Grade 4 English Language Arts 23/24

Fall semester: 1104 Spring semester 1104.2

 

First Semester: 8/14/23         Second Semester: 1/8/24

Drop Date: 9/1/23                                   Drop Date: 1/19/24

            

Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course. 

Teacher: Casey Blair

Email: cblair@cwcharter.org

Phone: 209.988.6876

Class Days and time: Mondays and Tuesdays 9:45-10:45

ELD Support: Wednesdays 9:45-10:45

Office Hours: By Appointment Only

 

REQUIRED CURRICULUM:

Required curriculum may be available at the Learning Center on a first come basis.  If needed, ESs can order curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing. Students will need:

• Journeys Student Edition  textbook Grade 4 (9780544544055)
• Journeys Reader’s Notebook consumable grade 4 (9780544592650)
• Optional: Journey Reader’s Notebook Teacher Ed Grade 4 (9780547860756)
• Ribsy, Beverly Cleary (9780380709557)
• Beezus and Ramona, Beverly Cleary (978-0439148023)

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Chromebook, laptop, or desktop computer
• Headset with a working microphone, webcam
• School GMail address for shared presentations and Google Docs
• Notebook for writing assignments

Overview:  

These are some examples of what we’ll address during the school year:

• Reading Literature and informational text
• Analyzing literature and informational text
• Reading skills and strategies
• Vocabulary skills and strategies
• Language conventions
• Designated English Language Development (ELD) time 

Attached you will find the Pacing Guide. It is a live document and may be subject to change. 

 

For Writing, students will:

• Share, identify, and organize ideas
• Determine main ideas and draw conclusions
• Order and sequence events
• Compare and contrast ideas
• Chart causes and effects
• Evaluate information and make decisions
• Complete Reading & Writing Portfolio with Oral Review

 

Classes are held weekly and announcements are posted on Canvas. Detailed weekly assignments are given in the pacing guide in this syllabus; however—if your student is absent—please email your instructor. For your reference ease, a pacing guide containing weekly homework assignments is included in this syllabus. 

 

Accessing Canvas

Google Apps for Education Permission Form (GAFE Form): This must be submitted to gafe@cwcharter.org in order for the student to receive an email account and access to Google.

• Logging into Canvas

Login address: cwcs.instructure.com

Email is School email: DistrictID@cwcharter.org (i.e.12345@cwcharter.org)

Password: First name District ID (Capitalize name, no spaces, i.e.     

Jared12345)

• Student Training Course

All students are encouraged to enroll in our Student Training Course:  Passport to Canvas here or go to  https://cwcs.instructure.com/enroll/HARXH3

• Parent Observers in Canvas

Observer Role for ESs and parents: This role allows you to see what your student is working on, what is coming up due, and their current grades.  

Click here for more information!

• Need Help? Email canvashelp@cwcharter.org. Please include your name and the name of the class along with a complete description of the issue.

• Canvas FAQs

PLEASE NOTE: The pacing guide can be subject to change and is a suggested guide for assignments. Please log in to Canvas for updated weekly assignments.  Be sure to email the teacher when you are absent and be sure to complete the missed assignments.  Enrolled students meet online, three times a week.  During class, they’ll use headsets with microphones, webcams, and other online tools to communicate with other students and the online teacher.

 

Day 3 of this English class is designed to support our English Learners.  On this day we deliver the state-mandated DELD  (Designated English Language Development) to our EL students.  We also deliver targeted interventions on any concepts and skills that our EL students seem to be struggling with. English Only students do not need to attend on Day 3, as this is a targeted EL intervention day.  

 

Technology Requirements: Students must have reliable internet access, headset with microphone, and a working school Gmail account to access Google Docs.

                              

Materials & Textbooks: 

Students are using both the hard copy and the online version of Journeys; the publisher is Houghton Mifflin. The traditional student edition (SE) text and the online version come as a package, plus a Reader’s Notebook and the Write-In Reader. When students check-out the package, they’ll receive a username and password for the digital component.   The digital version and the texts are available for check-out from the Resource Centers as a package on a first-come, first-serve basis. You’ll need the required materials for the first day of class—including the Reader’s Notebook and the Writing Handbook. Your ES can assist you with getting all that’s required.        

 

Teacher’s Guide:

It is helpful for parent-teachers to have a copy of the Teacher’s Edition for the Reader’s Notebook to correct student work.

