We will adhere to all Kyffin Elementary expectations by following P.R.R.S through being Positive, Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. We will show up each day on time and ready to participate.
Families, students, and staff will follow the Jeffco GT Center expectations. Please see and sign agreement to these expectations.
In Fourth Grade, we departmentalize the subjects of Writing, Science, and Social Studies. The Fourth Grade team believes that 9 and 10 year olds deserve to be just that: happy, thriving children. We teach independence and responsibility through use of daily planners to keep track of ongoing class assignments and due dates.
We will have nightly math homework that should take 15-20 minutes max to complete. We will share online tools that you can use to help reinforce or extend your child's learning. In addition we will require students to read 15-30 minutes a night which will be recorded in their planners with an adult's signature.
The Fourth Grade team often has ongoing projects in their respective Writing, Science, and Social Studies class. We help manage those assignments in student planners as well. We also provide a weekly "Study Hall" one afternoon a week so that students can work on these projects and have time to talk with any fourth grade teacher they may need additional help from.
I use Classroom Dojo. This is a web based behavior chart where you earn or take away points throughout the day. The goal is to get as many positive points as you can.
The students and I come up with a chart for what we want our class Dojo Rewards and values to be.
If you have questions regarding Class Dojo, here is an FAQ on the service. It is completely free of charge and does not use your child's information in any way.
I also use a ticket system. Each ticket is turned in for a Dojo point and entered into our weekly raffle. On Friday's I will hold a raffle to draw a few tickets to pick from the "Treat Yo' Self" bin. Students may earn things like smelly pencils, erasable pens, stickers or other fun little items.
I am going to continue to do a monthly raffle for a student to win one of my crafty creations. I've really enjoyed crocheting Amigurumi stuffed animals and needle felting little things. I do these things for fun, but do not need any more stuffies in my house. I had a high school science teacher who used to knit us hats and I still remember that to this day. Previous classes have informed me this is wildly popular and I better NOT discontinue. :)
I do NOT hold grudges.
I do NOT argue with 9/10 year olds.
I DO have high expectations for you all to try your best and learn from our mistakes!
Kyffin is a healthy schools grant school. This means that I cannot allow food as an incentive. This includes birthday treats. If your child brings a treat for their birthday, I will send it home with them at the end of the day. If your child wants to celebrate their birthday, think of things like pencils, stickers, or erasers to share as a celebration. Snack time is 11:10-11:20am. I only ask to please keep the snack healthy and quick. I'm also a neat freak (see below) and politely ask the snack to be neat and quick to access. If a mess is made, your child will be asked to clean up their mess. Please remember this is a snack NOT a meal.
To build a positive learning environment, it is imperative that your work space and back pack area remain clean and organized. There is to be NO clutter on top of or inside of desks. The only items permitted on top of your desk will be a water bottle (water filled only) and the necessary work requirements of the moment. Your cubby area must be able to neatly fit student workbooks, pencils, and reading books. To limit clutter, make sure you are handing in work on time and bringing returned work home with the same urgency. You may gain "neat desk" points or lose "messy workspace" points on Class Dojo. A class job is to monitor and remind students to fix their cubbies if they do not meet the classroom expectations.
Back pack hooks on the front of your desk must remain clean and hold your coats, backpacks, snow boots, gym shoes, and after school activity gear without clutter. Less is more! Your items must remain on the hooks and shoe rack on the floor. There is a cubby your child may use for Friday folders and any overflow of materials.
Hand washing will occur upon entrance to the room. There will be extra sanitizing and disinfecting procedures that occur during lunch/recess/AMP breaks.
8:35-8:45 AM Soft Start
8:45-8:55 AM SELs (Social Emotional Learning)
8:55-9:40 AM AMP
9:40-9:55 AM Math Fluency
9:55-10:55 AM Math
10:55-11:10 PM Morning Recess
11:10-11:20 AM Snack Time
11:10-12:30 PM Reading Literacy
12:30-12:50 PM Lunch Recess
12:50-1:10 PM Lunch
1:10-1:55 PM Rotation 1 (Writing, Science, Social Studies)
1:55-2:40 PM Rotation 2 (Writing, Science, Social Studies)
2:40-3:25 PM Rotation 3 (Writing, Science, Social Studies) *When we have the rotation dialed in, I will update so you know what teacher/classroom your child is in during these blocks.
3:25-3:35 PM Clean up and Dismissal
Please be a classroom volunteer. Make sure your volunteer form is filled out with the front office.
Help with Friday Folders - Sign up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084FA9A72BA5F94-57798442-friday
Be an ELF Coordinator - Let me know via email. Jenn.archibald@jeffco.k12.co.us
Be our room parent - Let me know via email. Jenn.archibald@jeffco.k12.co.us
If you don't have the time to volunteer, but would like to financially support our classroom, here is my Amazon Wish List. Check back often as our needs often change. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YLJ9QMLPP1A3?ref_=wl_share