I rarely have time to Blog in the first couple of months of school. The first two months require that a teacher be vigilant in keeping expectations high. We are now at a time in which the kids listen when I say "Get to work" and I rarely catch a kid messing around while I'm working. It's a pleasant, quiet environment in Mr. Berkey's room, and work is beginning to look worthy of fifth grade.
The fourth graders have had to deliver a level of quality they weren't expecting, but I'm proud of them for reaching those expectations quickly. I've got a very big group, but they're proving that they have potential to be a very big AND enjoyable group. As things become more routine the class is beginning to find its pace. The pace is not always as quick as I'd like, but it's much quicker than it was in September.
We're doing writing assessments this week. Right now my room is filled with heads hovering over paper as the children try to do their best on their writing prompt. Hopefully there's some quality writing going on. I won't know until the prompts come back graded.
There will be parent-teacher conference slips coming home soon. I'll try to have them all ready by tomorrow. If I don't get them to you tomorrow, look for a conference slip attached to your newsletter. I'm going to try to have them out today, but I make no promises. Keep an eye out.
I think our first weekend class will occur the first week of Decemeber and it will involve dissection. I'll make an order for dead animals and I'll keep you in the loop. Start readying yourself for a Sunday dissection (if that's your sort of thing.) If you want no part of the dissection that is okay. Your student can come without an adult, but they will need to listen to their adult helper.
One last bit of news: Homework journals will stop soon. After conferences the kids will move to a nightly homework assignment called Drops in the Bucket. This will be more like the traditional homework you're accustomed to seeing.
Finally, I've brought two geckos into the class. They will (almost certainly) make their appearance on the blog soon. If nothing else, it gets the kids paying attention to the blog.
Take Care,
Adam Berkey
