Welcome to BAC’s 4Welcome to BAC’s 4thth Grade Talent Grade Talent DevelopmentDevelopment

Parent MeetingParent Meeting

We are creating We are creating SCHOLARSSCHOLARS!!

We are teaching our students We are teaching our students about what it means to be a about what it means to be a “scholar”; how to act like a “scholar”; how to act like a scholar and become a true scholar and become a true ““scholarscholar”! ”!

SocraticSeminars

AcceleratedMaterialsTechnology-relevant

Metacognition

Concept Based CurriculumReal World ProblemSolving

Multicultural/Global Emphasis

ConstructingMeaningHigher Order

Thinking Skills

Interdisciplinary Connections Authentic Assessment

Inquiry-basedLearning

Real world problem olving

Math InvestigationsJacob’s Ladder

Einstein Math

ePalsEconomics

Math Olympiad

Project M3

Socratic Seminars

Novel Studies!!!

William and Mary

Literacy and Math Resources/Strategies

Brain Pop

Our Garden =Our Garden =Interdisciplinary LearningInterdisciplinary Learning

• Field to Fork programField to Fork programhttp://video214.com/play/2gWDJkEfuvSqYdj3B21gkQ/s/dark  • Fuel Pizza Field TripFuel Pizza Field Trip• NutritionNutrition• Community buildingCommunity building• Math! Science!Math! Science!• Teamwork!Teamwork!

Math Math InvestigationsInvestigations Encourages…Encourages…

Thinking & ReasoningThinking & Reasoning Deep UnderstandingDeep Understanding Making ConnectionsMaking Connections Learning to Communicate their Learning to Communicate their

mathematical ideasmathematical ideas Problem Based InstructionProblem Based Instruction

Research shows we’re not being very Research shows we’re not being very successful in math as a Nation.successful in math as a Nation.

Generally, students are good at Generally, students are good at computing, but aren’t very good at computing, but aren’t very good at applying math to situations.applying math to situations.

Problem solving definitely is clearly a Problem solving definitely is clearly a 2121stst century learning skill! century learning skill!

Why is it important?

What’s Different?What’s Different?

A Traditional Classroom

An Investigations Classroom

Passive & Quiet Active & Conversation

Memorized Procedures Learning shortcuts after building a deep understanding

Drills Drills (Games)

30 naked computation problems with 2 word problems at the end

1-2 Great problems at a time

Why are we using Investigations Why are we using Investigations aka problem centered learning?aka problem centered learning?

““Greater understanding of mathematics will be Greater understanding of mathematics will be essential for today’s school children. essential for today’s school children. Success Success in tomorrow’s job market will require more than in tomorrow’s job market will require more than computational competence. It will require the computational competence. It will require the

ability to apply mathematical knowledge to ability to apply mathematical knowledge to solve problems.”solve problems.”

- - National Research CouncilNational Research Council

Einstein Math and Math Olympiad provide Einstein Math and Math Olympiad provide opportunities for students who…opportunities for students who…

Need to learn how solve problems!Need to learn how solve problems! Are in need of some additional Are in need of some additional

challenges in math! challenges in math! Complain that math is boring!Complain that math is boring! Enjoy teamwork and competition!Enjoy teamwork and competition!

 

                  

•To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics •To introduce important Mathematical concepts •To teach major strategies for problem solving •To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems •To strengthen Mathematical intuition •To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity •To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

Math Olympiads…Math Olympiads… Takes place during your child’s regular Takes place during your child’s regular

math class once a cyclemath class once a cycle Has 5 world-wide contests throughout Has 5 world-wide contests throughout

the year starting in Novemberthe year starting in November Team practice at home and school will Team practice at home and school will

make a stronger teammake a stronger team Awards a Awards a trophytrophy to the top scorer in to the top scorer in

each classroom along with certificates, each classroom along with certificates, pins and patches to recognize success! pins and patches to recognize success!

To learn ALL about To learn ALL about Math OlympiadsMath Olympiads, go to:, go to:

http://http://www.moems.orgwww.moems.org//

Imagine ItImagine ItTeaches students how to Teaches students how to readread..

William and Mary, Jacob’ William and Mary, Jacob’ Ladder and Novel Studies Ladder and Novel Studies

teach students to teach students to thinkthink..

