Dear Students and Parents,

     MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES are content areas that require review and practice in order to obtain the skills needed to be able to work out a problem, recall a period in history or the reasons for exploration.  Each day, we read a new lesson in these content areas.  When I see that your children have acquired the necessary tools I provide them with; in order to work problems through or to make sense of what they are learning, I then assign a specific page that reviews those skills covered in class.  MATH & SCIENCE ARE FUN SUBJECTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES IS INCREDIBLY INTERESTING,therefore, encourage your children to reread over the lessons, review the study guides I send home for every test. 

     PLEASE CHECK THE AGENDA DAILY; chances are that I sent home a review of some kind for your child to study or complete if they didn't finish it in class.  If your child is busy learning, that's terrific because it means they are prepared for everything.  Keep in mind that although everyone works at a different pace; 45 minutes on homework plus 20 minutes additional to read, is a reasonable amount of time.  It's ultimately up to parents to add more study time if they feel it is needed.  Please know that I need all homework to be turned in each Friday.  This is one tool I use to determine if I need to reteach a skill.  I ENCOURAGE MY STUDENTS TO ASK FOR HELP.  I need to see an attempt on how they did their homework in order to give them credit for it.  Please turn in any work you did at home to study or practice a skill.   

     READERS BECOME LEADERS!  As you know, I did much research on reading and it's benefits.  I became endorsed in Reading and earned an additional certification to teach English/Language Arts in grades 4 - 8, as well as elementary.  The information you learn and the data I gather from your test scores will become more evidence to support those studies.  Many of the studies showed that people who read daily have better comprehension, fluency, and memory recollection skills.  Others showed that reading helps with writing skills also.  All of these benefits can be obtained by reading daily.

     In fourth grade you must read 20 minutes each day and approximately 600 pages each month.  You will write the title and the number of pages you read daily in your agenda.  Your parents need to initial next to it each night.  I will check your agenda randomly and award you points that will earn you rewards. 

     MONTHLY PROJECTS:  At the beginning of each month I will assign all students a project and it will be due at the end of each month.  You will receive directions and many times a rubric.    Projects will be posted in your agenda and in this website's calendar at the beginning of each month.  This way you will have plenty of time to have your project ready to present on the last Friday of each month. 

     If for any reason you do not see updates on the calendar and you do not know our routine and are not sure when something is due, please email me.  I would love to help you and make any accomodations necessary.  I appreciate your trust and respect in me.  I trust and respect all of you.  I am grateful to all of you for your committment, cooperation and support.  I am here to help your child attain skills, and achieve all their goals.  

Regards,

Mrs. Hart