4th - Julie Esche

Welcome to Mrs. Esche's 4th Grade Class!

We are halfway through a great year of learning together. This marks my second year as a 4th grade teacher, and my 14th year of teaching in Richfield. For most of those years, I've taught in middle school, which I loved, but the switch to 4th grade has taught me just how wonderful it is to work with younger students. I am amazed by their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity!

While I have a Master's Degree in Education, I still take graduate level classes and hope that my own students will see that learning is indeed a life-long process.

I am happy to hear from parents and guardians of my students. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns. E-mail is usually the fastest option. We can also arrange to meet if the need arises. You may track your child's academic progress whenever you wish on Skyward.

Here is a little information regarding academics:

Expectations for Success:

Come to class prepared every day. Follow all written and verbal directions. Complete assignments on time. Take pride in your work - watch neatness and accuracy. Do your best! It is a great reflection on you.

Math:Students should practice their math facts whenever possible. Having those facts readily at their fingertips will help them succeed with ease in future math lessons.

Spelling: There are weekly tests, with the words most often related to reading assignments. Students who have received 95-100% on the pretest should study the challenge words. Students may gain points on a low spelling test score by writing quality sentences using the misspelled words and turning them in prior to the next Friday.

Language Arts: We work on writing, using the six trait model. Enriching vocabulary choices and writing fluency are important goals. Of course we're still reinforcing punctuation, grammar, and spelling skills too. In addition to an occasional essay, students are engaged in writing journal entries. DOL (daily oral language) activities are done daily in class with a quiz on Friday. Corrections may be turned in before the next Friday.

Reading: We explore various genres, as individuals, in partners, and also in literature circles. Readers theater is a definite class favorite. We recently completed a great novel, The Little House in the Big Woods. Students created wonderful projects, so we now have our own "village of houses in the big woods!" We are currently in a fun poetry unit. Students are collecting great poems and writing their very own book of poetry.

Science: The hands-on units have generated much excitement! The main units are Land and Water, Motion and Design, and Electricity. The electricity unit has generated much enthusiasm. The smiles are lighting up the classroom.