Mrs. Smith's Class
Fourth Grade
 
School Year- 2011/2012
Hello Parents and Students-
 
 
RED FOLDER--- This folder is sent home each week.  The folder is to be signed and returned the next day.  I will start attaching papers to a grade report each week.  The grade report also needs to be signed.  Be sure to write down any questions that you have on the grade report.  Keep them all attached to the progress report and return everything.  I will put the total # of papers, including the grade report, on the red folder.   
**If your child has access to a computer, he/she can work on their Skills Tutor lessons from home. 
 
A little about myself--
I have a Masters Degree in Elementary Education.  My hometown is West Monroe, Louisiana.  My husband is stationed at Keesler AirForce Base.  I have two sons.  They are 7 and 13.  I have taught in other places due to military life, but I especially love this school.  I love the diversity brought into the classrooms.  We have students that come in from all over the world.  I have had students, at the same time, that were at another school together in a different country.  Our classroom environment is very unique due to the experiences our students share.    

Please email me as soon as you have any concerns or questions at:  amy.smith@biloxischools.net

Communication between the teacher and parent(s)/guardian(s) is critical for students to reach their potential.

 Things to know:

*Students  take term tests (each 9 weeks) that will cover everything taught during the 9 weeks.  Please see the grading scale at the bottom of this page.

Tests will occur when we have finished covering the material.    

 Guaranteed Curriculum

pencil writing and erasing or dancing animated gif pencil writing and erasing or dancing animated gif

Math-                              1 Understand relationships among numbers, use the four basic operations, compute fluently, and make reasonable estimates.

d Explain two or more methods of dividing four-digit dividends by one- and two-digit 

divisors, with and without remainders, and justify the processes. (DOK 2)

h2 Estimate quotients of whole numbers to include strategies such as rounding. (DOK 2)

3 Analyze characteristics, properties, and relationships of two- and threedimensional geometric shapes. 

Use coordinate geometry.

a Analyze and describe the similarities and differences between and among twoand threedimensional geometric shapes, figures, and models using mathematical language. 

(DOK 2)

b Identify and analyze the relationships between and among points, lines, line segments, 

angles, and rays. (DOK 2)

c Identify transformations (rotations [turns], reflections [flips], and translations [slides]) of two-dimensional figures. (DOK 1)

d Locate ordered pairs in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane. (DOK 1)

5 Formulate and analyze data. Evaluate inferences and predictions.

b2 Find and interpret the mean of a set of data. (DOK 1)

 Science-  bubbling flask

1 Explain and use skills necessary to conduct scientific inquiry.
a Form hypotheses and predict outcomes of problems to be investigated. (DOK 3)
b Use the senses and simple tools to gather qualitative information about objects or events 
 (size, shape, color, texture, sound, position, change). (DOK 1)
c Demonstrate the accurate use of simple tools to gather and compare information (DOK 1)
c1 Tools (English rulers [to the nearest eighth of an inch], metric rulers [to the nearest 
centimeter], thermometers, scales, hand lenses, microscopes, balances, clocks,
calculators, anemometers, rain gauges)
c2 Types of data (height, mass/weight, temperature, length, distance, volume, area, 
perimeter)
d Use simple sketches, diagrams, tables, charts, and writing to draw conclusions and 
communicate data results. (DOK 2)
e Interpret and describe patterns of data using drawings, diagrams, charts, tables, graphs, 
and maps. (DOK 2)
f Explain why scientists and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing 
different things that contribute to the results. (DOK 2)
g Draw conclusions about important steps (e.g., making observations, asking questions, 
trying to solve a problem, etc.) that led to inventions and discoveries. (DOK 3)

3 Analyze the characteristics, structures, life cycles, and environments of organisms.

b Classify the organs and functions of the nervous, circulatory, and respiratory systems of  

the body. (DOK 1)

e Analyze food webs to interpret how energy flows from the sun. (DOK 2) 

4 Develop an understanding of the properties of Earth materials, objects in the sky, and changes in Earth and sky.

a Classify sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. (DOK 2) 3

b Compare and contrast Earth’s geological features and the changes caused by external  

forces. (DOK 2)

b1 Bodies of water, beaches, ocean ridges, continental shelves, plateaus, faults, canyons,  

sand dunes, and ice caps.

