Welcome to Mrs. Brown’s Webpage! I am currently a 4^th grade teacher at Helen Baller School. I love 4^th graders because they are full of life, they love to learn, and they really begin to love reading and where reading can take them. To start off, I live in Camas and actually attended Helen Baller as a kindergarten student! My husband, Doug, works for Georgia Pacific here in Camas and we have 3 sons; Andrew (29), Jeremy (27), and Jason (25).  We had a very busy summer traveling and helping our oldest son with his wedding so now we have a wonderful daughter; Cara! Finally....A girl!  :) You might see me out walking the Lacamas Lake trails with our dog; Lucy. Our cat, Maisy, lives with us on her terms. We only see her when she wants food! In my spare time I love to exercise, hike, bicycle, garden, sew, scrapbook, and read! I keep really busy!

As you know, I have been a teacher now for many years!  I love to see kids excited about learning, reading, and exploring. If you were to ask any of my former students they would probably tell you that books are my passion. It is a joy to see young people excited about literature and to just learn how to enjoy reading!

Fourth grade is an exciting year! We cover many important academic subjects and fourth graders are definetely learning about the world and their surroundings. They are becoming more social and more independent. Sometimes parents wonder what is going on! Don't worry; it is normal for your child to ask for more freedom and independence!

Following are important objectives in each subject for 4th grade:

1. Reading-- Put comprehension to work! Your child knows how to decode words--now they need to concentrate on comprehension. They will discover what reading can do for them and where reading can take them in the world! Wow. In fourth grade we implement the Scott Foresman Reading Series. Our major goals are for students to: 1. enjoy reading 2. comprehend what they read 3. accomplish written responses to literature.



2. Writing-- Your child will work all year on writing paragraphs that make sense, have detail, and have a sense of the writer included. We work on the following skills: descripiton, onomatopoeia, strong word choice, similies/metaphors, magic of three, anecdotes, and alliteration! This is no easy task! Of course, included to the list is detail, detail detail! Students are required to complete an expository essay and a narrative story for the 4th grade WASL.

3. This year we are beginning a new math program titled "Math Connects!" After many meetings and trials this curriculum was voted on. We will learn how to best implement this curriculum and do our best to make this transition easy for your child. Please put Wednesday, September 16th on you calendar for a family math night. You will receive more information about the exact time and place for this event!

4. Sciende-- Our four units are: 1. Salmon 2. Magnets and Electricity 3. Earth Materials 4. Human Body

5. Social Studies: Washington State History   Students will learn about the geographic regions of our state, early settlement, the government, and business and agriculture! Our culminating activities are "The Burly Crew" a musical based on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and "Washington State; A Walk Through Time!"

 

Schedule for room 211--

Recesses are M, Tu, Th, Fri from 1:45-2:15 and Wed. from 10:15-10:30. Lunch is at 11:30 with recess following until 12:15 each day. Monday~ Library @ 10:05. Music @ 10:35; Tuesday~ P.E. 10:05, Wednesday~Computer Lab @ 10:35, Thursday~Music @ 10:35, Friday ~ P.E. @ 10:35