What is the homework policy?

Homework in Grade 4 is designed to reinforce concepts/skills taught in class; develop responsibility and accountability; and build study/organization skills.  Homework is given Monday through Thursday, with the exception of reading, studying, and any long-term assignments.  Homework should take an average of 30 minutes to complete.  If your child is working for an excessive amount of time on nightly homework, please contact me. 

Each child is required to have a homework agenda.  A set amount of time is given in the day for each child to record  daily homework in his or her agenda.  Parents are encouraged to check the agenda each night and use it to communicate any difficulties that the student may have encountered during homework time. 

Homework, student work, notes, and important papers will be sent home daily with each students in his/her homework folder.  Daily and weekly assignments, as well as long-term assignments, are to be expected and time should be budgeted accordingly.  Directions for most long-term assignments will be posted on this website.  Homework assignments are checked  and/or graded for completion and understanding. 

Each missing or incomplete assignment is recorded as an "H" on the behavior chart.  Any student with an "H" owes their 2nd recess.  Missed assignment(s) should be made up at this time.  Four missed assignments in a trimester will result in a detention. 

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What is the discipline policy?

         If rules are broken...

        1.  A verbal warning is given, unless the behavior is severe.

        2.  Any disruptive, uncooperative, or disrespectful behavior that follows the warning will be recorded as a (-) minus on the behavior chart.

                *Note that any minus can be changed to a (+) plus if that student makes a conscious effort to change their behavior.

                - Any student with 1 minus owes 5 minutes of their recess time.

                - Any student with 2 or more minuses owes their entire recess (2nd recess only).

                - Any student who earns 3 or more minuses in one day is removed from his/her team until they have a minus free day.

         Rewards

        1.  Marbles in the jar when:

                - the class receives a "Great Class Award"

                - the class receives a compliment

                - the class is working beautifully

                * When the marble jar is full, the students will receive a treat (i.e. extra recess, movie, pizza party, game day, etc.)

        2.  Team sticker charts ~ Students will earn a sticker when:

                - everyone in the team is working cooperatively

                - all students in the team have their homework

                - if their team wins the DLP game or the "Math Quiz Game Show"

                *When the team's sticker chart is full, all the students in that team get to pick from the treat box.

        3.  Individual coupons are given when:

                - I notice a student following directions the first time they are given

                - a student does a good deed for someone else

                - a student receives no minuses on the behavior chart

                *A student can change in their coupons at recess for a treat.  The treat boxes have different values and it is up to the individual student

                   if they want to save their coupons for something nicer or cash them in as they are earned for a smaller treat.

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Can parents volunteer in the classroom?

Yes!  Room parents and other volunteers are always helpful for things like photocopying and laminating.  Volunteers are also needed to work with students who need extra help, conference writing pieces with students, and to help with other odds and ends around the classroom.  It is always nice when help can be given by bringing in special treats to celebrate diverse holidays or to make a holiday craft with the students.  Volunteers are welcome if they have an area of expertise that will enhance a unit of study, and of course to chaperone field trips.  If you are interested in volunteering in a specific way, please don't hesitate to contact me.  

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What can I do at home to help my child?

There are so many things that a parent cab do! It would be impossible to list them all.  Here are a few tips...

1.  Help your child come to school ready to learn.  A healthy child who is well-rested, has eaten breakfast, and is dressed comfortably for the weather is more enthusiastic about learning, and is more concentrated on the task at hand than a child who is cold, tired, hungry or uncomfortable. 

2.  Read to your child.  Reading to your child, even after they have learned to read for themselves, is very important.  They learn to read with fluency and expression by hearing adults read to them with fluency and expression.

3.  Establish routines for doing homework.  Having a set time and place for completing homework helps children understand how important homework is and makes it easier for them to concentrate. They should have a flat work surface (a desk or table) and plenty of good lighting.  Discourage distractions, including TV, during study time.  Be available to answer questions or help quiz your child, but keep homework as his or her responsibility.  Review homework for neatness and quality and inform the teacher of any difficulties encountered. 

4.  Reinforce the skills taught in school with everyday experiences at home.  Reinforce reading and writing skills by having children help you with the grocery list, birthday party invitations, thank-you notes, and other everyday literacy experiences.  Let your child see you reading.  Whether it's reading directions, a recipe, the newspaper, a book, or a magazine, children will see that reading is a part of our lives and is important.  You can help your children further develop their math skills by involving them in activities such as measuring ingredients while cooking, counting out party favors for guests, or figuring the money for buying a treat at the store.  Children learn best when they can connect what they are learning to real life, and home is the best place for that! 

5.  Show you children that you think school is important.  Do homework together; look at your children's work and talk about it with them.  Encourage them to come to school and attend events at school when possible to show them that school is an important place and that it is fun!

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