Welcome to Mr. McFall’s Room September 11, 2014

Welcome toWelcome to

Mr. McFall’s Mr. McFall’s RoomRoom

September 11, 2014September 11, 2014

A place where… A place where…

“Together, “Together, We Make a We Make a Difference”Difference”

Basic InformationBasic Information e-maile-mail – –

[email protected]@hamburgschools.org g

Phone -Phone - 646-3370 ext 3112646-3370 ext 3112 Please feel free to contact me Please feel free to contact me

at any time if you have any at any time if you have any concerns or questions.concerns or questions.

Parent/Teacher Parent/Teacher Conference Conference

Two (2) conferences will be held this yearTwo (2) conferences will be held this year December 11 & 12 and March 19 & 20.December 11 & 12 and March 19 & 20. Coincide with our Trimester Report CardsCoincide with our Trimester Report Cards Other stuff: Other stuff: 1.) Contact info1.) Contact info 2.) Health info2.) Health info 3.) Banking3.) Banking 4.) First writing piece – please leave4.) First writing piece – please leave

ExpectationsExpectations BehaviorBehavior – We have high expectations – We have high expectations

for behavior (for behavior (What’s our What’s our Temperature?Temperature?))

Plan BooksPlan Books – signed nightly even if – signed nightly even if there is no homework. This is your there is no homework. This is your child’s responsibility to ask you to sign it!child’s responsibility to ask you to sign it!

Work EthicWork Ethic – expect their best work at – expect their best work at all times.all times.

Enthusiasm Ignites GreatnessEnthusiasm Ignites Greatness Positive Energetic KidsPositive Energetic Kids

Typical Day in Typical Day in Room 105Room 105

E.L.A. – 90 minutesE.L.A. – 90 minutes– Reading (Group and Individual)Reading (Group and Individual)– WritingWriting– Skills (Spelling, Grammar)Skills (Spelling, Grammar)

MATH – 60 minutesMATH – 60 minutes– InstructionInstruction– PracticePractice– Skills (Fluency)Skills (Fluency)

SOCIAL STUDIES or SCIENCE – 45 minutesSOCIAL STUDIES or SCIENCE – 45 minutes– Reading – Cross Curricular (may be within Reading time)Reading – Cross Curricular (may be within Reading time)– Projects, Observations, and ExperimentsProjects, Observations, and Experiments

SPECIALS – 30 to 45 minutesSPECIALS – 30 to 45 minutes– Art, Phys. Ed. (3 day/wk), Music (1 day/week), Chorus (1 day/week), LibraryArt, Phys. Ed. (3 day/wk), Music (1 day/week), Chorus (1 day/week), Library

Recess/Breaks/Lunch – Whatever is left overRecess/Breaks/Lunch – Whatever is left over

HomeworkHomework Goldilocks TheoryGoldilocks Theory–– not too much, not not too much, not

too little, too little, just right! just right! Usually NOT on Usually NOT on Fridays. Fridays.

Assignment BooksAssignment Books – should indicate – should indicate accurate information of assignment. accurate information of assignment. Please initial their planners.Please initial their planners.

READREAD – Read at least 30 minutes daily – Read at least 30 minutes daily

HomeworkHomework My Homework PromiseMy Homework Promise

– I promise to always give homework that I promise to always give homework that the kids understand. They should the kids understand. They should already know how to complete the already know how to complete the assignment and how to solve the assignment and how to solve the problems. I will never send home a problems. I will never send home a sheet just because we didn’t have time sheet just because we didn’t have time to get to it to get to it (which often happens). (which often happens). In In this case we will get to it tomorrow. this case we will get to it tomorrow.

HomeworkHomework My Homework PromiseMy Homework Promise

– I believe that homework should be an I believe that homework should be an opportunity for 4opportunity for 4thth graders to practice graders to practice what they already know. I ask that you what they already know. I ask that you promise that if you see frustration with promise that if you see frustration with an assignment, or if it is taking an an assignment, or if it is taking an extraordinary amount of time, to please extraordinary amount of time, to please CUT IT SHORT. Just mark where you CUT IT SHORT. Just mark where you ended and drop me a quick note. A ended and drop me a quick note. A frustrated child is not in any position to frustrated child is not in any position to learn. learn.

CurriculumCurriculum CHANGECHANGE is the key word! is the key word!

– Common Core of State StandardsCommon Core of State Standards» Shifts is EducationShifts is Education

– DATADATA» Scores, etc.Scores, etc.

– ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS» Student and Teacher AssessmentsStudent and Teacher Assessments

– INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION» Driven by the DATADriven by the DATA

Common Core of Common Core of State StandardsState Standards

Key Shifts in EducationKey Shifts in Education– English Language ArtsEnglish Language Arts

1.)1.) A 50/50 balance between fiction A 50/50 balance between fiction and non-and non- fictionfiction2.)2.) Build knowledge through TEXT, Build knowledge through TEXT, rather than rather than from the teacher or activitiesfrom the teacher or activities3.)3.) Provide time for Provide time for CLOSE reading of reading of the textthe text4.)4.) Engage in evidence based Engage in evidence based conversations about conversations about the textthe text5.)5.) Write using evidence from the Write using evidence from the sourcesource6.)6.) Build academic vocabularyBuild academic vocabulary

Common Core of Common Core of State StandardsState Standards

Key Shifts in EducationKey Shifts in Education– MathMath

1.)1.) Prioritize concepts and focus deeply on Prioritize concepts and focus deeply on themthem2.)2.) Build upon the foundations established Build upon the foundations established in in previous yearsprevious years3.)3.) FLUENCYFLUENCY – the students will have – the students will have speed and speed and accuracy with simple computations and accuracy with simple computations and conceptsconcepts4.)4.) Students have a Students have a DEEP DEEP UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTANDING of of concepts before moving onconcepts before moving on5.)5.) Students Students APPLYAPPLY math concepts math concepts6.)6.) DUAL INTENSITY of practice and DUAL INTENSITY of practice and understandingunderstanding

What does this What does this mean to us?mean to us?

Focus on Focus on Important Concepts Important Concepts in in MathMath

Math Math FLUENCYFLUENCY – Know your facts! – Know your facts! Read more Read more Non-FictionNon-Fiction books books

– Research projectsResearch projects– Social Studies and Science CurriculumSocial Studies and Science Curriculum

Read more Novels as a class as well Read more Novels as a class as well as the short weekly selectionsas the short weekly selections

Lots and lots of writingLots and lots of writing– Keep a portfolio of different Units of Keep a portfolio of different Units of

StudyStudy

Math ProgramMath Program Increases expectationsIncreases expectations We are implementing a new program this We are implementing a new program this

yearyear Expressions utilizes a daily practice book Expressions utilizes a daily practice book

and a homework assignment. I have also and a homework assignment. I have also added a back sheet to the homework added a back sheet to the homework which includes a Remembering section which includes a Remembering section for review of previously learned materialfor review of previously learned material

We may slow down or speed up as their We may slow down or speed up as their learning progresseslearning progresses

Math ProgramMath Program

Is it new math?Is it new math? NO! But it is a new way of looking NO! But it is a new way of looking

at math. We are looking for better at math. We are looking for better understanding of the WHAT you are understanding of the WHAT you are doing, not just the HOW you are doing, not just the HOW you are doing it!doing it!


Is it new math?Is it new math? Example: 24 x 36 = _____Example: 24 x 36 = _____



We learned….. 24We learned….. 24 x 36x 36



They will learn 20 4They will learn 20 4 3030 66



They will learn 20 4 They will learn 20 4 and thenand then 30 30 2424 6 6 x 36x 36

Math ProgramMath Program Concentrate Concentrate on on

basic facts with basic facts with FLUENCYFLUENCY

Add, subtract, Add, subtract, multiply, and divide multiply, and divide of whole numbersof whole numbers

FRACTIONSFRACTIONS, , DecimalsDecimals

Algebra – familiar Algebra – familiar with variableswith variables

StatisticsStatistics MeasurementMeasurement GeometryGeometry Ratio & ProbabilityRatio & Probability PROBLEM SOLVINGPROBLEM SOLVING

– Multiple step Multiple step problemsproblems

Describe your Describe your thinking and thinking and solutionsolution

We are striving for UNDERSTANDING We are striving for UNDERSTANDING

of the concept, not just spitting out the of the concept, not just spitting out the answer!answer!

My Math My Math PhilosophyPhilosophy

I encourage the kids to think I encourage the kids to think in mathematical ways and look for ways to in mathematical ways and look for ways to

challenge their minds.challenge their minds.

Look for opportunities in everyday life to think Look for opportunities in everyday life to think about something with your child in a about something with your child in a

mathematical way. (shopping, cooking, etc.)mathematical way. (shopping, cooking, etc.)

Brainiac ChallengesBrainiac Challenges

Fibonacci SequenceFibonacci Sequence

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ____, ____,….0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ____, ____,….

Language Arts Language Arts ProgramProgram

Contains reading, writing, spelling, and Contains reading, writing, spelling, and grammar components.grammar components.

