Happy Mother's Day!

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Well, as you can see above, the baby eggs arrived just in time for Mother's Day. This is always one of my favorite days. It is sooooo fun to watch the kids in a different role...the one of their mom or dad! The kids were so careful and sweet. We did have some "Humpty Dumpty" moments that needed some bandaid medical attention, but overall this group of moms and dads did a GREAT job! Ask your child how their baby egg faired throughout the day. If they can tell you, write the word EGG in the planner for $20. 

I sure hope that you have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow! The kids really enjoyed creating your gifts. They wrote their letters after they were a mom or dad for the day. They had such empathy for all of you. Many realized how expensive kids were, why you have insurance on them, and how much you have to give up to be a parent. Constant, constant care!!!!! Especially, when Ms. Erickson is just waiting for you to walk away from your desk without your child so she can kidnap it! "But, I was only gone for one second," they would say! Yep! That is all it takes. Being a parent is tough! I sure hope they all say thank you more often now. :0) 

Last week, we had a little incident in our classroom. As you know, kids were required to do some homework to get into Hawaii Day. Two students decided to pull a fast one on Ms. Erickson. They turned in their work, but it was not done. I am so disappointed that they did not come tell me that they should not participate when they knew that it was required. Since it was too late to take away Hawaii day (because they already did it) I brought it to CC Meeting. I asked the class to put themselves in my shoes. What would they do if they were the teacher? As you can see in the above picture, they came up with some pretty solid consequences. Before we voted as a class, I asked if the two guilty parties wanted to stand up and take accountability for their actions. They did not. So, we voted. The class decided that these kids should have to become an island for the rest of the year (Sit outside a class group of desks) and lose all their money. Alyssa made the connection that sitting off by themselves as an island is like being Hawaii (cuz Hawaii is an island). I then asked them if they would have picked a less harsh consequence if they kids would have stood up and been accountable. They said they would have voted for just a $500 fine or loss of movie. This was a tough lesson. At the end of the day, I asked once again if the kids wanted to stand up and say something in their defense. They declined again. Therefore, all their money was taken and on Monday they will be islands. I was proud of the class for working through this process and realizing once again that choices have consequences. It is tough to be a teacher at times. This is one of those times. However, it is important for kids to know that trustworthiness is so important in life. 

Tuesday afternoon is our first movie day. We will watch Soul Surfer. We have cracker jacks, fruit snacks, fun snacks, and four different types of soda in the concession stand right now. Please feel free to add to our selections. Kids will be able to buy one drink and one snack for each show. Thank you to all those that have donated! 

Friday night was the PTA movie night. If your child attended, please write the name of the movie in the  planner so they may collect their $300 reward. 

I still have some kiddos that have not bought into some of our end of the year events. Is your child one of them? If they are in need of some cash, you could help them out. Just write me an end of the year letter letting me know your thoughts on how it went. I LOVE this feedback! I really do listen, reflect, and put into action your suggestions. I also love hearing all that your kiddos learned. I especially love to hear that they didn't just learn academics, but also character! That is my goal each year! Did I achieve it for your kiddo? Feel free to email me your letter at ericksont@billingsschools.org or just send it in with your kiddo. Thank you!!!! 

Wednesday is our Pompey's Pillar field trip. Please remember those sack lunches. 

Thursday is field day. Sunscreen, a hat, and tennis shoes are a must for this day. There is usually a water relay, so we ask that girls avoid wearing a white t-shirt. Please make sure if your child is wearing shorts to school that they are longer than their fingertips when hands are down by their sides. Tank tops need to be at least two fingers wide. Thanks. 

I will be gone on Tuesday morning. Beau has his end of the year play in his 1st grade class. I will be back after lunch. Katherine's mom is our sub. Yay!!!!!

Lastly, I wanted to be the first to let you know that I have put in for a transfer next year. Bitterroot has been my home for ten years now. The drive is starting to wear on me and my kids. So, I have asked to move to a west end school. I do not know yet if it has been granted, but there is a chance and I wanted you to know. I will miss Bitterroot horribly. I love the families here, and the staff is like a second family to me. It was a hard decision, but as we all know, our kids come first. As they are getting older, they are doing more things outside of school and time is a huge factor when you have a long commute. I know some of you wanted me to be your other children's teacher, but you will LOVE any teacher here at Bitterroot! I hope your kids never forget to come find me and say hello in the future. I love to be in their lives forever! 

Well, have a wonderful weekend! 

Egg Babies Tomorrow!

Hi there. Sorry this is so late. Better late than never I guess.

Kids need to bring in their egg beds tomorrow. Remember, no bigger than a checkbook box. They become parents tomorrow!!!!

Some kids are lacking in money. Here are some ways to earn some cash.

