April 29 - May 3

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
April 30 - May 3 MAPS testing 
May 2 - Fourth Grade Aimsweb BenchmarkingMay 17 -- Early Dismissal Day  @ 11:00 

Homework:  In an effort to make the transition to 5th grade as smooth as possible, the fourth grade teachers will be enforcing the 5th grade policy for late work during the month of May. 

The policy is as follows:
-Any assignment that is late, but not taken for a grade, will receive a late slip. The student will have one point taken out of his/her homework bank. (NO CHANGE)
-Any assignment that is late & taken for a grade will receive a late slip, but no points will be lost from the homework bank. If the assignment is turned in one day late, the final grade will be reduced by 10%. If the assignment is more than one day late, but turned in before the unit test, the final grade will be reduced by 25%. If the assignment is not turned in before the unit test, the final grade will be a zero.

April 15 - 19

Read Between the Lines

Learning to infer, or "read between the lines," is one key to good reading comprehension.  Here are ways to help your youngster make inferences when she reads.

Describe the Setting
Pick a book, and read a few sentences to your child (without her looking).  Leave out words that give away the setting.  Example: "Sand stretched in all directions . . . cacti dotted the landscape.'  Can she infer where the story is set?  If she isn't sure, give her a hint ("Where do you see lots of sand and cacti?")

Look for Lessons
Fables are great for reading between the lines.  Read one by Aesop, and help your youngster figure out the lesson.  For instance, The Tortoise and the Hare teaches that even if you're slow, you can win if you just keep going.  Have her point out parts that she used to make her interference ("The tortoise never stopped, and he took one good step after another").

Use Prompts
Questions that start with "Why do you think . . . ?" or "How do you know . . . ?" can encourage your child to infer.  You might ask why she thinks a character behaved the way he did or how she knows it's going to snow.  Together, look for clues in the book that might help her answer the questions.  
from Reading Connection, February 2013

Upcoming Dates:
*Spring Open House on Thursday, April 18.

April 8 - 12

Reading with Your Child

  As your youngster learns how to read, celebrate his new skills by letting him read to you.  With these ideas, he can practice reading smoothly and using expression.

Set him up for success.
Help him pick stories he'll feel confident reading aloud.  These might be books that you have read to him many times (say a favorite bedtime story) or stories that have a repeating phrase.  Idea: If he chooses a harder book, suggest that you take turns reading pages or paragraphs.

Offer encouragement.
Pointing out what your child does well can help him do it again. ("Your voice sounded growly - just like a bear - when you read that line!")  Idea: If he stumbles over a word here and there, tell him what it is so he doesn't get frustrated and can continue reading.  If he hesitates over too many words, let him pick an easier book.

Make suggestions.
Your youngster will read more fluently if he understands the story.  If his voice sounds flat or he's reading too fast or too slow, stop to talk about what's happening in the book.  ("Wow, that part was scary!  How do you think the mouse feels?")  Once he understands the plot, have him read it again.

Tip:  Try to let your child read aloud every day.  Even a few minutes will increase his confidence and help him become a more fluent reader!

from Reading Connection, April 2013


Upcoming Dates:
*Math Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
*No school on Tuesday - Institute Day.
*OLSAT testing on Thursday from 10:00-11:00.
*No school on Friday.
*Spring Open House on Thursday, April 18.