Welcome to Fourth GradeMrs. Blanton/Mrs. Dickerson

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

• We are so glad you are here.• If you have any questions/concerns

during the school year, please feel free to contact us.

• Email:– amandablanton@mcsd.us– jenniferdickerson@mcsd.us

• Phone:– 662-343-8308

Meet Mrs. Blanton• My background– I grew up in Aberdeen, MS.– I graduated from Aberdeen High School.– I received my Bachelor’s Degree from MUW.

• My experience– This is my 5th year as a teacher.– I also served as a Special Needs Assistant for 9

years at Hamilton.– My first year, I taught 5th grade, but 4th grade is

my favorite!

Mrs. Blanton’s Family

• My husband– Kenneth Blanton Funeral Director at Tisdale-Lann Funeral Home

• My children– Stuart Blanton and wife, Selena

– Catherine Regan

Mrs. Blanton’s Familycontinued…

Let me tell you about my grandchildren!!Samuel – in Pre-K at Hamilton

Morgan – Cutie Pie!

Caleb – due to arrive Christmas DayBaby Blanton – due to arrive Jan. 18

Meet Mrs. Dickerson

• My background– I grew up in Memphis, TN.– I received my Bachelor’s degree from Freed-Hardeman

University in 1995.– Last December I received my Master’s degree from

Arkansas State University.• My experience– This is my 18th year as an educator.– I have also taught kindergarten as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd,

5th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Mrs. Dickerson’s Family• My husband– Tim Dickerson

• My children– Daughters’ Names• Katrina (Freshman at ICC)

• Makaela (8th Grader here at Hamiliton)

• Pets– Penny (dog)– Bella (cat)

Our Goals

• To give you the academic and social skills you need to progress to 5th grade.

• To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment.

• To help you make new friends and discover new interests.

• To help you become a life-long learner.

Supplies Needed• 1 Plastic Box for Supplies

Loose Leaf Notebook Paper (Wide-Ruled)1pkg. #2 PencilsCrayons/Markers/or Colored Pencils (If your child wants each, that is fine too.)1 Pair Medium Sized (Sharp Point) Scissors4 Plastic Folders w/ Pockets and BradsAssignment Book or Calendar (for recording homework assignments and projects)Glue 1 pkg. Dividers (5 pack)3 Ring Binder (2 inch)3 Single Subject Spiral NotebooksKleenex

Items that you may donate:

Packages of End Cap Erasers for PencilsClorox WipesQuart Ziploc BagsGallon Ziploc BagsBand-AidsExpo Dry Erase Markers

Class Fee

$15.00This fee will be used to purchase the

following….

ARNational Geographic Magazine for

KidsScholastic News

IMPORTANTBreakfast will NOT be served the

first day of school, Wednesday, August 8th.

A light snack of cheese and crackers will be provided that morning. Please let us know of any food allergies your child has so we may accommodate him/her.

Thanks!

Class Rules

• Our classrooms are communities. In our communities, we have rules to help us get along with each other.

• Our class rules are:– Be respectful and responsible.– Be organized and follow directions.– Be on time.– Be prepared.

Behavior/Management Policy

Blue: WarningGreen: Lose 5 minutes of recess.Yellow: Lose 10 minutes of recess.Red: Parent Contact to be made.

This policy will be utilized in both classes.

Attendance

• Students arriving before 7:40 should report to the cafeteria. 4th grade students eat breakfast from 7:25-7:40.

• School starts at 7:45 a.m.• If you aren’t in the classroom by the time

the 7:45 bell rings, please check in at the elementary office before coming to class.

• Please see the MCSD Student Handbook for detailed information regarding attendance.

Mrs. Blanton’s Homework Policy• I assign homework as needed according to

the skill we are acquiring.• I assign only a few problems to check for

understanding.• If your child brings home a lot of

“homework,” he/she is not using his/her time wisely at school!

• Please check assignment book each night and initial.

Mrs. Dickerson’s Homework Policy• Students will be assigned homework most

nights with the exclusion of Wednesdays and Fridays. An exception to this would be late work or make-up work that must be completed.

• Any projects that are assigned will have real educational value.

• Please review your child’s homework and assignment book each evening and initial

them.

Math with Mrs. Blanton• Multiplication / Division• Measurement• Input/output tables• Transformations (translations, reflections, and

rotations)• Fractions• Properties of addition and multiplication• Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, and range)

Science with Mrs. Blanton• Body systems: respiratory, circulatory,

nervous…• Plant and animal adaptations• Photosynthesis• Physical and chemical changes• Force• Weather• Solar System• Earth’s geological features and changes

» ( Students will construct a volcano!)

Reading with Mrs. Dickerson• Texts: Narrative (story) & Informational• Story Elements• Literary Devices• Sound Devices• Author’s Purpose• Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Textbooks,

etc.

Language Arts with Mrs. Dickerson• Grammar/Puntuation• Sentence Types/Construction & Expansion• Figurative Language/Literary Devices• Phonics/Spelling/Vocabulary• Poetry• Writing• Etc.

Social Studies

• Your homeroom teacher will also be your social studies teacher.

• Mississippi studies will be the focus of our fourth grade curriculum.

Special Classes: Blanton’s Homeroom

• Monday: P.E. • Tuesday: P.E. • Wednesday: Library• Thursday: Computer• Friday: MusicBe certain to wear tennis shoes on

P.E. days.

Special Classes: Dickerson’s Homeroom

• Monday: Library• Tuesday: Computer• Wednesday: P.E.• Thursday: Music• Friday: P.E.Be certain to wear tennis shoes on

P.E. days.

Field Trips

• We hope to take field trips to:– Wood Magic Science Fair at

Mississippi State University***– Jackson to the Capitol Building and

the Natural Museum of Science***• Permission forms will be sent

home prior to field trips.

***Pending Approval

Class Parties• 4th grade students will

have parties to celebrate:ChristmasValentine’s Day

Go Hamilton Lions!

• We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

• With teamwork success can be achieved!