Hi Everybody 4th grade homeroom introduction for 4G

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Hi Everybody!4th grade homeroom introduction
for 4-G
Mr. Gottshalks actual photo may differ
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Some thoughts about education Organization
is the key to success - anonymousFailing to
prepare is preparing to fail. former UCLA
mens basketball coach John WoodenThe noblest
search is the search for excellence. Lyndon
Baines Johnson
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There are some ways you can be ahead of the game
before school even starts.  For example do you
have proper school supplies handy?  You can
purchase lunches well in advance by sending in
checks to me in the morning.  Students should get
in the habit of thinking the night before what
subjects they will have the next day. Students
also have physical education twice during a 5-day
cycle, so dress appropriately.  Any incoming
notes, club forms, PTO business, etc., can be
placed in my IN box on my desk in the beginning
of the day. Papers that I return to students will
be distributed at the end of the day in
Opportunity Period (study hall) time from my OUT
box.  This way, the myriad things that come and
go between home and school can stay organized. 
For every day a student is absent, he/she will
have that many days to make up the missing
assignments. Click here
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Two themes I stress throughout the year are
ORGANIZATION and RESPONSIBILITY.  If students
learn to master both, they will have a smooth
year now and in future years!  Being a
responsible fourth grader can mean many different
things.  For example, I do not pack your
backpack.  Be sure to check your Assignment Book
and the class monitor for assignments and books
you will need to take home each night.  Not doing
homework because you forgot your book(s) in
school is not an excuse!  Being responsible also
means that you plan in advance for what is
upcoming.  If you have a long-term science
project, it makes sense to work on it in several
blocks of time, not the night before it is due. 
I post all homework assignments on a PowerPoint
display that is shown via a 29-inch wide monitor
that is on all day.  Students are expected to
write down assignments and class announcements in
their daily homework agenda. No matter if you
are good, bad or ugly, rules and procedures are
in place for all.
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I am not a big fan of Extra Credit - do it right
the first time!  The students who ask for EC
usually use it as a Band-aid for mistakes made on
things they should have known before the fact.
Tests a big deal. They carry 2/3
weight.Quizzes graded class work 1/3
weight. Total 100 chance of success!
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Naturally, rewards are given to those who earn
them. I give out many different kinds of
coupons which lead to privileges and other
miscellaneous trinkets for good behavior or
excellent work.

• Some examples

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At the 4th grade level, homework is to be used as
an instructional tool to reinforce student
learning and comprehension.  Homework cannot be
used as a separate percentage of an overall
grade.  It can, however, be reflected in the
effort/remarks column you may see on report cards
or any progress reports. Homework is given on a
regular basis (Monday - Fridays are fair game),
but the rule of thumb is no more than an average
of 40-50 minutes per night (or 10 minutes per
grade level). Homework can be started at the end
of the day in our 25-minute Opportunity
Period (a.k.a. study hall), and that should cut
down on some of the homework time at home. I do
not allow students to work on Everyday Math
homework assignments in school.  If a student is
spending 2 hours on an assignment consistently,
then there is an individual problem that needs to
be addressed.  Projects and reports are assigned
well in advance so that you can budget your time
accordingly (see, it all ties in with being
responsible)!
Homework, Books and Teachers Dirty Looks
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I am a big believer that reading at an early age
and developing the habit of reading daily is
critical in becoming a lifelong learner.  To that
end, I am a big fan of the Scholastic Book
Clubs.  I also provide periodic DEAR time in
Language Arts (Drop Everything and Read). 
Students are encouraged to bring a book with them
wherever they go - whether it is class to class,
to a travel soccer game, or to a sibling's dance
class, what matters is that reading skills are
developed and fostered in these critical points
in a child's life. 
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I am also an advocate of logical thinking
skills.  Students will be asked throughout the
year to explain the process by which they derive
their answers.  I often supplement lessons with
factual vignettes and brain bender/teaser type
activities that compliment both logical thinking
and thinking "outside the box".
Example Brain Bender
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Our class isFun!ChallengingIn an excellent
schoolLearning via differentiationNot always
going to accept the status quoSometimes
independent, sometimes working in
groupsNot like any otherExploring beyond
the textNot going to accept pretty good as
good enough!
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Thanks for stopping by!Have a great school year!
bye-bye.wav