Welcome To

Curriculum Night!
Thank you for coming tonight. I know how busy the beginning
of a new school year can be, so I really appreciate you taking
the time to come and learn more about your hawks teacher,
classroom, and what they will be learning about this year.
Try to find your hawks desk based on the Draw Your Family
worksheet on each of the desks. They also wrote you a note
preparing you for the awesomeness that is Room 430.

1-517-706-4538
adam.clements@okemosk12.net
www.hiawatharoom430.weebly.com

There is so much great technology out there that helps us do the

everyday a little easier, and every day it seems there is some new
technology that promises to fix all of our problems. Well, I dont
know if this will fix everything, but I think it is a very useful tool it
is called Remind. It is a free texting service (standard messaging
rates still apply for all messages received) that allows me to
communicate quick reminders (one way) to room 430
families! It's very safe and easy to use.

What is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMYoSLDTFTE

How do I sign up?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFihhkKqmp4

How do I sign up?

Just grab
your phone
and text
@room430
to 81010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs

Please pull
out the sheet
on your desk
that is titled
Its OK to be
AWESOME.

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME student?

Write it!

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME student?

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME student?

Listens to the teacher.

Comes to class on time.
If someone needs help with their homework you could help them.
Someone who always listens, watches the teacher and learns stuff.
Helps other students and is focused.
Not noisy.
Respectful.
Smart and unique.
On time and tries their best.
Someone who listens to the teacher.
Helpful with other students and the teacher.
Helps other people whey they drop something. Listens.
Focus and listen to others. Pay attention. Try their best.
Read books and do your homework.
Listens.
They keep on learning!
Someone who follows the rules and doesnt talk when the teacher is talking.
Listens and tries their best.
Listening to your teacher.
To not bully other people and help them.
Respect all people.
You can help others learn math.

Student Responses

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME teacher?

Write it!

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME teacher?

What does it mean to be

an AWESOME teacher?

Listens to the students ideas.

Helps students with their work.
Patient, kind, funny, and helps the students with work.
Helps their students to learn things.
Doesnt yell.
Respectful to their students.
Teaches the kids really well and gives them candy.
Kind to students and listens to their ideas.
Helps students learn.
Helps students. Fair. Encourages them to be good.
They play with their students, but are disciplinary when needed.
They discipline and help them learn math.
Good at teaching someone.
Kind.
Helpful.
Explains what to do.
If there is a student struggling, the teacher should help the student.
Help students help each other.
Nice and kind to students.
Answers all questions and helps students learn new things.
Teaches students to be good at math.
Teaches them new things.

Student Responses

What does it mean to be an

AWESOME Room 430 parent?

Write it!

What does it mean to be an

AWESOME Room 430 parent?

What does it mean to be an

AWESOME Room 430 parent?

Helps me when I am feeling down.

Kind.
Always loves and helps me.
They should love you.
Very helpful and has love in their heart.
Supportive.
Take care of their child.
Kind and helpful.
Supportive and persuading.
Make sure that their kid is healthy.
Cook food and was the dishes.
Hardworking and caring.
Brave and reasonable.
Looks after me. Cooks food, cleans the house, and is their for me.
Kindness. Supportive. Fair. Encourages.
They make food and say good night.
Feed them and take them to their games.
They make sure their kids are healthy, but also give them treats.
Nice.
They need to be good enough.
Gets me to school and loves me.
Goes to all the school events.
Always have faith in their kid.

Student Responses

Please make sure

your name,
students name,
and e-mail
are on your paper
and turn it in!

Who is this

Who is this

I grew up in Midland, MI
(Your hawks have told me that many of you
have visited to play soccer tournaments at the
soccer complex up there.)

Had AWESOME teachers growing up

(Now with technology like facebook, it
has been incredible getting to reconnect
with them and share my experiences
very full circle.)

4th Grade Mr. C (98-99)

Who is this

I attended Michigan State University

(Graduated with High Honors from the
Honors College with a degree in
Elementary Education with teaching
majors in Math and Language Arts.)

Had AWESOME time learning there

(MSU gave me many great opportunities
to learn about myself as a person and as
a teacher.)

Who is this
I was built for teaching.
(I have the best and most
supportive parents.)

Mom is a clinical social worker.

Dad is recently retired from
Consumers Energy and is now
full time Mr. Handyman.

Who is this
I was built for teaching.

(I also have the best and most

supportive older brothers.)

Nick is my on-call tech support.

Chris reminds me to smile.

