We are halfway through 4th grade!

Can it be true?  Halfway through 4th grade?

It is hard to believe but we really have just completed the first half of the year.  It is going by so fast!

We have had a bit of a bumpy start to the New Year with the 2 additional days added to our winter vacation and then a teacher without a voice for several days!  However, I'm back and we are ready for a great third quarter.

Coming up within the next four weeks (until our February vacation) we will be working on: more fraction work (addition, subtraction, improper, and mixed numbers), rocks and minerals, mythological allusions ( a mini-unit that introduces students to common mythological references that they may come across in their reading), our first Innovation Day of the year and essay writing.

In addition, coming home on Wednesday is your child's second quarter report card.  As I have reflected on a great deal of their work and completed their reports, I realize that it is important to address the movement of grades from first quarter to second.  First quarter begins with much review of skills from the previous year.  There is a lot of routine being built into the day as well as getting to know one another and returning to the roll of student.  Second quarter brings many new concepts, and in fourth grade that often means multi-stepped processes and the application of new knowledge in different ways.  With that said, you may notice that your child's grades have dropped a bit due to the fact that they were faced with more challenges.  An A to a B represents that a child went from consistently demonstrating, understanding and applying skills, to frequently doing those things.  And that all makes sense.  When we learn new concepts, we often don't do them consistently at first.   Please keep this in mind as you review your child's report card.

One thing that I have been discussing with all the children is that as we move forward into our second half of the year (and begin heading towards their lives as fifth graders) that the QUALITY of their work needs to become more important.  Neatness does count.  Capital letters are important.  The way their work "looks" represents a part of them as a student and this needs to become more a priority.  I am asking for your help with this one.  As your child completes nightly homework, reminding them of quality, neatness and accuracy can really help us strengthen our focus.  Please note, this is all part of maturing into "a student" but I think that if we work together, a united front helps to support their efforts.  Thank you in advance!

Finally, our classroom is in need of tissues and wipes.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated.  Also,  please check with your children to see how their own supplies are holding out.  Many dry erase markers are running out and they may need a few more pencils and correcting pens.

Sorry for so much.  Being unable to talk for a week has left me with much to say!  Take care,

~ Lisa