Acceptable Use Policy & Internet Safety Handout

Dear Parents,
This year I will be incorporating technology in my classroom through a variety of techniques. This means that your children will be using the Internet to accomplish different activities. In saying that, I will be teaching them the importance of Internet Safety. I encourage you to take the time to read over the document below. I will be going over these key points with your children. Take some time to discuss them with your child. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me. After our lesson about internet safety, the class and I will come up with a contract to ensure everyone follows the rules when using technology. I will send this home for you and your child to sign. Thank you.

-Ms. Kirby 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/187396775/Acceptable-Use-Policy-and-Internet-Safety-Handout?secret_password=1kj0i49oubcthonts3ks 

Time for You to Teach

Dear Students,

This year we will do a new kind of show & tell. This year you will be responsible for learning something new and teaching it to your class. Below are a list of awesome website for you to explore and get ideas for your project. I will pass out in class a rubric for your project. Start by looking through these websites for ideas! 

-Ms. Kirby

P.S. Ms. Kirby loves fun, colorful posters to hang in her room :) Think about decorating one for your presentation! 

http://pbskids.org

http://wonderopolis.org

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

http://www.funbrain.com

https://www.pottermore.com/en-us

http://www.whyville.net/smmk/nice

http://www.spatulatta.com

http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/kids.html

http://ocean.si.edu

http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm

Feedback

Dear Parents,
This year I want to encourage you not only to be involved in your students progress throughout the year but also to be involved in my progress. I can only grow with feedback. Yes, I do receive feedback from my coworkers, as well as principle, but I encourage you to provide me with feedback. Negative and Positive feedback is welcome. Below is a great video of why it is important for teachers to receive feedback :)

-Ms. Kirby 

http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_teachers_need_real_feedback.html

Math Mission Webquest

Dear Parents,
Below I have provided a link for a Math Mission Webquest. If I feel your child needs some extra practice, I will refer them to this link so they can get some addition practice outside the classroom. However, if I do not refer your child to this and you still feel like they need some more math time rather than video game time :), feel more than happy to send them straight to this Webquest.

-Ms. Kirby

http://www.scribd.com/doc/187418613/math-webquest

Engrade (online gradebook)

I used Engrade, a free online grade book. I like how there is also a calendar component to this website. It was easy to sign-up and use!

A Few of My Favorite Things……

Hello Class
Now that you have taken the time to watch and read my families timeline, I would love to get to know you. Below is a link to a survey I have created for each of you to show me a "few of your favorite things." Enjoy:)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MQCVZKQ

Get To Know Ms. Kirby

Hello Class

My name is Ms. Kirby and I will be your fourth grade teacher this year. I am very excited to get to know each and every one of you. I have put together a short timeline of my favorite childhood memories so you can get to know me before the first day of school! You might find that we have done some of the same things or like the same animals or have the same favorite sport! Come the first day with plenty of questions and stories for me!

-Ms. Kirby

http://www.myhistro.com/embed-story/98816/0/582/530#event-229491