My Experiences

2011 2012

Cumberland (Lansing)
3rd Grade

Summer 2012

Turfhall Primary (Cape Town SA)

3rd Grade

2012 - 2013

Attwood Elementary (Lansing)

5th Grade

My Experiences

2013 - 2014

Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos)

4th Grade

2014 - 2015

Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos)

4th Grade

2015 - 2016

Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos)

4th Grade

The

th
4

Adam Clements
706-4538

adam.clements@okemosk12.net

Grade Dream Team

Karen Casler

Robb Shubel

Erika Parsons

karen.casler@okemosk12.net

robb.shubel@okemosk12.net

erkia.parsons.okemosk12.net

706-4535

706-4530

706-4522

Room 430 Subjects

(Reading Strategies)

(Spelling / Vocab)

(Math)

EXPLORERS
(Writing)

(Science)

taught by Mrs. Casler

(Social Studies)
taught by Mr. C

Daily Schedule

School starts at 8:50.

Students are marked
tardy at 9:00 and
should check in at the
office before coming
down to Room 430.

Specials start at 9:00

P.E.

hip-flexibility
shoe basket donations welcomed

ART

voice level and effort

Music

Haunted Music Room (10/31)

Community Builder
Lift-Ups
Good News and
Announcements
Daily Schedule

SNACK: Students may bring a healthy morning snack

with them to eat during Morning Meeting.

Healthy

Not Healthy

(Math)
Curriculum: Everyday Math
Expect a study link (one sheet of
homework usually 7-10 problems)
almost every night.
The pace of EDM is very fast so
getting behind can cause a lot of stress
on students (and teachers).
Problem Solving Puzzle Challenges will
be incorporated every few weeks.

Everyday Math Units at a Glance

Unit 1 = Naming and Constructing Geometric Figures

Unit 2 = Using Numbers and Organizing Data
Unit 3 = Multiplication / Division & Number Sentences
Unit 4 = Decimals and Their May Uses
Unit 5 = Big Numbers, Estimation, and Computation
Unit 6 = Division, Map Reference Frames, and Angles
Unit 7 = Fraction and Their Many Uses, and Probability
Unit 8 = Perimeter and Area
Unit 9 = Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
Unit 10 = Reflections and Symmetry

EDM Family Letters

Important please read them with your hawk.
Can make a big impact during lessons. When
students are exposed to vocabulary and
concepts before direct instruction, their ability
to process and understand improves greatly!
The website is also another great place to preview material. (More on this a bit later...)
Example problems and answers to study links
are included as well as review games.

How Can YOU Help Your Hawk

Multiplication Math Facts - More and more
accredited and peer reviewed research is
coming out that shows a strong correlation
between a strong foundation and automaticity
of math facts and greater success in math.

WAYS TO HELP:

- Flash Cards
- A Fact In the Door and a Fact Out the Door
- Multiplication iPad Games

(Reading Strategies)
Curriculum: Reading Street
Expect a comprehension skill/strategy,
spelling, or vocabulary review and
practice sheet once or twice a week.
Reading Street emphasizes reading
skills/strategies, vocabulary, word
analysis, big ideas, and critical thinking.
Title Talks will be incorporated every
other month. Chapter book reading.

Reading Street at a Glance

Reading Street SWYK

Almost every Friday (sometimes we take 2 weeks)

Assesses:
- assigned vocabulary knowledge
- word analysis (suffixes / related words)
- comprehension of a short selection
Use Reading Street online based software to
complete assessments faster, immediate
feedback, tracks patterns, practice for M-STEP

Reading Street at a Glance

Skills and Strategies

Main Selections

Sequencing
Authors Purpose
Main Ideas and Details
Summarize
Character/Setting/Plot
Cause and Effect
Drawing Conclusions
Fact and Opinion
Inferring
Graphic Sources
Visualize

Because of Winn-Dixie
Paul Bunyan
Navajo Code Talkers
My Brother Martin
On the Banks of Plum
Creek
Moonwalk
Eye of the Storm
Coyote School News
The Man Who Named
the Clouds

How Can YOU Help Your Hawk

Reading Fluency It doesnt take a rocket
scientist to figure out that the best way to
become a better reader is to read more! I want
your hawk to be excited about reading so as
long as they are reading that works for me.

WAYS TO HELP:

- Let them choose the books (book orders)

- Regular Reading Routine
- Reading to a neighbor or a friend

(Vocab / Spelling)
Curriculum: Reading Street
Expect a comprehension skill/strategy,
spelling, or vocabulary review and
practice sheet once or twice a week.
The 20 word list is given out on Monday
and the SWYK is on that Friday.
Spelling Scramblers: Interactive ways to
study spelling words. (Optional)
Make sure you sign the bottom slip.

