Tomorrow is Always a Better Day!

Hello. Today was not a very good day in this classroom for many reasons. It started off this morning with A LOT of side conversations and giggling during lessons. Then we went to the gym for a multiplication math game and kids were missing a ton of their basic multiplication facts, as skill I have devoted a ton of time and energy into and begged you to do as well at home. Then we did a practice oral States and Capitals test and many, many were missed or not known. The study list has been on the blog for a week now. The test is this Thursday. Finally, the students were given their 10 question test for Social Studies Chapter 4. It was open book, and we discussed as a group that when a test is open book it will REQUIRE them to use their book. I alloted a half hour period for this and I started noticing many students done within ten minutes. So, I began grading. This is when the day became pretty bad. Kids were making up off the wall answers that made NO sense at all to the question. They obviously did NOT use their books. So, I started calling them up one by one after grading their tests to have them prove to me where they had found these answers in their books. Of course they could not. I was VERY, VERY frank with them and sent them back to redo their assignment again USING THEIR BOOKS this time. Some of them tried to turn in guesses again, and they were sent back for a third time. At any rate, these kids saw a different side of me today. They saw the no, no, no side. The one that is a teacher of fourth grade students in their 3rd quarter before they are fifth graders. Today, they tried to go backwards and pull first quarter work. No! My expectations are high, but not unrealistic for where they are right now. I will not allow students to just 'skate" by with the minimum anymore. I asked quite a few of them if they had read the comments I wrote on their report cards. It is time to get serious. Third quarter is by far the hardest work for these kids. The review is over and so is the easing in. It is go time. Students need to get their stuff done, and do it in a 4th grade quality manner. When they slip, it is my job to get them back to where they need to be. Today, I had to be a little bit stern and frank with them. Tomorrow, kids will be tested on their 6 flashcards and will need to re-turn in their social studies test if they were asked to redo it. They may not have help, as it is a test. ALL the answers are in their books. I also told kids to share their Ch. 5 Math test with you. This is their first grade for quarter three. It should be in their take home folder. I hope that this helps clarify that I take my job very seriously, and that I absolutely love your kids as if they were my own. There is not one minute in here that I am not thinking, "What is best for this kid" and each kid in here is completely different and is pushed and challenged in their own way! Please, please sit down at the kitchen table tonight and practice their multiplication facts and their states and capitals with them. These are both life long skills that we all use every day. I appreciate your support, and so do they. Have a nice evening.

Shoot for the STARS!!!

Today we were blessed by the talent of some of our very own classmates. These kids did a super job! How fun. Thanks PTA for bringing this activity to our school! Obviously, it was a huge hit by all. I think we have some true potential for future actors and actresses. Shine On!!

Tod

Venture!

Venture Theater performances tomorrow! Parent one tomorrow night at 6! come early for the best seats!

Missed You All!

Hello. I BELIEVE all went well today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN!

Hold onto your hat...it's third quarter already!

Well, it is day one, quarter 3. That means I need to make 5th graders out of these 4th graders. I will be cracking down on 4th grade quality work. We have been discussing what this looks like, and now it is time to apply it. Journals will no longer be accepted incomplete or messy. If I can't read it, it is an F. If it does not meet the 1/2 page requirement, it is an F. If students continue to make the same mistakes that I have been taking the time to journal to them about, their grade will lower to at least a C. So, parents please be checking these nightly. They are to be writing them WITH you to build the home/school connection. Students are still not putting capitals and correct punctuation in their writing. Not acceptable in the 4th grade! I am cracking down!

The science show was a huge hit today! Kids were laughing and learning at the same time. Trivia questions this week will reflect what they saw/learned in the show. Thanks Mrs. Jensen for traveling with us!

I will be out tomorrow as I am presenting the morning meeting and character content that I am teaching to your children to a group of people.

Yesterday, our staff participated in a workshop called Rachel's Challenge. It dealt with Rachel Scott, who was shot and killed in the Columbine High School Shooting ten years ago. Can I encourage you to watch the youtube on this (just google rachels challenge youtube). This child was remarkable. It is not so much about her death, but in fact the message she left behind. Wow!! Talk about character. Our staff will be implementing some of the strategies we learned from Rachel, especially when it comes to kindness and the power of writing down your goals.

Book orders are due tomorrow. Remember you can order and pay online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. The user name is tammieerikson and the password is believe. We earn a free book for our classroom for every order. SWEET! Read on!

Have a wonderful night!

See if you can get this out of your head! Yes!!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, enjoy this poem.

Me and My M&Ms

I have always liked M&Ms.

The most diverse multi-cultural integrated candy in the world.

You have your red ones, your yellow ones, your orange ones, your brown ones

your green ones, and your blue ones.

All in one package.

All co-existing together.

One color doesn't think that it is superior to the other.

One color doesn't discriminate against the other.

All colors are the same size, shape, and weight.

All colors look different on the outside but have the same ingredients on the inside.

M&Ms all have the same flavor and they all taste G-o-o-o-o-o-o-d!

Not all M&Ms are perfect though.

Some have nuts!!!

In the real world we call them racists and bigots.

Wouldn't it be nice if like M&Ms our prejudices melted into

the abyss like chocolate melts in our mouths

and all people were judged by what was inside rather than the color

you see on the outside????

If candy can be prejudice free why can't we???????????

By Marily Kern-Foxworth