The Weekly Update #3
August 29th, 2026
Dear Families,
We made some wonderful progress this week! We are starting to get used to some routines and expectations. Next week we will start some homework in math beginning on September 1st. Reading packets will begin on September 11th. I have encouraged students to start their independent reading. The kids have chosen books from the library.
Homework:
Reading: Packets will be given on Friday, Sept 11th, due the following Friday.
Independent Reading: Students should read at least 15-20 minutes an evening or 60 minutes a week.
Math: Math practice will begin on Sept 1st and is typically given 3-4 times a week, and is due the next day. If a student is late or forgets the homework, please encourage him/her to turn it in. I DO accept late work.
Here is a brief look at our upcoming learning targets and what we did this past week:
Learning Targets:
I can read fluently and comprehend nonfiction texts.
I can write in complete sentences consistently.
I can accurately add, subtract, multiply and apply place value.
I can learn about places and features of Colorado.
Social Skills: Students learned about our brains and more about growth mindset.
We also discussed the difference between teasing, joking and bullying. We have read stories and had lessons on this topic and the difference between being an "upstander" and a bystander in social situations.
Reading: This week we did some iReady testing. We also started working with our Wonders reading curriculum. We started reading some nonfiction texts, learning more about nonfiction text features, vocabulary, and reading strategies.
Writing: We started learning about written responses to questions and sentences. We will be focusing on sentence structures and types of sentences the next few weeks. Students also were given a picture of Colorado to write a descriptive paragraph about using their senses. This was a great review task for students and it was nice for me to see what skills the kids have at this point in the year. We will finish these next week.
Math: Students started iReady math tests. Next week we will finish these tests.
We did more work on place value this week. We worked with inequalities and rounding numbers. We hope to have our first chapter test on place value next week.
Here are some ways you can help your child in math at home:
1. Have your child count and use money. In fourth grade we study money, spending, and saving. Students still need to know coinage, values, and how to use money to pass tests. This can be a challenge with our current spending habits. So any way you can involve your child in real life cash spending, counting, etc. can give your child a real advantage.
2. Have your child use an analog clock at home.
Analog time problems show up on placement assessments. This is a primary skill that kids lose without practice that can impact their scores. It is also a life skill since analog clocks are still used in a variety of settings, including school.
3.Have your child practice their multiplication facts. In 4th grade one of our first units is on multiplication with multiple digits. It is very hard if a student does not already know his/her basic facts. So please practice these at home, it will really help your child build confidence in math.
Social Studies: Students finished their foam maps and did a wonderful job of them. I was so proud of them for their efforts to create a quality product. We will test on its contents next week. We also discussed and learned about study skills such as: how to study, strategies to remember content etc. Students worked in small groups to study for our upcoming map test. Ask your child how he/she likes to study.
Best wishes,
Hope Crawley
Reminders:
September 02 - Fun Run:10:05-10:40AM: 4th Grade
September 07 - Labor Day/ No School
September. 08 - Cold Stone Ice Cream Scoop
September 9 & 10 - Picture Days
September 18 - Fun Run Prize Day
September 21 - Professional Development Day/ No School
September 23 - SAC Meeting
September 25 - Multicultural Night
September 28 - October 02 - Book Fair