Homework and News 10/17

FOURTH GRADE HOMEWORK

Week of 10/17

Due to the shortened week, there is no homework. Homework will resume next week.

CLASSROOM NOTES & REMINDERS

We have started a classroom positive behavior program. The students are given a pattern block representing one of the classroom rules each time they are “caught” following that rule. We have a collection jar for the blocks, and twice a day we count them. If we have earned the goal amount, we are able to earn a reward. The students and I have created a short list of rewards. We are looking for more suggestions of rewards that we would enjoy. If you have any ideas, let us know.

NECAP testing is done, and what a relief! We did a fantastic job getting through the long and very tiring tests. We enjoyed some delicious snacks made with local produce and shared some yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on the last day to celebrate the completion of testing.

The fourth grade, as you probably know, is a very creative bunch of students, and in need of some craft supplies. Some things of particular interest and need include, construction paper, glue sticks, craft glue such as Elmer’s, and beads.  If you have any of these items not being used, we would very much appreciate them in the classroom.

NO SCHOOL –

Thursday, 10/20

Friday, 10/21

Email to Parents

This was sent this evening. It was bounced back from a couple of email addresses so I will do my best to get it out there. It's important!

• Hi Fourth Grade Families,
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• Hope you all have enjoyed such a beautiful weekend. It's nice to see that fall has finally arrived.
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• As we head back into another week of school, I want to talk this time to explain a classroom wide incentive program that I have developed with the help of Dr. Teri Brooks, school psychologist for WSESU.
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• Last week, Dr. Brooks and I spent a great deal of time discussing the fourth graders and the needs that are specific to them. We agreed that the fourth grade needs more positive experiences at school - with staff and each other. With the assistance of Dr. Brooks, I took the classroom rules and assigned a pattern block to each. During the day, the students earn a pattern block anytime they are demonstrating one of the classroom rules. The rules include, be safe, be kind, be responsible, and be respectful. 
• 
  
• On Thursday, 10/13, the class completed an anonymous survey about the classroom climate. I took the information gathered and presented it to the class on Friday morning before I rolled out the incentive program. The class was a bit surprised to see that as a whole, they don't believe that they are kind or respectful towards each other, teachers, or visiting adults (subs and parents). They also found out that they don't feel emotionally safe, but do feel mostly physically safe. Once this information was shared, I was able to share the classroom plan. From 9:30 until the end of the day, EVERY student seemed to do a complete turn around- the classroom was buzzing with excitement! We have two reward times built into our day (students must earn 160 blocks for each reward time) and as long as students have had no visits to the planning room, they are able to participate in the reward. 
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• The rewards are selected randomly and include suggestions from the students and me. On Friday, at the first reward time, the students chose "theme party" and voted to have a PJ day on Monday. Some students were a little disappointed that their theme was not chosen, so students were given the option to participate. They also earned a reward at the end of the day and were able to select a small treat, 1 Hershey Kiss or Reese PB Cup or 2 Mints. We have many more rewards to work towards, and if their are any suggestions for rewards that you may have, please let me know.
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• As the students become more confident and skilled with the classroom expectations, it will become more challenging to earn blocks. The rewards will become less frequent, but will increase in desirability. This will not happen for at least a month.
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• If you have any questions or thoughts you'd like to share, please email or call me at school.
• 
  
• Thanks for the support,
• Karyn Tyler

Homework and Notes 10/10

FOURTH GRADE HOMEWORK

Due to NECAP testing, there is not any homework this week!

CLASSROOM NOTES & REMINDERS

Our mapping unit has carried us into the Southwest region of the United States. Last week we read a short introduction about the Navajo, a tribe native to the region. We will explore their history and culture during the next month. This unit of study will give us many opportunities to explore different forms of art, eat new foods, and learn words from a new language. If you ever are curious about what is taking in the place, please don’t hesitate to ask!

As you may have noticed, I am sending some completed work home in homework folders. The completed work is a combination of homework and classroom work. With homework, students are simply checked off that they have completed it. I may make a note or write a message commenting on the assignments or make a suggestion for the next week. With classroom work, I look for students understanding of a concept, make comments or notes, and make some sort of mark to let them know that I have seen it. For assessments, I will file them for the year and send them home in June, unless otherwise asked.

NECAP testing will continue this week on these days and at these times:

***Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10/11-13 NECAP Mathematics Assessment

We will continue to not have homework this week. Please make sure your child is getting plenty of rest and having a good breakfast at home or school. Sleep and nutrition are key when asking a child to sit and focus for long periods of time!

The first week of NECAP testing went quite well. Students were focused and ready to work. We finished each session with a snack that incorporated a fresh fruit or vegetable. Be sure to ask your child what they tried!

NO SCHOOL –

Thursday, 10/20

Friday, 10/21

Check out our blog at guilfordfourthgrade.blogspot.com .

karyn_tyler@wsesu.org

Homework and Notes 10/3

FOURTH GRADE HOMEWORK

Week of 10/3 

Due to NECAP testing, there is not any homework this week!

CLASSROOM NOTES & REMINDERS

NECAP testing is upon us again. The schedule for the next two weeks is as follows:

***Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10/4-6 NECAP Reading Assessment

***Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10/11-13 NECAP Mathematics Assessment

During the weeks of testing, there will not be any homework. Please make sure your child is getting plenty of rest and having a good breakfast at home or school. Sleep and nutrition are key when asking a child to sit and focus for long periods of time!

If your child has homework from previous weeks that is at home and has not been checked off, please encourage them to bring it in. I always accept late assignments. As the year has progressed, there has been less homework being turned in on Fridays. Remember, homework is a way for your child to practice skills learned in school and for parents to see what is happening in school. If a child is finding homework to be too difficult, please e-mail or call me so we can discuss alternative plans.

We had our first Four Winds class on Friday 9/23. Thank you to Elisha DiMatteo and Lisa Barry for volunteering to bring such a great program to our classroom. There are several other parents who have mentioned that they are interested in volunteering or helping out in the classroom. I have not forgot! As we get more into theme and our service learning (ask your child about this), I will be looking for volunteers to help some afternoons and for whole day field trips. As those dates approach, I will let you know.

NO SCHOOL –

Thursday, 10/20

Friday, 10/21

Don’t forget, the blog is up and running! guilfordfourthgrade.blogspot.com Check it out!

karyn_tyler@wsesu.org