Is that the Sun out there??

Yes!!! Four more kids have mastered their 6's multiplication basic facts! Only 8 more to go!!! Keep those flashcards a flashing! The ones left are very close, many missing only 12 x 6! Not sure how the 7s went today. No new test tomorrow due to the early dismissal at noon.

States and Capital test is tomorrow. Kids will need to locate each state and match each of the 11 states with the appropriate capital. They will have a word bank to select from. Study, study!

In Reading, we have started a new read aloud book. It is called, There is a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. It is about a bully that lies A LOT! Just ask your kids how much he lies. There is a TON of character and friendship issues embedded in this book! YES!!! Love it!! We will be taking an in house field trip to the opposite gender's bathroom when that chapter of the book comes up. Man this excites the kiddos! Of course chaperones will be present and bathrooms will be empty at the time. All school appropriate and fun. Crazy times!

May I please encourage you to keep your kids home until it is time to come to school. I have noticed some of my kids coming to school way too early. In extreme temperatures, it is way too cold to have them stand outside for 20-30 minutes. Thanks.

Have a super evening!

Big Smiles All Around!

Wow! What a difference today!

We started the day off with a pretty serious talk at morning meeting. I wanted to clear the air about yesterday, and then we just let it go together. An hour later, we were back laughing and learning together. I appreciate all the calls and emails of support and conversation. We tested our 6's today. It was obvious who took me serious and either passed (100%) or missed one or two. Those that did not pass will study during first recess and then retest tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be testing on our 7's. They just need to learn them. I had 4 students fail their math quiz again today. Not because they didn't know how to do them, but because they didn't know their basic facts. Urg! Please, Please, Please take the 5-10 minutes at the dinner table!

Students have music class tomorrow. Mr. Goodheart mentioned that some of the students in here are forgetting their recorder at home. Each time this happens their participation grade lowers, which effects their overall grade. Midterms might be scary for some! Put it in the bag tonight! Book too!

Blood drive sheets came home tonight. The Bitterroot Blood Drive will be happening next Tuesday from 2-7 in the gym. There is a $500 reward for each adult students sign up. Hey, why not head to Mackenzie River after for some pizza! It is Bitterroot night there too! Don't forget your pink slip to give the waitress. Another $500 dollar reward. Wow!!!

Bitterroot is all about helping out. So, we will be participating in the Hats for Haiti day this Friday. Kids can wear their favorite hat to school for 25 cents. Seems little, but not when you consider we have over 300 students. So, did through the couch and find those lost quarters. Of course you can donate more if you want. The following Friday will be Heros for Haiti day. Students may dress up like their favorite Hero for a quarter. School appropriate costumes of course. Go Team Bitterroot!!!

Lastly, can I ask that you keep Arielle's family in your thoughts and prayers this week, especially on Thursday. No details, but just send them positive thoughts! BELIEVE!!!

Thanks for Being You So I Can Be the Best Me!!

Ms. Erickson

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!