•  OUR SCHOOL DAY

    Each day, we begin our math block with a warm up activity, to get our brains ready to think math. Typically, these are from a variety of resources that are designed to keep basic skills fresh in our minds.  Then we go into the lesson for the day.  We work with the "Go Math!" curriculum, which has been used by Highland for the past several years.   Typically we will teach one lesson per day, starting with a whole group lesson.  We may move to small, differentiated groups for a period of time, and then close the lesson with the whole group again.   At the end of the block, students will often be asked to complete an "Exit Ticket."  This tells me whether or not each student has learned that day's skill.  With that information, I decide next steps - reteach or move on.  

    My goal for this year is to encourage students to THINK and problem-solve for themselves.  Each student has plenty of background knowledge in math instruction to be able to tackle most problems.  YES, we will learn new skills, but math builds upon itself so those previous experiences are so important to each new skill we learn. 

    For "Block 1" - I have my home room.  For "Block 2" - I have Mrs. Storebo's homeroom.  For "Block 3" - I have Mrs. Butler's homeroom. 

    We have a planner that I will have the kids write in.  Typically, any particular news or important information will be written on the appropriate date.  I encourage you to check those planners regularly to stay up to date!  

    We also have a black folder in their binders.  That folder is for school/home communication.  School policy is that we send home notes, flyers, etc. on Mondays, so that would be a good day to check that folder.  I also send home graded work whenever it is complete, but not on any particular day.  I ask that the kids put that in those black folders to go home as well.  

     

     HOMEWORK

    At home, you are not expected to help your children with any math homework that comes home.  In fact, you are encouraged to let them struggle for a bit with it on their own.  If they can't do the work, please just send it back with a quick note -- 'needs more help' -- and I'll work with them at school.  That's my job, not yours!   You could, however, continue to work with them on telling time, counting money, and basic multiplication facts.  These skills were taught prior to 4th grade, and need to be solid as we move forward!

    The nature of how math is taught these days causes problems for homework.  I totally understand the frustration for parents when students say "that's not how they taught us at school!!!" -- and then there are tears for both parent and child.  For this reason, I do not want you to try to help your student with homework.  Any homework assigned was definitely taught in class, so they should know how to do it.  If they struggle, just cut that struggle off at no more than 10 minutes and return the homework to school with a note that they need more help.

    Having said that, please understand that many strategies either are - or will be taught at school.  Math can be done in so many ways which will arrive at the correct answer, and ultimately that's all we are looking for.  I want to expose them to various strategies and will ultimately allow them to choose the one that makes most sense to them. 

    Other skills that will not be taught, but that are very important, are time and money.  Fourth graders are not taught to tell time as that is a skill that should already be solid.  Money is covered when we learn about decimals, but they need to have a basic understanding of the value of each coin and bill.  

    So, homework should be a minimum time requirement at home, and definitely should not cause any stress.  If I assign homework, it is simply because they just need to practice what they learned in class that day. 

    If you feel that you need resources for your child so that you can help them along during the year, please reach out to me and I am happy to supply you with whatever I can!

     

     

     

     

  • Daily Schedule

    8:15 - 9:45 - Block 1

    9:45 - 11:10 - Block 2

    11:10 - 11:30 - Lunch

    11:30 - 11:55 - Recess

    12:00 - 1:30 - Block 3

    1:30 - 2:20 - Specials

    2:20 - 2:35 - Snack, Class Meeting

    2:35 - 2:50 - Recess 

    2:50 - 3:10 - Reflection, Pack up/Clean up

     

  • Culley's Home Room Specials Schedule

     

    This year there are only 4 specials:  PE, Music, Art, and Technology.  Monday through Thursday are set:

                    Monday:   Music

                    Tuesday:   Art

                    Wednesday:  Technology

                    Thursday:   PE

     

    Fridays, the specials schedule rotates from week to week, and I will have the kids write that special in their planners.