Welcome to 4 PT Back to

School Night!

Weebly
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weebly page.
If you choose to do so, you will receive an
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Go to http://gwapyp.weebly.com/
4PT class Weebly:
http://gradefourgwa.weebly.com/4pt

Burning questions

Please write any questions you

might have on the yellow
post-it notes on each table
and I will try to get back to you
with the answer ASAP.

A little about me
From the United States- grew up
in Texas and Kansas.
Taught grade 3 in Paraguay,
South America.
Marks my ninth year of teaching.
Experience teaching grades 2, 3,
and 4.
third year at GWA!
Excited for another great school
year!

Ms. Sheetal Hegde-TA

From Mumbai, India

Eighth year at GWA
Graduated from Mumbai
University with a Diploma in
Business Management.
Married ten years with a
beautiful eight year old
daughter.
Third year in 4PT and loves
teaching!

A Little About Us
The Fourth Grade Team!
Class
4RB
4KW
4AP
4RM
4SA
4LF
EAL
Grade

Teacher
Rudi Botes
Kristi Wheeldon
Audrey Pagoli
Reem Makatabi
Sandra Aragon
Leigh Ann Fitch
Duncan Kaiser
4 Counselor

Teacher Assistant
Ms. Evelyn
Ms. Reina
Mrs. Ahbba
Mrs. Exile
Mr. Gani
Mr. Tim
In Class and Pull Out Support
Kim Lieske

GWA Approach to Education

IB International Baccalaureate &

PYP Primary Years Programme
Inquiry based
Challenged according to what students are
ready to learn next (developmental approach)
Differentiation, activity based, small group
and individualized learning
Pre and Post Assessments to track students
progress

Teaching Language and Math

Every lesson will have a clear learning

objective to ensure that students are
aware of what they are trying to achieve
during the lesson.
Lessons will also be supported by a list of
success criteria to help the students
monitor and assess their own
performance during the lesson.

Reading and Word study

Reading strategies will be taught in the form

of mini lessons, followed by differentiated
activities in small groups or independently.
We will be using Words Their Way to develop
general knowledge of English spelling as well
as increase students specific knowledge of
words.
Literacy notebooks are for reading notes and
writing. (Writers notebook)

Developmental continuums

We will use both a math and a language arts

continuum to help us assess and track the
progress of our students.
Each standard on the continuum has specific
learning objectives and success criteria linked
to them to support teachers in moving
children forward.
Report card grades based on a 1-7 criteria.

Assessment procedures

In most cases with math, we start with

pre-unit assessment.
We use the data to inform our teaching and
set goals and targets for our students.
The unit is completed with an
end-of-unit-assessment or summative task.
We also MAP test 2 times during the year.
Teachers will provide quality feedback to
most classwork to support with next steps.

How We Know What Students

Have Learned

Prior knowledge to drive inquiry

Pre and Post Assessments
Assessment (authentic, projects, not always paper
and pencil)
Process oriented more often than product
(reflection of learning)
Portfolios
Student Led Conferences
MAP test(2x a year)
PM benchmarks, Spelling inventories

PYP Units of Inquiry

WHO WE ARE
cultural awareness and global citizenship
HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
communication and expression of self
HOW WE ORGANISE OURSELVES
understanding the marketplace/fair trade
HOW THE WORLD WORKS
scientific changes and experimentation
SHARING THE PLANET
distribution of resources and wealth
WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE AND TIME
architectural changes linked to world innovations

Home Learning
These sites will be used for weekly skills
practice and assigned by unit topic.
READING PRACTICE
https://www.kidsa-z.com/main/Login
SPELLING AND VOCABULARY PRACTICE
http://www.spellingcity.com/Log-yourself-in.html
MATH SKILLS PRACTICE
https://www.ixl.com/roster/view

NIGHTLY READING EXPECTATIONS:

http://gradefourgwa.weebly.com/4lf/category/home-learning

Supporting
Learning at
home with
other great
educational
websites!
http://gwapypict.weebly.com/

Eco-venture overnight trip!

November/December.
Cost 1095DHS/per child
995DHS for families with more
than one child in grade 4.
2 days, 1 night

Communication

Many ways to be in touch including face-to-face,

student diaries, email.
p.thibodeaux_gwa@gemsedu.com
Ask questions as they come up, no need to wait for
official conference times. I have an open door policy.
Check the weebly on a weekly basis
www.gwapyp.weebly.com
CONFERENCES! Want one? Just let me know!

Room Parent

We need a room parent to help us

with organizing certain events.
Please send me an email if you are
interested.

THANK YOU FOR COMING

Anything Else
Time for Questions?
Post It Parking LOT
I will address questions about your
individual child through e-mail or in a
conference.