Mrs. Blake's Fourth Grade

Dear Parents, 

This is an overview of our fourth grade program.  It will tell you about our goals and how we will meet them.  The most important goal is that each of the students will continue making progress towards becoming motivated and self-directed life-long learners.  We welcome your partnerships in this pursuit. 

LANGUAGE ARTS 

Reading- Students will be using the Open Court Series and trade books throughout the year.  The Open Court program is a challenging reading series that incorporated phonics, grammar, and comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills.  It is important that the students read nightly at home.  This will help them to become strong, fluent readers and develop a love for reading.  Students will also be participating in literature circles, using trade books.  They will make connections, predictions, and summarizing assigned reading with their peers. 

Spelling- Students will be using the Zaneer-Bloser Spelling program, which is supplemental to the Open Court Reading Series.  Each child is assigned a list of words weekly.  Activities at school and at home are designed to help your child learn these words in order to spell them accurately in their daily writing assignments. 

Writing- We will be using the John Collins Writing Program again this year. This is a skill based writing program.  Their writings will be kept in an organized writing folder and the students will use these writings throughout the year as new skills are taught.  Whole group instruction will be mixed with independent writing.  Students will be assessed on the various Focus Correction Areas, FCAs (skills) that are taught and modeled in the classroom.  Writing will be integrated into all subject areas, as students may be asked to explain what they have learned or how they arrived at an answer.

MATHEMATICS- Fourth grade math is a year of tremendous learning.  The children will be working with the Math Trailblazers Program.  Fourth grade units include: graphing, geometric investigations, multiplication, predicting, place value patterns, measurement, shapes & solids, decimals, fractions, division, and probability. 

It is expected that fourth graders have already mastered their addition and subtraction facts through 18.  Many children can compute the answer using various methods, however they need to memorize these basic facts.  Practice at home with games and flash cards will help achieve this necessary goal. 

SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE 

The Social Studies program will emphasize geography of the United States and map skills.  We will study units on each region of the United States, as well as a more detailed view of New Hampshire history and geography. 

Units to be covered this year in Science include: Habitats, Geology, Energy and Conservation, Magnets and Electricity, and States of Matter. 

HOMEWORK 

Total time spent on homework should not exceed 45 minutes without distraction.  Generally speaking, homework should consist of: 

WORDLY-WISE- Due every THURSDAY (There are 4 sections, A, B, C, and D, due each week.  Your child should be spreading this out during the week and may work on it during the weekend if they wish to)****It is best to do section B last. 

Spelling Workbook- Due every FRIDAY (ONE LIST EACH WEEK) 

Spelling Homework- Monday through Thursday using your child’s individualized spelling list. Due the following day. 

Reading- Fourth grade students should be reading independently or out loud from a chapter book of their choice each night for 20 minutes or more!  Book reports will also be assigned throughout the year. 

Math- Math practice sheets will be given for homework periodically.  It is CRUCIAL that students practice their multiplication facts and division facts (0-12) every day, even if it’s just 3 minutes.  These need to be proficient by the 4^th grade.

******Time is given in class for homework assignments to be written in Homework Assignment Notebooks and for homework to be placed in Homework Folders.  It is important for Fourth Grade Students to come up with a homework schedule that works best for them. They need to be responsible for passing their completed homework in on time. That is why Wordly Wise is due on Thursdays.  Students can choose to do one or two sections (A, B, C, or D) each night or work on it over the weekend.  Spelling Workbooks are due on Fridays.  There are always 6 pages assigned each week.  Students can split these up however it works best for them.  Nightly spelling assignments are due the following day and use the student’s individualized spelling list.  I am looking forward to a challenging and exciting year with your child! 

Thank-you,

Mrs. Blake