(Writing)
Strong emphasis on non-fiction
purposeful writing.
Guided practice with the writing
process.

TOPICS COVERED

Persuasive Writing
Realistic Fiction
Expository Text
Poetry

LUNCH
Students eat lunch from 11:40 12:20
4th graders keep their lunch in their
lockers, and then when they are
dismissed, grab it and head to the lunch
room.
If you arrive after 9:00, check in at the
office to make a lunch choice, otherwise
students receive a FUN lunch: whole
grain item, yogurt, and string cheese.

LUNCH
Pizza day is on Tuesdays.
Milk is offered with each meal.
You can add money to your childs meal
account or check their balance online
at www.sendmoneytoschool.com

RESET
This is how I explain it to the kids.
Have you ever played a video game and all
of a sudden something goes wrong. The
screen freezes, or it gets fuzzy. So the
best way to fix it is to reset the game and
start again. Well in learning, this can
happen too. Sometimes we get too
excited, or too frustrated, or too silly to
keep learning. So we need to reset
ourselves so that we can continue learning.

(Science)
with Mrs. Casler

Hands on activities
Lab experiences
Unit Assessments

TOPICS COVERED

Plant and Animal Structures

Earths Changing Surface
Waves and Information
Energy

MSU Children's Garden

Dates: Oct. 4, Oct. 11 Oct. 25

Sponsored By

RECESS
Recess is everyday from 2:00 2:30
Students have almost earned their recess
equipment! The paperclip chain has to get
down to the floor.
They earn a paperclip each time the freeze
when they hear the freeze bell.
Kindness. Respect. Fun.

(Social Studies)
with Mr. C

Hands on activities
Interactive assignments
Integrating technology

TOPICS COVERED

Economic Explorers (Economics)

Community Explorers (Government)
Earth Exploders (Geography)
Time Traveling Explorers (History)

Student Planner
Every student has a student planner.
At the end of the day, we review what we
learned and record that in our planner. We
also go over what homework has been
assigned and when it is due.
This is recorded on the Room 430 website.
Feel free to use this resource to combat
your childs nothing response when
asked what did you do in school today?

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Every student has a classroom job.
At the end of the day, students take a few
minutes to make sure their desk area is
clean and organized, their table bucket
and area is clean and organized, and the
room is clean and organized.
Jobs switch every month-ish.

School ends at 3:45.

Students leave for the bus
circle, sidewalks, or
carline. They should be
bringing home their
planners and homework
folder everyday!

Brain Break

Can you find

a crown
the letter L
a Disney character
a dinosaur
some string
a whistle
a bone
a piece of candy

HAWKS
Show RESPECT
Take RESPONSIBILITY
Act SAFELY

 Each 4th grader is a part of the Hiawatha Leadership Club.

At the end of the year, as a thank you for all the hard
work they will have done, the 4th grade goes to a Lugnuts
baseball game.
There are 5 parts:

- Recycling
- WHIA Hawk Radio
- Washing Lunch Trays
- Gardening
- Kindergarten Buddies

 During recess, a group of 4 students will head to each

pod and collect the paper and plastic that those
classrooms are recycling.
Recycling is collected every other week.
Recycling comes up as a topic of discussion in Science
(plant unit) and in Social Studies (government and
civic responsibility).

 Each morning at about 8:55, two students lead the

school in the morning pledges.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Hiawatha School Pledge
On Fridays, the two students will perform the WHIA
Radio Show. They will need to write it by Wednesday
of that week, and practice on Thursday to be ready to
preform in on Friday morning.

 Every afternoon, about 10 minutes before our lunch,

two students will leave class early and head to the
cafeteria to help clean off lunch trays.
Gloves and aprons are available to help keep them
clean and dry while they work.
This is an important way to help reduce our usage of
materials and recycle instead!

 During the fall and spring seasons, once a week, the

whole class will go outside and help weed the sidewalks
that surround the school.
During the winter season, each week a pair of students
will water newly planted flowers/plants that will be in
the alcove window areas.
This has helped make a big impact on the overall look of
our school and helps to build community!

 Each 4th grade class is matched up with a

Kindergarten class. Within each paring, every 4th
grader is paired up with a Kindergartner.
Some 4th graders have two Kindergarten partners.
Some of the projects we will be doing this year
include, Welcome to Hiawatha Kindergartners,
Penguin Facts, Elephant Facts, KB Reading, K-Helpers.

Classroom Economy

Students get paid bi-weekly.

