This document provides information for parents about their child's 4th grade classroom at Shanghai American School. It introduces the teacher, Stefan Fisher, and outlines the classroom goals of understanding the school year work, expectations, and character traits. It then summarizes the core subjects of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. It details the reading and writing workshop models and processes. It concludes by listing special events and homework expectations.

1. Welcome to 4SFWelcome to 4SF
Shanghai American SchoolShanghai American School
Stefan Fisher
Grade 4
Stefan.fisher@saschina.org
Blog: http://sites.saschina.org/sfisher/

2. Who is Your Child’s
Teacher?

3. Goal for Open House
➣To help you understand the work your child will be
doing throughout the school year.
➣To work in partnership with you and explain the
expectations for your child.
➣To help remind them of their character traits and
how this will help them become successful learners.
➣To share information that will help you support
your child’s learning.

4. EAGLES - Our EAGLES define the learner profiles we hope to
instill in our children:
Empowered-Adaptable-Global-minded - Literate- Empathetic-
Skilled Inquirers.
Mission Statement
SAS inspires in all students:
a passion for lifelong learning,
the commitment to act with integrity and compassion, and
the courage to live their dreams.

5. Grade 4 Curriculum
Five core subjects
➣Readers Workshop
➣Writers Workshop
➣Math
➣Science
➣Social Studies
Specials (7 Day Rotation)
PE (3x)
Art and Music (2x)
Library Checkout and Guidance (1x)
Technology and Library are integrated

6. Support Teachers
Helen Jin - EAL (English Additional Language)
Ms. Claire - EAL TA
Caty Romero- Academic Support for Math
Jeff Dungan - Technology Support
Kelly Barons – Academic Support
Jemer Danao - AS TA

7. Reading
The goal of our reading program is to foster a love of
readers. We do this through:
➣Shared, guided and independent reading activities.
➣Reading strategies and skills instruction.
➣Instructional read alouds.
➣Projects which encourage reading and celebrate books
read.

8. Readers Workshop Model
Each Readers Workshop session begins with a mini
lesson that focuses on a reading strategy.
Students then read independently and practice the
skills from the mini-lesson. This may include:
➣Meeting with Reading Partners
➣Writing in Reading response
➣Working in Guided Reading
➣Conferencing with the teacher
 Discussions in book clubs

9. Writers Workshop Model
Each Writers Workshop session begins with a mini
lesson that focuses on a writing strategy.
➣Students develop writing strategies.
➣The writing process includes planning, drafting,
revising, editing and publishing.
➣ Celebrating ourselves as authors.

10. The Writing Process
Five step writing process
➣Pre-write(planting the seed, organize thoughts)
➣Draft (put ideas on paper)
➣Revise (verbs, adjectives,adverbs and elaborating)
➣Edit (correct spelling, mechanics and grammar)
➣Publish (prepare a copy for others to read)

11. MATH
Module 1: Place Values, Rounding and Algorithms for addition and subtraction.
Module 2: Unit Conversions and Problems Solving with Metric Measures
Modules 3: Multi- Digits Multiplication and Division.
Modules 4: Angle Measure and Plane Figures
Modules 5: Fractions Equivalence, Ordering and Operations
Modules 6: Decimal Fractions
Modules 7: Exploring Multiplication

12. Common Core Math
• 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in
solving them.
• 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• 3. Explain and support their strategy and
reasoning, and conceptualizing.
• 4. Demonstrate real life application.
• 5. Use appropriate strategies.

13. Spelling & Grammar
➣Spelling patterns/Rules
➣Grammar Rules
Working with Words
Spelling and grammar are taught
through readers and writers
workshop

14. Science
➣Inquiries
➣Investigations
➣Analysis
Three units studied
➣Structure and Functions
➣Processes that Shape the Earth
➣Energy and Waves

15. Social Studies
Trimester 1
➣Geography: Maps, Atlas, Longitude/Latitude, Landforms
➣Geography of Asia and China
Trimester 2
➣Ancient China
Terra-cotta Warriors
Chinese artifacts
Dynasties
Trimester 3
➣Modern China
Ongoing
➣Service Learning

16. Technology
From 4th grade on we have become 1:1
BLOGS
PUBLISHED WORK
REFLECTIONS
READING LETTERS
CURRENT EVENTS
AUDIENCE
OTHER RESOURCES USED ARE:
TYPING ACE
MATHLETICS
ACCEPTABLE USE
COMPUTER/INTERNET AT HOME

17. Super Fourth Events
➣Soccer days (Fall & Spring TBA)
➣Halloween Party
➣Field trips - Shanghai Museum
- China Alive
-Shanghai Aquarium
➣Sharing Lunch
➣Classroom Holiday Party
➣Book Swap
➣Other planned events

18. Homework
Homework is an opportunity for students to practice
and fine-tune the skills we are working on in class.
Each student will have an assignment book that they
are expected to carry to and from school each day.
Monday –Thursday Night!
➣30 minutes of reading each night. ( excluded from HW time)
➣40 minutes max of homework (including Language Block)
reading response assignments, word study or daily oral
language activities, math practice, writing assignments and
science/social studies work.

19. Class Agreement
As Life Long LEARNERS...
4SF will show …
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Commitment

20. Thank you!