The ABCs Of Ms. Basner's fourth grade Classroom:
The ABCs Of Ms. Basner's fourth grade Classroom:
ABCs of Ms. Basner’s Fourth Grade Classroom
A: All About Ms. Basner
Hello!
My name is Brooke Basner, and I am beyond fortunate to be a part of the wildcat family as a fourth grade teacher!
I most recently finished my tenth year of teaching. Before Wilder, I was a third grade teacher for three years at Flagstone Elementary in Castle Rock, Colorado. I received my Master of Arts in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade Education at the University of Northern Colorado, and I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, with a focus on early childhood. Go Rams! There, I established my love for children and teaching. I have had experience with early childhood, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade.
Throughout my life, I have never imagined myself within a profession that doesn't involve education. My favorite aspect of teaching is watching students develop and express themselves individually. I strive to demonstrate the qualities necessary to motivate, build meaningful relationships with my students, and create a classroom atmosphere that provides security, management, routines, and trust for my students, as well as an acceptance of all individuals.
My role in preparing students for their future is to establish a positive learning environment. Hands-on, collaborative learning allows students the opportunity to illustrate individual thinking that can be connected to peer thinking. I desire my students' motivation and enthusiasm toward learning. I believe that, once students trust that they are in a safe, nurturing, and trustworthy classroom, they will discover the importance of their knowledge and education toward establishing a successful future. Also, in order to prepare students for their future, I will find new approaches to meet individual needs. Students who enjoy their application of knowledge will find ways to expand it within various contexts.
I am very excited to be a part of Littleton Public Schools, as I am an alumni of Wilder Elementary, Goddard Middle School, and Heritage High School.
I am a Colorado girl, born and raised in Littleton. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, activities on the water, the beach, traveling, dancing, and cheering on the Avalanche, Broncos, Packers, and the Yankees. I also have an obsession with my niece, Charlie, and sharks!
I look forward to a wonderful year!
Love,
Ms. Basner
B: Birthdays
We would love to celebrate your child’s birthday! If you would like to send something in with your child, I will need at least one day’s notice of the treat you plan on bringing in. In addition, I will have a small present for each child’s birthday, and our class will make his or her day very special! If your child has a birthday during a holiday or vacation, we will celebrate his or her half-birthday.
We will continue to support the District Board Policy ADF promoting healthy food choices for students. All food items need to be store-bought. If your child has a food allergy or other health concerns, you may provide a supply of alternative treats for them to enjoy during birthday celebrations.
Birthday invitations should not be passed out at school in order to avoid hurt feelings. Thank you for your support and understanding.
C: Communication
My goal is to use various forms of communication in order to create and maintain a connection between school and home. The following are some of the various forms of communication I will be using:
Email:
I believe that it is important to form strong bonds with students and parents to inspire a shared commitment in quality education. The best way to reach me is through email at bbasner@lps.k12.co.us. I will respond within 24 hours.
F.I.S.H. Folder:
Your child will be responsible for bringing his or her F.I.S.H. (Family Involvement Starts Here) Folder to and from school daily. This may have your child’s scored work, important forms, and notes.
Thursday Folder:
A folder will be sent home every Thursday with important school forms and notes. Please have your child return the folder to school on the following Friday.
Weekly Emails:
I will be sending an email every Friday that will include areas of focus for the week and important dates and reminders.
Website:
You will find EVERYTHING on our class website, including our focus for the week, daily homework, important events and dates, Scholastic book order details, and fourth grade curriculum.
Class Dojo:
This year, you and your child will be able to monitor his or her individual positive behavior in the classroom on this application. Details on how to sign up will be sent home this fall.
Google Classroom:
Google Classroom is a tool we will use for managing and completing student work online.
