“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!