Course Syllabus

Grade 4 English Language Arts 24/25

Fall semester: 1120 Spring semester 1120.2

 

First Semester: 8/14/23         Second Semester: 1/9/23

Drop Date: TBA                   Drop Date: TBA

            

 

Teacher: Kendall Costello

Email: kcostello@cwcharter.org

Phone: 916.690.0967

Class Days and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15pm to 1:15pm

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)
• Journeys Write-In Reader grade 4 (9780547874227)
• Optional: Journey Reader’s Notebook Teacher Ed Grade 4 (9780547860756)
• Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo ISBN - 0763680869
• Stuart Little, E.B. White - 0064400565

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 

 

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. 

Canvas Login link: https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas 

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.

 

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

Links to an external site.

.  

 

Attendance Policy:

Students should be online with cameras on as soon as class starts at 12:15. Arriving late is OK, but...

If a student misses more than 15 minutes of class - they will need to complete Nearpod activities and watch our recording to earn attendance points for the day.

 

Late Work Policy:

Students will be able to turn in work up to 3 weeks after the posted deadline for an assignment for full credit.

Late work will not be accepted for any assignments after this date.

Student Responsibilities:

• Attend weekly online classes – consistently, be on time for class assignments and log on to Canvas for announcements.
• Complete all required assignments/projects for each week before or on the due date.
• Each student should print out their syllabus with the pacing guide and place it in their labeled fold/binder. 
• Contact teacher for assignments when you are absent
• Attend class prepared to participate, contribute, & with all the materials!
• Please read and comply with the CWCS Truancy Policy. Use the link below.
• Read the syllabus with your Parent-Educator and follow the CW Code of Conduct/Plagiarism Policy; Use the link to the policy below!

 

Parent-Teacher Responsibilities:

• Make sure your student attends all classes. These are mandatory classes for all English Learner (EL) students. English Only (EO) students who choose to enroll must attend classes regularly and adhere to all class policies!
• Support your student with their learning and assignments.  Students need daily oversight and input from the parent-teacher.
• Be there to help your student with learning how to use the online tools and participate in class.
• Contact your instructor if your student is having difficulties understanding and completing any independent assignments.
• Read and print the class syllabus for reference during ES meetings.
• Routinely check Canvas for announcements.
• If you are absent contact your instructor for your assignments.
• Attend the Canvas training at the beginning of the School Year.

 

ES Responsibilities:

• Sign student up for the course—in Canvas.
• Provide progress reports each quarter.
• Check Student’s assignments in the Reader’s Notebook and Writing Handbook at each ES meeting to ensure correction & completion. 
• Support the CW Parent-Teacher with any questions about the Canvas: how to navigate technology, enter class, and locate important information in Canvas.
• Contact the instructor if the student is struggling. 

CW Truancy and Bullying Policy link:  

 

Follow the links to access and read the CW Code of Conduct Policy, Bullying, Plagiarism & Truancy policies. (Bullying is towards the end of the list) http://www.connectingwaters.org/policies

Links to an external site.

.  CWCS provides its teachers with annual online training modules on Bully Prevention and Awareness.  Here is the Department of Education Bullying Module

Links to an external site.

 for your reference.

 

 

CW EL Department link:

 

http://www.connectingwaters.org/eldepartmentgoals

Links to an external site.

PLAGIARISM:  Copying from the internet or any other source, including from Artificial Intelligence, sharing answers with classmates on a homework/exam assignment, and direct cheating will not be tolerated.  For any given offense, there is a call home, a parent conference, a referral to your administrator, and a zero on the assignment, regardless of the weight. There is no tolerance for cheating.

 

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

• Writing Assignments and Progress: 30%
• Attendance/Participation  30% 
• Reader's Notebook: 10%
• Canvas Homework: 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!