WELCOME
August 21, 2015
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the beginning of a new year at Whittier School!
The children and I have spent a busy week together. We have begun
work in reading, math, and writing. Here are some of our plans for
the next few weeks.
Reading -- We will begin our first class novel, Tales of a Fourth
Grade Nothing, next week. Reading activities connected to this story
will include comprehension work, character studies, idiom
exploration, and vocabulary development.
**Each month a book report will be assigned on a particular genre of
literature. This month’s book report will be realistic fiction, a book that
tells the story of something that could have happened (but didn’t) in
our time. Some of the children have chosen a book for their book
report from our classroom collection. Others have decided to bring a
book from home or the public library. A form for this report will be
sent home soon. The report will be due on October 2.
Math -- Our first unit in math will be on place value, sharpening
skills in number sense and estimation. We’ll include some review of
addition and subtraction with regrouping.
Science -- We will engage in health lessons on self esteem,
defining traits, needs, and developing an appreciation for the unique
qualities that make up the personality of each of the students in our
class.
Social Studies -- In social studies we will be exploring regions
of the United States, developing map skills, and building an
understanding of geographical terms.
Spelling -- Our first few spelling lessons will focus on practicing
the fourth grade focus words. These are words that occur often in
children’s writing and will give us a foundation for spelling in written
work.
Writing -- The children will write a letter to a grandparent that
will be mailed to arrive for Grandparent’s Day on September 13.
First Grade Buddies – We will partner with Mrs. May’s first
grade class each week to listen to our buddies read and build reading
comprehension.
Field Trip – Our first field trip will be on September 10 when we
will visit the Revolutionary War Era Days exhibit at Cantigny. A
permission slip for this trip will be sent home soon.
Whittier’s Curriculum Night is on Wednesday, August 26. I
look forward to meeting many of you that night as we present our
curriculum plans for the school year. Each month I will be sending
home a newsletter that I trust will help to keep you informed about
units of study and special classroom events.
One of the school district’s initiatives concerns the safety of the
children in our schools. The front door of the school will be open
during school hours. Please use only that door to enter the school.
We ask that the children not arrive at school in the morning before
9:00, as there is no supervision for them before that time. And we
ask that the children enter and leave the building using the blacktop
areas only, not cutting across the parking lot. We would like Whittier
to be a safe place for the precious children in our care.
Next week I will send home a list of dates for This Is Your Life
(our student of the week board). Children enjoy bringing in pictures
of family, friends, pets, vacations, etc. If you feel comfortable sending
trophies, ribbons, and such, these are also interesting to share. The
spotlighted child may bring pictures to put on the board any time
during his/her week. On Fridays, time will be set aside for sharing
with the class. We all enjoy getting to know one another better in this
way.
As the year progresses, your child will have information
and impressions to share with you. Please contact me with a phone
call, note, or e-mail message (Cynthia.Buher@cusd200.org) with
questions or concerns as we work together to provide a positive,
growing year for your child.
I have enjoyed these first few days spent with the children and
look forward to a year of challenge and growth in fourth grade. It is a
privilege to work with you and your child this year.
Sincerely,
Cindy Buher