Last Thursday's Open House here at Franklin Elementary School turned out many new parents along with some of our students. Parents looked at some of our books and materials and, of course, saw our classroom, Room 17, up close. I talked some about our Family History Report project which isn't due until the end of January, but some like to get a head start interviewing relatives and collecting interesting anecdotes. More on that project later!

Open House at Franklin, Room 17

Room 17 Report

Mr. Burnett's Class       Franklin School                      Room 17

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September 5th, 20167

 

Dear Fourth Grade Student and Parents/Guardian:

 

     I want to welcome you to the fourth grade and let you know that I am looking forward to having you in my class this year.  You will have an enjoyable and productive year in our room!

 

     You will need to have a book for silent reading at 8:10 each day. You may bring a book from home or find one in our classroom collection.

 

     Since we believe that education is serious business, please do not bring any toys to school because they interfere with learning.  Here are other rules you will be expected to follow:

 

     1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

     2. Stay in your seat unless given permission to leave

         it.

     3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before

         speaking.

     4. Turn in all assignments on time.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND HOMEWORK:  Students are responsible for handing in their assignments on time. Assignments are due the following day and need to be placed in the correct assignment box before the second bell at 8:10 AM when school starts.

 

Homework generally consists of unfinished daily assignments, and I ask the students to read for at least fifteen minutes each evening. As an optional homework opportunity, students are encouraged to bring a current event/news item from a newspaper, TV or radio, magazines, or the internet. There will be a few assignments, including the Family History Report Project,  that require more than one day to complete and some parent/guardian involvement, and for these assignments I will give the students a due date later in the year.

 

WHEN ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE:  Assignments are due the morning after they are assigned. Nothing lowers a report card grade faster than missing assignments. If a student is absent, he/ she will have at least two days to make up the assignments after checking with me to see which assignments to make up.

 

GRADING:  No student will receive failing marks on their report card if their assignments are turned in on time and they are trying to do the assignments to the best of their ability. I will present more details on the new report card as they become available to me.

    

You will earn good grades as long as you listen well in class, follow directions the first time, and complete and turn in assignments on time.

 

HANDING ASSIGNMENTS BACK:  Assignments and papers are returned to the student’s “mail box.” Students are responsible for getting their “mail” and taking it home to show their parents/ guardians. I encourage you to keep assignments rather than throw them away, at least through the end of the trimester. The projects, like the “Family History Report,” you will probably want to keep forever. 

 

I hope some of your questions and concerns about this year have been answered in this letter. You can also check our Franklin website by accessing the Port Angeles School District website as well as find a link to our classroom blog (http://mrburnettsclassatfranklin.blogspot.com/) in the Staff Directory. Good communication will help each student succeed in fourth grade. Please contact me with any other questions and concerns.

 

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Burnett (565-1853)                                   

Recommendations For Summer Reading

With summer almost here, the opportunities for extended periods of reading abound, and will result in a continuation of the great progress our students have made this year. A few new titles are added this year, The War That Saved My Life, The Last Kids On Earth, and Unusual Chickens For the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, and they are available at the local library. Happy reading!

Here is an example of one topic discussed during our Current Events time in Room 17:

Earth Day, Saturday, April 29th, 2017, includes local events. The People's Climate March begins at 3 PM at the City Pier (321 North Lincoln Street) in Port Angeles.

People will be coming from all over the Olympic Peninsula to take to the streets for a safe climate, justice for all, and a prosperous clean-energy economy.




Similarly, a huge march in Washington, D.C.—probably the biggest ever—and dozens of sister marches around the world will attempt to send a message of resolve on this issue that affects people throughout the w

Family History Report

Due January 27^th, 2017

 

 

*1. Interview family members. Take notes on notecards.                           5

 

2. Take notes about your family members:                                       20

          a. traditions

          b. background/childhood

          c. jobs

          d. hobbies

          e. anecdotes/stories

 

3. Write paragraphs from your notes. Add an introduction and

     conclusion to your report.  (rough draft)                                               20

 

4. Proofread your report. Revise and make corrections. Write final

    draft.                                                                                             40

 

5. Indicate on the maps (U.S. and World) where your family and

    relatives have come from.                                                             20

 

6. Include Family Tree.                                                                     15

 

7. Include a self-portraits and/or family photos.                               20

 

8. Make an attractive cover for your report.                                              10

 

9. Copy a favorite family recipe for your report.                              20

 

10.Present your report orally in class.                                                        20

 

11.Make a bibliography for your report.                                          10

 

 

 

Out of 200 possible points, I received _____________total points.

 

 

*Winter Break is often a good time to interview relatives. Use the notecards.

Report Cards Come Out Next Week!


  More than anything else, study habits determine good grades from bad grades when it comes to report card time. Study habits mean turning in finished assignments on time as well as paying attention and becoming engaged in lessons. Such habits are not just "school stuff," but work habits that carry forward to getting, keeping, and moving ahead in a job or career at some time in a child's future. Rather important stuff, I would say!

The 95th annual observance of American Education Week is this week.
Our AEW tagline, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” speaks to the importance of bringing together teachers, parents, students and communities in a unified effort to build and maintain great public schools.


Today’s teachers do more than teach basic skills. We nurture and inspire children of all backgrounds, regardless of economic disadvantage or advantage.
Along with para-educators, school secretaries and other staff, we help students learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation and problem solving, which help students throughout life.


But we know that no school is without problems. There is always something needing improvement.
That’s why we have programs that advance teaching and learning including our TPEP (Teacher Principal Evaluation Project) mentors and ongoing professional development that help both veteran and new teachers provide the best instruction in all subject areas.


Parents, I invite you to visit your child’s classroom and learn for yourself how you and the teacher can work together. If you do not have children, please consider visiting your nearest public school and see today’s teachers in action. Ask how you can contribute to a child’s success. We’ll be glad to advise.


Thank you for taking time to read this letter.
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of the students we teach.


Barry Burnett,
Fourth-grade teacher
Port Angeles Education Association President