Skyway Elementary

 

Dear Parents,

 It’s wonderful to be teaching 4th grade .  I  look forward to a terrific year filled with lots of learning, fun, and friendships.  I always seem to have many familiar faces and also some new faces that I enjoy getting to know.  I have been at Skyway for many years, and have seen both my sons graduate from the Coeur d'Alene Schools.  I grew up in the Seattle area, but am happy to call Twin Lakes/Rathdrum my home.

 Curriculum

In science this year we will be learning about natural resources.  We will also be studying energy and circuit systems.  Towards the end of the year we will be identifying the needs of animals and plants and describe the structure and behavioral adaptations that help meet those needs.

Our reading curriculum has some exciting and interesting literature.  The students are really going to enjoy the stories.  We will be focusing on different reading skills and strategies each week as we read each selection.

Math will begin with place value.  Some of this will be review for the first few weeks.  I am hoping that most of the students are fairly fluent with their multiplication facts.  This will be very important as we get into multi-digit multiplication and division problems.  Practice those facts daily.  Fractions will be a major focus in our 4th grade math curriculum.

Writing will be a part of our everyday curriculum.  Students will work on writing narrative,opinion, and informative pieces.

In Social Studies, the students will learn about maps as we study the regions of Idaho State. We will learn all about Lewis and Clark and the westward movement when many families navigated the Oregon Trail.  Idaho history is going to be our main focus this year.

We have something new this year at Skyway.  Agendas and folders will be coming home on a regular basis for you to see what your child is doing, what is due, and all other important information.  Look for these to start arriving home in the first month.

Birthday Treats

I am happy to celebrate your child’s birthday in the classroom.  We have 27 children in our room this year.  Please don’t send anything that needs to be sliced or served.  We usually always celebrate right before our afternoon recess which begins at 2:15.