Dear Parents,
While we are the official teachers of your children, you are the first and most important teachers in their lives. Not all teachers are parents, yet all parents are teachers. If children are to succeed in school, it is important that parents and teachers work together. Parents need to know how to reinforce what we are doing in school, and we need to know what factors at home are affecting your child's performance. Frequent communication is necessary so that everyone involved have the information they need to perform their roles adequately.
Parents, this page is for you. Here you will find information about working together during your child's fourth grade year, and how to help your child become a life-long learner. Please check back here often or subscribe to this page (see bottom of page). I will continue to update information on this page as the school year goes on.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call or email me here at Goodrich School.
Mrs. Denise Trabilsy
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 Important Contact Information
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Goodrich School Phone Number:
630/969-7271
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Goodrich School Address:
Rt. 53 & Hobson Road
Woodridge, Illinois 60517
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Phone Extension:
2225
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Our Class Mission Statement
All students will feel safe and comfortable being themselves.
All students will feel encouraged to participate
All students will tolerate mistakes and view them as opportunities for learning.
All students will become active, effective listeners.
All students will take charge of and become responsible for their own behavior and their own learning.
All students will realize how important education is for their futures.
All students will see themselves as part of a classroom community, a community where we help and encourage one another.
All students will realize the value of hard work and perseverance.
All students will have respect for themselves and others.
All students will respect and appreciate the differences among the students in the classroom and throughout the school.
All students will strive toward continuous improvement.
All students will believe in themselves and realize that the sky is the limit for every one of them.
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Characteristics of a Fourth Grader
From the American School Counselor Association
Is your nine year old on track? Below are some general development milestones to help you understand your child's progress over the year. Keep in mind that every child is different and may not fit into the framework.
Where They Are
Nine year olds:
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want to put some distance between themselves and adults, may rebel against authority.
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need to be a part of a group.
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seek independence.
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possess a high activity level.
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can express a wide range of emotions and verbalize easily
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can empathize.
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can think independently and critically.
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begin to increase their sense of truthfulness.
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are typically not self-confident.
Where They Are Going
You can help by encouraging your child to:
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begin making decisions.
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gain a greater sense of security.
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develop personal interests and abilities.
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develop social skills.
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learn to engage in group decision-making.
Is your ten year old on track? Below are some general development milestones to help you understand your child's progress over the year. Keep in mind that every child is different and may not fit into the framework.
Where They Are
Ten year olds:
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tend to be obedient, good natured, and fun.
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possess a surprising scope of interests.
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finds TV very important and identifies with TV characters.
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are capable of increasing independence.
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are becoming more truthful and dependable.
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tend to be improving their self-concept and acceptance of others.
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form good personal relationships with teachers and counselors.
Where They Are Going
You can help by encouraging your child to:
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improve his/her listening and responding skills.
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increase his/her problem-solving abilities.
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gain awareness of peer and adult expectations.
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Which Parent Will I Be?
"I got two A's," the small boy cried.
His voice was filled with glee.
His father very bluntly asked,
"Why didn't you get three?"
"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother very calmly said,
"Did you sweep the floor?"
"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father asked him, with a shrug,
"Did you clean off the clay?"
The children in the house next door
Seem happy and content.
The same thing happened over there,
And this is how it went.
"I got two A's," the small boy cried,
His voice was filled with glee.
His father proudly said, "That's great;
I'm glad you belong to me!"
"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door,
Her mother smiled and softly said,
"Each day I love you more."
"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father answered with much joy,
"You've made my happy day."
Children deserve a little praise
For tasks they're asked to do.
If they're to lead a happy life,
So much depends on you
!
Author Unknown
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Help Your Child Become a Reader
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Read aloud to your child as often as possible Remember that children of all ages love to hear books read aloud. Keep reading to your child even after he/she learns to read.
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Talk about what you read. Language and thinking skills develop when children talk.
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Have your child read aloud to you. Keep it fun and enjoyable.
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Get a library card for your child. Make visiting the library a specila weekly event.
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Make sure your child owns some books. Encourage relatives to five books as gifts.
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Encourage your child to read to others. Brothers, sisters, grandparents, and friends enjoy sharing favorite stories.
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Let your child see you reading a variety of printed material: newspapers, magazines, books, forms, recipes, etc. Parents are the most important role models.
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Provide opportunities to write. Allow your child to make grocery lists, send thank-you letters, write notes to friends and relatives, and even keep a journal.
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Monitor television viewing and video game playing. Set time limits and make good decisions about which programs are suitable for viewing. Watch television together and discuss program content.
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Become involved with your child's school. If you show an interest, your child will know the home-school connection is important and will appreciate your support.
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Listen to your child. Your attention will build your child's self-esteem while he/she develops oral language confidence.
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Read Alouds
One of the most enjoyable and important times of the school day is when I read aloud to the children. Students of all ages enjoy listening to stories. Reading aloud benefits students in so many ways.
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It gives students an opportunity to use their imaginations as they listen and visualize the story.
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Students are often inspired to read other books by the same author.
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Students are exposed to a wide range of literature.
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Students can enjoy hearing stories that might be too difficult for them to read independently.
