March 16-20 Parent Teacher Conferences
March 19 4th Grade Musical 6:30 pm
March 20 Reading Benchmark Test 10-11
March 24 Fifth Grade Social (3-5 invited)
March 26 End Grading Pd. K-5 Early Release
March 27 Math Benchmark Test 10-11
April 4-13 Spring Break
April 24 Monticello Field Trip
Current Units of Study:
L. Arts: Poetry is our next genre of discussion. Students will be learning about poetry elements (similes, metaphors, rhyme) and will be writing a few poems of their own. The grammar focus is on reviewing comma usage, word prefixes and suffixes, adding word endings and agreeing tense for the upcoming Reading Benchmark. Books of reference, (dictionaries, thesauri, and atlas') will be covered in the current library lessons.
Social Studies: Bacon's Rebellion has left Jamestown burned and sent a serious message to King Charles II that colonists will fight for their beliefs. With tobacco as a "cash crop", the colony grows in numbers to produce more tobacco. Slaves now become commodities in the Triangle Trade between nations, as women and indentured servants rush to join the colony. I will be model reading excerpts from "To Be a Slave". These accounts are biographical journal entries by actual slaves of this era. I have carefully edited these accounts, because colony life at this time is quite harsh and cruel for some. Our upcoming trip to Monticello will also focus on the differences in slave and landowner lifestyles within a colony. Students will be continuing to write in their colonial journals
about their feelings on issues of this era.
Math:
Students will review fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, common denominators, and measuring. Students have been regrouped based upon SOL needs, so your student may have a new math teacher. Please monitor their progress to be sure they are acclimating to the new teacher's approach. We will also be reviewing for the upcoming Math Benchmark testing.
Science:
We are finishing the study of Earth, Sun, and Moon characteristics and movements. Our next unit involves the study of plants and plant processes. Your student will be asked to complete a plant growing project with a small group at school. The vocabulary for this unit is new and difficult, so please assist at home with vocabulary studies and test guides for unit tests.
Any donations of plants would be appreciated during this unit of study.
Reminders
A work packet will be coming home with lots of work from the past few weeks. Please review and sign, returning the cover sheet to school. This should assist you in better understanding the report card grades. Also remember that Workbook and Math Journal pages are sometimes graded as well.
In event of snowday cancellations, all assignments become due on the next school day, including tests(on material that has been reviewed).
We are still playing outdoors if temperatures are above 40 degrees and insisting that students wear coats, (Hats and gloves, as needed).
Sneaky Snacks should be wholesome and should not include gum, soda,or candy. Sometimes small candies are given by the teacher as reward treats, but these are eaten after school, after lunch, or during recess.
Please wear tennis shoes for PE, send notes if transportation changes, send notes after absences so they can be documented as excused absences, and use the Daily Planner to communicate. Students should be writing down all assignments, (even no assignments), in the planner. Your initials are helpful so I know these are being monitored at home.
Thanks for following up at home. I can tell that you are checking and asking. This truly makes the teacher's job so much easier. A plus.
Teacher Credentials
Dear Parents,
I am excited for the opportunity to work with your child for the 2008-2009 school year and I am sure you have a few questions about my background. This is my seventh year as a fourth grade teacher with MCPS, and my fourth year at Margaret Beeks Elem.I also spent three years as a reading recovery and special education aide in MCPS before returning to college to upgrade my degrees.I have an associate degree in Social Services, an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I graduated summa cum laude, (4.0 gpa),on the president’s list from Radford University in May 2001. My enthusiasm as a student has fueled my fervor for being a teacher.I simply love learning and teaching.
I plan to encourage your student to adopt this love of learning by planning enriching lessons and activities daily, described in our weekly communications home. Your student will most likely be receiving instruction in Language Arts from me. I plan to use the Houghton Mifflin Reading Series to teach spelling, grammar, and writing skills. These skills are all tied effectively to the Reading text and most students improve by a full grade level or more with this program. I also plan to supplement this program with novel reading groups from MBE’s reading resource room. My favorites are the classics, so your student will hear me read several classic literature selections, as well. Yes, we read a lot. We also will focus on several writing/reading genres including plays, poetry, mysteries, research, and biographical fiction. Self-editing is a huge focus in fourth grade, so daily grammar and editing practice is a top priority. I also will be offering many writing opportunities by implementing a historical fictitious Colonial Journal and creative writing assignments. Writing is my favorite subject to teach.