D: Daily Schedule
Fourth Grade Schedule
2024 to 2025
7:35 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. – Arrival: Soft Start and Breakfast
7:50 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. – Attendance and Morning Announcements
7:55 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. – Math
9:05 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. – Specials
9:50 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. – Math Intervention
10:10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. – Recess and Snack
10:20 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. – Literacy
11:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. – ACCESS
11:55 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Writing
12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. – Lunch and Lunch Recess
1:25 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. – Teacher Read Aloud
1:35 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. – Science or Social Studies
2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Community Time
2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Clean, Pack, and Dismissal Procedures
*We will have a recess every Friday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fourth Grade PLC Late Start Wednesdays Schedule
2024 to 2025
8:35 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. – Arrival: Soft Start and Breakfast
8:50 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. – Community Time
9:05 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Writing
9:45 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. – Specials
10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. – Math Intervention
10:50 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. – Recess and Snack
11:10 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. – Teacher Read Aloud
11:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. – ACCESS
11:50 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Literacy
12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. – Lunch and Lunch Recess
1:25 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. – Math
2:35 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Clean, Pack, and Dismissal Procedures
E: Expectations
As a class family, and as a school, we are expected to adhere to Wilder’s PAWS traits:
· Practice Respect
· Always Be Kind
· Work Responsibly
· Stay Safe
Our fourth grade team relies heavily on the Class Dojo application to communicate positive behaviors. I will send “Glow” and Grow” notes home throughout the week as necessary. Should any concerning behavior continue, I will communicate this to you via email and/or phone call, depending on its severity. See Wilder Elementary’s school website for more information regarding our school-wide PBIS behavioral approaches and a definition of minors and majors.
In addition, our classroom will have many exciting opportunities to celebrate individual and class successes, including a weekly raffle and class parties. Thank you for your continued support toward creating a positive environment for your child!
F: Flexible Seating
Students learn differently and have different bodily-spatial and kinesthetic needs. Students are given the choice of where they sit on a weekly basis in my classroom. Students will be able to choose where they sit, as long as I agree with their choice. In addition, more flexible seating choices will be offered weekly by student number.
Alternative seating will allow movement, while helping individuals to collaborate and think critically. We believe that when students have choice, they are able to focus, keep themselves motivated, and feel more comfortable while they work.
Although my students are entrusted to choose how they work best, those who break their “contract” will lose privileges and be assigned a good-fit working spot.
G: Grading
Students may receive a score of:
4 – Exceeds Grade-Level Expectations
3 – Meets Grade-Level Expectations
2 – Approaching Grade-Level Expectations
1 – Does Not Meet Grade-Level Expectations
Students should strive for a score of “three” on their assignments, illustrating that they are preforming at a fourth grade level. A score of “four” is only given to students consistently mastering above grade-level standards. Scored assignments will include discussions, behavior, group work and partner work, specific content assignments (math, reading, writing, science, social studies), and summative assessments. You will be informed regarding your child’s progress with rubrics, conferences, and report cards every trimester. In addition, your child's work will be sent home in his or her F.I.S.H. Folder or Thursday Folder. Please make sure to check these folders for your child’s scored assignments.
H: Homework
Wilder Vision
Wilder Elementary School seeks to create a 21st-century learning environment that promotes student growth by providing equitable access to information, literacy skills, and encouraging lifelong learning. Our school strives to be a center of collaborative learning that produces innovative students who have a love for reading, critical thinking, and respect for self and others.
Wilder Mission
Inspiring a community of learners to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively.
Research does not show evidence that homework is beneficial for elementary school students.
· Research Finds the Effects of Homework on Elementary School Students, and the Results are Surprising
· Elementary School Homework Probably isn’t Good for Kids
· What is the Right Amount of Homework
· Inequities Hidden in Plain Sight: Homework
Homework Guidelines for Wilder Elementary:
We encourage families to read at home (individually or together, whatever works best for your family)!
I may suggest optional resources (online games, math fact practice, etc.) These will be optional and used at your discretion.
I can work with parents to provide individualized homework opportunities that support specific targeted student needs. Work provided should be minimal and only what is needed to help the student grow in the specific skill.
Families will be given the opportunity to understand what is happening in the classroom through weekly communications, digital platforms, and/or student work samples.
