August 25-29

Classroom News:

Congratulations to Jackson Rohn! He is our first student of the week. 

Birthdays: Thursday, Aug. 28th Chloe Gerkin, Aug. 29th Ms. T

Scholastic Book Orders are a great way to get books for your student. They are very reasonably priced AND when you order I get points that help me buy books for our classroom library. It is a WIN-WIN! You will be getting a catalogue this week. Book orders are due back August 29th. If we have over $50 in book orders we can earn a free book coupon for everyone in our class! That is an exciting promotion from Scholastic for the beginning of the year. I have attached a copy of our class code for you to order online. It is so much easier that way however, you may also send in cash or a check made out to Scholastic Book Orders and I am happy to put the order in for you!

 Ms. Tidwell's Class One-Time Class Activation Code: M3NJM 

Scholastic Book Clubs

Scholastic News
I have ordered a trial run of Scholastic news. It is an educational age appropriate newspaper. It focuses on informational text which is what our students are going to be tested on in the future. It is very important for them to be able to read and understand these types of articles. My son was in fourth grade last year and his teacher ordered them; he LOVED it! He is STILL telling me about things he learned from reading the Scholastic News. The kids learn about current events in a way that interests them. I feel it will be very beneficial to our class to order these newspapers. The cost for the whole year is ONLY $5.00 per child. This money will be due August 29th, the same date as the book orders. If I do not get the $5.00 per child I will not be able to order them. (You may also count this $5 donation towards one hour of the forty you have agreed to donate during the year.) Thank you for supporting our class with this! The lessons that come with the Scholastic News will enrich our classroom. Please make checks out to Scholastic News.

Homework:

No Spelling we are working on cursive
Math and other assignments will be coming home this week. Please check the agenda for that days homework.

Note From the Teacher:

Thank you so much for all of the help you have given me. I truly appreciate it! The kids have done so well this week taking those DIBELS and Galileo tests. You should be very proud of them. I can't wait to get into our regular schedule this week! Ask them about my rainy day policy, what happens when it rains. Also, a shout out to Mrs. Cobb for the adorable treats she brought in as an incentive for Galileo. The kids LOVED the sucker and mustache pencil. I have an amazing group of students this year, they sure make my job fun. We played the starburst game before I DIBLED each of them this week. It was so nice for me to just sit down and talk to each of them one on one. Thank you for your help with end of the day parent pick-up. I know it can be kind of a nightmare but we as teachers are working so hard to make it go more smoothly! It will get better and better as the weeks go on. Thanks for being patient.


With Love,

Ms. T

Week of August 17th-23rd

I am Capable. 

Good Morning, 

I hope everyone is resting up this weekend! We had a FUN and busy week last week. We learned new procedures, how to get around the new campus and A LOT about each other. I am working hard to help your child make friends and partnering them with different children for activities each day. We have talked a lot about what makes a good friend. How to introduce yourself and how to BE a good friend.

 This week we will be diving headfirst into our curriculum. We have Galileo testing all week, this is to get baseline scores on where each child is academically. It will tell me exactly what each child excels at and where we need to work. Please help your child by making sure they are in bed early and eat a healthy breakfast each day. Boy oh boy, was that transition from staying up late to being back on a schedule hard for anyone else last week????? I literally took a four hour nap yesterday and slept a full night. FEELIN' GOOD today!

I will introduce positive affirmations from time to time. Since we have Galileo testing this week our affirmation is: I am capable. We will be talking a lot about what it means to be capable. 

What's Up this week:

HOMEWORK: 

20 minutes of reading each night

Choose a book for the book report it needs to be a book they HAVE NOT read before :) 

There will be MATH homework every day this week. This will be in the form of book work which is about 15 problems or a worksheet. We will be practicing writing all the info in the agenda so you know exactly what the homework is for that night. The students will not be dismissed from class unless the agenda is filled out. 

 There will NOT be any spelling this week. Due to Galileo testing. We are also really working on our cursive in class this week. I will expect everyone to be writing everything in cursive by Halloween. (Except for spelling tests) This will be our focus for the next two weeks instead of spelling. 

Quarterly Book Report

Due September 26th

Please help your child choose a book to read from home this week. It needs to be a book they can bring back and forth to school each day. I will give them 10 minutes in class each day to read silently. I expect everyone to have a book by Friday. 

******I will send book report forms home next week. 

Help! I need some supplies. If you happen to be at the store this week I could really use gumdrops. I need a total of 5 bags. If I could have help with that I would GEATLY appreciate it. I need them by Thursday. If you can help out with that please send me an email. Thank you!!

