Alicia Montague-Keels

LaSalle University
4th grade Math Goal Setting 2014-2015
This year I am teaching 4th grade math at Young Scholars-Kenderton in North
Philadelphia. Young Scholars-Kenderton serves grades K-8 and is in its second year of
turnaround through the Philadelphia Renaissance School Initiative. I will be teaching the
entire 4th grade class and I want students to be able to tap into their full potential as not only
scholars but personally and socially. The overarching theme for LaSalle University is Learn,
Love and Listen.
Thinking about the first component, learn, many of the students I teach come are below
average or well below average on state assessments. I want this year to focus on pushing
them to make academic strides and be successful mastering 4th grade skills that will prepare
them for the years to come. I want students to take ownership and advocate for their
learning and for parents to be included on every step of their childs journey. Moreover, as a
new resident of Philadelphia, PA I hope that my scholars have the opportunity to share their
experiences and pieces of their community with me. On the flipside, as an educator I hope
to incorporate pieces of their community into our everyday learning.
The second component of my classroom vision is love. My scholars also struggle with
showing love and compassion to their peers and tend to focus on themselves. I hope to help
facilitate a space where scholars can celebrate, support and show love for one another. I
believe that one of the major components is making yourself available to give and receive
love. I want my scholars to be able to find and do the things that they love to do with the
people they love. I wholeheartedly believe that then and only then do you feel true success.
Lastly, I also hope that my students are able to make social gains and become better
listeners. Listening is important because it shows understanding of factual content, and also
interest and engagement. In order for my scholars to be successful in advocating for
themselves, sharing their story and obtaining information they must be good listeners.
Furthermore, through listening I want scholars to be able to pay close attention to the giver
of the message or information and think through a response whether they agree with the
information presented or disagree. I want scholars to listen to be aware of their sources and
advocate for themselves if they see fit.
Learn is outlined in their academic goals.
Listen is shown in their social and behavioral goals of communicating with others.
Love is outlined in the two sections focusing on teamwork and respect for themselves,
peers and other things.
Goals

Teacher Activities

Benchmark Activities

End of year outcome, and

measurable student behavior I
would like to see from these
students:

Teacher and student

activities that will
assist in you getting
to your goal?

Ways Ill assess their

performance weekly,
monthly, and quarterly
for them to achieve
their goal:

Outcome:

Teacher activities:

Weekly

Pulling

85% of 4th graders by the

Daily homework

end of the year will move

up at least one level on
AIMSWEB (quantitative
goal)
100% of 4th graders will
show measurable growth
on the PSSA. At least 30%
of 4th graders will be
Advanced or Proficient.
(Last year approximately
25% of the 4th grade
class was Advanced or
Proficient on the PSSA)

students for
small group
instruction for
all AIMSWEB
levels.
Giving
concrete
feedback on
daily
homework
and in-class
assessments to
help drive
student
growth.
Drilling
multiplication
facts and
other key 4th
grade
curriculum
points

Student activities:

Focusing and
fully
participating
during all
components
of our Math
block.
Completing
daily
homework
assignments.
Being present
especially for
Friday sample
test problems.
Tracking daily
progress in
homework
folder and
data binder

assignments
Daily in-class
assessments
Daily
multiplication
facts. (This data
will be tracked
and celebrated
daily.)
Weekly
reflections and
data entry

Monthly

Adjustments to
small groups
based on
monthly gains
Unit Tests

Quarterly

One-on-one
conferences
evaluating
growth with the
teacher
Celebrations of
quarterly gains

Aside from Academic Goals here are a few personal goals that I think will help students
reach their academic goals also:

I want students to be effective communicators and team workers. This will be shown
by students participating in pair and/or group work activities daily. Being an effective
communicator and team worker is important because it prepares students for real life
situations professionally, academically, and personally.

I want our students to show respect for themselves, others, and the school. This will be
shown by students supporting other classmates through positive interactions and
following the school and classroom rules. This is important because showing respect
demonstrates that the individual values others, rules and spaces in and outside of the
classroom.
LISTEN:

1. A student who effectively communicates demonstrates when to talk and when to listen.
Students who effectively communicate can express support of an idea by agreeing or
adding on to a classmates idea or answer. Moreover, a student that effectively
communicates is courageous and able to ask questions when they do not understand or
need clarification. Lastly, a student that communicates effectively can contribute to
dialogues in a one-on-one, small group and whole group setting. A student that listens takes
the time to reflect on the person or source that is giving the message and then provides
feedback in the form or a response or a challenge to their perspective.
This may look like
Students waiting for a break in the conversation to talk.
Raising their hand in a whole group setting to speak.
Sitting in an upright position and tracking or looking at the speaker.
Evaluating where the information they are given comes from.
You might hear students say...
Maria, I agree with your answer and would like to add on
Im not really getting it. Are they saying
Does this mean
Why is ____ this way?
Why do we do _____ like this?
Who came up with ________?
LOVE:
2. A student that is an exceptional team worker notices when peers are doing well and
compliment them. A student that is an exceptional team worker knows and is willing to take
turns. An exceptional team worker has and takes pride in a common identity. Lastly, an
exceptional team worker offers help to team members in need and is willing to ask for help
from team members.
This may look like
Students showing a sign of positive praise (thumbs up, smile, etc.) to encourage
a peer/team member.

 Students waiting for others to share opinions, answer questions, or complete a

task before doing so themselves.
Students celebrating and finding common threads between peers.
Students volunteering to help a student catch up during an assignment.
You might hear students say
Jamal, I went last first time so you can go first this time.
Elizabeth, I like how you were able to go to the board and answer the warm-up
question today. Good job!
We are all rising 2nd graders!
Whats your favorite x,y,z? Oh, I like that, too!
We are on problem number two.
Does you need help with x, y, z?
3. A student that shows respect for themselves sits up straight, speaks in a loud voice and
holds his/her head high. A student that shows respect for his or herself cleans up their work
station/desk. A student that shows respect for others thanks others to show appreciation. A
student that shows respect for others uses nice words when talking to the teacher and peers.
A student that shows respect for others always asks to use or borrow materials. A student
that shows respect for the school uses tools and supplies carefully. A student that shows
respect for others is still able to listen even though they may disagree. A student that shows
respect for others is not afraid to ask questions about their own and other peoples
differences in a kind manner. A student that shows respect for the school take pride in saying
school chants and being a part of the Kenderton community.
This might look like
Students placing materials in their designated space.
Students greeting the teacher and peers daily with a smile.
Students sitting up straight and making eye contact with the speaker in the
room.
Students participating in classroom and school chants.
You might hear students say
Ive put away all of my things.
Hello, Mr./Miss/Ms. XYZ
Can I borrow your
Why did they say/do that?
Why do some people have more than others?
I like ________ about Kenderton.