Supply List

General Information

The Principal's Challenge

Birthday Celebrations

Reading Homework

Field trips are a valuable and fun experience for fourth graders.  Because our area is so rich in local history we will try to take as many trips as possible.  Prior to our trips I review with the students my expectations for their behavior at the site and on the bus.  I will share my expectations with you on the notice and permission slip.  Here are some of the trips I’m hoping to schedule for the 2007-2008 school year:

•The New York State Capitol Building and New York State Museum in     Albany

•The Fort House Museum in Fort Edward

•The Chapman Museum in Glens Falls

•The Parks-Bentley House in Fenimore

•(Hopefully…) Fort Ticonderoga

Field Trips

Schedule of Book Reports

(Subject to change)

Homework

Monthly Book Reports

Nearly each month (see the schedule below) your child will be required to complete a book project.  I will introduce the genre of the book and help children make their selections.  They will then have about 3 weeks in which to read the book.  I will then introduce the book project and the criteria.  A good deal of these projects will be completed in school.  Your child will receive a guide sheet for each project. 

This page was last updated: September 27, 2009

pencils and erasersglue stick or glueloose leaf papercrayons, colored pencils or markersscissors3 single subject notebooks1 box of tissues1, 1 1/2" or 2" binderheadphones for the computer roombright smile and positive attitude

    The Principal's Challenge is a popular program that promotes goal setting and achievement.  Each student is challenged by Mr. Hills and the classroom teacher to collect 10 pieces of quality work each quarter. At the end of the quarter those students that have reached their goal receive a certificate from Mr. Hills at an awards assembly.      Although the ulitmate goal is the same for every classroom (10 pieces of quality work), each runs the program a little differently.     In my classroom each student has a "Quality Work Folder" in which to keep track of their "Q's." Upon receiving a paper or certificate with a "Q" and my initials, the student places it in their folder and places a check on the grid on the cover.      Throughout each quarter I give students many reminders to help them manage their time as they strive to make "The Challenge."  I try to offer many varied opportunities (at least 20) per quarter so that everyone can be successful.  I encourage students to collect their 10 pieces of quality work EARLY, and not wait until the last minute.  I also encourage students to try to collect MORE than the minimum number of "Q's."      Good luck!  

    Fourth graders still enjoy celebrating birthdays in school.  If you would like to send in a treat on your child's birthday, please do so!  If your child has a summer birthday, we can celebrate in the fall or spring, whichever is closer to the real date!  I would prefer that students do not hand out birthday invitations at school, unless every child is invited. 

   Homework for 4th graders is assigned each Monday through Thursday, and should take about 30-40 minutes to complete.  Students keep track of their assignments in their assignment notebook/agenda.  At the end of each day we review the night's homework as welll as any projects that might be due.      In the assignment notebooks student record the specific assignment and the due date.  For the most part, assignments are due on the following day.      If a student is not able to turn in an assignment on time, he/she must fill out an "Excuse Slip."  On this slip the student writes the date, the assignment and the reason the assignment was not handed in on time.  The assignment must be turned in the following day.  (Late assignments may not receive a "Q" towards The Principal's Challenge).     I save the "Excuse Slips" until the end of the marking period.  If a student is haveing trouble completing assignments on time I will contact the child's parents.  

    Research says that children become better readers by reading lots of books at their ability level.  My students will be assigned to read a minimum of 15 minutes each Monday-Thursday night.  Students have a reading log  which they will keep in their binder. 

September:  No Book Reports Due October:  Students will read a book that they have selected, and approved by me.  The students will be creating a "Jack Daw" book report.  November:  Historical Fiction to be read by November 28.  "Design a Commercial" book project. December:  To be announced January:  No book reports February:  The students will be reading a biography.  Students will work in small groups to create a "Talk Show" book report. March:  Mystery book to be read by March 27.  "Create a Game" book report. April:  Nonfiction book to be read by May 1.  May:  Free Choice book to be read by May 30.