Academic Syllabus

Welcome to MGLA:
Welcome to 4th grade!
We are so excited that you will be part of our 4
th
grade MGLA family this year! We have a fun and exciting
year planned to include at least two fieldtrips for science and social studies. Below you will find a year
overview of what your child will be experiencing during their fourth grade year as a Jaguar. We look forward
to working with you and your children for the 2014-2015 school year.

Class content:
Literacy
In the fourth grade students will continue to build important reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
They will think, talk, and write about what they read in variety of texts, such as stories, books, articles, and
other sources of information including the Internet. In their writing, students will learn how to develop a topic
and strengthen their skills by editing and revising through persuasive writing. Projects will include; book
reports and written reports to go along with content specific projects (ie: science, social studies and math).

Math
In the fourth grade, students will continue to build on important mathematical skills with a focus on
multiplication and division, factors, fractions (including percentages and decimals), concepts of angles
including measuring and identifying types of angles and converting units of measurement from a larger unit to a
smaller unit. Projects will include the economics project (in conjunction with social studies).
Social Studies
In the fourth grade, students will focus on the history and culture of NC. We will explore citizenship traits and
what it means to be a good citizen. Projects will include an economics project (in conjunction with math), a
global studies project, and citizenship project and culture boxes.

Science
Fourth grade students will explore various exciting topics in science such as; ecology, force and motion,
properties of matter, Earth in the universe, Earth history, and molecular biology. We will be completing several
projects including a science fair project, a STEM project, and other culminating projects to go with the various
units of study.

Global connections:
Fourth graders will be completing two global book studies, the first of which will be Seeds of Change. This
is the story of a young Kenyan girl who promoted the civil rights of her countrywomen and helped to save the
Teacher: Mrs. Lisa Bayse
alicia1.bayse@cms.k12.nc.us
http://aliciabayse.weebly.com/

Ms. Tara Brown
tara.brown@cms.k12.nc.us
http://brilliantbunch.weebly.com/

Ms. Mary Ledford
maryk.ledford@cms.k12.nc.us
http://ledfordsclass.weebly.com/

Academic Syllabus

land by starting the Green Belt Movement. We will also be looking at pictures from headlines around the world
and challenging our preconceptions of other cultures. For our Global Symposium project this year our students
will be learning about and exploring Kenya, NCs European roots, and comparing and contrasting the different
cultures that defined NC from Europe and Africa.
Required materials:
Each teacher will be sending out their own supply list. Please visit the school website for a generic list of
supplies. Each student will be required to have their agenda, paper and a pencil every day.

Daily preparation and communication:
Students are to be in class, in uniform by 9:15 every day. Students need to bring pencils to write with daily.
Students will also need to bring their agenda daily. The agenda is to record their behavior daily. Please sign
and return the agenda or folder every day. You may also write notes or questions in these. We want you to
know that one of our most important goals this year is to keep the lines of communication open with you.
Grading:
Grades can be checked online via PowerSchool. If you do not have your childs passcode please contact the
school office and they will connect you to the appropriate resource.
Tutoring schedule
There will be a 4th grade team member available for tutoring on Tuesday morning from 7:45 am to 8:45 am or
Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 5:30. It is not a before or after school program. Tutoring will be for students
whos teachers identify as needing improvement in their reading or mathematical skills.
Please sign below indicating you have read and understand the expectations of this course. Please do not detach
signature from page. Thank you.

Student Signature: __________________________________________Date:_________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________Date:________________________
Parent/Guardian contact information: _________________________________________________________