Hi! I am beyond excited to start a new school year with you all. Currently, I teach 4th grade reading, language, and social studies. This is my third year in this position.
My favorite part of teaching is when I can observe students enjoying their learning process. There is nothing better than someone taking control of their own thinking and using memorable experiences to guide them!
No matter the circumstances, I promise that we will make it a great year!
Contact:
Please call West Hills Intermediate or email rtoy@asd.k12.pa.us
Fun Facts:
I will be marrying my fiance, Matthew, on 9.25.21.
I have a dog, Mya. She is an All American Mutt.
I love traveling. My favorite place has been Alaska!
Hello! I am thrilled that you will be in our class this year! We are going to learn so many new and exciting things together. This is my fourth year teaching 4th grade at WHI. I'm looking forward to a year of fun and adventures with all of you! I will be joining Miss Toy in teaching reading and language.
One of the main components of my co-teaching position is that I will effectively accommodate and modify lessons and materials within our curriculum and classroom to help ensure each student is receiving the appropriate instruction.
Contact:
Please call West Hills Intermediate or email bswitzer@asd.k12.pa.us
Fun Facts:
Nature is my happy place. I love to go kayaking, mountain biking, and hunting.
I have a dog named Reggie. She is a Fox Red Labrador.
Students have assigned seats this year.
We are to keep our distance at recess. Playground equipment will be sanitized often.
Monday: Library Tuesday: Music Wednesday: Art Thursday: Health Friday: Physical Education
Some special classes will be held in our classroom.
****This is a GREAT time for guardians to schedule phone conferences with any main teachers. At times, we will be substituting for absent staff, attending meetings, and talking with other guardians.
This is a time for added practice and remediation of skills across subjects.
Some skills are, but not limited to:
Point of View
Author´s Purpose
Main Idea and Supporting Details
Cause and Effect
Text Features
Inference
Plot
Setting
Character Analysis
Genre
Fluency
Basic Comprehension
Vocabulary and Acquisition
Sequence/Order of Events
*As teachers, we believe in a holistic approach. We use any opportunity to circle back and practice reading skills in unison instead of always individually.
Students must learn to write a TDA (text dependent analysis) in fourth grade. They will continue to write them throughout their schooling, so a strong foundation is important. The writing process works slowly:
Students are asked to write. Therefore, we can identify writing levels and practice restating questions.
Close reading is taught. That way, students can use learned skills to comprehend grade level text.
A TDA prompt is properly deconstructed. This helps students understand what the prompt is asking.
Restating the prompt and creating a thesis is practiced and assessed.
Students are guided through body paragraphs.
To end the prompt, students create a conclusion paragraph.
Each student is given guidance to reflect on their work and reflect on work of their peers.
*This is a brief overview of procedures that are taken slowly. Please reach out with any questions.
Some skills are, but not limited to:
Figurative Language
Main Verbs
Adverbs
Helping Verbs
Common and Proper Nouns
Pronouns
Relative Pronouns
Capitalization
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Adjectives
Fragments
Subject and Predicate
Sentence Structure
Multiple Meaning Words
Prefixes, affixes, and suffixes
Some of the topics explored, but not limited to:
Public Policy
Civil Rights
Economics (supply and demand)
States, capitals, and regions
Local Government
Civic Engagement
Land forms
Prominent Figures
Presidents and the Election Process
Please join our Remind if you have not already! We will be posting schedule updates, important reminders, and test/homework information weekly. We can also privately message you to keep you in the loop with your child's progress and behavior throughout the school year. Let us know if you have not joined yet and we will send you an invitation.
We have a behavioral chart in which students can only move up, never down. That way, it saves students from unnecessary humiliation. Students who make it to the top of the chart, get their name on a raffle ticket. Raffle tickets are then chosen for various rewards such as positive call home, stinky feet, etc. Every student will have a fair chance to reach the top where they will be a Camp Champ!