Ms. Murphy’s Blog

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you and then you turn around and THERE THEY ARE! AHHHHH!!!! That feeling is called your, “intuition.” The reason I’m talking about intuition is that I intuitively know that I’m going to have an amazing year with the 23 fresh faces that have come into my classroom.

You all have shown me that you are in it to win it. 19 out of 23 of you brought back the really important paperwork I needed and most of the rest have told me that it’s on its way to your mailbox. You’ve mastered my classroom routines and you’ve even enjoyed learning about my brain busters, silent speed ball, and taking a HOT SHOT test!!!

Starting on Thursday 9-1-2011 we will begin the real fourth grade journey. I am so excited to introduce you to what multiplication REALLY is! We’ll begin a theme in our reading books about what it means to face difficult challenges in your life. Also, we will start our social studies lessons (my personal favorite subject to teach) and we’ll learn about the earliest Americans that were inhabiting the continent long before the European Explorers traveled to its shores.

Well, it’s long past my bedtime and I’ve still got to fold some laundry and make my son’s lunch for school tomorrow. So, until next time! Happy trails!

Do you want to know a secret? Your student will do a super job with fourth grade math if you make sure that they are masters at their multiplication tables (0 x 0 = all the way up to 12 x 12 =)! We use multiplication in nearly every section of math during the fourth grade school year! The stress of math is so much smaller if your child feels confident with these math facts. I have found that “sneaking” them to websites that are educational but fun will “trick” them into becoming better at these skills. Here are a few that I really like:

COOL MATH:  http://www.coolmath.com/

MULTIPLICATION.COM:  http://multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm

GAME AQUARIUM:  http://www.gamequarium.com/multiplication.html

MR. NUSSBAUM: http://www.mrnussbaum.com/mathcode.htm

I have found that technology is such an important tool for math. Students get multiple approaches to learning with it being visual, auditory, hands-on, and FUN! I really hope that you all can do your part to help your student be masters at their craft of learning! Have fun and see you soon!!!

WELCOME TO FOURTH GRADE AND ROOM 301!!!!!!!

It’s hard to believe that the summer break is winding down. In fact, fourth grade officially begins on Monday, August 29, 2011. If you happen to be reading this blog a few days before class begins, I hope you are taking a moment to get your child used to waking up and going to bed at a decent hour (a goal I’m working on for my own son). 

 Fourth grade will be a year full of new experiences and expectations.  I love teaching this grade because of the student’s enthusiasm to learn and their independence with projects.  They become self-motivated and learning becomes a passion for them.  The lightbulb will go off for a lot of subjects and projects this year.  

When your child returns home on the first day of school they will have a lot of paperwork/homework for you  to help them complete.  I know it’s a burden to fill out these documents, but please understand, this is the school’s way to ensure that each child is safe and prepared for any day-to-day emergencies that could occur. 

I really enjoy technology and I am going to make an effort to blog on this page at least once a month so you can have a site to go to that is specific to your child’s classroom.  I prefer email addresses for communication becuase I know how busy working and parenting is, and sometimes it’s just an easier way to get a hold of someone with all of the gadgets we all have now.  Feel free to email me whenever you need to at:  cjmurphy@colonial.k12.de.us .  If you do need to call me, please know that sometimes I cannot pick up the phone immediately or speak too long if I am teaching, but I will do my best to work with you.  My class number is 302-323-2926 ext. 3010.  

I am so excited to get started with each and every one of you and your families.  If you have any other questions about enrollment, schedules, and room assignments please contact our school secretary, Mrs. Kane, or the school principal, Mrs. Jones, at 302-323-2926. Thank you and I can’t wait to get started!  See you on the first day of school!