The Reader’s Notebook and the Write-In Reader are consumable workbooks that provide opportunities for students to practice what we’re learning in class. The online teacher will teach the lessons, concepts, and provide opportunities for students to practice the material. We’ll work on workbook pages together; however, what isn’t finished during the online class—must be completed outside of class with the Parent-Teacher. 

It’s very important to attend class regularly to know-understand how to complete assignments and maintain literacy progress.

 

The Integrated Online Student Edition has all the features of the print edition plus Digital Journeys provides comprehensive instruction in writing, speaking, and listening. The online version also provides audio; hence, the student can follow along with the audio reader to gain a better understanding of the grade level material.

NOTE to ES: CC & EL standards are embedded in the Journeys student text online and in the hard copy.  Here is a link to the CA ELD standards.  

 

• ES Responsibilities 

1. Please make sure a headset with mic is ordered early in the semester and given to the student prior to the 3rd class. 
2. Please sign up as an Observer role in each of your students’ classes. This role allows you to see what your student is working on, what is coming up due, and their current grades.  Click here for more information!
3. Remind your parents/students:  
1. If this is their first Canvas experience, they need to to complete the Student Training Course with their student.
2. Parents should check each Canvas course weekly for announcements, changes in class meeting dates or changes in due dates for students’ assignments.
3. The parent is encouraged to sign up as an “Observer” in the class.
4. Initiate contact with EE at the beginning of the year to be sure they have your correct e-mail address and work phone number, and to be sure they have a current number where your student can be reached and email if available.
5. Read or save the class syllabus and pacing guide and email the syllabus to your students.  Go over the syllabus and pacing guide with your student at your first or second learning record meeting of the semester. 
6. Grade daily work assignments, if required by the online instructor: done by parent or ES (if AESS).
7. Complete quarterly progress survey if required by the instructor:  Progress Reports Surveys for EE Canvas Courses & PRs.  These reports make up a portion of the student’s grade. 
8. For a-g Portfolio Reviews done in Canvas, samples are due on the 10th of each month except for August and January. Please confirm with your student that they are submitting the samples. 

• Contact EE if a student is dropping the course or having any difficulties.  Per school policy, students receiving C’s, D’s or F’s will be reported to the Waterford Office.  

1. The Paperwork Timetable lists the last date to add or drop a class for each semester, and students cannot drop after this date without Advisor and Executive Director approval. If a student is removed from class prior to this date, then there will be no charge to the instructional funds.
2. Contact the instructor if a student is dropping the course, or having difficulties understanding assignments or submitting homework, quizzes, tests, or essays online.
3. Routinely (at the minimum at each learning record meeting) check Canvas for announcements and student’s weekly assignments, student grades or missing assignments or have student login and show you his/her grades.

Parent Responsibilities:  

1. These courses are core supplemental and the parent is still the primary teacher and responsible for grading the homework assignments (unless student is receiving AESS services).
2. Prior to the first day of class, assist student in logging on  to https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas, accept invitations to class if needed, and familiarize them with the format of Canvas.
3. View a Canvas orientation video provided by the instructor and complete the Canvas orientation course. 
4. Go through the Student and Family Training Course before the first day of class.
5. Be sure your student is attending class weekly. 
6. Notify the instructor in advance if your student must miss a session.
7. If a class is missed, make sure your student watches the class recording and completes the assigned homework.
8. Monitor student’s behavior during class to ensure they are staying on task. 
9. Observer Role for ESs and parents: This role allows you to see what your student is working on, what is coming up due, and their current grades.  

Click here for more information!

1. Check your student’s grades in Canvas and notify the instructor if there is a question about a grade or missing assignment.
2. Routinely check Canvas for announcements and weekly assignments.

 

Student Responsibilities: 

