Hello parents and welcome to a new school year!
We are Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson and we will be your child’s fourth grade teachers this year. As a job share team, we are two people, through shared responsibilities, occupying one position. Your child will benefit from the strengths of two teachers who are enthusiastic about our profession and the subjects we teach! We are so excited to begin a great year! In order to better explain our job share and how it works, we have created a list of frequently asked questions.
Scheduling:
How will the job share work?
Mrs. Robin will work on Monday and Tuesday. Mrs. Ferguson will work on Wednesday and Thursday. We will alternate working every two Fridays.
Communication:
How will we communicate classroom news and happenings in the classroom?
We will maintain a classroom blog to inform parents of daily news, upcoming events, and nightly homework. http://erinandadrianne.blogspot.com
How will we communicate student progress and concerns to parents?
Classwork and assessments will be sent home weekly in order to communicate student progress. Assessments must be signed by parents and be returned to teacher. A meeting will be scheduled with a parent if academic or behavioral concerns arise.
How will we communicate to each other about meetings with parents, staff and students?
We will communicate about daily events in a communication notebook as well as by email and by phone.
How can a parent contact Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson?
Email both teachers erinandadrianne@gmail.com The teacher who is working that day will respond to all emails within the working day between 2:30-4:00PM. Both teachers have access to all parent communication through this email address. A face-to-face meeting can be scheduled after school by appointment.
Classroom Management
What is our behavior management plan?
We will create an atmosphere of positive reinforcement in our classroom. The class will be incentivized for good behavior individually, in small groups, and as a whole class. Individual: For behavior corrections, students will be given a verbal warning and then be required to move their clip down the behavior chart if the behavior continues. The student will then fill out a BIC sheet (Back in Control) where they will identify the undesired behavior and provide a more appropriate choice for next time. Students may also move their clip up the chart for exemplary behavior. Students will fill out a behavior chart at the end of each day so parents can see their progress. Small group: Students will be given table points when their whole group is on task. The table with the most points at the end of the week will earn a prize from the treasure box. Whole class: The class will earn 25 marbles each day that no one has to move their clip down. When the marble jar is full, the class will earn a party.
Student Data and Assessment
How will student progress be monitored?
The fourth grade team has developed a yearly plan, which includes all essential standards and skills taught in fourth grade. Each skill will be assessed at the beginning of a unit to determine the appropriate level of instruction. The fourth grade team will use the same assessments to ensure continuity across the grade level. The team will meet every other Friday to analyze data and make instructional decisions to meet the needs of all our students.
What are the criteria used to judge the quality of student work?
The fourth grade team has developed rubrics to be used on all assignments and assessments. Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson will read all papers, reports and other projects to ensure continuity in grading.
How will we respond to students who have shown mastery of a skill or standard?
Across the grade level, math will be taught in groups based on ability level. Some students will be accelerated to 5th grade math and others will be given 4th grade standards with additional concepts for a greater challenge. Junior Great Books and other novel studies will be used in the area of language arts. Students will be assessed regularly to identify their individual needs and groupings will be flexible.
Curriculum
How will the various subjects be taught in the classroom?
The curriculum will be split between the job share partners. We feel students will benefit from the individual strengths of the two teachers. By doing so, we will be able to provide our expertise and keep the class moving at a challenging, rigorous, pace. Mrs. Robin will focus on science and health. She will also teach grammar and other important language arts skills. Mrs. Ferguson will teach social studies and focus in on the writing portion of the language arts curriculum. Both teachers will teach math, do novel studies, P.E., and teach art.
How will pacing compare with the other fourth grade classes?
Due to the nature of a job share, the class will not have a lot of flexibility in regards to pacing. Both teachers stay on task and follow lessons as decided during planning. Timing of projects may not always coincide with the other fourth grade classes but will all be covered through out the school year.
Homework
What is your homework policy?
Students will write homework in their homework log Monday through Thursday. Homework logs will be kept in their binders. Students should bring their binders to and from school each day. Nightly assignments are due the following morning. Students should be reading nightly for 20 minutes in addition to assigned homework. Every Monday students will be assigned a weekly spelling packet to be completed and turned in on Friday of the same week. Spelling tests are also given on Friday. Unfinished homework will be completed during recess and each teacher will keep a log to monitor completion and quality of homework.
