4th+Grade+Discussion+Topics


 * Let's start a list of things we need to do/discuss before we get back to school in August:

let's put our thoughts as sub-clauses in each of these questions. Logistics of changing classes:
 * What will students bring with them as they change classes each day?
 * binder with loose leaf papers (the less we have them carry the easier the transitions will be)
 * //students will not need a binder with paper for Math; only their planner. I will supply anything else they need, and keep workbooks and Math Notebooks in the classroom for all classes.//
 * How will each of us house textbooks, workbooks?
 * the easiest way would be to store each subject's texts and workbooks in that classroom. So we don't have students running back into their homeroom class if they forget a book or a text.
 * How will we communicate about homework/tests so we don't overload students?
 * HAIKU
 * in social studies students will have no more than 10 minutes of homework on given days.
 * //in math, homework will be once or twice a week at most.//
 * Procedures for returning papers.
 * How will the DESKS be used?
 * In Math, I will keep a clipboard, dry erase board, and dry eraser/sock in each desk.
 * How will the chair pockets be used?
 * this could be for the sole use of our homeroom class so that they can keep their personal items in their chair pockets
 * How will HALL cubbies be used?
 * lunches for homerooms
 * perhaps for classes that need the room for text books those texts could be housed int he cubbies.
 * How about if we keep a classroom supply of the generic items (scissors, glue, highlighters, colored pencils - what else?) at a central location in each classroom rather than passing them out to students? This way, they don't have to travel around with them.
 * Students can travel with their zipper pouch for pencils, pencil sharpeners, (what else?...) ______________
 * have the generic items inside the desks and the chair sleeves for our homeroom class' personal items
 * Assigning homework: Students copy down for each class, or can there be a central posting so they just have to do this once per day? (HAIKU)
 * //I would rather them copy homework for each class, as this will get messy between classes; also for Math, there are many occasions we assign the homework as a result of what happens in class. Homework once a week, twice at most.//
 * we need to keep each other updated, either during our planning session, or each of us having access to each view other's online gradebook
 * is this done online?
 * Should we have a day or so of transition/training to teach students how to change classes, and how it will work procedurally?
 * OR: instead of spending a day doing this, we could walk the class we were currently teaching (not our homeroom classes) from our subject to the following in order to ingrain the movement order between subjects. Since Becky did a good job of having a consistent movement between subject classes, if we moved with our classes for about a week or two, the students would get the rhythm of things quickly.
 * //LRO has suggested we keep our homerooms the first day of school to go over 4th grade procedures, and to mark and hand out any supplies students will need on a general basis - planners, binders, pencils, etc. I don't think we will need to move with them past the first day, but will need to be at the door to help them get settled for the first A-E rotations.//
 * Efficiency with bathroom breaks - as needed?
 * OR: the only time I see this as a problem would be between period 1 and period 2, since there is no break like recess between 2 and 3 and lunch between 3 and 4.
 * //Students should 'go' before school, and allow students to 'go' as needed, other than during instructional time. This has worked well, and is very time efficient.//
 * __Rotations__ file which indicates which duties each grade section is doing every quarter (acolytes, safety patrol, flag patrol, etc.)
 * //Tebo is working on this. Also, we will need a rotation duty for locking up iPad card.//
 * End of Term Tests, testing schedules
 * //In 4th grade we have not had these in the past - only a testing schedule for standardized testing.//
 * Birthdays, celebrate them with all-around homework passes?
 * //I think celebrate with our homerooms. Birthday badge, bday pencil, etc. Homework passes do not work in Math, it actually hurts the student to not do homework when it is assigned, as it is given as a pre activity or post activity in readiness for the next day's lesson.//
 * Procedures and predictability with classroom rules, maybe have the same set of 3-5 rules we can all have in our classrooms
 * //Important to be streamlined on this.//
 * **Haiku (online portal)** will be able to solve a lot of our communication issues if we choose to fully implement in the fourth grade.C__olored in red are items Haiku would solve.__
 * During which block on F day should we reschedule our classes missed b/c of chapel and school plays?
 * // Run an abbreviated sche //
 * OR I took a look at the calendar for the year and here is a list of the days we'll have to make up due to one thing or another: **another thought, how about we use the abbreviated schedule for Chapel days, half days, and any other shortened schedules so that we don't worry about having to make up that class on "F" day**
 * // **I like this.** //
 * Friday chapels, which block on F day? Suggestion: Block 1, all chapel make-ups, and then if there are any other classes to be made up they will be done in subsequent periods.
 * //please clarify this one//
 * Thurs. 9/20 "D": chapel, because that Friday is homecoming. So two makeups that week
 * CTP IV testing? (sept. 24-28 F-D)
 * Tues. 10/23 "A" PT conference half day
 * Thurs.-Fri. 12/20-21 "A-B" the last two days before Xmas break
 * The school plays take place during 4th block 1-2pm: 3rd 11/7 "E", 1st 12/5 "B", 4th is on F day but the parent's show is 2/7 "A", 2nd gr play is on F day
 * Tues. 4/2 "F": normal make up day is PT conference day
 * Fri. 4/19 "A": silver/golden pen awards?
 * Fri. 5/3 “E”: may day (internal change to F day?)
 * Mon. 5/20 "D": last day of classes (internal change to F day?)