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Fourth grade is a transition year.  For many, it is the first year that children have had science and social studies tests.  The children need to learn HOW to study.  Our curriculum at fourth grade is packed.  In math alone, we have seventy-two new Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE's) that I must try to help all children master.  My plan is that all children  will master all seventy-two math GLCE's.  For some children, I also try to fill in any gaps that they may have missed in earlier years.

Reading and writing does not have as many GLCE's, but the ultimate goal for all children is that they are able to comprehend a variety of genres and apply the information to their lives in a useful way.  To do this, the children must be able to recognize the text structure patterns found in both fiction and nonfiction.  They must use various reading strategies to aid reading comprehension.   The children must also increase their vocabulary.  Some children will need to learn word attack skills and increase reading fluency.  In writing, the children will need to express themselves clearly using conventional spelling, punctuation and grammar.  The children will study various author's techniques so that they will be able to incorporate some of the same methods as authors into their own writing.

We have a mountain of goals and work to cover in fourth grade, and I do my best to help each child reach the top of that mountain.  I am looking forward to parent teacher conference next week to share with parents how I plan to do this.  I will share information about the various assessments that I have done and my plan for helping your child.