Welcome to the Fourth Grade!!

Daily Student Planner

Each student will take his/her Student Planner home each day for parents to read and sign. The Planner is a very good way for teacher and student to inform parents on a daily basis of homework and school events. Don't hesitate to write reminders to your child regarding work at school or to write notes to me. The Planner also includes classroom policies regarding homework, the "Make Your Day" citizenship program, school schedules, etc.
Reading at Home
Students are encouraged to read 100 minutes weekly as part of their homework.

Spelling

Students will be required to learn new spelling words each week. They should be able to spell these words in their everyday work. Tests are on Friday of each week. Students may practice spelling in class during the week, but extra practice at home will be needed. A list of spelling words will be sent home with 3 weeks of words. Look for a new list every third week.

Homework                 

As indicated in the Planner, daily homework includes reading, practicing math, and spelling practice. Homework Packets will be brought home on Friday and are due the following Friday. Homework assignments will be limited in order for students to have time with family and to be involved in extracurricular activities. Additional homework may be assigned if needed. Friday Folders are purple and will be sent home with weekly notices. Please look over the contents of the folders and sign. These need to be returned to school on Monday.

Citizenship/Discipline

Classroom rules and student responsibilities for good citizenship will follow the "Make Your Day" procedures. "No one has the right to interfere with the learning or safety of others." "Do what is expected and do it the best that you can." A description of this school-wide citizenship program can be found in your student's planner.

Specialist's Schedule

Mon. PE 10:25-11:00

Tues./Wed. Music 9:30-10:05
Thurs. PE 9:30-10:05
Fri. Library 9:30-10:05

Parent Helpers

We appreciate them very much. Students and teachers benefit, and it gives parents opportunity to really view our classroom in progress.

Birthdays

Feel free to send birthday treats on your child's special day. It is helpful if the treat is easy to distribute. Summer birthdays can be celebrated in during the year.

Book Orders

Book order forms will be sent home monthly throughout the school year. At times students will have opportunity to order from two different book clubs. Please make checks out to Scholastic--(not to Wash. School or the teacher.) Ordering books is optional.

Communication

A note from home or a phone call to the teacher will usually suffice for answering questions or alleviating a concern or misunderstanding. Please keep the integrity of the parent/ teacher/student relationship intact by communicating by one of these means should the need arise.

Fourth Grade Goals                              

The following goals were set as a minimum for entry into the fifth grade. If you feel your child is extremely lacking in one of these areas, extra practice at home would be beneficial.

1) Students should know basic 0-12 multiplication and division facts (64 facts in 3.5 minutes with 100% accuracy.) Students are tested two times a week.
2) Students should demonstrate proper use of sentence punctuation (capital letters, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks.)
3) Students should be able to write a paragraph with a topic sentence.
4) Students should be able to recognize these parts of speech in a sentence; common and proper nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns.
5) Students should be able to recognize these literary elements in a short story; main characters, setting, plot, and point of view.
6) Students should be able to multiply two digit by one digit numbers to 99.

     HINTS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD STUDY AT HOME

Each evening...

1. Ask your child if he/she has any homework. A record of the evenings assignments should be in the planner. If it is work that can be completed alone, help your child find a quiet place to study. If a test needs to be studied for, please quiz your child on the important points of the chapter. After you have checked the completed homework, your child may put a check mark after each entry. Please jot a note in the planner if an item is not completed so that I will know that it has not been over looked. The planner should be returned each day and initialed by you.

2. Spend a few minutes looking at your child's papers that are in the work folder on Fridays. Please make sure that the planner and any homework is returned to your child's backpack so he/she is prepared for tomorrow's class.

3. Encourage your child to practice multiplication facts in preparation for the weekly timed test. Five minutes of practice daily will insure improvement.

4. Encourage evening reading for enjoyment.  Students should be reading at least 30 minutes each night.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me at school: 662-5504 during the day (we have voice mail) or by e-mail lyon.t@mail.wsd.wednet.edu. Let's work together to make this a great year!

Ms. Lyon