1. If this is your first Canvas online class, go through the Student and Family Training Course before the first day of class.
2. Attend each class’s orientation session and complete the Canvas orientation course. 
3. Log on to Canvas and sign up as a class member.  and accept any invitations to join classes. Make sure your correct email is available in Canvas. 
4. Your school email is used for communication in Canvas. Please confirm that you have an active school email account (district ID number @cwcharter.org; i.e. 12345@cwcharter.org). A personal email or phone number can be added for more timely notifications.
5. Adjust notification settings to ensure that you are receiving all necessary information. 
6. Have a working headset and be prepared to use it. 
7. Each student comes prepared for class and is willing to participate and learn with correct materials. This assures that they receive full credit for attendance/participation in the class, and that they will not miss important student/teacher/peer interaction.
8. Each student should print or save to their computer their syllabus/pacing guide, and refer to the Canvas homepage each week in order to plan their schedules. Students should be aware in advance of the dates and times of their classes and assignments.
9. Check Canvas each week for announcements, assignments, and your grade for accuracy.  Immediately notify the instructor if a discrepancy is found.
10. Attend the online class every week and be on time.  Many instructors deduct points for tardiness.  If you must miss a session, please email the instructor prior to missing class for the opportunity to earn full credit with make-up work.  If you must miss class, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor to obtain makeup work. For full credit, make up work must be turned in per the instructor’s guidelines in the class syllabus. 
11. Students will need to turn in assignments on time. Please consult the class syllabus regarding your instructor’s policy on missing assignments.  Complete any assigned essays, workbook pages, additional assignments, quizzes, midterm, and final by the due date. Assignments will vary per instructor.  
12. Any assignment posted on Canvas, or sent via email Must Be Saved as a document on their computer, or as a hard (print) copy, until the end of the semester to avoid any technical difficulties. Complete and submit all assignments, projects, essays, and quizzes on or before the due date. 
13. Homework assignments will be reviewed by your ES and reported quarterly to the instructor. It may count as much as 25% of the final grade.
14. Follow the links to access and read the CW Code of Conduct Policy, Bullying, Plagiarism & Truancy policies. School Policies 

 

School Policies

CWCS Attendance Policy: Excerpt from Truancy Policy: 

Found in Truancy Policy and Procedure which is a policy on the ES Support page that they don’t have access to.

  A school appointment may be defined as learning record meetings, classes, tutoring, testing days, PLT/504/IEP meetings, and Contract Program Classes (including Canvas and Resource Center courses) for grades TK-12 in English, English Learner, Math, Science, Social Science, VPA and Foreign Language.  The parents/guardians or adult students are required to give at least 24 hours’ notice for any cancellation or change of appointment except in case of an emergency.  An emergency would be considered something like a car accident, sudden illness, or other types of tragic events that prevent a person from being able to keep their appointment or give a 24 hour notice. 

 

The truancy policy applies to school appointments, which may be defined as classes, testing days and classes.Contract Programs courses (including CWCS HQT online courses). An unexcused absence will be counted as a truancy.
-Excused Absence is defined as:
The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
-Unexcused Absence is defined as:
An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.

*If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accident, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "back up plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.)  

CWCS Online Code of Conduct Policy:

The following guidelines apply to all students and parents. Failure to comply will result in dismissal from online courses and/or suspension as deemed appropriate by the school administration.

If you witness any violations of these guidelines, please contact your online instructor or the School office at 209-874-1119 x 6

• Respect student privacy by not sharing student names nor posting/commenting publicly about any student.
• Problems or concerns about your child should be discussed privately with the teacher, not publicly on online platforms.
• Canvas tools are meant for student use and, although parents are encouraged to watch over the shoulder of their child’s first meeting, ongoing participation/observation should be approved by the instructor. Parents are encouraged to enroll as Observers in Canvas classes to have access to assignments and grades.
• Use your own username and password. Do not give these to anyone.
• Do not aid anyone in getting unauthorized access to online platforms.
• Do not post your or anyone else’s personal contact information except with the approval of the instructor.
• Do not post messages that were sent to you privately.
• Insults or attacks of any kind against another person are prohibited.
• Use of obscene, degrading, or profane language is prohibited.
• Once the class begins there is no chatting except with the approval of the instructor.
• Do not sign into the session more than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of class unless it’s your first time logging on. Your instructor may grant an exception.
• All students are expected to conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity. Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable.  Instances of cheating and plagiarism include but are not limited to: cheat or crib notes, looking at & using other student’s answers or work, copying homework, class work, or tests, and doing another student’s work.  Copying or paraphrasing work from the Internet, book, magazine, newspaper, song or other sources without properly citing sources is prohibited. When using facts that are not generally known, statistical data or copying maps, charts or graphs without using the author’s name and a bibliography is also prohibited.
• Student papers may be turned into “Turn it in.com” or another source that will instantly identify unoriginal material. Students caught cheating or plagiarizing are subject to an “F” or “Zero” on the assignment or test, an “F” grade for the class, and/or suspension as deemed appropriate by school administration.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism Policy

All students are expected to conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity.  Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable behaviors at CWCS.  Instances of cheating and plagiarism include but are not limited to: cheat or crib notes; looking at and using other students’ answers or work; copying homework, class work, or tests; and doing another student’s work.  Copying or paraphrasing work from the Internet, from a book, a magazine, a newspaper, a song, or other sources without the proper citing of sources is prohibited.  Using facts that are not generally known or statistical data, or copying maps, charts or graphs without using the author’s name and a bibliography, is also prohibited.  ESs, tutors, course instructors, and the school counselor have the option of using an Internet evaluative tool that will instantly identify plagiarized material.  Students caught cheating or plagiarizing are subject to an “F” or “Zero” on the assignment or test, an “F” grade for the class, and/or suspension, as deemed appropriate by the school administration.

