Welcome to 4th Grade-September 2015

4^th GRADE PARENT INFORMATION
  Mrs. Brys’ Class

Specials:

Monday                     Gym & Library

Tuesday                    Computer & Gym
Wednesday               Chorus & Art
Thursday                  Music
Friday                       Gym

Lunch and Recess:

12:10-1:00

Homework:

All fourth graders at Craig School will maintain an assignment planner.  This will help them keep tract of their school work and learn organizational skills.  Since the planner will need to be signed nightly by a parent, it also serves as a great tool for communication.   Any homework papers and letters will be stored and transported in the red Craig Folder.  In keeping with the district’s guidelines printed on the back of the Craig Folder, fourth graders should spend thirty minutes on assignments Mondays through Thursdays.  This includes, math, language arts, and sometimes health, social studies, or science activities.  Reading homework is above and beyond those guidelines.  Our goal is for students to read 30 minutes a night or 150 minutes in a week.   I realize that extra curricular activities and busy nighttime routines can interfere with homework.  Students can read ahead on less busy nights or even on the weekends to help meet our goals.

Reading:

Fourth graders are expected to read at least 25 books by the end of fourth grade.  The thirty minutes of reading done at home will help achieve this goal.  The students will have a reading log that will need to be completed each night.  In this folder they will record what they read and how long they read.   This folder will also have to be signed by a parent.   Once a week, the students will need to respond to what they read during the week by completing the weekly task.

Writing:

The student’s will engage in writer’s workshop as they learn to refine their writing skills.  This year the students will create narrative pieces, expository works, persuasive letters, poems, and creative stories.  Most writing samples will be kept in the classroom in the students’ writing portfolio.  Work will be sent home at the end of the year.

Math:

The students will be grouped for math.  The grouping is flexible and all students will have opportunities for enrichment when appropriate.  Mrs. Gildea and Mr. Micieli will be teaching the grade-level math groups, while Mrs. Brys will be teaching the above grade-level math group.   Math is everyday from 9:00-10:00.

Science:

In fourth grade, the students will be engaging in many interactive experiments to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.  They will be learning about ecology, electrical circuits, simple machines and matter. 

Social Studies:

This year, the students will focus on New York State.  The topics the student will study include geography, explorers, Native Americans, the Dutch, English Colonies, The French and Indian War, The American Revolution, The Erie Canal, and government.  A variety of materials will be used to present and teach the topics.

Health:

Students will be taught health concepts through discussions, group work, and projects.  We focus on ways to be safe and healthy in our lives.

Parent Communication:

·  Please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions or concerns.  Email tends to be the most efficient means.  My email is:  tbrys@niskyschools.org.  Mrs. Diefendorf is my substitute from September until December.  Please email her with questions during that time at cdiefendorf@niskyschools.org.

· There will be monthly newsletters that will be sent home.  Academic updates, long-term homework assignments, reminders of upcoming events, and any other relevant information will be highlighted in these newsletters.   

· Students’ work will go home on Fridays in their V.I.P. (Very Important Papers) Folder.  A parent or guardian is asked to sign the enclosed paper in the folder each week.   Folders should be brought back to school on Mondays and the work should be kept at home unless otherwise noted.

· Student planners serve as a means for daily communication.  Feel free to write me notes in the planners when needed. 

· Communication is a key to your child's success.  Please feel free to contact the teachers at any time throughout the year if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
email: tbrys@niskyschools.org
phone: 377-0156
notes: in student's planner, VIP folder, Reading Log or in Craig folder

 

Snack:

The students will have a daily snack time.  Please provide your child with a HEALTHY snack EVERYDAY.  

Birthdays:

Treats are welcome to share with the class.  If you have any questions about appropriate snacks and times to celebrate, please check with me.  Please send in enough treats for the entire class.  Students will not be sharing their treats with other classrooms due to interruptions.  Also, be sure to send in napkins with the treats!

4^th Grade Testing Dates:

ELA:         April 5, 6, 7
Math:       April 13, 14, 15,
Science:    May 26& June 6
NWEA:     September,  January, & May

Book Clubs:

If you choose to order, please make checks payable to the specific book club.  No cash please!  Thank you!

 We are going to have a great year!