The William and Mary Curriculum, The William and Mary Curriculum, Jacob’s Ladder and Novel Studies Jacob’s Ladder and Novel Studies

are designed to:are designed to: Meet the needs of high ability studentsMeet the needs of high ability students

Teach strategies and tools for Teach strategies and tools for understanding and interpreting texts understanding and interpreting texts (poems, short stories, essays and novels)(poems, short stories, essays and novels)

Provide students opportunities for Provide students opportunities for discussion and analysis of textsdiscussion and analysis of texts

What skills are we working on?What skills are we working on?

Vocabulary DevelopmentVocabulary Development Referencing the textReferencing the text Making inferencesMaking inferences Making predictionsMaking predictions Drawing conclusionsDrawing conclusions Character analysisCharacter analysis Point of ViewPoint of View Author’s PurposeAuthor’s Purpose Response JournalsResponse Journals

Students will learn to use graphic Students will learn to use graphic organizers including…organizers including…

Interpretive Note-takingInterpretive Note-taking Outline FormatOutline Format Frayer Vocabulary ModelFrayer Vocabulary Model Literature WebsLiterature Webs Vocabulary WebsVocabulary Webs Character WebsCharacter Webs Cornell Note-takingCornell Note-taking

Response Journal Example

Novel Reference My Response (Comment, questions, reaction, connection)

Pg 3 It was the season of hurricane Pg 3 Hurricane season, possible hurricanesDanielle, Earle, Katrina

In our classrooms, the In our classrooms, the texts texts we we study have:study have:

Depth Depth ComplexityComplexityRigor Rigor ChallengeChallenge

……for our students!for our students!

ARAR

AR is a part of your child’s grade and will AR is a part of your child’s grade and will count as a Test gradecount as a Test grade- Incentives!- Incentives!- 85% or above- 85% or above- Check your child’s AR record sheet- Check your child’s AR record sheet

Coming soon! AM and Study Island!Coming soon! AM and Study Island!

And scholars get to participate inAnd scholars get to participate in Socratic SeminarsSocratic Seminars ( (akaaka as as

Paideia) Paideia) that help students develop that help students develop skills in:skills in:

ListeningListening Thinking criticallyThinking critically Referencing the textReferencing the text Disagreeing “agree-ably”Disagreeing “agree-ably” Scholarly debate and analysisScholarly debate and analysis

All without…All without…

Having to raise Having to raise their hands!their hands!

New Writing Program New Writing Program

Being a Writer!Being a Writer!

- uses mentor text to engage our writers- uses mentor text to engage our writers - includes author studies- includes author studies - vocabulary enhancement- vocabulary enhancement - organized by genre- organized by genre - mini lessons on grammar and usage - mini lessons on grammar and usage

VocabularyVocabulary Give Me Five!Give Me Five!

- five words a week- five words a week - varying disciplines- varying disciplines - one paragraph due each Friday with 5 words- one paragraph due each Friday with 5 words - mini writing assessments- mini writing assessmentsWhy?Why?Allows students to develop strategies for Allows students to develop strategies for

understanding new words in context and understanding new words in context and incorporating those words into their thinking and incorporating those words into their thinking and writingwriting

4th Grade TD includes participation in:

• Reflections Contest• Science Fair

ePals http://www.iknowmyregion.com/

AND MORE!

Technology is the KEY to 20Technology is the KEY to 20thth Century Learning:Century Learning:

• Discovery EdDiscovery Ed• ePalsePals• BrainpopBrainpop• Glogs Glogs • WikisWikis• Digital CamcordersDigital Camcorders

*zip drives for each child is key*zip drives for each child is key!!

