Homework

Reading for 30 Minutes a day: Your 4th grader should read for 30 minutes every day. While I provide reading time in class and try to keep this priority every day it is very important for students to read at home as well. 

No Logging: I don't require a log to be used because I feel that it pushes reading to be more of a chore, than what it should be: joyful reading! Reading logs don't give me very much information about their reading and I have found that teachers assign them in hopes of creating accountability. I value accountability and want our readers to be held accountable, however I haven’t found logs to be helpful in this. If you would like assistance to ensure that your 4th grader is truly reading, I have a few strategies I have used in the past that I have found to be effective, so please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Scheduling: As is very common with 4th graders, upon introducing the 30 minutes of reading expectation I receive many questions and groans about certain nights when there is a lot going on and reading is “impossible!” I find it helpful for some 4th graders to create an after school schedule with their adults that allows them to visualize when they will be able to get their 30 minutes done. Your assistance with guiding them on their after school schedule is appreciated and necessary! As I can't control what happens at home the responsibility to ensure 30 minutes of daily reading falls to you, the parents. I often find that the greater the consistency with when we read at home the better (i.e. reading before bed every night, or reading right when you get home every afternoon).  

Supporting Your Reader: As I mention every year at Back to School Night one of my favorite articles is The New York Times’ How to Raise a Reader article. Some of my other general tips: 

• • 1. Keep reading with them! They love it and it is hugely beneficial to them to analyze a story with you, to share that connection with you and to have reading modeled to them. 

  • 2. Make family reading time a priority! Students need to see that reading is not simply a requirement of school, but a lifelong source of entertainment and joy. 

  • 3. If your 4th grader is having a hard time with reading, reach out! One of my favorite parts of teaching is helping to alleviate some of the worries or difficulties that students have with reading and guiding them on a path to more successful and enjoyable reading! I’ve started book clubs with students, provided extra reading support that can easily be done at home, given guidance on book selection to parents and students, and more! I’m really here to help! 

The Great Graphic Novel Debate: I often get questions about graphic novels and whether or not they "count" as reading and what to do if a child is only reading graphic novels. My general opinion is that graphic novels are high quality reading, and that children should first and foremost enjoy reading and find meaning in it. Finding a balance between encouraging a student to vary their reading choices (some graphic novels, some chapter books, etc.) while not dissuading them from reading or giving them the impression that graphic novels "don't count" is tricky. I try to speak specifically to this in class, and encourage parents to do so at home as well, helping students to recognize that we care most that they love reading, and second to that, we hope to help them vary their reading choices to experience a full range. In the past, I've had parents who have said, "But my child will only read graphic novels, and puts up a fight about all other books!" This is definitely a tricky scenario to handle. If you'd like some suggestions about how to find that balance of reading choices with your child I would love to help. I've got some tricks up my sleeve that parents have used and found helpful. Should you feel like you're in that situation, please let me know and can discuss  what might work for your reader! 

Math in Focus Extra Practice/Homework book: Every time we finish a new unit, students will be expected to complete the corresponding homework pages. Assigned homework will be regularly updated in Google Classroom. 

Scheduling: Math homework should be completed the afternoon/evening of assignment. Students should find a quiet space to work. While parents are welcome to provide support, students must complete all assignments on their own. If they have questions or concerns, they can circle the problem and save it for class the next day. 

Materials: All assignments should be completed in pencil. If students do not have access to a pencil, they are welcome to have one from school to keep in their backpack. Math books must be returned to school on a daily basis.