Mr. James Filoso
GRADE 4
Language Arts, Challenge Reading, Social Studies, Math
OUR CLASS OPERATING PRINCIPLES
HERE YOU WILL SEE US....
Being a team that makes sure everyone learns, succeeds, and feels proud
Creating an encouraging place where we feel safe
Apologizing and forgiving
Knowing when to express and when to listen
Caring even when it is difficult
Making sure no one feels badly
Celebrating hard work and achievement
Asking for clarity and listening
Helping others to understand without being degrading or pompous
Looking out for those who need
Smiling, welcoming, including
Having compassion
GRADING POLICIES, STUDY GUIDES, TESTS, SIGNATURES, ETC.
Please review grading policies sheet that you should keep at home. This sheet explains the grading philosophy, how marking period grades are determined, homework, making up work when absent, and tests.
Study guides are distributed about one week before major tests. Students may earn extra credit points on tests if study guides are signed and returned at the time of the test. Study guides are not distributed for short, in-class graded assignments or quizzes.
All tests and assignments that are graded need to be signed and returned.
HOMEWORK
Please ask your child exactly what he/she learned in each class each day. Read the assignment pad and check that assignments are completed. Test dates, project due dates, and other information can be found in the assignment pad as well.
CURRENT LESSON TOPICS
Please note that quiz/test dates may need to be adjusted from time to time. Check here, assignment pads, study guides for updates.
CHALLENGE READING
INDEPENDENT READING LOG/RESPONSE:
Select independent reading book, read, complete log, written response from many choices; due Fridays New reading log options beginning in late January.
Use of Fountas & Pinnell reading levels
VOCABULARY:
VocabULit workbook
Lessons assigned most Mondays, workbook pages usually due Thursdays, quizzes from time to time covering several vocabulary lessons.
Lesson 12 - week of February 24
Lesson 13 - week of March 2
Lessons 12 & 13 Quiz - week of March 9
CURRENT INSTRUCTION:
STRATEGIES FOR CLOSE READING: POETRY
Introduction to Poetry. Biographical background on Emily Dickinson. Videos, close reading, discussions, and instruction & practice of strategies for reading poetry. Anchor text: Emily Dickinson, "In the Garden".
Assessments: Project on Emily Dickinson (due date TBA/early March); Test applying strategies to another Emily Dickinson poem (TBA/March)
Next:
Strategies for Close Reading: Non-Fiction/Informational Texts
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
CURRENT INSTRUCTION:
EXPOSITORY WRITING (ON-GOING)
Frequent, in-class writing exercises to build foundational skills: stamina, organization, craft, and mechanics.
Writing practice exercises based on Expository Writing Master List
Assessments: Writing exercises, trimester assessment
WRITING A MEMOIR
Mentor texts: Saturdays & Teacakes and student-written memoirs.
Creation of Master List of features of great memoirs.
Lessons and Workshops: planning and organizing a memoir, using transitional words, writing dialogue, etc.
Assessments: Memoir features test. Student-written memoir graded against master list. Dates TBA/March
MATH
CURRENT INSTRUCTION:
iReady
Individualized computer program (45 minutes/week; on-going)
Multiplication Facts
One-A-Day program.
Unit 3 - Multiplication Strategies
Multiplying 1-digit numbers by up to 4-digit numbers
Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
Area Model
Expanded Algorithm
Videos, instructional/practice packets, group work, targeted support
Test date: early March/TBA
Next
Division: Area Model
SOCIAL STUDIES
Mr. Filoso teaches social studies to both fourth-grade classes.
CURRENT INSTRUCTION: INTEGRATING HISTORICAL INFORMATION:
Presidents' Day
The history of Presidents' Day
Videos, texts, discussion, writing exercise
Valentine's Day
The history of St. Valentine
Videos, texts, discussion, writing exercise
Black History Month
The history of Black History Month
Exploration and investigation of prominent Black historical figures.
In-class project: poster
New Jersey's Government
Videos, texts, organizers to understand the branches of government, the history of our Constitution, etc.
Later:
Document-based questions
Women's History Month
SPECIALS / ADDITIONAL CLASSES & INSTRUCTION - SCHEDULE FOR 4FILOSO
MONDAY - GYM AND SPANISH
TUESDAY - ART AND TECHNOLOGY
WEDNESDAY - ART AND MUSIC;
- INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS (as scheduled)
THURSDAY - TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH
- INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS (as scheduled) & AM BAND
FRIDAY - MUSIC AND GYM
- MEDIA CENTER (according to alternating schedule)