• Jbiz Town – Economics

• Fuel Pizza – Nutrition • Raleigh – Social Studies • Children’s Theatre, Cinderella Story –Language Arts

*still in the planning stages

With exciting Field trips* to…

Report Cards/Progress ReportsReport Cards/Progress Reports

Weights of assignments are:Weights of assignments are:1.0 Tests/Projects1.0 Tests/Projects0.5 Classroom Assignments0.5 Classroom Assignments0.25 Homework0.25 Homework

A = 93 – 100A = 93 – 100B = 85 – 92B = 85 – 92C = 75 – 84C = 75 – 84D = Below 75D = Below 75

Why we use Team Teaching:Why we use Team Teaching:

To better meet our students needs, we To better meet our students needs, we often divide the students into skills groups often divide the students into skills groups that includes students from both classesthat includes students from both classes

Flexible grouping allows students to work Flexible grouping allows students to work with their academic peers in different with their academic peers in different settingssettings

Offers opportunities for ALL students to Offers opportunities for ALL students to use SMARTboard technology use SMARTboard technology

We believe in We believe in Mastery Learning Mastery Learning so…so… Students will have the opportunity to:Students will have the opportunity to:

- redo select assignments with parent - redo select assignments with parent signaturesignature

- turn in re-done assignments up to one - turn in re-done assignments up to one week after assignment has been returnedweek after assignment has been returned

- students will be responsible for requesting - students will be responsible for requesting re-tests within the weekre-tests within the week

Maximum score 92, B+Maximum score 92, B+

SMART Activities!SMART Activities!

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/docrb.htm http://www.mrnussbaum.com/probfair.htm

Through technology, Through technology, students will:students will:

Now just a few…Now just a few…

Nuts and Bolts to help Nuts and Bolts to help you through the year…you through the year…and keep you one step and keep you one step ahead of your child…ahead of your child…

HomeworkHomework

In consideration for the extended day…In consideration for the extended day… - AR reading at home- AR reading at home - IWT: Independent Work Time will include - IWT: Independent Work Time will include

reading response, math problem solvingreading response, math problem solving - Projects and - Projects and rubrics* rubrics* will require parent will require parent

signature and will be on wikissignature and will be on wikis - In class projects which may need to be - In class projects which may need to be

finished at homefinished at home

Science FairScience Fair

Begin thinking about a science fair topic Begin thinking about a science fair topic and question NOWand question NOW

Teacher guidance/lessons for each aspect Teacher guidance/lessons for each aspect beginning beginning

All experimenting done by Winter Break – All experimenting done by Winter Break – Science Fair in mid/late JanuaryScience Fair in mid/late January

Parent Volunteers – Parent Volunteers – Watch HAB and Wikis for:Watch HAB and Wikis for:

Salt Dough MapsSalt Dough Maps Biz Town Assistants: Sept 26Biz Town Assistants: Sept 26thth Einstein Math AssistantsEinstein Math Assistants Classroom VolunteersClassroom Volunteers Character Ed breakfast Character Ed breakfast Saturday Garden WorkSaturday Garden Work Accelerated MathAccelerated Math Study IslandStudy Island Current EventsCurrent Events

TalkTalk to them about what we are doing in our to them about what we are doing in our classes. If they are confused, encourage them classes. If they are confused, encourage them to ask for help or feel free to contact us.to ask for help or feel free to contact us.

Discuss perfectionism with your child and Discuss perfectionism with your child and reassure them that you do not expect all reassure them that you do not expect all 100s!100s!

Keep in touchKeep in touch with your child’s teachers! Email with your child’s teachers! Email us and check our wikis!us and check our wikis!

Scholarly thoughts to ponder…Scholarly thoughts to ponder…

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.  ~Roger Lewin

Don't handicap your Don't handicap your children by making their children by making their lives easy.  lives easy. 

~Robert A. Heinlein~Robert A. Heinlein

The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live. 

~Mortimer Adler

While we try to teach our While we try to teach our children all about life, our children all about life, our children teach us what life is children teach us what life is all about.all about.

- Angela Schwindt- Angela Schwindt

ALWAYS read and initial HAB!ALWAYS read and initial HAB! Check class wikis!Check class wikis! Check BAC website!Check BAC website! Read the Bee MailRead the Bee Mail Look for the THURSDAY folder with the Look for the THURSDAY folder with the

blue Principals’ Notes each week!blue Principals’ Notes each week!

To learn more about any of the To learn more about any of the above:above:

And on that note…And on that note…

I promise not to believe I promise not to believe everything your child tells me everything your child tells me about what happened at your about what happened at your house if you promise not to house if you promise not to believe everything you hear about believe everything you hear about what happened in school!what happened in school! (Stay (Stay in touch!)in touch!)

Thank you for coming…Thank you for coming…

……and all that you are and all that you are doing to support our doing to support our BAC scholars!BAC scholars!