The staff at Willard Central Elementary is dedicated to making this year a successful and happy one for you and your child.  To insure this success we must keep the lines of communication open between us.  I will be contacting you throughout the year about school projects, upcoming events, nice things we see your child doing, and problems, if any.

     I encourage you to look over all the papers that I send home with your child.  Some papers might have comments about your child’s work and may ask for more practice at home.  Other papers may require your signature.  Please don’t hesitate to call, write, or set up a conference if you have any questions about your child’s progress.   It is important that we work together for your child’s benefit. 

     Students will need to read for 20 minutes each night four times a week.  This is eighty minutes a week.  I send home a weekly reading log to keep track of the minutes read each night and the name of the book.  Reading logs are due every Friday morning at 8:40 am with parent’s signature.  Each 20 minutes read is worth five points up to eighty minutes. 

     I am planning to use a variety of assessments. A few of the assessments that I would like to explain are the portfolio, DRA, and running records.  I am planning to assess your child using portfolios this year.  The portfolios are basically file folders that contain samples of the student’s work.  On a periodic basis, the students and I will choose work that we would like to add to their portfolio and the files will be reviewed during parent / teacher conferences.  The work that you will see in their portfolios will be representative of the students work.  It is a good way for us to see what they are accomplishing in school and how they are progressing.

    I will also be using running records.  A running record is where the child reads a passage that the teacher has chosen.  The teacher records the number of errors the child makes, if any.  This assessment will determine your child’s reading level.  If the child makes too many mistakes reading the chosen passage, I know that it is too hard for the child.  If the child makes no mistakes reading the passage they will need to move on to more challenging material.

    The third assessment type is the Developmental Reading Assessment.  The DRA tests students on their reading ability and comprehension level.  The students are instructed to read a leveled book to the teacher.  After reading the book your child will be asked several questions about the book they just read.  It would be good practice when you read with your child at home to ask them questions about the book they just read.  A few examples you could ask your child are:  who are the characters, what happened in the beginning, middle, and ending of the book, what was the setting, or main idea.  I feel that using the portfolios, DRA, and running records will be an excellent way to evaluate your child’s reading skills. 

    I am really excited about this school year.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call me at the school 831-4440 ext 49 or cpyle@willard.k12.mo.us

Sincerely, 

Mrs.  Christy Pyle

The Fourth Grade Bulletin

Date: October 30^th- November 3rd

Star Book of the Week:  Report Card by Andrew Clements

 Science:  Chapter 3, Lesson 2 over herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers

 Math: Review for Test on Monday, Math Test over Chapter 4 on Tuesday, Start Chapter 5

Mad Minute Math

Communication Arts:  Writer’s Workshop/Daily Oral Language/ Guided Reading

 Social Studies: Working on Missouri Brochure

Reminders:  Terrific Tiger Celebration will on Tueday, October 31, 2006 beginning at 2:15.  Parents are welcomed to come and see their child get recognized for their achievements. The Fall Party will on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 beginning at 2:45.  The homeroom mother would appreciate if anyone could send in bagged candy or something small for our treat bags by Monday, October 30, 2006.  Also, anyone that would like to bring drinks for the party would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone for making it to Student-led Conferences.   It was nice getting to speak with you all again.  We appreciate your support and partnership in education.    Note about tutoring is attached.  For any students that are interested in tutoring I will be tutoring on Tuesdays from 7:45 a.m. -8:15 a.m. beginning October 31, 2006.

Spelling Words:                                

Spelling Pretest Wednesday                                                     

Spelling Test Friday                                                                 

1.  across          2.  alone    3. among          4. front         5.banana                                                                                 

6. appear      7. compass        8. peddal       9.  given   10. heaven                                                                               

11. mountain     12. ocean        13. cousin  14. purchase      15. often

16. color          17. brother       18.  again   19.  niche   20.  ecosystems

The fourth graders will be starting Book-It in the month of October and will continue through March.  Your child must read a total of four books each month to receive their Book-It certificate.  I require the students to write a book report over the book they have read.  At the end of the month I will calculate how many books your child has read.  If they meet the goal they will receive a free personal pan pizza certificate from Pizza Hut for each month that they reach their goal.

We will not be having school on Friday, October 27, 2006.

If you have any questions please email me at cpyle@willard.k12.mo.us or call me at 831-4440 ext. 49.