I also teach the content subjects: science, math, and social studies, to my assigned classroom. Math topics include: geometry, probability, multiplication, division, charting, and fractions.
Our science topics include: ecosystems, natural resources, basic meteorology (weather), plant and animal processes, electricity and magnetism, movements of Earth, Sun, & Moon. Most topics involve experimental labs in the classroom and learning the scientific process of investigation. I also have a mini-menagerie of assorted classroom ecosystems that most children enjoy.
In our content areas, we have several quality field trips and a Colonial Day planned that focus on early Virginia history from Native American life (1500’s), Colonial life (1600’s), the American Revolution (1700’s), and Westward Expansion. We will be completing a classroom timeline of these historical events. I also involve students in becoming the cultures we study by initiating several Role Plays,(Native Game and The Colony Game) alongside our Virginia Studies units. Your student will learn to write skits, perform in a play, and participate as a member of a tribe and a colony.
I try to communicate directly through your student’s daily planner and send home work packets periodically for your review. I assess and grade closely, especially editing writing, and do write comments on student work. Evaluating work is crucial to the learning process and feedback that is timely and direct is the most helpful for students. Most of the homework that will be assigned is simply review of a skill and is for practice. Homework should take no more than 20 minutes daily. I do not grade homework that closely, but I do feel it is important to establish a practice habit with schoolwork. I do check to be sure homework is being responsibly completed on time. I encourage students to get help with all assignments and to show off what they have learned by explaining it to a helper. Your student will especially need some help when they have been assigned a report, research, or project.
I am available after 3:30 pm and by appointment for times that best fit your schedule, so please call for a conference if needed. I send home some study guides and guidelines for longer projects, and we also take notes that are organized in a binder for study later.Please look for study guides and homework assignments in the daily planner.
My philosophy on discipline comes from years of experience with diverse classrooms. We all want to be validated and have the right to express our feelings. Fourth graders tend to spend a lot of time expressing themselves, learning to get along with others, and searching for approval and friendship. I usually play the mediator in classroom conflicts by allowing students to discuss problems privately with those involved. Most conflicts can be settled quickly this way without loss of self esteem. I also believe that problems may escalate if others jump in, so I do not believe in public forums for disciplinary action and think that scolding is humiliating and counter productive. After expectations are clearly defined, I usually give a visual warning. If a student does not respond to a warning, I may request that they address the specific problem by writing a behavior card that further clarifies the expectation and consequences. This avoids lecturing and gives alone time for self evaluation. I may also request that they apologize or make amends if they have harmed another person. I believe strongly in accountability for one’s actions. Very rarely is a note home or call needed. I have found that mutual respect elicits a corrective rapport. I also recognize academic and behavior improvements and give earned coupon perks for cooperation. This classroom is filled with progress charting and your student’s best work is always on display. Seeing daily successes constructs an attitude of respect for self, and consequently, cooperation and respect for others, and the systems we operate in. I try to project an image of friendly, firm, and fair, and utilize humor as a tool for capturing interest and returning to a progressive track. I am quick to forgive and encourage others to forgive, to move forward by learning from mistakes.
I, too, am a parent and have four children, (3 graduated from high school, and my last child is completing high school). I have learned from experience that all children have weaknesses and strengths and depend heavily upon the support system of adults in their life to identify these. I also understand that parents know their child better than anyone, and I will rely heavily upon your input and support to best teach your child. Together, I am hoping that we can make this a progressive and happy year for your family. School should be one of your child’s favorite places to be because it is safe, fun, predictable, yet, intriguing. My goal is to generate an attitude of enthusiasm for learning, rewarded with the security of accomplishment. Thank you for your trust and support. I will do my best to be the teacher your family needs me to be.
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