Civility Policy

Approved: August 20, 2018

It is the policy of Connecting Waters Charter Schools that all school personnel, staff, students, and students' parents are required to be civil in all of their interpersonal school-related interactions.

Civility does not require an unqualified agreement or conformity of opinion. Under no circumstances will un-civil conduct at any school-related activity be tolerated.

For purposes of this policy, to be civil means to act with self discipline in a courteous, respectful and orderly manner in every interpersonal communication and behavior. It also means that a person will treat other people as he or she would like to be treated.

Un-civil conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• using an inappropriately loud voice;
• using profane, vulgar, or obscene words or gestures;
• belittling, jeering, or taunting; using personal epithets;
• using violent or aggressive gestures or body-language;
• repeatedly and inappropriately interrupting another speaker;
• repeatedly demanding personal attention at inappropriate times;
• purposefully and inappropriately invading personal space;
• purposefully ignoring appropriate communications;
• wrongfully interfering with another person's freedom of movement;
• wrongfully invading another person's private possessions; or,
• any other behavior that inappropriately disrupts school-related activities.

An expression of disagreement or a discussion of a controversial viewpoint is not uncivil if such expression or discussion is appropriately presented and does not disrupt a school-related activity.

Any school personnel who are un-civil shall be subject to disciplinary action. Any student that is un-civil shall be subject to an administrative hearing and review for expulsion or dismissal.

In the event that any student's parent is un-civil during a school-related activity, school personnel to whom the un-civility is directed shall immediately tell the parent to communicate or act civilly. If the parent fails to correct the un-civil behavior as directed, the affected school personnel shall notify the parent that the school activity is immediately terminated for them and their student(s), and the affected school personnel shall refer the matter to school administrative personnel for further administrative or legal action, which may include, but may not be limited to, a prohibition from any further participation in school-related activities.

 

Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination, and Bullying Policy (PDF)

Grade Scale: 

We use the E, S, N scale for elementary students. These grades are based on the following criteria:

• Attendance/Participation  40% 
• Homework (verified by ES) 30%
• Project Quality & Completion 30%

 

∙ E (excellent):  Attending class and participating regularly; On time to class each day; Attending class prepared with all materials; Working at grade level or above; Projects completed and aligned to the rubric expectations;  Excellent status feedback from ES verifying the student is completing all assignments outside of class performing at grade level/above!

∙ S (satisfactory): Attending class and participating regularly; May be late, but not on a regular basis; Coming to class and ready to participate but does not have all the materials consistently; Good feedback from ES that student is completing most work outside of class; Projects are completed with some quality but doesn’t meet all the rubric expectations!

∙ N (needs improvement): Not attending class and participating regularly; Late most of the time; Not prepared with all the Materials; Feedback from ES—student is not completing work outside of class; Student may be attending class regularly, but does not participate verbally/non-verbally; Project/s not completed or partially completed!

 

Important Dates 2022-2023: 

 

• Aug. 7:  First day of school 
• Aug. 14:  First day of fall Canvas Classes
• Sept. 1: Add/Drop date
• Sept. 4: NO CLASS: Labor Day 
• Oct. 5 -6: NO CLASS (non school days)
• Nov. 10: NO CLASS: Veteran’s Day
• Nov. 17- 24: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break 
• Nov 27 - Dec 1: Last Class session this week (a-g)
• Dec. 4 - 8: Last Class session this week (all other classes)
• Dec. 4 - 8: a-g Finals Week
• Jan. 5:  First day back to school
• Jan. 8: First day of spring Canvas classes
• Jan. 15: NO CLASS: MLK Holiday
• Jan. 19th: Add/Drop date 
• Feb. 15 - 19: NO CLASS: President’s Day Observance
• March 22 - 29: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK: SPRING BREAK
• April 29 - May 3: Last class session this week (a-g)
• May 6 - 10:   Last Class session this week (all other classes)
• May 6 - 10: a-g Finals Week
• May 17: Last Day of School