Dear Parents and Students,

         Fourth grade language arts consists primarily of reading, writing and spelling.  We will be covering various reading genres this year.  Each month I will introduce and we will explore a new "Genre of the Month."  Students will be exploring these genres through whole group readings, small group guided readings as well as their own independent classroom and home readings.  Students will also be focusing on their writing skills.  We will be learning about the 6-traits of writing through direct instruction and independent practice.  We will be developing and enhancing our writing mechanics while we explore and produce various types of writings such as narrative writing, expository writing, persuasive writing, and report writing.  Finally, students will receive five new core spelling words weekly along with activities that reinforce spelling skills and any new concepts taught.  Students will not be provided with a weekly spelling list but will have a spelling practice page that they may bring home weekly.   

     Students will be expected to maintain a language arts binder.  It will be expected to be in class daily to be used as a tool to organize materials as well as a way for students to monitor their progress all year.  Students will also be expected to use an agenda book to record their assignments every day.  Assignments will be posted in my classroom daily for student reference.  If there happens to be no assignment given then students are expected to write no assignment or none in that day's assignment space.  Students will also be expected to record any behavior issues in their agendas ie., missing homework strikes or loss of points for inappropriate school behavior.  The agenda is a great communication tool for teachers so please check your child's agenda daily.

             Parent Note:  Conference forms have been sent home with each child.  Not all students require a conference at this time.  Our fourth grade pod will do our best to accommodate the day and time indicated, however, this is done on a first come, first serve basis.  Please return the forms as soon as possible.  If you feel that you need a conference with your child's teachers please contact us by phone or e-mail so an appointment may be set up for you to come in.  Remember we are trying to accommodate many parent schedules so if we are not able to assign you a time that works for you, we would be happy to schedule a phone conference with you.

Note:  See calendar below for special upcoming events.