Letter of Introduction to the students

Hello Class! My name is Mr. Harrell and I would like to welcome to the 4th grade! I am very
excited to be working you as we will have a fun filled year of learning. Each year is a new
opportunity to grow, and I am honored to be your teacher during your learning experience. I
am looking forward to getting to know you all and all of your individual talents. I will hold high
expectations for everyone of you as I would expect you to hold high expectations for me. This
year we will learn a lot in history and language arts as you build on your prior knowledge and
add new knowledge to your brain! The only thing I ask of you is that you give 100% I promise to
give you my 100% everyday. I hope to make this a school year that you will never forget!
Prepare yourself to step into the learning zone.

Letter of Introduction to the Parents

Hello Parents,
My name is Mr. Harrell and I would like to welcome you and your child to the 4th grade! I am
very excited to be working with your child this school year in social studies and language arts. A
big part of my teaching philosophy is including the parents in our learning environment.
Throughout the school year I will be in touch with you about what we are doing in our class and
also about your students own personal achievement. I will hold high expectations for your
students and I will push them to be the best that they can be. 4th grade is a big year for growth
and maturity and I look forward to the opportunity to see your children grow. This year we will
learn a variety to things from American history to current events, and a lot in between. I
approach each school year will the optimism that it will be better than the last. I look forward
to seeing each and every one of your at my pre school open house!
Take Care,

Darius Harrell

First Day of School Schedule

8:30-9:10 am: 1. Arrive and begin bellringer activity
2. Opening ice breaker activities (also discuss classroom expectations)
9:10-9:50 am: 1. Social Studies intro and expectations
9:50-10:30 am: 1. Language Arts intro and expectations
10:30-11:10 am: 1. Recess
11:10-11:50 am: 1. Who am I activity
2. Get to know Mr. Harrell
11:50-12:20 pm: 1. Lunch
12:20-1:00 pm: 1. Encore Activity
1:00-1:40 pm: 1. Create classroom rules as a class (also create discipline steps)
1:40-2:10 pm: 1. Ice Breakers
2:10-2:40 pm: 1. Classroom discussion about what the year will consist of
2. Clean up and prepare to dismiss

Opening Day Bellringer Activity

Give students one or two elements of a story (character or setting) and have them free write
the remainder of the story. Allow students 15 minutes to work.
Opening Day Getting Acquainted Activity
Students pair up and interview another student then tell the class about that person. This
activity can be repeated throughout the first week of school

Bellringer Assignments
1. Give students a brief poem to analyze for one specific element, such as figurative
language, symbolism, repetition, alliteration, etc. Have them write their 1-2 paragraph
response in their journal.
2. Give students a word or sentence and have them see how many words they can make
out of that word or sentence. Winner gets a prize.
3. Have students respond to a political cartoon
4. Give students a list of 5-10 interesting words that they will use in a poem or short story
5. Questions or journal prompts about current events
6. 10 minutes of free reading
7. Give students a brief crossword or Sudoku puzzle
8. Have students explain a proverb

Morning/Class Opening Procedures

When students report to class each morning they will immediately move into their
bellringer activity. While students are working I will take attendance and prepare to
start the day
Getting The Classes Attention Procedure
Students will know I need their attention when I turn off the lights. This will be a
practiced procedure that will be taught, rehearsed, and taught again.
Quieting the Class Procedure
I will stand in front of the class with my hand up. When students see me with my hands
up they are to put their hands up as well and become quiet. Students around them will
notice other hands up and follow the procedure.
Getting the Teachers Attention
Students need to get my attention they are required to raise their hands. I will
constantly be surveying the classroom allowing me to see any hand that is up.
Roll Taking Procedure
Roll will be taken at the start of class when students work on their bellringer activity. I
will have a seating chart to know exactly who is missing.

Headings for All Papers

Students will be required to put their name, date, and class in the top left hand corner
of all papers.
Collecting Papers
Students will pass their papers to the right to person in the last seat. I will come around
and collect papers for the person on the end.
Distributing Papers
There will be a helper of the who to help me pass out any papers or assignments. The
helper will change everyday giving all students the opportunity to be a helper multiple
times.
Tardy Procedures
Students will be given two free tardies before they will be assigned to a
classroom chore. Classroom chore could include, sweeping, wiping down desks, dusting,
or cleaning the board. On a student's 3rd tardy they will be assigned a classroom chore.
Absent Student Procedure
Students who are absent will have an opportunity to make up any work that was
missed. Students will have 3 days to turn in any assignments after their return.

Homework Procedure
Homework will be written on the board at the end of each class period. Students will
write down homework assignments in their daily planners. Any papers that need to
passed out for homework will be passed out with the assistance of the days student
helper.
Pencil Sharpener Procedure
Students are allowed to sharpen their pencil when they need to. Only one student is
allowed at the pencil sharpener at a time. If a student needs to sharpen their pencil and
another student is using the pencil sharpener then that student must wait until the
pencil sharpener is available.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules will be discussed and created on the first day of school by the teacher
and the students. I will have a few key rules in mind, but the students have the power to
choose what rules are most important for the classroom.
Classroom Consequences
Classroom consequences will be discussed and created on the first day of class. Students
will sign a contract stating that they will adhere to classroom rules or face the classroom
punishment.

