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CHALLENGES
The fourth grade is challenging in many
different ways for many different children. Some students will struggle with the
pacing and workload while others will struggle with the content and intuitive
thinking necessary and still others will struggle to gain the maturity required
to take responsibility for their education and actions. Each child faces these
challenges in different ways and with different tools but ALL children face
these challenges together.
BELIEFS
My classroom is
based upon several key beliefs:
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THINKING is
essential. Think then do.
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SOLVING PROBLEMS, rather
than just getting the right answer, is more important.
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No problem can be solved unless
you understand what is being asked.
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Personal responsibility, copying
down their own assignments in their agenda, get it initialed by a teacher,
and taking it home for a parental signature, are all part of the STUDENT'S
responsibilities, not yours.
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HOMEWORK only happens
when all parts of an assignment are not finished in class. I do NOT assign homework, but I do assign classwork that sometimes needs to be completed at home. If the students are on task, focused, and diligent, there should not be any work to do at home.
STRESS
Everyone faces stress in their daily lives BUT classwork should not be one of them. You are the parents! You are an irreplaceable person in your child's education, but you should not re-teach your child the lessons we do in school. You passed the fourth grade, it is now your child's turn. Sign the papers, make sure they complete their work, but please do not do their work or reteach the lessons. Save that for the teachers. It is our job and you don't need that stress at home. Save that for who's turn is it to do the dishes or take out the trash.
PLANNING
In planning my instruction I utilize three
different websites to help me understand/clarify what will be taught and
individual skills to be mastered. Descriptions of varying degrees of
clarity may be found all or in part on these three
different websites:
Your should start here to
preview what Cobb County has setup for your child. This is my first
place to start when I plan a lesson
since Cobb has devised a pacing guide for each grade level and each
subject. It gives me the Essential Questions and Power
Strands
Georgia's Department of Education
official website offers the state mandated standards
Finally you can look at Georgia's Criterion
Referenced Competency  Test
(or C.R.C.T.)
Content Descriptors
PERSONALLY
I personally use the C.R.C.T. content descriptors to help
explain HOW the students will be assessed and the Picasso
standards to tell what should be taught.
Once you start looking and become overwhelmed, as I do EVERY YEAR when they
change the standards, call the school, email me, or send a note in to setup a
time to me for further clarification.
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