Language Arts Homework
January and February Homework:
We will have a calendar similar to the one that we used in November and December for January and February's homework. There will still be 20 minutes of reading a night, with writing homework instead once a week. So what's new?
Homework Change: Homework Calendars for November and December
November 7, 2014
I have enjoyed reading your child's Thinkmarks this year. The purpose of these was to remind your child that good readers think about reading rather than simply reading the words. Now that we have practiced Thinkmarks for a few months, I feel comfortable trusting your child to do this smart thinking without them. Please continue to encourage your child to do this thinking and to talk about reading, but I will no longer require thinking to be recorded and turned into me.
Starting next week, we will have a homework calendar instead of a reading log. This will continue through December. Your child will write down the weekly writing assignment on this paper (instead of in agendas). This paper will stay in the front of your child's VIP folder to ensure that it goes home each night and does not get lost. Directions are on the paper, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Reading Logs: Updated to Reading Calendars. See above
Fourth graders at Holmes Elementary are required to read outside of school for 20 minutes daily at least five days per week. This time is important because independent reading is the #1 way to increase vocabulary and reading fluency. I allow and encourage reading any genre in any format: picture books, chapter books, plays, poetry, magazine articles, comic strips, etc. Students may even start off by reading the back of a cereal box as long as they eventually move to more challenging texts. Once each week I might ask students to read a specific genre at home (using books from my library) so that they can practice the work the we have been doing in class. Because I think that writing is important too, I ask students to write for 20 minutes instead of reading one night per week.
Fourth graders will earn credit for this reading and writing by completing a reading log and Thinkmark each week. Reading logs are worth a total of 10 points (which are awarded using the rubric on the back of the reading log). Reading logs are passed out on Wednesday and are due the following Wednesday. I expect reading logs to be turned in on time each week regardless of absences, snow days, early dismissals, etc. unless otherwise noted in your child's agenda. We will not complete a reading log during Thanksgiving week, winter recess, or spring recess.
If your child loses his/her reading log and/or thinkmark you may print one from the bottom of this page.
January and February Homework:
We will have a calendar similar to the one that we used in November and December for January and February's homework. There will still be 20 minutes of reading a night, with writing homework instead once a week. So what's new?
- I will send home specific reading (myths or current events) for your child in order to increase your child's background knowledge of stories or events that may show up on the test that we will take in March. This needs to be read before class on Friday. You can read this with your child if you wish.
- If you have internet access, your child may work on Moby Max at home in place of reading for 20 minutes if he/she wants. (The link for this is on the home page of this website. Username: mobyname (your child's first name) Password: Max
Homework Change: Homework Calendars for November and December
November 7, 2014
I have enjoyed reading your child's Thinkmarks this year. The purpose of these was to remind your child that good readers think about reading rather than simply reading the words. Now that we have practiced Thinkmarks for a few months, I feel comfortable trusting your child to do this smart thinking without them. Please continue to encourage your child to do this thinking and to talk about reading, but I will no longer require thinking to be recorded and turned into me.
Starting next week, we will have a homework calendar instead of a reading log. This will continue through December. Your child will write down the weekly writing assignment on this paper (instead of in agendas). This paper will stay in the front of your child's VIP folder to ensure that it goes home each night and does not get lost. Directions are on the paper, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Reading Logs: Updated to Reading Calendars. See above
Fourth graders at Holmes Elementary are required to read outside of school for 20 minutes daily at least five days per week. This time is important because independent reading is the #1 way to increase vocabulary and reading fluency. I allow and encourage reading any genre in any format: picture books, chapter books, plays, poetry, magazine articles, comic strips, etc. Students may even start off by reading the back of a cereal box as long as they eventually move to more challenging texts. Once each week I might ask students to read a specific genre at home (using books from my library) so that they can practice the work the we have been doing in class. Because I think that writing is important too, I ask students to write for 20 minutes instead of reading one night per week.
Fourth graders will earn credit for this reading and writing by completing a reading log and Thinkmark each week. Reading logs are worth a total of 10 points (which are awarded using the rubric on the back of the reading log). Reading logs are passed out on Wednesday and are due the following Wednesday. I expect reading logs to be turned in on time each week regardless of absences, snow days, early dismissals, etc. unless otherwise noted in your child's agenda. We will not complete a reading log during Thanksgiving week, winter recess, or spring recess.
If your child loses his/her reading log and/or thinkmark you may print one from the bottom of this page.
Current Homework News:
*8/27/2014 Our first reading log andThinkmark go home. Your child should read for a total of 80 minutes (split up over 4 days if desired) while filling out a thinkmark. Your child should also write off of the word "addiction" for about 15 minutes and use the remaining 5 minutes to fill out the reading and writing log.
*8/27/2014 Our first reading log andThinkmark go home. Your child should read for a total of 80 minutes (split up over 4 days if desired) while filling out a thinkmark. Your child should also write off of the word "addiction" for about 15 minutes and use the remaining 5 minutes to fill out the reading and writing log.
Misplaced a Reading Log or Thinkmark?
No problem! You can download and print your own below.
No problem! You can download and print your own below.
Reading and Writing Log | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Thinkmarks **Print Only The One You Need | |
File Size: | 1936 kb |
File Type: |