HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

I hope everyone had a peaceful holiday break.   As we begin January 2009, we are in the midst of the second trimester.  Here are just a few highlights for these upcoming weeks:

RELIGION:  We are beginning the Ten Commandments.  Each commandment is covered in one chapter of our Religion text.

MATH:  Here comes division!  Everything we have done so far in Math has been preparing the students for long division.  From basic multiplication skills to estimating and rounding, the fourth graders are setting the groundwork for long division.  Again, I remind you and your children:  if your child does not know all multiplication facts through 12, and if he/she does not recognize the reciprocal division fact, (we call them fact families), long division will be a struggle.  Please, go over these facts with your children.

TEACHER NOTE:  I need to inform/remind parents of my policy regarding the use of essay questions on Social Studies, Science, and Religion tests.  I assign essay questions to students to give the children a format to demonstrate their comprehension of a subject. Writing an essay is a skill that is constantly being developed and improved in fourth grade.  Because students need to practice this skill, I give out the questions ahead of the test so that the children can PRACTICE WRITING OUT THE ANSWERS.  This is not homework.  If your child chooses not to complete these questions, that is their loss. Every student in fourth grade has been told this every time the questions have been sent home.  It has been my experience that when I assign the questions as homework, students do the work quickly, and oftentimes, carelessly.  If I tell them that they do not HAVE TO do these questions, they may choose not to do them, at least at first.  Once they have lost points on a test for these questions, the majority of fourth graders complete the questions thoughtfully and carefully.   

Thanks to all parents for your continued support.