About Your Teacher

Mrs. Amico-Dodig holds a BA in Journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University, as well as an MST in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam College.  She has been teaching for fifteen years, fourteen with intermediate grade students.  This is her sixth year teaching in Lee County.  Previous to that, she taught sixth grade Reading, Language Arts, and Science in Wappingers Falls, NY and Sarasota, FL.

Educational Philosophy

To ensure that all children, regardless of race, gender, or culture, receive a world class education in a safe, cooperative, and creative environment. One that maximizes active learning and fosters educational excellence.

Welcome to Our Class and the Amico-Dodig/Kunkel Teaching Team

Dear Fourth Grade Student,

Welcome to fourth grade!  It is sure to be a memorable year.  One filled with excitement, a little bit of anxiety, and a myriad of challenges.  This year you will be exposed to team-eaching, meet new people, work hard, take responsibility for your own actions, and become a risk taker in the classroom.  It will be a year of tremendous growth.

This year you will have the opportunity to experience team-teaching.  That means you will have both fourth grade teachers all year.  Mrs. Kunkel will be teaching Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Reading.  Mrs. Amico-Dodig will teach English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Reading.  Mrs. Renz will co-teach one of the Reading blocks.  Talk about keeping you on your toes!

Our classroom is a place where you will say goodbye to some of your old classmates and hello to new ones.  The people you meet during the first week of school will become your classmates, teammates, and friends.  You will learn to work together and come to depend on one another throughout the school year.

The fourth grade curriculum will peak your interest and challenge you at the same time.  You will need to work hard, put forth your best effort, and complete assignments with the quality of a fourth grade student.  Be prepared to take notes, complete long-term projects, research papers, and participate in class discussions.

This year you will be expected to take responsibility for your own actions.  Therefore, you must complete assignments on time, be prepared for every class, attend school regularly, and fill out your assignment planner daily.  Rules have been established by Pine Island Elementary and the teachers to ensure an orderly and safe classroom environment.  Please be sure to follow all rules inside and outside of the classroom.

Fourth grade will be a time for you to take risks in the classroom.  You must challenge yourself to put your fears aside and ask questions, participate, and not be afraid to make mistakes.  This means that you must allow yourself to become vulnerable.  It may be uncomfortable at first, but you will be amazed at how much you will grow throughout the year.

I am really excited about the 2010-2011 school year.  I hope you are too.  I look forward to meeting you.  Until then, enjoy your summer vacation.

Warm regards,

Mrs. A-D

Class Expectations

1. Come to class on time with a positive attitude.
2. Come to class with appropriate materials and supplies.
3. Respect yourself and others, in addition to all school property.
4. Follow directions the first time they are given.
5. Adjust your voice level to suit the activity.

                         Parent/Teacher/Student Conference.

Our Class Schedule - Monday thru Thursday

8:45-9:15     Daily Warm-up

9:15-10:35    Math with homeroom teacher

10:40-12:10 Reading Block (some students will switch teachers)

12:12-12:37 LUNCH :)

12:37-12:45 BR Break

12:45-2:10 ELA Block (switch)

2:10-2:40 Reading Enrichment/Math Enrichment

2:40-2:50 Planner Check/Pack-up

2:50-3:25 Specials (M- Music; T-F - PE)

3:30       Dismissal

Our Schedule - Friday

9:15-10:35 Science with Mrs. A-D / Social with Mrs. Kunkel (UNLESS FREESTYLE FRIDAY ACTIVITY IS PLANNED)

10:40-12:10 Reading(Assessment Day)

12:12-12:37 Lunch :)

12:45-2:10 Science/Social Studies

2:10-2:40 Reading Enrichment

2:50-3:25 Special

Weekly Homework

Homework is assigned nightly.  It is expected that students will read their AR book each night, including weekends.  Parents please review and sign the Student Planner nightly.

