Dear Fourth Grader and Family,
Welcome to Mrs. Perry’s 4th grade class for the 2014-2015 school year! I am both excited and looking forward to working with you this upcoming school year. The best education is attained with a team – child, school, home, and community – working together for the best interest of your child.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as your child’s teacher. I originally graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a degree in Elementary Education. Students, you will see Maryland Terps on many of your name tags, as I am confident that college is in your future! Since graduation, I’ve taught both fifth grade and fourth grade honors in Calvert County. During my tenure as a teacher, I went back to school and earned a Masters in Learning and Teaching with Technology. I have a great love of teaching and sharing technology skills with my students. My passions outside the classroom include being outdoors, spending time with my family, and (as many students already know) working with my two GIANT horses, one of which was an auction rescue. I have a daughter, Brynlee Anne, who keeps me on my toes, and a little boy on the way. As an inquisitive toddler, Brynlee takes up most of my free time these days!This year brings many changes to Huntingtown Elementary. One of the biggest changes is that we have a new principal, Mr. Fulton! Curriculum wise, 4th grade in CCPS is following the new Common Core curriculum. You child will switch between teachers, and honors students are no longer in a separate class. Mrs. McHale will teach ELA (English Language Arts), Science, and Social Studies. Mr. Morris will teach Math and Science. I will teach ELA and a class of Social Studies. Since all of us here at HES value the chance to work together, we will pilot many new assignments and learning tasks associated with the Common Core as the fourth grade team embarks on the upcoming school year.
I am honored to have the privilege to work with your child and to help them achieve their full potential. I am excited about the upcoming year, and I am confident that it will be filled with positive experiences and learning.
The differentiation of the common core is a significant change from the third grade classroom. Students will delve into text that is more challenging, thought provoking, and rigorous then that of our old curriculum. While doing this, students will engage in higher level thinking skills. Students will participate in novel groups, independent reading, common core integration projects, & centers. This year year, we once again have access to a StoryWorks Magazine, a Scholastic resource that is Common Core aligned.
Use of the assignment book is critical to success. I will check the assignment book daily for the first few weeks of school. After that, I will check only the assignment books of those students who need it checked (as determined by the student, the teacher, or a parent). Assignments are written on the homework board in each teacher's classroom. If a student does not have time to write the assignment during class (due to leaving for band/strings, etc…), then he/she may return to the classroom to copy it. Your child may want a homework buddy whom he/she can call. Keeping track of homework is key to student success.
If your child decides to participate in band/strings, please remember that he/she is responsible for completing any work missed while with Mrs. Thayer. Sometimes a child will need to stay in at recess or see me during bus dismissal in order to understand/complete the missed work.
Each student is a special person. Let’s remember to encourage and praise him/her. If you have any concerns, please contact me via a note, phone call, or email. My email address is ells-perrym@calvertnet.k12.md.us and the school’s phone number is 410-535-7212 or 301-855-1787. I thank you for the opportunity to teach your child, and I look forward to a rewarding and enjoyable year.Fondly, Mrs. Perry
