Fourth Grade

Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Andy Brown
Class Web Page

385.646.8476

Mrs. Witherspoon
Ms. Kaelyn Witherspoon
Class Web Page

385.646.8488

Core Concepts

This is a very exciting year as your son/daughter progresses through his/her school career! Fourth grade is a time to experience important transitions and acquire new skills. We hope to instill a love of learning and personal responsibility that will last throughout your child’s educational career!

During the year, your child will develop skills in literacy, fluency, comprehension, as well as the writing process. Math skills such as multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, algebra, measurement, patterning and problem solving are taught using the Everyday Math program and other valuable supplements.

Science and Social Studies are taught through Interconnections. These units include: Native Americans, Mountain Men, Pioneers, Westward Movement, State Symbols and Counties, Government, Water Cycle, Rocks and Minerals, Soil, Fossils, Habitats, Plants and Animals and Asia.

Homework Tips

Have a homework routine.
Designate a specific area and time for homework and studying.
Eliminate distractions such as phone calls and television during homework time.
Help your student organize study and homework projects.
Provide the necessary tools and materials your student needs to complete the study or homework activity.
Teach your child that studying is more than just doing homework assignments.

Reading Resources

Math Resources

Combination

Utah Counties

Utah Reach – a look at every region in the state of Utah http://utahreach.org/places/index.cfm?res=county
Online Utah – cities and towns by county
http://onlineutah.com/citiesincounties.shtml
Utah Travel Center – information on each of Utah’s 29 counties
http://www.utahtravelcenter.com/counties/
UEN’s Utah Counties site
http://www.uen.org/counties/index.shtml
Utah Counties Webquest
http://www.uen.org/counties/webquest/index.shtml
Salt Lake Tribune – feature articles on each of Utah’s counties
http://extras.sltrib.com/counties/
UEN’s Pioneer Library
http://pioneer.utah.gov/utah_on_the_web/utah_counties/index.html
History for Kids
http://historyforkids.utah.gov/homework_help/counties/index.html

Science

Utah biomes
http://www.mbgnet.net/

Utah Weather

Utah Center for Climate and Weather - information about Utah's climate and weather
http://www.utahweather.org

Testing Practice

Mrs. Brown's UTIPS

Testing

CRITERION REFERENCE TESTING (CRT)
As part of the Utah Core Assessment Program, and the UPASS program, Criterion Referenced Tests (CRT) consist of end-of-year and/or end-of-course examinations in language arts, mathematics, reading, and science, for grades k-12. Participation in these examinations is required. Student results are categorized by various levels of proficiency, and schools measure their success in part by counting how many students score at high proficiency levels on these exams.
DIBELS
The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) are a set of standardized, individually administered measures of literacy development. Students are assessed in their development of fluency. This test is designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures. The DIBELS assessment is administered three times each year beginning September, Mid January, and beginning May. For additional information visit the DIBELS web site.

Mathematics Benchmark Assessment
The mathematical benchmark assessment in a quarterly assessment. The benchmark assessments are designed to measure a students' progress in mastering State Math Core Objectives. Each benchmark assessment consists of multiple choice and performance based questions. As this assessment is not timed, students are given ample time to demonstrate their mastery of identified math core concepts.

YPP
Yearly Progress Pro (YPP) is a research-based, on-line assessment, instructional, and intervention tool that gives teacher and administrators specific frequent feedback on student progress in mathematics, language arts, and reading. YPP assessments also provide instant automatic, on-the-spot intervention and ensure classroom instruction is aligned to state and national standards. Students take the YPP assessment tests each week in the school computer lab.