“Sure, let’s go to my office; there’s something I want to talk to you about as well,” she said without breaking stride.
40 ) Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. Alabama Course of Study: English Language Arts [L.4.3]
I had just met one of my principals in the hallway of her school (I’m an itinerant STEM coach). I was going one way and she was going the other, but with my quick spin we were suddenly going the same direction.
7 ) Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text… [RL.4.7]
As we approached each other a few seconds ago, I asked to talk to her about next year. I knew my topic of conversation, but didn’t know what she wanted to talk about. I had my hopes, but wasn’t sure.
36 ) Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate… [SL.4.6]
As we settled into chairs across from one another, we talked about my subject first. I was happy to share my thoughts about next year’s STEM program, but kept my ideas short because, well, I really wanted to get to her topic.
24.b. Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations. [W.4.3b]
“Well, I’ve made a decision about next year.”
1 ) Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. [RL.4.1]
My pulse quickened just a bit and I probably shifted in my chair, despite trying not to. Here’s an important detail I suppose I should include in this narrative: we were sitting in her office, but we were also sitting in the school at which I hoped to teach next year. My coaching job was coming to an end, and I wanted to return to this school that I left some four years ago.
11 ) Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text. [RI.4.2]
“I’m going to put you in the fourth grade. Do you think you can live with that?”
20 ) Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. [RF.4.3]
I let her words soak in for just a moment as I felt the smile grow on my face. Yes, I can live with that…I certainly can. Next year is going to be a great year!
Yet There is Method 
Congratulations on getting a position at the school you wanted. Yippee!
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Thank you!
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I LOVE how you foreshadowed the announcement with 4th grade standards! I love fourth graders! They will love you. Glad you are back where you wanted to be for next year.
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So effective, alternating the stds with the story. Shows you are ready to embrace that next year! When I read your title I didn’t know if this would be welcome or unwelcome- s glad its what you want.
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Thank you, Fran!
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Thanks, Erika–I’m glad, too!
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Congratulations! It’s so exciting to be able to teach at the school you feel is “home”.
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Thank you!
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I can live with that too! I am so excited to have you back at Endeavor. I shared our conversation with our AP As well and we both jumped up and down knowing the impact you will have on the students in the years to come as well as the colleagues around you.
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The more I think about it, the more excited I get! I’m so glad to be back. 🙂
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Fourth grade is awesome!! I hope that you love it as much as I do! Good Luck 🙂
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Chrissy, I think I’m going to love it! I taught third grade for 11 years, so I’m not moving into territory that’s too unfamiliar. Thanks!
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Congrats!!!! Fourth grade is awesome – so much better for trying the pour quoi stories!!! Just teasing! So happy you got to stay in the building you wanted! And, what a creative post with putting in standards! I loved that part! Smiled through the whole thing! Thanks!
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Thanks, Carol! I am looking forward to writing with students who are a year older than I’m used to. I think it’s going to be a great year!
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So excited for you! As someone who’s done pull-out and coaching the last several years, I deeply understand the desire to be back in the classroom, to have your OWN set of loveys to take under your wing. So glad your path is taking you in this direction. Those will be some really lucky kids. I also loved the way you intertwined the narration of your story with the learning standards. I’ll just add that to the “Super Clever Ideas I Wish I had Thought Of” pile…
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Lainie, I’m so excited about the new year! The idea of including standards just kind of came to me as I started to draft, and I like it. I’m looking forward to seeing what you might do with the idea in the future!
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Funny how going to the principal’s office can be nerve wracking even for grown-ups! Enjoy fourth grade! It’s one of my favourite to teach.
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Lisa, I can’t wait! And, yes, one can never be sure what might happen behind those doors. {smile}
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Yay, Tim!!! Such a cool idea to process your interaction with standards.
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Thanks, Marilyn!
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I looooove the alternating in this post, Tim!! Congratulations on getting what you wanted at the school you wanted – woohoo!!!
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Thanks, Britt!
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This is brilliant, Tim. Your integration of the standards into this piece to demonstrate the standard was so engaging to read! And, the tension build and climax of this piece was a mail biter and celebration at the same time! Congratulations! Fourth graders are my favorites. 🤗
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Thank you, Shari! I think I’m going to enjoy the grade level a lot. It’s new, but it’s good. {smile}
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Congratulations! I can tell you are excited because you are already reviewing the fourth grade standards. It will be exciting to have fourth graders since you know where third graders leave off and you can see how far they get before they head to fifth.
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That aspect of things–last year’s third graders–really appeals to me. I think it’s going to be a great year!
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