Mrs. Barna's 4th Grade

My name is Tammy Barna and I will be your child’s teacher this year.  I am looking forward to teaching your child and want to work together to make it a fun and exciting experience for everyone. I can be reached via email at tbarna@massac.org, or you can call the school to set up an appointment to see me at any time.  My planning time is from 9:40-10:20 daily if you need to reach me.  I keep my email open all day and check it periodically throughout the day.  I also utilize ClassDojo for messaging purposes only.  If you need to send me a message regarding schedule/pickup changes, please do so using ClassDojo. 

Our classroom tends to get cold.  Please allow your child to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt that can remain at school so they will be comfortable.  I’ll make sure to send it home occasionally for washing! 

Fourth graders should be able to be responsible for their own things. We will work very hard on being responsible for our belongings and ourselves in fourth grade. In order to be responsible for their own school items, it is necessary for your child to be present when you look through his/her backpack and folder each evening.  Your child should know the important items that need to remain in the folder for use at school the next day, which you as a parent may not think important.  This is the largest obstacle for fourth grade parents!  Allowing your child to be in charge of their school items is a big step in responsibility for them!  Ask them questions about papers and books, but let your child be the authority on what remains inside the backpack. ☺

We will all be working toward our individual BOBCAT GOAL. Please see Mrs. Armstrong’s letter outlining the goal and the criteria for being successful with meeting that goal. Sign and return the form indicating that you and your child understand the expectations for this  goal.

Keeping the lines of communication open between school and home is vital for a successful school year!  I will do my best to communicate using Class Dojo and email.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions!  

Sincerely,

Mrs. Barna 

The following is the flow of our classroom. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our routine.

Math

Fourth Grade uses the GoMath! series which will address the Common Core State Standards for Math. We will have a new math lesson each day, unless otherwise communicated.  Math homework will be due and expected to be turned in each morning, and tests will occur at the end of each chapter. We also have math vocabulary definitions which are assigned at the beginning of each chapter and due by the end of that chapter.  Your child will be reminded of this assignment, but it is their responsibility to have it done before the end of the chapter.

IMPORTANT!!!!!  Fourth graders should also be mastering the multiplication tables 0-12.  We will practice weekly with flashcards at school, as well as graded, weekly timed fact tests.  If your child is struggling with math facts, I suggest purchasing a set of flashcards and practicing daily at home.  By the end of the year, students should be able to complete 80 facts in 2 minutes (0-10 facts on the timed test, but we do use the 11s and 12s in class as well). Students are welcome to borrow my flashcards from school, but they must be returned each day for classroom use.  I keep extra copies of timed tests in the classroom that students may take home for practice.

Reading

We have a weekly reading story.  We will listen to it on audio and read orally in various ways/groups all week long.  We will do workbook pages in class over various reading skills for daily reading grades.  On Fridays, we have our reading test. There are 9 multiple choice questions and 1 ERQ (extended response question) from the weekly selection.

Fourth grade utilizes the Accelerated Reader program as well.  Students will have individual conferences with the teacher, and we will work together to set an AR goal that is challenging, yet achievable.  Since these goals are set according to personal reading abilities, they are able and expected to be met.  AR will count as one daily reading grade in each nine-week period.  Students will be given some class time to work on their AR goal, but additional reading at home must happen in order for the goal to be met. We are striving for 85% accuracy or higher on all AR tests! 

Spelling

Spelling workbook pages are done in class, and are daily grades.  We have spelling workbook pages Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, along with additional spelling activity pages.  On Thursday, we play "SPARKLE", and on Friday we take our test.

Language

We will utilize DOL (Daily Oral Language) as part of our morning work.  Students will be required to edit incorrect sentences independently and then discuss as a class.  They will be tested every Friday over the exact same sentences.  We will also have language lessons from our textbook which will count as daily language grades.                 

Science

We will cover each chapter in this manner: vocabulary notebook kept for each chapter (graded at the end of the chapter), packets after reading and discussing each lesson (graded), end of chapter test review materials (graded), study guide, & test (graded). 

Social Studies 

Fourth Grade covers the history of the United States.  We will read and discuss each lesson, keep a vocabulary notebook for each chapter (graded at the end of the chapter), do a few workbook pages for grades, get study guides, and take the chapter tests. We will also begin to study the regions of the United States and learn where each state and  capital are located.  We will have a state oral report towards the end of the year.

Conduct

Students have 100 points per week for their conduct grade. After multiple warnings for an undesired behavior, 10 points will be deducted for failing to change the behavior. If a student must be sent to the office for a discipline issue that is severe enough to warrant principal intervention, 40 points will be deducted from the weekly grade.  Please know that taking conduct points is an absolute last resort for me.  I have high expectations for behavior, but I also give many (probably too many!) reminders and warnings for negative behaviors prior to taking points.  Points will be deducted for blatant disregard for attempting to correct a negative behavior, or constant repetition of the behavior.  It is unusual for a student to have a conduct grade lower than a B in 4th grade. 

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE BOBCAT AWARD, AS WELL.  See the letter from the principal addressing the criteria for the Bobcat Award.

*Examples of behaviors that warrant loss of points include (but are not limited to):  constant blurting out with no attempt at self-control, consistently out of seat after multiple reminders, repeated failure to turn in assignments, inappropriate use of computer during class time, multiple trips to backpack in hallway for necessary items (unpacking in the morning is a class procedure), leaving the classroom without permission, failure to follow directions given by teacher/staff, name calling, issues with being truthful, bus infractions (these are office related, so they earn the 60%), etc. 

Corrections Policy

I allow corrections on all DAILY GRADES.  TESTS/QUIZZES MAY NOT BE CORRECTED.  

I will award partial credit back on all correct answers that are turned in on time and IN THE STUDENT'S OWN HANDWRITING with the appropriate work shown.  It is up to your child to make the corrections and bring the work back to school within a day or two of the assignment's original due date. I will not ask for corrections to be turned in.  These are for your child to make on his/her own to aid in the learning process and to help with overall scores.   I reserve the right not to accept corrections that have been turned in too late, or that are not done in the student's own handwriting.  

**I offer this correction policy instead of "extra credit" assignments. Please do not assume since I do not ask for corrections to be turned in, that I will not help your child with understanding and working through difficulties.  I expect them to take part in their questions and concerns, and we will work together until mastery of subject matter is attained. Fourth graders also need to learn to ask when they need help, and we will work hard on this lesson all year!