Hi there, and Welcome to our 4th grade blog!!! Here is a picture of me and my two kiddos, Emma and Beau. Two kids in school this year...Wow!! Time sure does fly. You are probably saying the same thing, as your child is already in the 4th grade now. Wow again!! Dear 4th Grade Guardians,
Hello there. My name is Ms. Tammie Erickson. I will be your child’s teacher for this year. I hope that your summer was wonderful and packed with many new adventures and memories.
Let me start by saying, Welcome! 4th grade is very different than any grade your child has been in so far. Your child is now in the intermediate years of their life. With this change, comes a lot more independence and student responsibility. There is also more homework and accountability. All of this means change and growing up. This can be scary and challenging for both students and their parents/guardians. Please know that I am here for both you and your child every step of the way, and I promise that I will always do what I feel is in your child’s best interest. My number one priority for your child is their safety (both physically and emotionally), and I take that part very seriously. Secondly, is their future. I will work very hard this year, with their help as well as yours, to move your child up both academically and socially. Building character is a key part of the 4th grade curriculum, and we devote time daily to learn, share, and discuss all aspects of this. I have been teaching for over ten years now, and I can safely say, with upmost confidence, that your child will grow ten times more than we ever imagine if we all work together.
One way we can work together is by staying informed and up to date. If there is anything going on at home (positive or negative) it really does help to know. Please feel free to share with me at anytime. I will also share with you. I have created a blog for our classroom. A blog is a computerized daily newsletter. Each day after school, almost religiously, I type the day’s happenings on the blog. I do this for 3 reasons. One, I am a parent myself, and I dread the standard answer of “nothing” when I ask the question, “What did you do at school today?” Now, when they say that, you can either go read the blog together or have read it previously so you have some things to talk/question about. Secondly, I purposely titled this blog, A Fly On the Wall. I want it to be just that. I want you to feel like you were there with us. For that reason, I often post pictures and videos of your child in action as well. Lastly, I blog so there are no surprises. I don’t just blog about academics, I also blog about things I might be seeing in the classroom dealing with character choices, and about upcoming classroom and school events so you can plan accordingly to attend. On the blog, you will also find your child’s weekly spelling words and their daily planner/homework. If your child is absent, I expect them to check the blog and find their homework. If they have their materials/books at home they can then attempt those lessons. I DO NOT require students to make up work they miss when absent. If it is a test/quiz and they were in class when I taught the material then I will give the test/quiz upon their return. If it is a project due, they may turn it in upon their return as well. I just feel that my job is that important. If they don’t learn it from me, then I should not require them to do it. The only exception I have to this is in novel studies. If I should assign a new chapter to read in their novel, then I would expect them to read it that night and get caught up. Again, students should ALWAYS check the blog when absent. You will find our blog at ericksont2011.blogspot.com. Your permission is requested below in order for your child’s picture/video to be published.
Both 4th grade classrooms run on a fake money system and a philosophy of: choices equals consequences. Students earn and spend cash throughout their day depending on their choices. Each student is given a start up wallet with $200 in it. It is THEIR responsibility and if lost, it will NOT be replaced. There are many different ways to earn money on a daily basis. The most important one however involves your help. Students will bring home their planners daily. Their planner should always match the one on the blog. We fill them out together at the end of the day, and there is no rush to do so. Students are given ample time and don’t leave the planner area until they are ready. So…you should NEVER see a blank planner. You should also NEVER see a sloppy planner. I expect nice, neat handwriting on everything they do in the 4th grade. Nightly, your child will come to you with their planner and request your signature. We have practiced how to do this politely today at school. We also discussed appropriate times to approach you. I strongly suggest that you set a routine for this procedure as soon as possible (after dinner, before bedtime, where do they put it?). Then, it needs to get back in their backpack for me to check the next day. If they have your signature, they earn $20. If they don’t they owe $20. This adds up very quickly. Students may earn up to $100 a week, or they may lose up to a $100 a week. Either way, it is THEIR responsibility. Watch the blog for other ways students may earn money.
Students may also lose their money. There are three ways this happens: 1. Not having their planner signed, as explained above. 2. Making a poor behavior choice. And, 3. Having a missing or incomplete homework assignment. Reasons 2 and 3 have a set $50 fine for each occurrence, however, it may go up for repeat offenders over time. Again, it is THEIR choice.
So, what do they do with their earned money? The biggest thing is, they buy into their field trips. 4th grade tries to go on 3-5 field trips a year. Field trips are extra to the curriculum required of a 4th grader. Therefore, it is a privilege to go, and it must be earned. Field trips are a $1000 buy in for each trip. Students that make positive choices have absolutely no problem buying in. Students that don’t, find themselves wishing they had, and they generally make better choices before the next one. There are NO exceptions to this procedure, and I do NOT give out fast cash right before field trips to help those that need a little extra. Other fun buy in events happen throughout the year as well. Watch the blog for those events. Again, if your child makes positive choices, they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Even kids that make a mistake every once in awhile will have nothing to worry about. In a nutshell, it is up to THEM. Choices=Consequences (positive or negative).
Schedule Information:
School Day: 8:25 a.m.-3:10 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00-12:40 p.m.
Specialists:
Music-Monday and Wednesday
Art-Monday
Health and PE-Tuesday and Thursday (Bring/Wear Tennis shoes)
Library-Friday (Bring back all books!)
Lastly, I am a huge believer that every child is unique and special. That includes your child. I promise to deliver lessons that reach all different types of learners. I try to use as much technology as possible. Therefore, below I will need your permission to allow your child to use the internet at times. If you ever feel that my expectations are too low for your child please alert me right away. I would say the same for too high, but this one I am rarely wrong about. I truly BELIEVE that it is my special gift to know just how high to challenge a student. I often see potential in children that others ignore or can’t see. I promise you that your child will learn a ton this year, and you will notice a HUGE difference at the end of the 2011-2012 school year both academically and socially. They will not only be ready for the 5th grade, but they will also be closer to being ready for life!
Respectfully Yours,
Ms. Erickson
ericksont2011.blogspot.com
Work: 281-6205
Home/Cell: 598-2072 (up till 9 pm.) I do text.
*Hopefully, you received a magnet with all my contact information on it during our Meet the Teacher night this last Monday. If not, please write me a note in your child’s planner, and I will send one home for your fridge. Thanks!