Some grade levels may have one optional craft/activity to enhance a unit of study that will be done at home (materials will be provided, if needed).
The Why…
· We expect that students will work hard all day at school and deserve the chance to relax and spend time with family outside school hours.
· Some students love school and homework, and there are many resources for these students to continue learning at home.
· Some students love other things (sports, dance, music, biking, playing, etc.), and they need time to pursue and enjoy these passions.
· Middle school is aligned with this practice.
· This allows for equity among all students.
· Homework is sometimes completed by students and sometimes by parents, making it difficult to evaluate student performance.
I: Independence
Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Fourth graders are very capable of doing many things on their own, and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom.
J: Journey
Learning is a journey! Without mistakes, there is no room for growth!
K: Keep Updated
Keep updated by reading Mrs. Reinert’s (school principal) emails and my Friday email. Also, look on our classroom website for other important information.
L: Library/Literacy
I want my students to develop a LOVE for reading. Your child will be responsible for checking out books and returning them to our Creative Learning Center. In addition, we have a classroom library that is full of many adventures! We will follow a specific protocol to check out books in the classroom in order to ensure everyone’s safety.
We will hold literacy blocks for 105 minutes on a daily basis in order to reinforce reading and writing. District-wide, third grade through fifth grade has adopted Into Reading as our curriculum for reading and writing. Ask your child daily what he/she has learned. Every day produces something new and exciting!
M: Math
At Wilder Elementary, we use Reveal M as our math curriculum. Reveal Math is a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.
The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Reveal blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.
N: Notes
Look in your child’s F.I.S.H. (Family Involvement Starts Here) Folder (daily) or Thursday folder for important notes going home regarding what is happening at school. These notes may need to be filled out and returned in a timely manner.
O: Outdoor Time
We will have two recesses every day. On Fridays, we will have an additional afternoon recess.
If it is above 20 degrees, we will go outside for recess. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. Be sure to send hats and coats to school for colder weather. It helps to have your child’s name written on hats, coats, mittens, scarves, etc. in case they become lost.
P: (Teaching) Philosophy
My goal as a teacher is to help students reach their full potential. I work toward this by creating engaging and authentic lessons. I strive to make subject matter relevant and challenging. Students are given choice throughout the day to help personalize their learning.
Q: Quality Work
Quality work is always expected so your child can be the best that he or she can be!
R: Reading
It is ESSENTIAL that fourth graders are reading for 20 to 30 minutes EVERY night. Whether it is listening to a book on tape, reading independently, or listening to a parent or sibling read, ANY reading will strengthen many areas of the brain.
S: Snack/Scholastic Book Order
Each morning, our class will have time to eat a HEALTHY snack. The snack should be something that can be finished in about 10 minutes.
Scholastic Book orders can be viewed online from our class website. This is a great opportunity to purchase books at discounted prices! You can order online with our class code: NBJRC. Additionally, all orders help our class purchase new books for our classroom library!
T: Teachable Moments
Learning is all about growing from our mistakes. We are a family, and we are here to support each and every individual in our class!
U: Unique and Special
I feel that each one of my students is very special. I look forward to hearing about and witnessing each of your child’s successes throughout their entire school career!
V: Volunteers
We would absolutely LOVE to have your help during various classroom activities this year! Please be on the lookout for opportunities to volunteer, whether it is working with small-groups, assisting at parties, or chaperoning on field trips!
W: Water Bottle
PLEASE send a “spill-proof” water bottle (labeled with you child’s name) for your child to use throughout the day. Students will have access to water fountains, and they will be able to use our pod’s “filling” station for water. I do like my students to take these home daily.
X: X-Citing
Exciting times are headed our way!
Y: You
Yes, YOU! You play the most important role in your child’s success. I look forward to working with you this school year! Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome!
Z: ZZZ’s
It’s imperative that your child gets plenty of rest every day. Setting and keeping an appropriate bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!
I am looking forward to a fun and successful year for your child!
Thank you for all of your help and support!