Their behavior determines their paycheck.
They pay taxes.
They pay rent. (second semester)
Students can earn bonuses and get fines.
Room 430 store is open once a month.
Auction is four times a year.
(Room 430 is always looking for donations!)

Classroom Economy

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

I strongly believe in helping students not only grow
as learners but as people. Part of this development
is understanding their feelings, being able to better
examine their choices and behaviors, and reflect on
how to always improve for next time.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$5

Ready To Learn
All students start each day with $5
hawk bucks.
It is expected that students come to
school each day with a positive
attitude and ready to learn and take
positive risks. If they can do this
consistently, their clip gets moved UP!

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$6

Working Hard
As students are working, if they are
keeping a zero during silent work
time, trying really hard on an
assignment, or showing
perseverance, focus, or a great
effort they will be asked to move
their clip UP.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$7

AWESOME
Students will be asked to move their
clip all the way up to the top when
they show a full days worth of
consistent, effort and

awesomeness!

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$5

Ready To Learn
The chart resets everyday and all
students are moved back to $5.
If a student is showing a lack of
focus, effort, and/or participation,
or is simply not being respectful,
responsible, or safe, their clip may
be moved DOWN.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$4

First Warning
The student is asked to stop and
slow down. He/She has just had a
misstep and only needed a simple
reminder to correct his/her
behavior. He/She can easily turn it
around.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$3

Second Warning
The student is asked to think about
the choices he/she is making. Are
they helping themselves or our
Room 430 family be successful?

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$2

THINK SHEET
The student needs to carefully and
deliberately reflect and introspect
about his/her behaviors with a bit
more focus and help. He/She will go
to the think sheet or in the hallway
to fill out a think sheet and we will
talk about it at recess together.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$2

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$1

Restitution Letter
The student has had 3 chances to turn around
his/her behavior. He/She has now really affected
not only their ability to learn, their teachers
ability to instruct, but also their classmates
learning environment. He/She needs to take
care of the situation and show responsibility for
his/her actions. He/She will write a letter to
whomever was affected by their actions about
how they will make it up to them.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$0

Office & Parent Contact

The student has had a really rough day and I
need to let Mr. Kinzer or their family at home
know about it. These people will be able to
continue to help him/her think about their
choices and how they can make better ones.

[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Paycheck Slip
The students receive a paycheck slip
every other Monday. It outlines
where they landed each day and how
much they earned for that day. It also
shows a YTD total for bonuses and
fines. If you would like your hawk to
bring these home, please have this
conversation with them. Or you can
always ask to see their latest paycheck
and I would be happy to provide you
with that important information.

HOMEWORK
+

Student completed the assignment with great

thoughtfulness and quality.

Student completed most of the assignment, but

quality/completeness was lacking.

Student showed little effort or quality in

completing the assignment.

Student made no effort on the assignment.

SWYKs
Show What YOU Know.

Assessments do provide extremely valuable

data for teachers and students, but in todays
test crazy world, even our youngest students
have begun to develop severe test anxiety.
Re-naming it gives an opportunity to be more
honest about what is being asked of them.

100
90
80
70
60

Exemplary
Accomplished
Beginning
Re-DO

CLASS
GOAL

Re-Do Option

In Room 430, there are no tests.

Instead, students are asked to

I want to bring in a special treat for

my childs birthday. Is this okay?
When should I do this and what is
an okay snack to bring in?

Birthday treats are a great way to celebrate your hawk turning 9 or

10. Room 430 loves to celebrate birthdays. If you would like to
provide a treat for your hawk and his or her classmates, contact me
two or three days before just to double check any details. Snacks
can be delivered anytime during the day but 2:00 PM is perfect
because that is when students go out for recess. In the morning
before school is perfectly fine too. Please make sure it is easily
served. (No cutting or prep necessary.) Some great ideas are
cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, etc. NO PEANUTS or NUTS please!
Room 430 has many nut allergies this year and we want to make
sure everyone stays safe and feels included. This year we have 22
students + 6 teachers = 28 treats.

This is a really cool room! I want to

be a student in Room 430! Can I
come volunteer everyday?!

That is very kind of you. I have spent a lot of time making sure
Room 430 is an inviting, comfortable, and organized placed to
learn. As your hawk is now in 4th grade, we really work to build
their independence this year. 5th grade at Kinawa is a big change
and we want to do our best to prepare them and help them be
successful during the transition. So unfortunately there arent
any volunteering spots open for everyday activities or centers.
HOWEVER, we love volunteers for exploratory learning trips (aka:
field trips) and can always use lots of help for the Halloween,
Winter, and Valentines Day Celebrations. Volunteering options
will be available this year online through www.signupgenius.com

Im looking forward to talking with

you later in the year about how my
child is doing in your class. Will I
have an opportunity to do that?