Parents: If you have internet access at home, have your child review the weekly reading stories at  www.mhln.com 

click on ClassCode and enter AmicoDodig4

Reading: U1W4 The Astronaut and the Onion

        Making Inferences/Plot Development

Grammar: Complex Sentences

Novel Study for October:

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Monthly Book Report (Mrs. Amico-Dodig's Reading Class)

  Month                      Genre

October                      Mystery

November                    Non-fiction

December                    Choice  

February                      Biography

March                          Choice

April                             Historical Fiction

May                              Informational

Follow the attached book report form when completing these assignments.  All book reports will be due on the last Tuesday of each month.  I will grade for Capitalization, punctuation, "No Excuses" spelling, and usage, as well as book report content and presentation.

Fourth Grade Writing

Writing in fourth grade focuses on two genres: expository and narrative essays. 

 Expository writing asks a student to explain, clarify, inform, or give how-to directions.  This essay consists of five paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs that explain using details and mini-stories each of the student's main ideas that were stated in the into., and a conclusion.  Students are expected to stay on topic (address the prompt) throughout the essay.  Expository essays should include a grabber, topic sentence, main ideas, transitional phrases, elaboration, mini-stories, and feeling sentences.  Creativity skills (similes, metaphors, idioms, mature language, vivid words, and strong verbs) add to the student's score.

Narrative essays are stories that the student either completely makes up (fictional narrative) or tells about a time when he/she did something (personal narrative).  Narratives are at least three paragraphs in length.  They include a beginning, middle, and an end.  A good narrative includes a setting, characters, logical events, problem, climax, and solution.  Creativity skills add to the student's overall score.

To see the State rubric, click on the link below.

http://fcat.fldoe.org/pdf/rubrcwvv04.pdf

EnVision Math

Topic 4 Multiplying by one-digit numbers

4-1 and 4-2 Wednesday 9/29          Home Learning: Quick Check and Reteaching 4-1, 4-2

4-3 Thursday 9/30                         Home Learning: Quick Check and Reteaching 4-3

4-4 Monday 10/4                           Home Learning: Quick Check and reteaching 4-4

4-5 and Test review Tuesday 10/5  Home Learning: Quick Check and Reteaching 4-5

4-6 Wednesday 10/6                     Home Learning: Quick Check and Reteaching 4-6

Topic 4 Assessment Thursday 10/7

 Author's Spotlight

Summer C. - Peace Poem

Hooray! The spotlight is on you this week.

Jordy B.

Our Class Pen Pals

Have you ever wondered what kids your age are doing in other schools?  What about from other states? 

Teacher's Wish List

Want to help our class, but can't think of a way to do it?  How about donating one of the following items?!

Expo Markers

Board Games (Scrabble, Life, Operation, Connect Four, etc.)

Treasure Box trinkets or Gift Cards to The Dollar Tree for purchase of treasure box items

Chapter Books for our class library

Reams of paper in various colors (white, goldenrod, pink, purple, blue, green)

Packages of looseleaf paper

Tag board

Science Boards

Stickers or Stamps

Mrs. A-D's Egghead Club

So, you think you're ready for a real challenge?  Okay, here it is.  The Egghead Club was created for students who want to learn "above and beyond" typical fourth grade curriculum.  It is an adaption of the Mastery Club created by Oregon State teacher Mrs. Heather Renz.   http://www2.redmond.k12.or.us/mccall/renz/masteryclub.htm 

In this challenge, you work at their own pace, selecting a category, and then an individual subtopic. Categories and subtopics are based on your individual preference.  There is no right or wrong place to begin.

Once you have a category and subtopic that peaks your interest, learn away.  Learn all that you can about that topic.  Write your answers down in your journal.  You may share your results with Mrs. A-D before class, during Friday free time, at independent work time, or after school.  You may not interrupt instruction to share your answers.

For each challenge that you succeed in, you will earn a star.  There are 84 total challenges to be completed.  If you complete 12 or more challenges, you will be listed on our Egghead Club Wall of Fame.  Complete all 84 challenges and you will go on PIE's morning news program and be awarded a special certificate.

It is up to you, Egghead Club, to never stop learning.  Enjoy and learn lots. :)