Ms. Glastein's Home Page
Grade 4
Thank you for sharing your children with me this school year. Fourth grade is an exciting time in which you will see your child blossom into the young adult he/she is becoming.
Goals for Fourth Grade:
To create a positive, safe learning environment in which students learn to respect each other and reach their maximum potential as life-long learners.
Contact Information:
Name: Lori Glastein
Dept: 4th Grade
Bldg: Luther Lee Emerson School
Voicemail: 262
Class Information:
Reading
Our classroom program includes novels. We work on oral reading skills, comprehension, and written responses. We are currently reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. We have identified this book as “realistic fiction” and are all enjoying this story about a 4th grade boy and his funny, but frustrating little brother. It’s been a delight hearing this classic novel read aloud by the class. The kids are so excited to read as the characters and bring great expression to their lines. Our narrators read aloud the text and help weave the story together. They are all actors and actresses during our Reader’s Theatre. Several novels are presented with many activities to develop vocabulary, comprehension and personal reflections. We also use
several workbooks to practice vocabulary and comprehension skills. These workbooks stay in school.
In order to differentiate instruction to help meet individual needs, students will also read independently as part of our DEAR time reading and in small groups as part of a book club. Each child will be held accountable for what they are reading and respond to their books in their Reading Response notebooks.
Our program assigns children to read at least 4 nights a week for 20 minutes. The weekly reading log is a tool that I use in order to hold your child accountable for their reading. Each month the students are assigned a book report on a particular genre. Students will write summaries of their books and bring in projects to share. Please help your child practice the presentation with poise, eye contact, volume, and opening and closing statements. October’s genre is mystery.
Compositions
We work on a theme and follow the writing process. Currently, we are working on a special birthday party, as it relates to Peter from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing who went to a friend's birthday party and won a turtle. Students plan outlines of paragraphs with graphic organizers and create first drafts. Then students participate in peer conferences and incorporate their suggestions and corrections. After that, a teacher conference is scheduled and further revisions are made. Then the work is written in script on loose leaf paper and shared with their classmates. Their work is then hung on the writing bulletin board. When one piece is ready to be displayed, the prior piece is taken down and added to their binder. By June, they will have a wonderful collection to bring
home for you to treasure.
We will also use a Writer’s Notebook where students will write their own personal narratives. Using the writing process students will publish a story that is unique to them. It is a fulfilling and sometimes arduous process, but the author’s celebration at the will fill each student with such a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
Spelling
We will cover one unit per week. We review the rule together in class on Monday and read the instructions for the exercises in the workbook. The children will bring the workbook home on Monday to be completed by Thursday. They can do one page per night, two on a given night, or all at once. The test includes the 15 list words, the New Words, and sometimes I add words from the week, such as vocabulary or math words. I also give a sentence dictation to help them build their listening and recording skills.
Math
Students have a hard covered text in school. I use the text as a guideline, but try to plan hands-on experiences to teach the concepts. The practice workbook is for homework, and worksheets done in class reteach and challenge the students. We have a chapter test at the end of each chapter. I will send home a review sheet that has the types of questions for that chapter test. I also spend the day before the test reviewing the concepts.
Fourth graders need to know basic addition and subtraction facts and the times tables. Flash cards and drills are important if your child does not rapidly recall these facts.
Problem solving is a central focus of the math curriculum. Several individual and cooperative activities are provided to help teach concepts and skills. Your child may need your assistance in understanding the question and selecting an appropriate method to solve the problem. Over time the children develop skills to handle this kind of work. We strive for students to be competent in mathematical problem solving skills.
We also use equipment in math, such as: calculators, pattern blocks, thermometers, meter sticks, scales, dice and rulers. You can help your child by having many opportunities for measuring, telling about elapsed time, and counting money and making change.
Science
Mrs. DiMartini is the Science teacher. Our class has Science on Mondays and Thursdays. Please feel free to email her directly with your questions and concerns.
Social Studies
I will teach Social Studies to our class and to Mrs. DiMartini's class. Our class has Social Studies on Mondays and Thursdays. Generally, homework will be assigned on Mondays and due on Thursdays.
Health
The students will use a brand new Health text book and read relevant articles from Current Health magazine. The conversation really sparks during Health class! Even the most reticent of students becomes an active participant. Students will have the chance to act out many scenarios and write skits that reflect everyday situations that they may find themselves in. Health is a lot of fun and we cover many topics Personal Health and Wellness topics, Growth and Development, Systems of the Body, Character Development, and more!
Homework
Homework consists of 20 minutes of reading, a spelling page and a math page. There are also assignments in Science, Health and Social Studies once or twice per week. Occasionally, there will be and additional assignment in vocabulary, reading comprehension, etc.
Many fourth graders still need help in getting organized and managing their time. It is not an automatic skill that is acquired at age 9 or 10. Your child may need help in handling their assignments and being prepared for class. Sit down and talk with your child about how to best organize their work. Your interest in their assignments and organizational skills will pay off as the year goes by. Though I don’t have a crystal ball to look into, your time and care now will help your child to become more independent and self-sufficient later. In addition, your child will develop more confidence, a sense of competence and pride in their work.
Each week that your child brings all their homework for that week to school on time and completely done he/she will receive a Success Certificate on Friday. Earning 5 Success Certificates will entitle them to a Homework Coupon, which is good for one night homework free. The student who has earned the most Success Certificates at the end of the year will be recognized.
Test Folders
I will send home assignments that I correct including homework, school work, tests and compositions. Usually, I will send it home on a Wednesday. Please review the papers with your child. Sign and return those assignments that should be returned and keep the other papers. Please return the folder by Friday.
Communication
Please send me an email: glastein@nvnet.org if you need to get in touch with me. I check email more frequently then voice mail and can then call or write you back depending on the nature of the question. My voice mail extension is x262.
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