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Students expand their understanding of new vocabulary words through listening to stories.
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Reading aloud to children can foster a life-long love for reading.
At school, students look forward to our read-aloud time. Perhaps you can establish a regular time at home to read aloud with your child. You and your child will benefit from reading together.
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Top Ten Ways to Help Your Kids Do Well in Math
 Mastering
Math
Mastering mathematics is absolutely essential for future opportunities in
school and careers. Your children will need to reach a certain level of
competency in math to take many advanced high-school courses, to be
admitted to college, and to have a wide variety of career choices. Here's
how you can help them maximize their math-smarts.
1. Make sure your children understand mathematical concepts.
Otherwise, math becomes a meaningless mental exercise of just memorizing
rules and doing rote drills. Have your children manipulate objects to
figure out basic concepts. For addition, they could add one, two, or more
blocks to a pile of blocks and then tell you how many blocks are in the
pile.
2. Help them master the basic facts.
Mastery of a basic fact means that children can give an answer in less
than three seconds. Considerable drill is required for children to give
quick responses. Use flash cards to help your children learn the basic
facts. When they don't know an answer, have them lay out objects to solve
the problem.
3. Teach them to write their numbers neatly.
Twenty-five percent of all errors in solving math problems can be traced
back to sloppy number writing. Improve your children's number-writing
skills by having them trace over numbers that you have written. Suggest
they use graph paper to keep the numbers in problems neatly aligned.
4. Provide help immediately when your children need it.
Math is one subject in which everything builds upon what has been
previously learned. For example, a failure to understand the concept of
percent leads to problems with decimals. If a teacher is unable to help
your children, provide the help yourself or use a tutor or learning
center.
5. Show them how to handle their math homework.
Doing math homework reinforces the skills your children are learning in
class. Teach them to begin every assignment by studying the textbook or
worksheet examples. Then have them redo the examples before beginning the
assignment to make sure they understand the lesson.
6. Encourage your children to do more than the assigned
problems.
Considerable practice is necessary for your children to hone their math
skills. If the teacher only assigns the even problems, having them do some
of the odd ones will strengthen their skills. The more time your children
spend practicing their skills, the sooner they will develop confidence in
their abilities.
7. Explain how to solve word problems.
Mathematicians have an expression: To learn to solve problems, you must
solve problems. Teach your children to read a word problem several times.
Also, have them draw a picture or diagram to describe it. Make it easier
for them to understand the steps in a problem by teaching them to
substitute smaller numbers for larger ones.
8. Help your children learn the vocabulary of mathematics.
They will never get a real feeling for math nor learn more advanced
concepts without an understanding of its vocabulary. Check that your
children can define new terms. If not, have them use models and simple
problems to show you they understand how the term is used.
9.Teach them how to do math "in their head."
One of the major ways to solve problems is by using mental math. Kids
should use this method frequently instead of using pencil and paper or a
calculator. When helping your children with a problem, help them determine
when it would be appropriate to use mental math.
10. Make mathematics part of your children's daily life.
Mathematics will become more meaningful when your kids see how important
it is in so many real-life situations. Encourage them to use math in
practical ways. For example, ask them to space new plants a certain
distance apart, double a recipe, and pay bills in stores.
© 2000-2006 Pearson E
d
ucation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Ways to Help Your Child At Home
Commit yourselves to playing an active role in your child's education. Many parents leave the responsibility for their child's education with the teacher. Parents must remain involved on a consistent basis.
Repeatedly express to your child that doing well in school and getting an excellent education are essential prerequisites for living a productive, enjoyable life. You can never repeat this message too many times.
Develop a homework policy with your child: No television until all homework is complete? No play time? Discuss questions like these with your child so that both of you are clear about your expectations for home study.
Provide your child with a quiet place to study. IF you can afford to buy your child a desk, that would be wonderful. The important point is that your child has a consistent place to study where nobody will disturb him/her. Providing such an atmosphere will not only enable your child to have an easier time studying but also send a clear message that you think doing homework is important.
Monitor your child's progress on homework assignments every night. All assignment books are to be signed each night after you check your child's completed homework.
Discuss school events and happenigs with your child as often as possible. When you ask "What did you do at school today?", don't let them answer "Nothing".
Help keep your child on schedule during long-term projects and while preparing for tests.
Do not hesitate to express to me any concerns you may have about your child's education.
Check all papers in the Friday folder and send it back signed on Monday morning. These notes help to keep you informed about the happenings around Goodrich School.
Folders will come home on Mondays with your child's corrected work. Please go through this folder on Monday night and have your child return it signed on Tuesday morning.
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10 Benefits of Homework:
1. Homework teaches students about time management.
2. Homework teaches students how to set priorities.
3. Homework helps teachers determine how well the lessons are being understood by their students.
4. Homework teaches students how to problem solve.
5. Homework gives students another opportunity to review the class material.
6. Homework gives parents a chance to see what is being learned in school.
7. Homework teaches students that they may have to do things - even when they don't want to.
8. Homework teaches students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.
9. Homework teaches students how to work independently.
10. Homework teaches students the importance of planning, staying organized and taking action.
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