, which is a number used to identify each students' reading level.
- I-Ready is built on the Common Core State Standards, but also reports out on individual state standards.
- We will have a formative assessment at the beginning and end of each quarter.
Report Cards and PLP's
- Your child will receive a standards based report card including an achievement and effort grade for each trimester.
- We will hold conferences 3 times a year.
- During conference time we will develop a Personalized Learning Plan for your child to meet their individual needs.
Flexible Seating
- Linked to higher academic performance, better health, improved behavior
- Increased motivation and engagement
- Takes practice
PA Day
Positive Behavior
Dojo Points
- Earned for demonstrating excellent character, sportsmanship, behavior, academic diligence, transitioning quickly and quietly, specialty classes, manners, staying on task, etc...
- Awarded throughout the day
- Rewards for points accumulated individually and whole class
Returning this year!
STEMScopes
- Instead of doing one large STEM project we will be implementing STEMscopes which is a daily science curriculum
- Hands on science and experiments to engage different types of learners
- Support students' deeper understanding of science so they can relate it to the world around them
- Students work like scientists and engineers to discover and design solutions
Technology Integration
- Your child will be using various forms of technology on a daily basis in the classroom and in specialty classes.
- In the classroom we will use our Apple TV and iPads and to enhance our phonics, reading, writing, math, social studies and STEM skills.
- We will use technology individually, in small groups and whole group.
Specialty Classes
MUSIC
- We will study various forms and styles of music from around the world including: the blues, jazz, opera, classical, and world music.
- Ukulele ensemble
- GarageBand Grammys (collaborative music/tech project)
TECH
Making use of our mobile technologies and environments, students will continue to experience hands-on learning in their tech classes.
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Focus on digital citizenship skills
- Continue to learn Apple iWork programs - pages, keynote, iMovie, Numbers
- Program Spheros - complete various Sphero build/design makers challenges
- Focus on Coding 2nd Quarter with various apps/programs including Tynker and basics of Swift language
- Learn Apple Swift Playgrounds
- Apple Store Field Trip
- Independent Study 3rd Quarter
- Personal Website Design
- Integrate with classroom teacher and stemscopes
SPANISH
This year students will develop a more complex vocabulary with different phrases and structures.
Students will enhance communication skills through oral language, reading, and written exchanges.
In addition, they will explore more cultures of Spanish speaking countries. Technology is used often to give students other ways to learn and incorporate their learned skills.
GYM
Students will master basic movement combinations and manipulative skills. Students will research a Health topic of their choosing to show a complete understanding of the significance of Health. I-pad/technology is used to dramatically enhance learning.
Some Skills: overhand & underhand throws, soccer skills, basketball skills, jump rope skills, volleyball skills
Health: students spend health time researching and developing their individual health fair topic
Health Fair: create a unique video that gets people moving using a variety of dance moves, exercises, or interactive games while also providing some knowledge about a topic students spent time researching that is related to Health
ART
Fourth grader are beginning to excel in different areas of art, some will be drawn to painting, others to drawing, collage and some will thrive in 3-D art projects. They are especially eager to draw from imagination!
- understanding positive and negative shapes and forms
- using-an watercolors effectively
- drawing and painting landscape
- identifying and using complimentary colors
- using the concept of proportion in a work of art, such as a portrait
- using fibers to create weavings
- using contrast in a work of art
- creating art that focuses on different culture and heritage
- identifying different artists and art movements
Parent Resources
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Mrs. Chadwick, Fourth Grade Teacher
Email: kelly.chadwick@chesterbrookacademy.com
Website: http://www.chesterbrookacademy.com/elementary/philadelphia/west-chester/parents/our-faculty/teacher/amanda-capotrio/
Location: 1190 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 610-719-0240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterbrookAcademyElementaryWestChester/
Twitter: @cbawestchester