4th GRADE PARENT INFORMATION
Mrs. Brys’ Class
Specials:
Monday Gym
Tuesday Chorus
Wednesday Art
& Library
Thursday Gym
Friday Gym,
Music &
Friday Circle Time
Math
11:00-12:00
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 schoolwork 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. An additional 30 minutes
should be spent reading at least five times a week. Students will be provided with a Nightly
Reading Log and the texts they read will be recorded in that folder.
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. We will also learn how to respond to reading
and write essays. 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. Guillaume will be
teaching the grade-level math groups, while Mrs. Brys will be teaching the accelerated
math group. Math is everyday from 11:00-12:00.
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 earth
science, ecology, and electrical circuits.
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 economics. We also learn about economics and hold an entrepreneur
and humanitarian fair to display our learning. 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 peer relations and problem solving, ways to be safe, clean
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. I only have access to a phone at certain
times, but you are welcome to leave a message for me at 518-377-0156.
· 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. I send
electronic and hard copies. Please
email me to indicate the email address you would like to receive these
newsletters at.
· 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
Snack:
The students will have a daily snack time. Please provide your child with a HEALTHY
snack EVERYDAY. Donated snacks for
those who forget are always needed and appreciated.
Birthdays:
Treats are welcome to share with the class. We have 22 students. We celebrate birthdays during our snack time, which is generally around 9:15 am. 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 or teachers to help decrease classroom
interruptions. Also, be sure to send in napkins
with the treats!
4th
Grade Testing Dates:
ELA: 3/25-3/27
Math: 4/21-4/23
Science: End
of May and beginning of June
NWEA: September & May
Book
Clubs:
If you choose to order, you can do so by placing
an order on line or sending in the paper order form. Please make checks payable to the specific
book club. No cash please! Thank you!
Our
online school code is: H8CHM
It’s
going to be a GREAT year!
I’m looking forward to
the partnership we will have in helping your child learn, succeed, and grow in
all areas this year! 4th
grade is an amazing year and I’m so excited to embark on this adventure with
you and your child!
~Tammy Brys
