Any 4th grade teachers?

I'm teaching 4th this year for the first time & was looking for some advice/help/comments on 4th.

Aww, good luck Cin!!

Chel's going into 4th this year!!

Wow, she's getting so big!!!!!

One of my best friends alternates between 3rd and 4th and has done so for many years. I can never remember which one she is most experienced in. I'm sure she'd love to talk to you if you want. She definitely remembers what it was like to start a new teaching job or a new grade. I have really watched her grow as a teacher and I'd be very happy if I had kids in her class. I am sure you can find someone on LIW to mentor you but let me know if you want to talk with my friend. She is very sweet.

I am sure you'll do great.

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Posted by SweetCin704

Thanks Kerie, I taught 3rd last year so its not too much of a difference, but just wanted to see the differences & talk about testing & such. It's also my old school (taught 2nd there for a few years) so I'm comfortable there.

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Oh, I never knew what grade you had last year. Ahh, testing and fun stuff like that. Most of my friends are teachers so I've heard all the conversations about it.

I taught 4th grade my first year and LOVED it! If you need any help I'm here!

BTW you look beautiful in your wedding pix

I'm a 4th grade teacher upstate...only starting my 2nd year but I love that age/grade!!!

The only bummer is of course the 3 state tests but there's only so much you can do about that.

Thanks ladies, i'm apprehensive b/c they are 'old'--do they still enjoy school? Have the hormones kicked in yet? What was your typical day set up like (w/ my 3rd I had 'journal' every morning when they came in). What do you do for little treats? What did you typically give for hw(time wise)

Thanks!!!!!!

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Posted by SweetCin704

Thanks ladies, i'm apprehensive b/c they are 'old'--do they still enjoy school? Have the hormones kicked in yet? What was your typical day set up like (w/ my 3rd I had 'journal' every morning when they came in). What do you do for little treats? What did you typically give for hw(time wise)

Thanks!!!!!!

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I usually had some kind of do-now up on the board... as for treats, I usually had them choose some kind of reward system at the beginning of the year... did a little of everything, individual, groups and class... Homework I mostly gave spelling and math and something else once ina while. I've always been lenient with homework. Most of them still enjoy school. You'll do great!

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Posted by SweetCin704

Thanks ladies, i'm apprehensive b/c they are 'old'--do they still enjoy school? Have the hormones kicked in yet? What was your typical day set up like (w/ my 3rd I had 'journal' every morning when they came in). What do you do for little treats? What did you typically give for hw(time wise)

Thanks!!!!!!

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I dont think they are 'old' at all....even the 6th graders inmy building are still kids IMO....think of it this way, when you see 4th graders on the 1st day, they are still technically 3rd graders....it takes about 4 months for them to start growing a bit more (physically and emotionally).

I give them 3 items of morning work every day (some reading or writing, a math, and cursive sheet).
For rewards I do a weekly raffle- they earn raffle tickets based on good behavior and then on Friday, they put all they earned in a big bucket and I pick 2 winners. It teaches them that they have to be on point all the time, that you dont win rewards for any old behavior, and for me it save $ on prizes.
HW for 4th graders is typically 10 min x grade so 40 minutes...or I give about 3 sheets to review taught lessons of that day (spelling, math, ss or science)