4th Grade Science and ELA

Syllabus 2017-2018

Hello Students!

I am so thrilled to be your ELA and science teacher for the 2017-2018 school year! I know we
are going to have an incredible academic year. I am very much looking forward to teaching in
Virginia! After living in New York and Florida for a while, my husband and I decided to move
to Washington DC to be near our Virginia family. I grew up in Springfield and graduated from
Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009 with a bachelors in Psychology. I went on to
obtain my Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California. Before
returning to Virginia, I taught ELA, math, science, social studies, and STEM to grades 2-5.

I have a wonderfully energetic and strong-willed one-year old daughter, Ellie, who keeps me on
my toes all day, every day! I also have two sweet kitties, Otis and Jacob, and one enormous dog
named Wyatt. I enjoy hiking, scavenger hunts, puzzles, reading, painting/drawing, sharing
music, and participating in engineering challenges.

Not only do I love to teach, I love to learn and challenge myself. I truly believe the journey of the
learner is never over and that you will know your true potential only if you push yourself outside
of your comfort zone. I cannot wait to start this year and support you during this journey!

Mrs. Colbert

Your childs school day:

School begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. If your child arrives after 8:15, please
ensure they go to the office to receive a late pass.

4th Grade:

1 2 3 4 Lunch 5 6 7
8:26- 9:17- 10:08- 10:59- 11:50- 12:52- 1:43-2:33 2:34- 3:24
9:16 10:07 10:58 11:49 12:50 1:42

Monday Math Math English English Computer Social Social

Studies Studies

Tuesday Math Math English English Social Science Enrichment

Studies

Wednesday Math Music English English Science Science PE

Thursday Math Math Art English Science Science Language

Friday Math English English Computer Social Language Enrichment

Studies
 4th Grade Science and ELA

Year at a Glance

Quarter 1 Science Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, Logic

Force, Motion, and Energy 4.2

Quarter 2 Science Force, Motion, and Energy 4.3

Space Science 4.7
Space Science 4.8

Quarter 3 Science Interrelationships in Earth/Space System

Living Systems

Quarter 4 Science Life Processes

Earth Resources

Quarter 1 ELA Reading:

Informational Text Standards: Spiral standards found in Reading
4.6, fluency/accuracy
Literary Text Standards: 4.5: b, c, e, h, i, k fluency/accuracy

Writing: narrative writing, short informative pieces for science concepts

Vocabulary: context clues, roots, affixes, word reference material usage,
study word meanings across content areas
Grammar: parts of speech, subject/verb agreement, noun/pronoun
agreement, quotation, commas, spelling (homophones/graphs), singular
possessives
Speaking/Listening: Spiral 4.1 and 4.2
Research: how to construct a research question, citation, bibliography,
plagiarism

Quarter 2 ELA Reading:

Literary Text Standards: 4.5: a, d, e-h, fluency/accuracy
Informational Text Standards: 4.6: spiral standards from quarter 1,
fluency/accuracy
Writing: explanatory (how-to)
Vocabulary: determine meaning of multiple meaning words, figurative
language, develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of
texts
Grammar: linking and helping verbs, compound sentences, complex
sentences
Speaking/Listening: 4.1 and 4.2 spiral
Research: Collect information from multiple sources, use technology to
research, organize, evaluate and communicate, develop notes
 4th Grade Science and ELA

Quarter 3 ELA Reading:

Literary Text Standards: 4.5: i, j, k, poetry sequence,
compare/contrast within and across texts, fluency/accuracy
Informative Text Standards: 4.6 spiral review of quarter 1 and 2
Writing: Poetry
Vocabulary: Spiral all vocabulary standards
Grammar: double negatives, run-on sentences, semi-colon
Speaking/Listening: 4.1 and 4.2
Research: organize information presented on charts, maps, graphs, spiral
from quarter 1 and 2

Quarter 4 ELA Reading:

*Introducing 5th Informative Text Standards: Spiral Review
grade standards Literary Text Standards: Spiral Review
Writing: Argumentative
Vocabulary: Spiral review
Grammar: Spiral review
Speaking/Listening: 4.1 and 4.2
Research: Spiral review

Classwork, Projects, Homework and Late Work Policy:

Classwork: Classwork will be due at the end of each class period, unless otherwise specified. If
a student does not turn classwork in on time, they may turn it in the next school day for half
points. Failure to turn the assignment in at all will result in a 0.

Homework: Homework will be assigned throughout the week and over the weekends. During
the week, homework is due the next class period for that subject (unless otherwise specified). If a
student comes to school without his/her assignment on the due date, they may turn it in the next
school day for half points. Failure to turn the assignment in at all will result in a 0.

Projects: If a student fails to meet the due date of an assigned project, they will lose 10 points for
each day it is late.

Excused absences: students will receive 1 day of make-up time for each day they miss.
Unexcused absences: students may receive half points for the the assignments they missed
during the unexcused absence.

Grading Weights:

Tests 30%
Quizzes 20%
Projects 25%
Classwork 15%
 4th Grade Science and ELA

Homework (completion) 10%

Field Trips
Fourth and fifth grade will have an interdisciplinary field trip each quarter. More information
will be available in the coming weeks.

.Communication:
Email: jcolbert@pinnacleacademyva.com
Website: colbertpinnacleacademy.weebly.com
SIS: https://pinnacle.applesis.org/

Home Visits:
Teachers at Pinnacle Academy conduct home visits. This will be one scheduled appointment at
your convenience during the first semester where another teacher/staff and I will come to your
home simply to discuss the many positive aspects of your child. (Note: this is NOT a parent
teacher conference.) We believe there are many benefits to home visits such as positive
communication, building closer home-school partnerships, and building a network of support for
your child.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: There will be three scheduled parent-teacher conferences at the end
of each quarter: September 29, January 29, April 17. Aside from website, email, and SIS
communication, please contact me via email if you wish to set up a time to discuss your childs
academic progress in between the schedule parent-teacher conference dates. I will be available
to meet Wednesday-Friday after school.

Behavior Management System:

Students are expected to read, comprehend and follow the rules and regulations stated in
the Student Handbook. Please ensure your child understands Pinnacle Academys
behavior expectations.
Class Dojo: Fourth and fifth grade will be using Class Dojo for classroom behavior
management. Students will either receive points for positive behavior or lose points for
negative behavior throughout the week. If the student is able to earn a 85% or higher for
positive behavior by Thursday, they will be rewarded with a dress down opportunity for
Friday. *Please see Student Handbook for appropriate clothing guidelines.

ELA: Resources/Materials
Text: N/A
Student ELA resource binder:Students will update and organize weekly
o Sections:
-Reading-Literary
-Reading-Informational
-Vocabulary Acquisition
-Writing- Narrative, Descriptive
-Writing- Expository
-Writing- Argumentative
 4th Grade Science and ELA

-Grammar
-Research
Writing Notebook (composition notebook): Students will update and organize weekly
Reading Log: Students will update weekly, weekly homework grade
At home practice: Please check teacher website weekly

Science: Resources/Materials

Text: Exploring Science All Around Us

Science Notebook: Students will update and organize their science notes and
investigation journal notes daily.
At home practice: Please check teacher website weekly
 4th Grade Science and ELA

Teacher/Guardian/Student Agreement

I ______________________ have read Mrs. Colberts 2017-2018 syllabus and agree to follow it

to the best of my ability. If teacher, student, or parent has any questions, he or she may request a

meeting or conference at any time to discuss further. I agree to a great school year!

X__________________________________

Student

X____________________________________

Parent

X____________________________________

Teacher