Ms. Moratelli
Hi there! My name is Katelyn Moratelli and I am privileged to be your child’s teacher this year! I am so excited to be returning to Monforton School as a fourth grade teacher. This school year will be my eleventh year as an educator. I’ve taught second and sixth grades in New Jersey and first and second grades in North Carolina. I moved to Montana last summer with my 12 year old corgi, Cosmo. I enjoy spending time outdoors, and oftentimes I can be found hiking, skiing and relaxing at the river. One of my favorite hobbies is photography and I love visiting National Parks to shoot photos. One goal I have for myself this year is to visit all 50 states. So far I have been to 47, with only Michigan, Wisconsin, and Alabama left to go! I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and all the wonderful things that make you, YOU! I know we will have a great school year together!
Ms. Broussard
Hello! My name is Anna Broussard (Bruce-Ard)! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to teach your child this year! This is my seventh year at Monforton and my seventeenth year in education. Ten of those years were at the middle school level in special education. My roots are from the south, Texas and Louisiana, but I have called Bozeman home for 27 years! I enjoy being outdoors. I especially love being in the water, snorkeling and paddle boarding, but I also like to hike, golf and cross country ski. Plants and books are another favorite. I often find myself walking around plant shops trying to figure out how I can fit more greenery into my living space. My ideal space would be filled wall to wall with plants and books. I have two boys, both young adults who are off having their own adventures now, and a seven year old walker hound dog named Pepper. She is super sweet and LOVES the water too! I can’t wait to meet you all and hear about all the things YOU love to do! I am thrilled to spend the next year together!
Please note, the start and end times for 4th grade are different from 3rd grade. Our bell rings at 8:15. If your student gets to school prior to the 8:15 bell please have them head out to the playground. They may drop off their backpacks in the hallway by their homeroom class and head outside. This is important because there is not any supervision before 8:15 as we are trying to get ready for our day and may not be in our classrooms during this time. It is very important for students to arrive on time each day as we begin promptly after lunch count and attendance at 8:30.
We have snack every day at 10:00. Please send a healthy snack with your child each day. We want to avoid sugary snacks and candy; we know this affects the learning of students. We appreciate your efforts to make snacks (and lunches) healthy!
In the event that your child forgets a snack (because it happens to us all) we will have backup snacks. Our room parents coordinate a monthly sign up to provide these snacks. Please remember these snacks are not meant to be used daily or we would run out of our monthly provided snack in two days time!
RESPONSIBILITY-ORGANIZATION-ATTITUDE-RESPECT
We will follow the school-wide ROAR expectations and focus on students being ROAR leaders in and out of the classroom. Each day students will have the opportunity to earn ROAR points. Filling out planners each morning, getting the planners signed or initialed each day by a parent, and following expectations without reminders are ways that students can earn points. At the end of each week points are counted and tickets are handed out. All the tickets are collected for an end-of-week drawing. Students that are drawn get to choose something from a prize box.
Planners are new to your child in fourth grade. Students are expected to fill out their planners each morning upon arrival. Each day’s tasks and homework will be written in the planners. The planner is meant to serve as a means of communication between home and school. Should you have a question or need to communicate a quick note to the teacher, this is a good place to communicate. Email is still available, this is just another option. This is also a great way to help kids remember what they do each day, to avoid the “nothing” comment when asked the inevitable, “So, what did you do today?” Your child’s teacher will sign their planner throughout the week. We ask for you to also please sign or initial the planner. Students who complete their planners and have them signed will receive two ROAR points each day to add to their weekly ROAR totals.
Homework in 4th grade is very important and is reflective of what we do in the classroom.
Math homework will be assigned every Tuesday and Thursday night and it is expected to be turned in the next day. However, if there is a test on either of these days, homework will not be assigned. Please refer to your child’s planner to check this information.
Typical homework includes:
1. Math practice sheet (reviewing skills that have already been taught)
2. Reading steps (30 min. total)
3. Any unfinished school work that needs to be completed before the next day’s lesson. This could include spelling pages or writing.
Math
We will use the iReady curriculum for math this year. We strive to complete one math lesson each day and move at a consistent pace throughout the year. If your child is absent they are expected to complete their missing lessons and any tests or quizzes they miss. The iReady math program comes with an online component that is great practice for your child. This program is designed to meet your child at their current math level. They will have access to their MyPath on the iReady website at home as well as at school. It is recommended that they take time each day to practice on this website. More information on logging in to this website will be sent home in the coming weeks.
Reading
American Reading Company is the reading and writing curriculum we use. The curriculum uses a workshop model approach for instruction. This means that instruction is based upon class discussion and teacher modeling, followed by independent or partner work. There are four units throughout the year, Literacy Lab, Animal Adaptations, American Historical Fiction, and U.S States. We begin with Literacy Lab (reading) and narrative writing. Then we move onto informational, non fiction texts with our animal unit. Next is Historical Fiction. Finally, our year ends with State research and informational writing.
Spelling
Our spelling curriculum is Zaner-Bloser Spelling Connections: A Word Study Approach. Spelling Connections takes a broader view of spelling as it relates to overall literacy improvement and success.This word study approach provides a structured, systematic look at spelling patterns that teaches spelling in the context of: expanding vocabulary, enhancing comprehension and improving writing. Rather than taught as independent items, phonological awareness (the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds), phonics, sight word recognition, morphology (the study of meaningful word parts like prefixes, suffixes, roots and base words, and how they are combined to form words), and vocabulary building are introduced as interdependent skills in each unit! Students learn how to consider words from all angles.
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum is centered around our home state of Montana! We will use the text “Montana: A History of Our Home” to cover topics such as Montana’s three regions, Montana’s tribal nations, and Montana’s early history, as well as many other important topics. By the end of the year students will have a better understanding of Montana’s history!
Science
We will use Mystery Science this year to teach science! This is a fun and engaging science curriculum with many opportunities for hands-on learning for students. If your child is absent, it is very difficult for them to make up these science lessons because they are centered around in-class videos as well as hands-on learning experiences.
We go on several field trips throughout the year! This is a great way to support our curriculum, but it also serves as a wonderful way to build bonds and make memories together. 😀
Here are a few examples of some field trips we will go on throughout the year:
Headwaters State Park
Crosscut (cross country skiing)
Bridger Bowl (downhill skiing)
Farm Fair
Personal electronic devices (cellphones and watches) may NOT be used during school hours unless the use is requested by staff. Per the student handbook, devices must be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack and may not be carried in pockets. If seen, the device will be confiscated and a parent will need to pick it up in the school office. Repeated incidents will result in additional consequences.
In fourth grade, students are not permitted to wear hats of any kind (baseball, beanies, visors, etc.) in the school building, including the cafeteria. Hats may be worn outside, but must be taken off upon entering the school. Gum is also not allowed as this can cause a mess in the school and classroom. However, there will be instances where your child is able to wear a hat or chew gum if they chose this as a reward at the end of the week. A pass will be given to students if they have earned this reward.
