2nd Week!

This week we are diving into learning! In reading we are talking about identifying the Author's purpose in the texts that we read. This is why the author wrote the specific text. We are talking about authors writing to entertain, to persuade, to inform, to tell, or to teach a lesson. We are also talking about narrative story structure. Narratives begin by stating the status quo of the main character, characters, and the setting. Next, they present the problem of the story. Then, the characters have try/fail or block situations or the problem escalates. Then, the story reaches its climax. Finally, the problem is resolved. Then we learn what the theme of the story is. Students have started writing in their Reading Notebooks in class, reading responses to all that they read. Students need to read 20 minutes a day for their reading homework this week. We will pass out reading logs next week to keep track of your students reading, but for now, please help your student get back into the habit of reading every day.

In writing, we are also talking about narratives. We are beginning our Personal Narrative Unit by discussing what makes a good story and brainstorming stories from our own life that we can share. By the end of the week, students will need to have picked at least one personal story to write about.

In math we are starting our multiplication unit. We will be working with manipulatives, drawing pictures, and working on memorizing our multiplication facts. We want every student to have their multiplication facts 2-9 memorized. Please, please, practice these at home with your students! If you have flash cards at home, please practice with your students. If not, students will be making their own in class this week that they can use to practice. It is essential for all students to have these memorize before we move on to any other concept in 4th grade math. This is why we are drilling multiplication facts so hard at the beginning of the year. Math homework this multiplication fact pages that I will give students each day. These need to be completed, front and back, and turned in the next day.

I am loving being your student's teacher this year! We have a great, fun class and I am excited for all that we are going to do this year! Please make sure you sign your student's planner every night. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

This week's homework:
Monday:       Reading- read 20 mins
                     Math- X 2 worksheet
Tuesday:       Reading- read 20 mins
                     Math- X 3 worksheet
Wednesday: Reading- read 20 mins
                     Math- X 4 worksheet
Thursday:     Reading- read 20 mins
                     Math- X 5 worksheet
Friday:          Reading- read 20 mins
                     Math- X 6 worksheet

1st Week of School!

We have had a wonderful first few days! We want to give a BIG THANK YOU for your donations and supplies for our class this year! If your student still does not have their school supplies, please make sure they have them by Monday. We have been working all week on good classroom behaviors and habits. Please reinforce with your students the importance of behaving well in class and learning to have good habits. Next week we will move on to content lessons while practicing our good behavior and habits. J

Starting on Monday August 26-September 6 we are going to ATTACK our multiplication. We find it extremely important that all 4^th graders have their multiplication facts memorized as they will be the building blocks for what students will learn for the rest of the year. All students can start passing off their multiples starting September 6^th. My goal is for every child to pass off his or her multiplies 2-9 by October. For those that pass off all of their multiples we will be having a 4^th grade PARTY! Those who pass these off will also be challenged to memorize their 10s, 11s, 12, 13s, etc . . .

I know we can do it but I need your help!!!

This is what I need from you:

1.    On Monday August 26 have your child bring some manipulatives (pennies, buttons, beans, rocks, etc.) to school. If you have an egg carton or something similar that students can use to separate groups, please have them bring that as well.

2.    Everyday help them go through their multiplication flashcards with them for twenty minutes or more. If you do not have access to flashcards at home, students will be making their own next week that they can bring home to use to practice.

3.    I will be sending home daily multiplication tests as homework for you to do a time test with your child.

4.    Help them come up with chants or songs for some multiples that they are having trouble remembering.

5.    Remind them and let them know the importance of knowing their multiples. J

I can see so much potential in your child and I am so honored to be your child’s fourth grade teacher! If you have any concerns, questions, or good ideas PLEASE give me a call or email me!

Welcome Back To School!

I am so excited for this new school year! Some of you may know that last year I taught 5th and 4th grade pull-out classes. I also aided in Miss Brockbank's class during reading. This means that I got to know most of your students last year. I am very excited to be teaching 4th grade full time this year and I am so excited to have your students in my class! We are going to have an awesome year! We will be learning lots of new things and having many new experiences in 4th grade.

Every week I will be sending home a weekly email as well as updating my blog with what we are doing in class and the homework for the week. For the first week of school, we have not assigned any homework. Instead, please encourage your student to continue to or begin again, reading every day. Also, please help your student get all of their school supplies. I have included the supply list here.

Again, I am so excited to be your student's teacher this year. Please feel free to contact me if you ever need anything!

Contact Info:

Charla Teaford

cteaford@alpinedistrict.org

801-610-8102 ext. 124

Supply List:

• 1 3-ring binder (1 inch wide) with pockets on both sides
• 3 spiral notebooks, wide-ruled preferably
• 1  composition notebook
•  3 folders with pockets and prongs
• 2 packages of filer notebook paper
• 1 package of 8 Subject Dividers
• at least two sharpened boxes of #2 pencils
• 1 hand sharpener with cover (no electric/battery ones)
• at least two tissue boxes
• at least one box of antibacterial wipes
• at least one of each box of Ziploc sandwich and gallon bags
• 1 container of hand sanitizer
• 1 school box/pencil box to hold pencils, erasers, etc.
• 2 Chapter Books to keep in desk to read