Mrs. Bixby
Classroom Belief Statements
We Believe...
Everyone deserves respect.
Learning is hard work.
Manners matter.
The responsibility is ours.
Listening is polite.
Our words have power.
Mistakes happen.
Books open doors.
Friendship is kindness.
We're a team.
About Our Classroom
About the Teacher
I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade again this year! This will be my eighth year teaching fourth grade and it is truly a privilege. I have been working in the field of education since 2001 in a variety of capacities: 3rd and 4th grade teacher, reading tutor, and as an adjunct faculty member teaching Children’s Literature at ASU. I love the process of teaching and learning and hope to instill this in my students as well.
I received my undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach in English Literature. It wasn’t long before I decided that I loved working with children, so I went back to school to earn a post baccalaureate Teaching Endorsement in Early Childhood Education from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. While taking several years off to be with my two wonderful children, I earned my M.Ed. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading from ASU. I also earned a reading endorsement from ASU in 2012 and a gifted endorsement in 2021.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my family. We enjoy camping, hiking, travelling, watching movies and going to the beach! We are also fortunate to spend every other summer in Ireland, where my husband runs a summer exchange program for college students. Our puppy Theo, a Miniature Schnauzer, also keeps us very busy! When I have free time, I love trying out new recipes, gardening and reading.
It is an honor for me to be in this profession. Each year brings an opportunity for growth and exciting challenges for both myself and my students. I look forward to a fun year of discovery and learning with your child!
Class Expectations
Agendas and Communication:
Please check student agendas nightly. This is one tool used to ensure student success and parent/teacher/student communication. Students will write down their nightly homework and other important class projects and reminders in their agendas.
Please feel free to contact me by email. I will respond within 24 hours, but usually sooner. Classrooms can not receive phone calls during school hours. I can speak on the phone before school hours or after school. I am also available to meet on Zoom. If there is an emergency and you need to speak with someone immediately, please contact the office at (623) 445-8400.
Classroom Behavior Expectations:
Students will be using a TRACKS Card with positives and infractions earned for the day to self-monitor behavior. These will come home daily with students and signed weekly by parents to support communication between school and home. Each Monday I will check first period TRACKS cards for signatures. TRACKS positive attributes will earn a positive are Trustworthy, Respectful, Accountable, Creative, Kind, and Safe. Thank you for your support and partnership at home as we encourage students to develop these important traits.
Sonoran Foothills will also be using a school-wide Social and Emotional curriculum, All Things EQ. These lessons will be built into the beginning of our day through announcements and class discussions. For more information, please visit the following link:
Social Studies Curriculum:
Student inquiry will be focused on the regions and cultures of the Americas. This includes the study of ancient civilizations in the Americas up until 1763. For more specific content details, please see the link below:
Fourth Grade Social Studies Standards Link
Daily in-class assignments will be graded. In addition, we will have 4 Unit Assessments/Projects, one taking place each quarter. The units of study include Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica, American Indian life in the Americas, European exploration of the Americas, and Colonial America.
Writing Curriculum:
Writing will be taught across the 4th Grade curriculum and students will have opportunities to write in Social Studies, Reading and Science. Grades for writing will also be given in these three subject areas.
Students will explore various genres including narrative, informative and opinion writing. We will participate in a writer's workshop model in which students have opportunities to revise and edit their written work through mini-lessons, peer editing, and student-teacher writing conferences.
For more information, please visit the link below and see the Writing Standards:
Fourth Grade ELA Standards Link
Homework:
Students will bring home unfinished class work and/or social studies or writing projects as needed. If students struggle with completing homework independently or there are questions regarding projects, please contact me.