Do you accept late work?
If your child does not turn in their homework when it is due, they have one day to turn it in. Of course, if they are sick, this does not apply. If you have had a really crazy evening, and the work has not gotten done, please send me a note so that I can excuse your child and give them another day to get it in. “I didn’t have time” is not an acceptable excuse for not turning in homework. I will not accept homework after 2 days.
What is Reader’s Workshop?
Reader’s Workshop is the format in which I teach reading using research based thinking strategies. Research shows that people (adults and children alike) who can question, determine importance, synthesize, bring in background knowledge, infer and visualize while they are reading are better readers and comprehend more while reading.
The format of Reader’s Workshop consists of a 10-15 minute mini or “crafting” lesson to teach a particular reading topic of the day. Then students read independently at their level with their just right books for 30-45 minutes. While students are reading, I confer individually with students assessing their fluency, comprehension and mastery of the thinking strategy being taught. The workshop ends with a 5-10 minute sharing about new things we learned about ourselves as readers.
What is Fun Friday?
Fun Friday is a 30 minute time period when students who have turned in all of their work during the week get to play games in the classroom. Those who did not turn in all of their homework work or are missing assignments will not get to participate in Fun Friday.
What is the best way for my child to get the homework when they are sick?
When your child is sick, we will always fill out a “Study Buddy” form and leave it on their desk so that they know what they missed. They can also call a friend or look on the website.
Why should my child have chores at home?
Every child needs daily chores at home that they are required to do. These are chores that are done without having to be asked by the parents. Chores can include setting and clearing the table, washing dishes, vacuuming, dusting, helping cook, taking out the garbage, sweeping the floor and even wiping down the bathroom sink.
When your child has chores at home it builds self-confidence, self-esteem, responsibility and even comprehension and following-direction skills. In the classroom, I can immediately tell the students who have chores at home apart from those that don’t. Having chores and doing them daily is part of being a member of the family. Please do not deprive your child of this growing experience.
How do I help my child choose a “just right book”?
If you child can read a page of the book without making any mistakes and knows what every word on the page means, the book is too easy. If, on the other hand, they read a page of a book and they make 4-5 errors reading, or don’t know the meaning of 4-5 words, or can’t comprehend and remember what they read, the book is too hard. When your child finds a “just right” book, and read a page, they will make 2-3 errors in reading, or there will be 2-3 words that they don’t know the meaning of, but they will be able to comprehend what they are ready with about 85% accuracy.
Your child will always need to have a reserve “just right” book on hand so that when they finish one, they can go on to the next. When they are pleasure reading, they can read books that are either hard or easy for them. In class they are reading to learn; at home, they should mainly be reading for pleasure, or, as I like to say, the sheer joy of reading.
What is an appropriate bedtime for my child?
Most 9 and 10 year olds need 10-11 hours of sleep. A good bedtime for a Fourth grader is in bed at 8:00, read until 8:30, lights out at 8:30. That way they are refreshed and ready for school each day. It is much easier for them to learn when they are not using all of their focus and energy to try and stay awake.