Syllabus     2023-2024


Fourth Grade Syllabus

2023-24

The Charles Townes Center at Sterling School


OUR GOALS
• To inspire inquiry skills and a life-long thirst for learning
• To support social and emotional development and an understanding of diverse peers
• To develop student understanding of life themes within and across disciplines
• To hone skills of critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and decision-making

• To lead to mastery of content areas at a pace and depth appropriate for gifted learners
• To develop reflective, cooperative, autonomous learners

Classroom and School Values

Griffin PRIDE is a common set of values that unite Sterling. These are the basis of our relationships, our actions and our decisions. They strengthen us as individuals, teammates, and as a school.

Positivity: At Sterling, we see the possibilities in every challenge. We look for connections, expand our vision, and find solutions others may overlook, focusing on a successful outcome. We learn from our mistakes and get better for our next challenge.

Respect: At Sterling, Respect is given to all. We give respect. We treat others, as we would want others to treat us. It does not matter what role you play. We value everyone. We know that every person contributes to the success of our classroom.

Integrity: At Sterling, we do the right thing in everything we do. Integrity is the foundation of our relationships. We hold each other and ourselves accountable to act in the best interest of our classmates.

Determination: At Sterling, we choose to challenge the status quo. This means we are not afraid to make mistakes. We constantly challenge our own thinking and approaches because we are determined to achieve success.

Empathy: At Sterling, we listen for the needs of others. Putting yourself in the shoes of others is fundamental. We respect, value, and seek diverse viewpoints and backgrounds. This makes us better teammates, students, and role models.


Rules for Student Behavior
• THREE MAIN RULES: Respect yourself, respect others, and respect your environment.  If we can remember the three ‘Respects’, we’ll have a great year!  Rules will be followed in the classrooms, cafeteria, hallways, restrooms, and the playground.  Some examples of showing respect:  



4th Grade CTC 2023-24 Schedule

7:30 Hallway provided for safe reading time

7:45 School begins; students listen to announcements and gather materials for switch.

7:55-10:55 Rotations begin: Math, Science, ELA, Social Studies

11:00-11:30 Lunch

11:40-12:25 Related Arts

12:30-1:00 Physical Activity

1:05-1:25 Rotations continue: Math, Science, ELA, Social Studies

1:30-1:50 Flex Time (provided for students to work on upcoming projects)

1:50-2:15 Pack materials, clean the room; Teacher read aloud

2:15 Staggered dismissal


• In fourth grade, students rotate for content subjects.  Students will move with their homeroom class. 

Content subjects are math, science, spelling/stems, social studies, reading and writing skills.

• Students will attend Computer, Art, Music, and PE once a week in integrated groups. 

Students will receive a guidance lesson or a media center class every other week.
• Flex time will be allotted at the end of each day. This period will allow students to finish classwork, start homework, study, and talk to their teachers if they have questions or need help on a subject.


Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines 

• Raise your hand and wait when you need to speak.
• Remain seated in your work area unless you need to briefly throw trash away or get a tissue.
• Unpack everything you’ll need for the day. Backpacks remain zipped shut and on the student’s  hook.
 • To use the restroom during non-instructional time (group work, transitions, etc.), give teacher a signal. 

• Water bottles and one snack are allowed throughout the day (not at related arts).


Supply List

● Wood Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (24 count; sharpened) 

● 4 Expo dry erase markers 

● 4 Elmer’s all purpose glue sticks 

● 1 pack of markers (8 count) 

● 1 pack of colored pencils (12 count) 

● 2 boxes of facial tissue 

● 5 composition notebooks  

● 1 soft-sided pencil pouch 

● 1 set of earbuds to stay at school

● 2 3-prong folders  


Homework Policy

1. Homework will be assigned daily, not to exceed 1 hour; projects, studying, and reading not included.
2. Homework is due the morning after it is assigned, unless otherwise noted.

3. FLEX time can be used for long-term projects. Work not completed must be finished at home.
4. Homework will be written daily on the board in the classroom. Students will record assignments and reminders in their student planners. Please check these planners daily.

5. Greenville County School District Homework Policy


Communication with Parents 

• Thursday Folders: Students will receive graded rubrics, tests, quizzes, and other work from the week.  Folders will contain useful information from the PTA and community. *Parents, please read through all documents carefully and sign the communication log located in back of the folder weekly. Thursday folders will also contain a newsletter with items such as spelling words, test dates, and important info.

• To check your child’s grades through Power Teacher, refer to the Greenville County Portal.  Your log-in information can be found through Chrissy Hammonds, in the front office.
• Websites and boards in our rooms will be used to display classwork, homework and reminders. You may also write us a note in your child’ planner, which we will check daily.


Contact Info:


Christy Guth                                                 Susan Sims                                                       

(864) 355-4594                                              (864) 355-7542                                                   

chguth@greenville.k12.sc.us                         sbsims@greenville.k12.sc.us 


Website: https://sites.google.com/a/greenvilleschools.us/ctc-campers/fourth-grade-ctc


Missed Work/ Make-up Policy  (District Policy)

• Any missed work due to an absence must be made up within two days of returning to school, including any homework, tests, quizzes, or projects missed. 


E-Learning Guidelines for Inclement Weather

If an inclement weather day occurs where students will be eLearning from home, students will be provided with work via Google Meets and Google Classroom. Teachers will communicate a schedule and assignments for the day through email or Google Classroom. During the school-day, 15 minute live lessons will be provided through Google Meets for the following subjects: math, science, ELA, and Social Studies.


Grading Scale (District Policy)

• 90-100 A
• 80-89 B
• 70-79 C
• 60-69 D
• 50-59 F

Curriculum Information: This year we will cover many concepts in each subject. Below you will find a list of our main units for each subject throughout the course of the year, but there will be changes as needed. 


Math:

Intro: I am a mathematician! Math in Nature

Unit 1: Place Value and Multiplication

Unit 2: Division

Unit 3: Data Analysis and Probability

Unit 4: Decimals (Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing)

Unit 5: Fractions (Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing)

Unit 6: Measurement, Time and Temperature

Unit 7: Geometry and Volume


Science/Health:

Introduction: Engineering Design and Lab Skills & Safety

Unit 1: Energy Resources

Unit 2: Changes in Geosphere

Unit 3: Waves in Action

Unit 4: Energy and Motion in Collision

Unit 5: Senses and Survival


Social Studies:

Unit 1: Exploration

Unit 2: Native Americans/Colonization

Unit 3: Revolutionary War

Unit 4: Establishment of Government

Unit 5: Westward Expansion

Unit 6: Civil War


Reading:

Fictional novel studies 

Nonfiction text and structures

Poetry and figurative language

Integration of multimedia digital features


Topics of Study:


Writing: Grammar, parts of speech, and sentence structure throughout the year

Unit 1: Expository Essay

Unit 2: Opinion/Persuasive writing 

Unit 3: Poetry and figurative language

Unit 4: Descriptive narratives using dialogue