1. You can write me an end of the year letter. I have talked about this on previous blogs. I do this every year. It helps me to adjust things for the following year. Please include how my class/teaching style has helped your child outside the school walls. What did you like? Like changed? Just a quick letter to let me know your thoughts on how the school year went. Thanks to those that have already done this. Students earn a $500 reward for this one. You can email it, mail it, or send it in.

2. Bring in snacks for the concession stand for our movies. We already have cracker jacks and fruit snacks. Bring anything that you would find in a concession stand. Kids will be able to buy things with their fake money for the 3 movies in class over the next few weeks. $50 reward.

I will post the talent show videos this weekend. All the kids did GREAT! So brave, and so talented!

Have a great night!

Don't Forget Your Dollar Tomorrow!!!!

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Hi there. Here is the slideshow from yesterday's Hawaii Day. Kids had to choose activities from their book tours. I listed how much those activities cost kids. They were not allowed to go over their $400 budget. Fun times had by all! 

Tomorrow is the talent show. I can't wait to see what Olivia, McKenzy, Kenzi, Alexis, and Collin have in store for us. We will do this around 9:30 after PE. 

Tomorrow we also go on our secret field trip. Please make sure kids come with $1.00 in their pockets. We will leave around 12:40. Collin, I still need your permission slip please. :0)

Library books tomorrow. 

We spent quite a bit of time today working on our 50 states and capitals. The test will be before the end of the year. I will let you know at least a week in advance. Playing the blog games or what is the capital of _____ in the car will help, help, help. 

MT History is coming right along. Ask your child what 3-7-77 represents. This can still be found on MT State Trooper uniforms. If they can tell you write the word PLUMMER in the planner for $20 tomorrow. 

Our off campus evacuation drill went very well, after we had a little talk about taking it serious. Kids need to understand that their eyes and ears need to be on the teacher at all times during a drill. They can't be running, talking, or laughing. After we talked and issued some money fines, the class did awesome! 

A HUGE thank you to all that voted YES for kids. We are sooooooo excited for our new technology! Today, we read our novel with our laptops on our laps. I wanted kids to get a taste of what was coming for them next year. They will be so technology ready by the time they get into the workforce!!!! Finally, we will catch up with the rest of the world. :0) 

Have a wonderful evening! 

Hawaii Day was a Success!

Hi there. Well, Hawaii day was soooooo much fun! I will make the slideshow tonight and post it tomorrow. Ask your child if they enjoyed it. They said that they all did. If they can tell you their favorite part, write it down in the planner for $20. We had to cut some of the relay races short due to the hot pavement. Surfing was a little tough. :0( They all did a great job and participated in all fun events!

Please remind kiddos to put on deodorant and sunscreen daily now that it is hot. We are outside a lot on these days. Also, remember that shorts need to be arm length according to school dress code and tank tops need to be at least 2 finger tips wide. They may be layered.

Tomorrow, we will be walking to our off site evacuation site as a practice drill. The entire school is doing this at 1:00. Please call Mr. English with questions on this. Remember, it is just a practice drill.

Well, that is about it. PE and walking shoes are a must tomorrow. Have a great night!

PS-Homework is to take a shower and get all the grass of of them. :0)

Thanks!

Hawaii Day Tomorrow!

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Well, as you can see above we had a fantabulous time at the zoo. Jeff did a wonderful job bringing every single thing we have learned in science and reading class lately to life. It was amazing. I have made the slideshow interactive for you and your child. Have them sit with you as you watch it and answer the questions I ask. If you do, write ZOO in the planner for $50 tomorrow. I will say that the kids were amazingly well behaved. We got compliments from both Jeff and the bus driver. That is awesome. On a side note, please make sure that kids wear sunscreen, weather appropriate clothing, and a hat to our future field trips. There was some whining going on from some kids that did not do these things. It is a natural consequence if kids are uncomfortable when they could have prevented it. All in all though, we had a GREAT time. I HIGHLY recommend your family going out again this summer. Your kids will be experts on the animals. Plus, you have to take them back soon to see those baby otters when their mom brings them out in a couple of weeks. I can't wait! Make sure you stop in and say hi to Jeff as well. 

Tomorrow is Hawaii day. Your child may choose to dress the part. Those that do, will earn $100. Please wear sunscreen and a hat. Kids also should bring a beach towel to sit on outside. We will be outside for at least an hour. Those that did not have their Hawaii folders completely done and done correctly will not be able to participate tomorrow. They will not get their $200 refunded either. They knew this when they left last Thursday. Choices...consequences. They are DUE tomorrow for a grade. 

Mr. English has put out a challenge. It is national bike or walk to school week. Kids will be asked daily, starting tomorrow, if they walked or biked to school. Those that say yes at least two time will be allowed to put their name in a drawing for some fun prizes on Friday. Beautiful day for a walk or ride. :0)

Well, have a great night. Homework tonight is to play outside for at least a half hour. Enjoy! 

