Fourth Grade Overview
Reading, Language Arts, and Spelling
The bulk of our work in these subjects will come from our Journeys reading series. Each week the students will take three tests; comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. These tests are based on the story of the week.
In addition to our regular reading work, we will also incorporate novel studies throughout the year. We read the novels together as a class and complete lessons and activities in class.
Language Arts will consist of a combination of grammar and writing skills. The writing process will be used for such topics as personal narratives, creative writing stories, descriptive writing, informational writing, and persuasive writing. Writing will be an ongoing focus this year, as the students prepare for the New York State exams.
Spelling will also be part of our Reading and Language Arts time. The students will continue to focus on good spelling habits reinforced through the completion of our workbook pages. Each week students will complete a spelling pre-test on Monday, and spelling activities (ABC order, sentences, stories including their list words etc.) throughout the week in their workbook. On Fridays, the students will have a weekly spelling test. Please keep in mind that spelling is 20% of the students' Language Arts grade.
MATH
Fourth Grade is a BIG year for math! Important skills to be learned this year are 2-digit multiplication, long division, and fractions. Geometry and measurement conversion will also be focal points, as well as place value and decimals. Word problems and word problem solving skills are a part of our daily lessons.
I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing multiplication facts!! It is critical this year! Fourth Grade math curriculum is based on the premise that your child already knows his/her math facts. While there may be a few minutes here and there to play "Fact Dash," or practice fluency, daily class time is not devoted to learning times tables from scratch.
It will be a loooong year if your child does not cross this hurdle!
Again, as we prepare for the New York State tests, the students will be expected to perform these skills to mastery.
Averages are based on homework, class work, quizzes, and chapter tests.
SOCIAL STUDIES
This year, the students will focus on New York State. We will look at the geography and history of our state and its people. Vocabulary will be assigned, and notes will be given for each lesson. Grades are based on chapter tests, class work, and projects.
I also like to recognize holidays, important figures, and current events in our Social Studies work. This will give us an opportunity to temporarily shift our focus and have a little fun!
SCIENCE
Our science curriculum focuses on: Earth science, life science, and physical science. We do a little bit of everything! Projects will be a part of our work, along with vocabulary and lab skills. Lab skills are developed in our weekly visits to the STREAM lab. Students will learn to use scientific tools and apply the Scientific Method to experiments.
Averages are based on chapter tests, class work, and experiments/projects.
HOMEWORK
Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time.
For the most part, homework is assigned Monday-Thursday. There will only be homework over the weekend if the students are working on a special project, or if a test falls on a Monday; in that case, the students are expected to study over the weekend. Math homework will be assigned each day as well as ELA/Reading. Other subjects will be assigned as needed.
When a student does not hand in homework or it is late, he/she will write the missing assignment next to their name in the classroom homework binder as a record for me and for you! Each student will start with 100 points in each subject for a homework grade. Three points will be deducted from this grade for each assignment that is late.
This does not apply to a child who is ill.
Students will not receive any deductions on the assignment questions. Homework is designed to reinforce daily classroom instruction and to assess whether or not the student can do the work independently.
AGENDAS
Please sign your child’s agenda each night. This will aid the children in realizing the importance of their homework, and it also lets me know that you are informed. Fourth graders should be doing 40-45 minutes of homework each night. If your child is consistently spending more time than this, let me know ASAP! If your child is regularly telling you there isn't homework, let me know ASAP! Students are responsible for copying down homework assignments in their agendas at the end of each day.
SNACKS
We eat lunch at 11:45 a.m., so we will be having a light snack each morning. Each student is responsible for their own snack every day. Because we have severe food allergies in our class, a fruit or a vegetable are the only snacks permitted in the classroom.
**WATER BOTTLES** Students are more than welcome to keep a water bottle at their desks, however, it is WATER ONLY. Please do not fill it with Gatorade, Vitamin Water, or any other type of enhanced water/juice/iced tea/drink, because it then becomes a distraction.
BEHAVIOR
Students are solely responsible for their behavior and the choices they make. In the beginning of the year, we talk about behavior expectations with these points in mind:
Also, three ongoing themes I emphasize in Fourth Grade are Problem Solving, Organization, and Effort. Fourth graders have a lot on their plates! If they can master these three skills, it’s smooth sailing!
WHEW! I know this is a lot of information to take in at once, but Fourth Grade is a transitional year for the students, and there is a lot of ground to cover. I know they will be up to the challenge!
Please feel free to call me at school 662-7572 or email me anytime at [email protected]
I will do my best to answer you promptly throughout the school day. Please keep in mind that I do not communicate with parents through social media or texting (I don’t even have Facebook!).