Reading SelectionsReading Selections – Award winning – Award winning literature. High interest readings.literature. High interest readings.– NovelsNovels– Short SelectionsShort Selections– PoetryPoetry– Independent ChoiceIndependent Choice– Connected material to Social StudiesConnected material to Social Studies

Reading ProgramReading Program Novel Study - Novel Study - Read for a deeper Read for a deeper

understanding of the text.understanding of the text. Reader’s WorkshopReader’s Workshop – daily independent – daily independent

reading with mini-lessons and student-reading with mini-lessons and student-teacher conferences - teacher conferences - FLUENCYFLUENCY

Encourage Independent ChoiceEncourage Independent Choice– At student’s levelAt student’s level

Provide more Non-Fiction choicesProvide more Non-Fiction choices– Read for information and understandingRead for information and understanding

Reading ProgramReading Program GOALGOAL – – encourage INDEPENDENT encourage INDEPENDENT

Readers!Readers! 25 Book GOAL25 Book GOAL

– Independent choiceIndependent choice– Assigned books – classroom setAssigned books – classroom set– Daily Teacher read – Daily Teacher read – Because of Because of

Winn-DixieWinn-Dixie– Monthly Genre – Biography, etc.Monthly Genre – Biography, etc.– Encourage 30 minutes per night.Encourage 30 minutes per night.

Writing ProgramWriting Program Writer’s WorkshopWriter’s Workshop – daily – daily

independent writing with mini-lessons independent writing with mini-lessons and student-teacher conferencesand student-teacher conferences

Units of Study Units of Study – – – Personal NarrativePersonal Narrative– Writing FictionWriting Fiction– Writing EssaysWriting Essays– Research ReportResearch Report– Persuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

ScienceScience Science is the forgotten step-child of Science is the forgotten step-child of

education lately – and the class many education lately – and the class many kids love best!kids love best!

The increased emphasis on non-fiction reading The increased emphasis on non-fiction reading will help us incorporate science within the will help us incorporate science within the Language Arts ProgramLanguage Arts Program

ScienceScience Erie I BOCESErie I BOCES provides basic science kits for provides basic science kits for

instructioninstruction– PlantsPlants – plant growth, parts of the plant – plant growth, parts of the plant– Electrical CircuitsElectrical Circuits – understand basics and – understand basics and

safety of electricity and circuitssafety of electricity and circuits– CrawfishCrawfish – animal behavior, observation, – animal behavior, observation,

carecare– Powders and CrystalsPowders and Crystals – Scientific Process – Scientific Process– Land and WaterLand and Water – Water Cycle and the – Water Cycle and the

effects of erosioneffects of erosion GOALGOAL – – Develop and encourage independent Develop and encourage independent

learners who question their surroundingslearners who question their surroundings..

Social StudiesSocial Studies The Land and Early PeopleThe Land and Early People – Native – Native

American Study - Iroquois NationAmerican Study - Iroquois Nation Newcomers ArriveNewcomers Arrive – Exploration and – Exploration and

ColonizationColonization A New Nation and StateA New Nation and State – Revolution – Revolution

and Governmentand Government Becoming the Empire StateBecoming the Empire State – Growth – Growth

and change in New York – Erie Canal, and change in New York – Erie Canal, ImmigrationImmigration

New York in the Modern WorldNew York in the Modern World – New – New York today and tomorrow York today and tomorrow

Social StudiesSocial Studies The increased emphasis on non-fiction The increased emphasis on non-fiction

reading will help us incorporate Social reading will help us incorporate Social Studies within the Language Arts ProgramStudies within the Language Arts Program

Back to the basicsBack to the basics– Map SkillsMap Skills– GeographyGeography

»50 States ???50 States ???»Important land formsImportant land forms

State State AssessmentsAssessmentsAll students in levels 3 – 8 continue to All students in levels 3 – 8 continue to

have annual state assessments in have annual state assessments in

E.L.A.E.L.A. and and MathMath. .

4th Grade students also take a 4th Grade students also take a 2-Part 2-Part Science AssessmentScience Assessment..

E.L.A.E.L.A. – –MathMath – –ScienceScience – –

State State AssessmentsAssessments

Field TripField Trip Annual trip to Annual trip to Genesee Country Village & Genesee Country Village &

Museum Museum in Junein June– Culmination of our studies and Culmination of our studies and

readings of Colonial and Early Americareadings of Colonial and Early America Volunteers are GREATLY appreciated. Volunteers are GREATLY appreciated.

You will LOVE the tripYou will LOVE the trip

Classroom Classroom CelebrationsCelebrations

All parties will be 30 -45 minutes All parties will be 30 -45 minutes after lunch (11:45 – 12:30)after lunch (11:45 – 12:30)

HalloweenHalloween– Students may dress at schoolStudents may dress at school

ChristmasChristmas– Book ExchangeBook Exchange

Valentine’s DayValentine’s Day– CaringCaring– Service to Others– Service to Others– Bring donated items for an animal Bring donated items for an animal

sheltershelter

Classroom Classroom CelebrationsCelebrations

BirthdaysBirthdays– Let me know a couple days in Let me know a couple days in

advance if you plan to send a advance if you plan to send a treat.treat.

Summer Birthday KidsSummer Birthday Kids– We will look for a gap in the We will look for a gap in the

birthday dates to fill.birthday dates to fill.

Thank you!!!Thank you!!!

Together, we can Together, we can make a make a

difference!difference!

Make a Difference VideoMake a Difference Video

Welcome to Mr. McFall’s Room September 11, 2014

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