Mr. Berglund's Fifth Grade

Together we truly can make a difference! The education of your child is like a triangle, and all three sides must be present for it to be a successful process. You, as the parent, are a crucial component. I, as the teacher, am willing to do all I can in the process. Lastly, but not leastly, your child must be willing to do his/her part. If we all work together we can achieve great things.

Fourth grade is a big adjustment from third grade. We say that from first to third grade children are learning to read, but from fourth through sixth grade they are reading to learn. We will work very hard at helping your child become organized in order to succeed. We have assignment books, which your child will be filling out at the end of each day. The daily assignments will be put on the front board, and then at the end of the day I put them on the overhead. At that time your child will copy all assignments into his/her assignment book. We also have a color coding system. All completed work will be put in your child's red folder. (red for STOP-stay in school) Any incomplete homework should be put into the green folder. (green for GO-go home) They all also have a blue "writer's workshop" folder. In addition, they have a blue folder that goes with them when they go to Mrs. Skelleger's class for social studies. I have found that lack of organizational skills is one of the most significant reasons for poor grades in fourth grade, so we work on this daily in the hopes of developing good work habits early.

Most work done in fourth grade will be written in complete sentence form. When answering a question, they must turn the question into a statement followed by the answer. Doing so helps the students associate the question being asked with the relevant answer. I also require students to begin sentences with a noun, not a pronoun. We will be working on these skills all year, but children get so used to this procedure that it becomes second nature.

If your child is absent I encourage someone to pick up homework. Perhaps a brother or sister in the building , a responsible neighbor child, or a parent who is out and about could pick it up. Students have two day for each day absent to make up work.

If there are extenuating circumstances and homework cannot be completed on time, please let me know. I am reasonable and realize that family emergencies come up and am willing to make allowances when such occasions make it necessary

In order to maintain a classroom that allows all children to learn I have developed the following discipline plan.

1. When Mr. Berglund is teaching you need to be paying attention (focusing on him and listening to him). IMPORTANT!!!

2. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before talking (No shouting out!) You will get a turn!

6. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. (Personal space is important to everyone!)

Daily Schedule	School Calendar
Lunch Menu	Accelerated Reader
Spelling	Classroom Rules
Daily Oral Language	Special Events