We are Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson and we will be your child’s fourth grade teachers this year. As a job share team, we are two people, through shared responsibilities, occupying one position. Your child will benefit from the strengths of two teachers who are enthusiastic about our profession and the subjects we teach! We are so excited to begin a great year! In order to better explain our job share and how it works, we have created a list of frequently asked questions.
Scheduling:
How will the job share work?
Mrs. Robin will work on Monday and Tuesday. Mrs. Ferguson will work on Wednesday and Thursday. We will alternate working every two Fridays.
Communication:
How will we communicate classroom news and happenings in the classroom?
We will maintain a classroom blog to inform parents of daily news, upcoming events, and nightly homework. http://erinandadrianne.blogspot.com
How will we communicate student progress and concerns to parents?
Classwork and assessments will be sent home weekly in order to communicate student progress. Assessments must be signed by parents and be returned to teacher. A meeting will be scheduled with a parent if academic or behavioral concerns arise.
How will we communicate to each other about meetings with parents, staff and students?
We will communicate about daily events in a communication notebook as well as by email and by phone.
How can a parent contact Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson?
Email both teachers erinandadrianne@gmail.com The teacher who is working that day will respond to all emails within the working day between 2:30-4:00PM. Both teachers have access to all parent communication through this email address. A face-to-face meeting can be scheduled after school by appointment.
Classroom Management
What is our behavior management plan?
We will create an atmosphere of positive reinforcement in our classroom. The class will be incentivized for good behavior individually, in small groups, and as a whole class. Individual: For behavior corrections, students will be given a verbal warning and then be required to move their clip down the behavior chart if the behavior continues. The student will then fill out a BIC sheet (Back in Control) where they will identify the undesired behavior and provide a more appropriate choice for next time. Students may also move their clip up the chart for exemplary behavior. Students will fill out a behavior chart at the end of each day so parents can see their progress. Small group: Students will be given table points when their whole group is on task. The table with the most points at the end of the week will earn a prize from the treasure box. Whole class: The class will earn 25 marbles each day that no one has to move their clip down. When the marble jar is full, the class will earn a party.
Student Data and Assessment
How will student progress be monitored?
The fourth grade team has developed a yearly plan, which includes all essential standards and skills taught in fourth grade. Each skill will be assessed at the beginning of a unit to determine the appropriate level of instruction. The fourth grade team will use the same assessments to ensure continuity across the grade level. The team will meet every other Friday to analyze data and make instructional decisions to meet the needs of all our students.
What are the criteria used to judge the quality of student work?
The fourth grade team has developed rubrics to be used on all assignments and assessments. Mrs. Robin and Mrs. Ferguson will read all papers, reports and other projects to ensure continuity in grading.
How will we respond to students who have shown mastery of a skill or standard?
Across the grade level, math will be taught in groups based on ability level. Some students will be accelerated to 5th grade math and others will be given 4th grade standards with additional concepts for a greater challenge. Junior Great Books and other novel studies will be used in the area of language arts. Students will be assessed regularly to identify their individual needs and groupings will be flexible.
Curriculum
How will the various subjects be taught in the classroom?
The curriculum will be split between the job share partners. We feel students will benefit from the individual strengths of the two teachers. By doing so, we will be able to provide our expertise and keep the class moving at a challenging, rigorous, pace. Mrs. Robin will focus on science and health. She will also teach grammar and other important language arts skills. Mrs. Ferguson will teach social studies and focus in on the writing portion of the language arts curriculum. Both teachers will teach math, do novel studies, P.E., and teach art.
How will pacing compare with the other fourth grade classes?
Due to the nature of a job share, the class will not have a lot of flexibility in regards to pacing. Both teachers stay on task and follow lessons as decided during planning. Timing of projects may not always coincide with the other fourth grade classes but will all be covered through out the school year.
Homework
What is your homework policy?
Students will write homework in their homework log Monday through Thursday. Homework logs will be kept in their binders. Students should bring their binders to and from school each day. Nightly assignments are due the following morning. Students should be reading nightly for 20 minutes in addition to assigned homework. Every Monday students will be assigned a weekly spelling packet to be completed and turned in on Friday of the same week. Spelling tests are also given on Friday. Unfinished homework will be completed during recess and each teacher will keep a log to monitor completion and quality of homework.
No comments:
Post a Comment