Absolutely! Aside from continually updating you on your hawks

progress by communicating through newsletters, e-mails, remind,
and visiting after school fall parent-teacher conferences will be on
November 7th, 8th, and 10th. We will be able to talk about your
students progress in his or her mathematical abilities, reading
comprehension, and student skills like organization, and
responsibility. Also, the spring conferences are student led.
Please know that if you ever have any questions, comments,
concerns, or compliments about your childs learning and progress
my door is always open. Unless its 8:00 PM in which case I hope I
am out of here by then this year!

We are going to be taking a long

vacation overseas this year and my
child is going to miss a week of
school. What do we need to do?

First, make sure the office is aware and that they know this is a week
of excused absences.
Second, come see me about a week before you plan on leaving. (The
more reminders ahead of time the better!) I will gather all of the
homework and lessons that your child will be missing and put them in
a folder. He or she should TRY to do as much of it as they can and be
ready to turn most of it in when they get back. If there are one or two
concepts that are confusing and they cant quite seem to figure them
out that is okay and I will help them when they get back.
Lastly, if you are able, keep checking the website while you are gone to
make sure you are away of any important reminders or updates.

What does a week of 4th grade

homework look like?

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Study Link

Study Link

Study Link

Study Link

Study Link

RS Review

RS Review

RS SWYK
or
Spelling SWYK

Spelling
Scrambler
20 min DEAR

20 min DEAR

20 min DEAR

20 min DEAR

20 min DEAR

My child keeps bringing

home a student planner. Can you
explain that again. What are they
supposed to be doing with it?

This year your hawk was given a brand new 2016-2017 school
year planner. We have built in a time during the end of our day
to fill out our planner and we will be writing all the homework
assignments that are due in it so they can remember what they
need to do when they get home.
If they forget or need more details, be sure to check out the
Room 430 website and click on Daily Planner.
Your hawk should be bringing their planner to and from school
everyday! If they dont have it it could end up being a fine..
This helps to improve their responsibility skills.

Some nights we get really busy!

What happens if my child doesnt
finish their homework?

Believe me I understand just how busy life can get! Missing a

homework assignment is not the end of the world or your hawks
4th grade career. If they forgot it on the counter, or didnt have
time to do it I ask that you just send me a quick note/e-mail to
let me know and that they bring it in the next day.
As an incentive to help build their responsibility skills, Room 430
has a Homework Club. If a student is able to turn in all their
homework on-time they stay in the Homework Club. If at the
end of the month they are still in the Homework Club they
earn $50 hawk bucks! Everyone is welcomed back in to the
Homework Club at the beginning of each new month.

I heard 4th graders do a lighthouse

project. What is that all about?

Yes! 4th grade at Hiawatha has had a longstanding tradition of doing the Lighthouse
Project. This year, thanks to helpful parent feedback, we want to help increase the
value of this creative and rewarding project and limit as much stress as possible.
Students will be assigned their lighthouse this month. Throughout the year, we will
be referring back to this lighthouse to discuss geographical and Michigan related
social studies content and apply it to Earth's landforms during Science. This will
also allow for a significantly greater worktime period on phase one: the research,
and phase two: the building of the lighthouse which is done at home and is not
due until April. We also hope this might allow more families who are able and
choose do to so, to visit their childs lighthouse during a school break.
We will be sending home much more detailed instructions and directions.
It is a fun project and the kids learn a lot about a unique Michigan characteristic.
(At least the kids think so!)

I heard 4th graders do a lighthouse

project. What is that all about?

Ive heard that 4th graders do

Encampment? What is that?

Encampment is an awesome experience that your hawk will

remember forever! We go to Encampment at Lake Lansing in
May. Students will travel back in time to meet an American
Indian, a Metis, and a Voyageur as they experience what it was
like to live in Michigan in the early years of its history.
We count heavily on our parent volunteers to help make
Encampment a success so keep an eye out for e-mails as spring
gets closer.

When are the 2-hour

early release PLC days?

2016-2017 Early Release Days:

September 21
October 19
November 16
December 14
January 25
February 15
March 22
April 26
School gets out at 1:50 on Early Release days.
May 17
Child Care is available. Contact the office.

Room 430 Online

http://hiawatharoom430.weebly.com

One Last Assignment

When you came in
tonight, there was a
sticky note on your
hawks desk. Before you
go, take a minute to
write your hawk a note!
If you notice that a students family was unable to come
tonight, please also consider writing them a note!

THANK YOU!