Classroom Rewards
Good behavior and academic achievement will always be rewarded. The class will have
a jar that fills with marbles for good behavior. If the entire class displays good behavior
for the day they will earn a marble. When the jar of marbles is full the class will earn a
pizza party. Students will also receive calls home for good behavior and academic
achievement.
School Wide Procedures
Students will be expected to follow school wide procedures. School wide procedures
encourage showing respect for everyone, coming to school ready to learn, and being
responsible for one's self. Bullying is strongly discouraged in any shape or form.
Behavior Interventions
-Mediation with school counselor -Parent teacher conferences -One on one talks with
the teacher
Posting Homework Assignments
Homework will be written on the board at the end of each class period. Students will
also receive a paper each Monday that lists the homework assignments due for the
week.

First Homework Assignment

Students will write an all about me letter. In the letter they will write about their
interests/hobbies. They will write about their favorite and least favorite subjects in
school, and they will write about what they want to be when they grow up and why.
Students can also include any other information about themselves they would like to
share.

Teacher Materials
Organizing Me
Each day I will take the time in the morning to organize for the day ahead. I will set up
any technology I may need for the day, make copies of papers, adjust the classroom
seating chart if necessary, and put a quote of the day on the board.
Materials for The Classroom
Everyone has a right to personal space in the classroom. Students will be informed that
anything on the teachers desk is off limits to them. Students have their own personal
space within their desks or cubbies. Anything in their desks or cubbies is their own
personal property and cannot be touched by any other students.
Preparing For A Substitute
Anytime there is a need for a substitute explicit easy to follow lesson plans will be left
with the sub. If I know I will be out students will be informed that there will be a sub,
and they are expected to be on their best behavior. All classroom rules and
consequences still apply with the substitute teacher. I will inform the sub of our good
behavior jar and the classroom rules will be displayed in a place for all to see. If possible
I will leave my contact information in case the sub needs to speak with me throughout
the day.

Student Materials
Organizing Content Of Student Storage
Students will be responsible for keeping up with their things and keeping the classroom
neat. Students will have their cubbies and desks to store any of their personal
belongings. Proper organization techniques will be modeled for students to follow.
Organizing Content Of Students Desks
Students will be expected to keep their desk organized throughout the year. Each day
students will be asked to take home things they no longer belong in the desk.

Classroom Floor Plan

Beginning Seating Arrangement

On the first day of school students will be seated randomly on the seating chart.
Students will come in and sit at the desk with their name on it. After the first couple
weeks of school adjustments can be made to the seating chart as needed.
Seating Assignment Method
After I have gotten to know the students pretty well methods for seating will be
assigned to mix struggling students with high achieving students. I think this mix will be
good for both types of students because students will be able to collaborate ideas.
Class Contact List
A class contact list will be kept for the teachers use only. Each child will be identified by
name and the contact list will consist of a phone number and address. Contact list will
only be used to contact parents about their children's progression in the classroom.
Working Together In Groups
Group work will be a major part of my classroom. Students will be paired and broken off
into bigger groups. Whenever I plan a group work activity I will come to class with
groups already chosen. I will do my best to make sure each student gets to work with
everyone throughout the year.

Student Movement
Students Entering The Classroom Procedure
When students enter the classroom they will be expected to enter quietly and
respectfully. Students will know to go directly to their desks to began their bellringer
activity.
Students Leaving The Classroom Procedure
Students are expected to leave the classroom the same way they entered which is
quietly and respectful. At the end of each class students will write down their homework
assignments and clean up their desk areas. Students will be dismissed by me.
Moving About The Room Procedure
Students will raise their hand and ask to move around the room. Free lancing and going
wherever you want to go will not be allowed.
Walking The Halls Procedure
Students will walk the halls in a quiet straight line. They will adhere to this procedure or
we will go back to the classroom and try it again. We will repeat as many times as
needed until the procedure is followed.

Bathroom Use Procedure

Only one girl and one boy will be allowed to use the bathroom at a time. There will be a
boys and girls bathroom pass that will be available hanging up on the wall. We will
periodically take a entire group bathroom break. If someone is in the bathroom students
must wait until the bathroom pass is available.
Student Sudden Illness Procedure
Depending on the seriousness of the illness students will be sent immediately to the
school nurse. If the illness needs more attention students can be sent to the hospital.
Parents will always be contacted when students face sudden illness.
End of Day Dismissal Procedures
At the end of the day students will clean up their areas and prepare their backpacks for
dismissal. Students can ask any questions about the day's activities, and students will
also write down any important information in their daily planners.