I hope you are all having a relaxing and productive summer and hope that you are looking forward to a fantastic fourth grade year! My name is Emma Murray and I am so excited to be your fourth grade teacher. This will be my third year at Charlestown Primary School but I have been teaching for several years in Vermont, Massachusetts, and even Thailand! I live in Woodstock, Vermont with my dog, India. I love painting and drawing, traveling, mountain biking, yoga, reading, and just being outdoors as much as possible!
I am looking forward to having your child in my classroom community this year. I love the enthusiasm and inquisitive nature of fourth graders; I can’t wait to learn alongside them. I would like this fourth grade year to be a successful and meaningful one for your child. I await the opportunity to work in partnership with you to ensure your child’s success both in and out of the classroom. The first few weeks of school will be dedicated to establishing classroom expectations, routines, and connections with your child, key components of a rewarding classroom community for all. It is my mission to provide an equitable, safe, and fun learning environment where each child holds themselves accountable in their learning endeavours. Specifically, the three main goals we will work towards are: respect, cooperation, and accountability. During this time, I will also assess the children in reading and writing in order to better accommodate their needs.
This year, we will be engaged in so many fun and unique learning opportunities, including lots of time spent outdoors. We will learn from our surroundings and develop observation skills, cooperative learning skills, and teamwork all while learning about our natural world right here in Charlestown.
Homework Expectations: My hope is that your child will take no more than 40 minutes to complete their nightly homework. Unfinished work can be completed in the morning at school, but an effort is expected. Most importantly, I would love for our fourth graders to spend time outdoors, playing with friends or siblings, and interacting with their loved ones in the evening. Homework should be fun, not frustrating practice!
Reading: 15-20 minutes nightly
Math: 2-3 nights per week, with nightly fact fluency practice
Science/Social Studies/Writing: occasional
Summer Skills: It may be helpful to assist your child in brushing up on their multiplication facts and fluency prior to the beginning of school. Also, please encourage your child to read, read, read in order to avoid the “summer slide!” Below are some suggestions that your child may access for free at home or at the library:
Home-School Communication: We will use ClassDojo to maintain open communication throughout the school year. Please take a moment to sign up for this free tool so we can stay connected throughout the year! Students will also be writing Friday Letters to reflect on their week and make goals for the following week.
Specials Schedule:
Monday: Music/Guidance
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: P.E.
Thursday: Music/P.E.
Friday: Art
I am eagerly awaiting the first day of school! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to introduce yourself.