In addition to the usual curriculum overviews for reading, writing, math, and social studies, I wanted to mention some important information as well as a few of my instructional decisions for this year.
- 4th Grade State Tests scores are crucial because they are often used in middle school applications! Even though what is taught in school is always considered as preparation for high-stakes testing, I hope to embed specific test-taking strategies in lessons throughout the school year and then emphasizing them in the months before April.
- After the multiplication sprint given in the first week of school, I noticed that many students could not recall their math facts as quickly as I had hoped for. Please continue to practice multiplication facts at home with your child-- perhaps, even having him/her make flash cards to use.
- The amount of homework increases in 4th grade from 3rd grade. Please expect your child to work for 1-1.5 hours when on the days homework is assigned. If you notice that your child is not taking around that amount of time, there is a chance that he or she is rushing through. Encourage your child to do work that shows great effort and that he or she can be proud of!
- Word Study will include a combination of sight words and academic/vocabulary words. Each day has a specific task for HW and quizzes will occur on Friday.
- Every Friday, two students will report for Current Events. I decided to incorporate this as a response to how students having a hard time getting their ideas across in a very clear way. By creating more opportunities for oral presentations, they will be able to practice their public speaking skills (as a part of getting them college & career ready)!
- This blog was made to get information to you faster! Papers get lost in the shuffle and emails clog up inboxes. In addition to delivering the weekly newsletter to you, some parents suggested getting the students involved in blogging what's going on in the class. I really like that idea and can't wait to get started. It will be a great creative outlet for them!
- Our Classroom Library is getting a makeover with the help of the PTA. They are donating quite a bit of nonfiction books to this class. If you have any children's books lying around that might need a new home, please consider donating them to our classroom library so that we can improve on the book selection for these students!