Busy, Busy, Busy Upcoming Week!

Well hello there. I don't know about Billings, but Silesia is getting some rain this morning! Don't you just love the sound of rain?

Yesterday was the last day to send in those mail-in ballots and guarantee delivery. If you have not mailed your's in, there is still time. You just need to take it down to the courthouse. If your's is in and accounted for, write VOTE in the planner for $100. If you wrote this last time I asked, write it again and earn more! :0)

A MEGA permission slip came home last Thursday with your child. This sheet has all the events we will be doing to close up the 4th grade academic year. Please take the time to read each event and mark your permission choice, sign the back, and return on Monday for $100. Kids need to bring back the entire sheet. I have copy and pasted all the details written on their for you off to the side under the tab labeled up-coming events.

We head to the zoo on Monday. Please remember those sack lunches. I have four people that ordered one. We will have them here and ready. We will NOT be bringing a cooler. Lunches will stay in their backpacks. Students may bring electronics for the bus ride if they want. They are THEIR responsibility however. While at the zoo, all electronics must be off and in the backpack. Kids need to wear sunscreen and dress for warm weather. It is supposed to be a beautiful day! Please do NOT send cameras on any field trip. I will post some pictures on the blog.

Speaking of pictures and blogging. I noticed the other day that you can turn my blog into a book. I am going to try it this year. I think it would be the coolest yearbook one could get. I am not sure if you can order them??? Can someone advise me on this?? Do you see a tab or link for this? I know that the videos won't be on there obviously, but the pictures will. Pretty cool!

Tuesday is Hawaii Day. Kids may dress the part. Those that do, will earn a $100. We will spend the afternoon outside having some Hawaii Fun. In SS, we went on a four day tour of the islands. Your child should have brought home their folder for homework. They were given a list of fun things they could do on each island. They had to select three on each island. At the end they had to make sure that their trip was within budget. Each student was budgeted $400. This was a great real world lesson. Many figured out that while on vacation, they can't always do EVERYTHING they want to do. So, they have to learn to prioritize and make hard decisions. Now, at home, they have to create illustrations of themselves doing the events they picked. This is their ticket into Hawaii Day on Tuesday. If it is not done, with 4th grade effort, then they will have to sit this one out. They also had a $200 buy in. Almost all of them have already paid that. It will be a day of great fun! Aloha!!!

Thursday is our talent show. We have a handful of kids ready to go. The deadline for sign-up was last Thursday. Those that are in, practice, practice, practice. Remember, you need to bring your own music or tell me where to find it online.

Thursday is also our "secret" field trip. We need to go off campus for a special something for a special someone. We will go in the afternoon after lunch. We will only be gone for about an hour and a half or so. Kids need to bring $1.00 on that day. They may NOT bring more than that. Thanks for trusting us on this one. :0)

Friday, is baby egg day! Your child will become a parent to a hard boiled egg for the day. Congratulations, you are grandparents. AHHHHHH!!!!!! :0) I do this every year around this time in honor of Mother's and Father's Day. Kids get a real dose of just how much responsibility there is in caring for an egg. They have to take it everywhere they go for the entire day. One student already commented that he was upset because now he couldn't play hard at recess. I said...um...ya. I told him, that I am sure his mom and dad had to give up some fun things they wanted to do because of him...like sleep! :0) Kids may bring a small crib to keep their egg in on their desk while they are working. It may not be bigger than a checkbook box. Again, I had a child ask if they could take the bed outside. I replied with, do you think your parents pushed your crib outside every time they went out there??? Nope! Too funny. At the end of the day, I have them write a letter to you expressing their thoughts and feelings. They are always rewarding to read!

Besides all that, we will continue on with our normal academics. We will be zooming through MT History. Where did the time go??? I would like MT to at least become a state before we leave the 4th grade. :0) We sure have had fun building the interactive notebooks this year though. I love that they all still know so much. I will be presenting this way of teaching to many other 4th grade teachers this summer. Many of your kiddos will be featured in the video I show them displaying our journey. I am so proud of this!

Lastly, I want to give a gentle reminder to a few students: Ethan, Collin, Alexis, and McKenzy. These students still need to bring back their picture packets or money to purchase them. Please do that on Monday. Reminder notes from LifeTouch came home with your child on Thursday.  Thanks.

Amazing Kids! Amazing Concert!

Hi! The concert was sooooooo awesome. Many teachers have come to us and said that it was the best concert yet! A HUGE thank you to Mr. Goodheart for all that he did. Well done E4! If you missed it, you can catch the recorded version by clicking on the link off to the right.

Midterms came home today. If your child has a low grade, it might be due to missing work. I attached the missing work sheet to the midterm if that applies to your child. Please write the word MIDTERM in the planner for $50 tomorrow if you see them tonight. They are yours to keep.

That about says it all. Have a wonderful night!