I can't wait for week two. I have a class of amazing children. 

Love,

Ms. Tidwell

Ms. T's Classroom Policies

Roald Dahl is my favorite. 

Hello Families,

We have had such a GREAT week! Here are some of my class expectations and policies. The kids are learning and doing so well. They are the best! Thank you for helping to make this the best week ever.

Ms. Tidwell

Classroom Policies

Welcome to the 4^th grade! I am so happy to be your teacher this year. The next few weeks will be filled with a lot of practicing. We will be practicing our routines, ALA culture, and what type of behavior is expected for a 4^th grader.  I will also be mixing in a little fun and get to know you activities. We will be making new friends and creating a safe environment for all to learn.

Curriculum at a Glance:

Saxon Math 

Jr. Great Books

Science- magnets, electricity, landforms and more

History- The great state of Arizona, various world history topics

Hake Grammar

Spalding Spelling

Six Traits Writing

Ms. Tidwell’s Classroom Management

Individual Positive Recognition

I want children to make good choices because they have learned that it FEELS GOOD to make good choices. I have a reward and discipline plan that is easy and fun. I will be using the Class Dojo app. The students earn points for good behavior they also lose points for negative behavior. It is a super fun app. The kids have already picked their very own monster avatar.  When a student earns 100 points they get to pick a prize out of the treasure box. If they are in the "negative" they do not get to participate in Friday Fun time.  They will be doing extra chores and work for me instead. 

I believe that chores are a privilege. They have filled out a job application and been assigned jobs according to their strengths. They will be paid in class money for doing their jobs well. This money will be used for "class store" which takes place before Winter Break. They get to use their money to spend then. They also have to use the money to leave the class to use the restroom or get a drink. I may also fine a student for negative behavior especially on the playground at recess times. 

Whole Class Positive Recognition

The class will have the opportunity to earn points during the week to earn  Extra Recess, or Special Activities.

Consequences

If a student makes a poor choice and breaks a rule, these steps will be taken:

1. One verbal warning
2. If the child continues with poor behavior he/she will lose a class dojo point
3. If the negative behavior continues and the student loses multiple points (3 or more)  in the day they will miss a recess. 
4. If the problem behavior continues an after school detention may be assigned.  I will contact the parent. Together with the student we will have a meeting and come up with a plan that will help the student be successful in class.

Let’s make GOOD choices!!! Good choices are my favorite!

Planners

Each child will be given a daily planner. They are expected to write their daily schedule, assignments, and homework in the planner each day. This is one of the easiest ways for me to communicate with you and vice versa. 

Homework

I update the blog with the weeks spelling list by Monday. There is usually Math and Spelling homework daily.. If there is no homework that day it is written in the planner. 

I do not accept late work. If your child does not finish a class assignment they have that evening to finish it and turn it in the next morning. Otherwise they receive zero credit. Ample time is given during the day to finish classroom work at school. If they are not finished with an assignment, I will pull them to work with me at recess to try and get it finished before the end of the day. 

Homework, classroom news, and the calendar will be posted on our classroom blog every Friday for the upcoming week.  

Snacks/Water/Lunch

We do not have a morning recess. I do allow a break each morning for 5-10 minutes after specials to have a snack and use the restroom. Your child may bring a HEALTHY snack to eat at that time. It is a perfect time to refuel. Please do not send in packs of dry Ramen Noodles for snack. This is not healthy and it makes a HUGE mess. 

It is scorching hot out there, so please send your child with a water bottle each day. It is so important for our learning to be hydrated. I have a special place for water bottles to go each day. They may not get a drink during instruction but may get a drink during independent work time. 

 If your child does not purchase school lunch, please make sure they have a packed lunch.

Birthday Celebrations

I love Birthdays and welcome treats to celebrate the child’s special day. Please check with me for the number of students in our class before hand. ( 21 as of now) Some favorite Birthday treats are: Rice Krispy Treats, Popsicles, Cookies, Doughnuts or Brownies. Homemade treats are not allowed. They must be store bought. We will eat the treat at the last recess each day which is at 1:45. 

Student of the Week

I will choose a student of the week each week. Your student will receive a poster to complete the Friday before it is their week. They may bring in an item for show and tell. I also encourage them to bring a favorite picture book to read-a-loud to the class. (Please keep in mind to make it an appropriate read a loud book...that it isn't to long.)  They may bring a treat for the class. (That is up to you!) I also invite you to come eat lunch with your child that week. 

It is going to be the best year ever!

Love,

Ms. Tidwell