Reading, Language Arts, and Spelling
The bulk of our work in these subjects will come from our Journeys reading series. Each week the students will take three tests; comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. These tests are based on the story of the week.
In addition to our regular reading work, we will also incorporate novel studies throughout the year. We read the novels together as a class and complete lessons and activities in class.
Language Arts will consist of a combination of grammar and writing skills. The writing process will be used for such topics as personal narratives, creative writing stories, descriptive writing, informational writing, and persuasive writing. Writing will be an ongoing focus this year, as the students prepare for the New York State exams.
Spelling will also be part of our Reading and Language Arts time. The students will continue to focus on good spelling habits reinforced through the completion of our workbook pages. Each week students will complete a spelling pre-test on Monday, and spelling activities (ABC order, sentences, stories including their list words etc.) throughout the week in their workbook. On Fridays, the students will have a weekly spelling test. Please keep in mind that spelling is 20% of the students' Language Arts grade.
MATH
Fourth Grade is a BIG year for math! Important skills to be learned this year are 2-digit multiplication, long division, and fractions. Geometry and measurement conversion will also be focal points, as well as place value and decimals. Word problems and word problem solving skills are a part of our daily lessons.
I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing multiplication facts!! It is critical this year! Fourth Grade math curriculum is based on the premise that your child already knows his/her math facts. While there may be a few minutes here and there to play "Fact Dash," or practice fluency, daily class time is not devoted to learning times tables from scratch.
It will be a loooong year if your child does not cross this hurdle!
Again, as we prepare for the New York State tests, the students will be expected to perform these skills to mastery.
Averages are based on homework, class work, quizzes, and chapter tests.
SOCIAL STUDIES
This year, the students will focus on New York State. We will look at the geography and history of our state and its people. Vocabulary will be assigned, and notes will be given for each lesson. Grades are based on chapter tests, class work, and projects.
I also like to recognize holidays, important figures, and current events in our Social Studies work. This will give us an opportunity to temporarily shift our focus and have a little fun!
SCIENCE
Our science curriculum focuses on: Earth science, life science, and physical science. We do a little bit of everything! Projects will be a part of our work, along with vocabulary and lab skills. Lab skills are developed in our weekly visits to the STREAM lab. Students will learn to use scientific tools and apply the Scientific Method to experiments.
Averages are based on chapter tests, class work, and experiments/projects.
HOMEWORK
Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time.
For the most part, homework is assigned Monday-Thursday. There will only be homework over the weekend if the students are working on a special project, or if a test falls on a Monday; in that case, the students are expected to study over the weekend. Math homework will be assigned each day as well as ELA/Reading. Other subjects will be assigned as needed.
When a student does not hand in homework or it is late, he/she will write the missing assignment next to their name in the classroom homework binder as a record for me and for you! Each student will start with 100 points in each subject for a homework grade. Three points will be deducted from this grade for each assignment that is late.
This does not apply to a child who is ill.
Students will not receive any deductions on the assignment questions. Homework is designed to reinforce daily classroom instruction and to assess whether or not the student can do the work independently.
AGENDAS
Please sign your child’s agenda each night. This will aid the children in realizing the importance of their homework, and it also lets me know that you are informed. Fourth graders should be doing 40-45 minutes of homework each night. If your child is consistently spending more time than this, let me know ASAP! If your child is regularly telling you there isn't homework, let me know ASAP! Students are responsible for copying down homework assignments in their agendas at the end of each day.
SNACKS
We eat lunch at 11:45 a.m., so we will be having a light snack each morning. Each student is responsible for their own snack every day. Because we have severe food allergies in our class, a fruit or a vegetable are the only snacks permitted in the classroom.
**WATER BOTTLES** Students are more than welcome to keep a water bottle at their desks, however, it is WATER ONLY. Please do not fill it with Gatorade, Vitamin Water, or any other type of enhanced water/juice/iced tea/drink, because it then becomes a distraction.
BEHAVIOR
Students are solely responsible for their behavior and the choices they make. In the beginning of the year, we talk about behavior expectations with these points in mind:
- Follow Directions Quickly
- Respect Your Classmates
- Respect Our Space
- Respect Yourself
Also, three ongoing themes I emphasize in Fourth Grade are Problem Solving, Organization, and Effort. Fourth graders have a lot on their plates! If they can master these three skills, it’s smooth sailing!
WHEW! I know this is a lot of information to take in at once, but Fourth Grade is a transitional year for the students, and there is a lot of ground to cover. I know they will be up to the challenge!
Please feel free to call me at school 662-7572 or email me anytime at [email protected]
I will do my best to answer you promptly throughout the school day. Please keep in mind that I do not communicate with parents through social media or texting (I don’t even have Facebook!).