b2 External forces including heat, wind, and water.

b3 Movement of continental plates

Social Studies- (in no particular order)

 1. Understand the purpose, roles, and responsibilities of state and federal government.
  1. a. Distinguish among the three branches of government and their roles at local, county, state, and national levels. (DOK 2)
  2. b. Explain how and why the state government makes, carries out, and enforces laws. (DOK 1)
  3. c. Explain the responsibilities of state government to protect, educate, and maintain the public welfare of its citizens (e.g., responding to natural disasters). (DOK 2)
  4. d. Demonstrate and analyze spatial and ecological perspectives in life situations (e.g., locating waste disposal in the community, organizing a recycling drive, etc.). (DOK 2)

2. Understand how geography, history, and politics have influenced the development of Mississippi.

  1. a. Identify the major Native American groups (Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez) found living in Mississippi by the first European explorers in the region and discuss their governmental and economic systems. (DOK 2)
  2. b. Describe the process by which the Mississippi territory was admitted to the United States. (DOK 1)
  3. c. Describe the development of slavery and opposition to slavery in Mississippi. (DOK 1)
  4. d. Trace the events that led to the secession of Mississippi from the Union in 1861 and subsequently entering the Civil War. (DOK 1)

    5. Global Affairs

    3. Describe and illustrate geographic aspects of a region using fundamental geographic vocabulary.

    1. a. Use social studies tools (e.g., time lines, maps, globes, compasses, graphs, grids, and technological resources, etc.) to describe the connections among the people, places, and environment of Mississippi and the southeastern region. (DOK 2)
    2. b. Compare and contrast the ten geographical regions of Mississippi in terms of soil, landforms, etc. (DOK 2)
    3. c. Discuss Mississippi‘s global trade activities (e.g., imports, exports, interdependence, etc.). (DOK 1)

      4. Civil Rights/Human Rights

      4. Understand the roles, rights, and responsibilities of Mississippi citizens.

      1. a. Distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors of a responsible citizen (e.g., courteous public behavior, respect for the rights and property of others, tolerance, self-control, participation in the democratic process, and respect for the environment, etc.). (DOK 2)
      2. b. Identify historical figures (e.g., Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, and Martin Luther King Jr., etc.), circumstances (e.g., slavery, abolition, segregation and integration, etc.), and conditions (e.g., The Great Migration, Trail of Tears, Women‘s Suffrage, etc.) related to the struggle for civil/human rights in Mississippi and their impact on Mississippi‘s society. (DOK 2)
      3. c. Compare and contrast the benefits and challenges of unity and diversity among citizens of Mississippi. (DOK 2)

      Economics

      5. Understand how geographic and environmental factors influence life and work.

      1. a. Compare the resources and scarcity of resources in a local region to other regions of Mississippi (e.g., Delta‘s rich soil vs. coastal waters). (DOK 2)
      2. b. Describe the division of labor within Mississippi (e.g., government, industry, and agriculture). (DOK 1)
      3. c. Describe the opportunity cost of choices made within Mississippi (e.g., cotton farming vs. soy bean farming, pasture land vs. industrial development, beaches vs. casinos, landfills vs. parks, etc.). (DOK 2)
      4. d. Explain the benefits and challenges of global trade for Mississippi. (DOK 2)
      5. e. Explain the connections between Mississippi and other states (e.g., economic and political borders such as the Natchez Trace, the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, etc.). (DOK 2)
      6. f. Describe the economic impact of natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.). (DOK 2)

      Culture

      6. Understand diversity in Mississippi.

      1. a. Describe the history of people who first lived in Mississippi. (DOK 1)
      2. b. Identify the Mississippi artists, musicians and writers who have an impact on the state, nation and world. (DOK 1)
      3. c. Analyze the impact and interactions among all groups throughout the history of Mississippi (e.g., European American, African American, Asian American, Native American, Hispanic, etc.). (DOK 3)
      Sites:  

      http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4     (Great practice on math skills)


       
       

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