Fourth Grade Dear Parents and Guardians,     Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year. The 4th grade teachers, Gwendolyn Jones and Heather Smith look forward to getting to know you and your child. Ms. Jones is new to Museum this year, but has taught in St. Paul Public Schools for 16 years in both the general and special education classrooms. Ms. Fry was married this summer, thus the name change. Our email addresses are: heather.smith@spps.org and gwen.jones@spps.org. We can also be reached through the main office by calling 651-325-2600.      The following is an overview of the 4th grade curricula and procedures. Sincerely, Ms. Jones and Mrs. Smith 4th grade is the first of the intermediate grades (4th – 6th).  In 4th grade, students strive to become independent.  Students are supported in this challenge through the workshop model of instruction, daily planners, and explicit instruction in developing high level thinking skills. Reader’s  & Writer’s Workshop Mini-lesson: Each day students participate in a mini-lesson that focus on a strategy that is used by all readers/writers (including adults). Independent work time: Then students work independently for 45 minutes.  During this time students are expected to practice the skill studied in the mini-lesson as they work at their independent level.  During this independent work time, teachers work with students individually or in small groups. Share: At the conclusion of each Workshop, students gather to share how they used the strategy. The Literacy Units: -    Launching of (Reader’s and Writer’s) Workshop -    Realistic Fiction -    Response to Literature -    Informational Writing -    Poetry -    Punctuation Study -    Science Procedure    Themes: -    Memoir -    Regions -    Water -    Electricity and Magnetism -    Human Body -    Minnesota Math St. Paul Public Schools uses the Everyday Math curriculum.  A Family Letter is sent home at the beginning of every unit.  It provides an overview, examples, definitions and games.  Students further develop math skills through games, and flexible groups. Exhibit and Engineering The 4th grade exhibits are Water and Electricity & Magnetism.  In 4th grade students are expected to work in small groups to create an exhibit that includes a demonstration with active involvement from the audience. Exhibits are Nov. 24 (day) and Feb. 18 (evening) Communication Planners are used for communication between home and school. Units of study, homework and upcoming events will all be documented in the planners. Please take the time to review your child’s planner every weekend, and sign for that week. School wide communication will come home in Wednesday packets. Homework Math homework – Study links will come home every night (Monday – Thursday) Literacy homework – will be assigned as needed. There will be weekly spelling words and activities to accompany the word lists. Independent Reading – Students are expected to read independently for 30 minutes every night. Week-at-a-glance – Students will complete a weekly self-evaluation every Friday. This evaluation should be reviewed with your child and then signed and returned to school. There is a space for you to respond to your child or to write a quick note for me. Additional assignments as needed. Responsive Classroom This year Museum Magnet is adopting the Responsive Classroom philosophy school-wide.  Key components of Responsive Classroom are: •    Consciously developing a classroom community through morning meeting and structured play. •    Explicitly teaching social skills including self-control.  Taking a break when a child is frustrated, distracted, or over-stimulated is one technique that is used.  Taking a break is not a punishment.