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Fourth Grade

         Students are expected to be active learners in today's world. The more involved they are in learning, the more information they will have to transfer to their natural environment. A powerful motivator for your child is your approval and involvement. Research indicates that when parents are involved, students do better academically and behaviorally.

         Standards describe the student learning expectations. Standards help educators and parents know what to expect of children at each grade level. Understanding the standards will assist you in helping your child achieve greater success in school.

         This booklet reflects many of DoDEA's content standards in the core academic areas of English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. To view the actual standards, please log onto the DoDEA Web page: www.dodea.edu. The following are some suggestions on how to help your child meet the DoDEA standards:

Read Aloud
         Reading aloud to your fourth grader continues to be important. It not only improves the reading and listening skills of a child, but it also motivates the child to read. Select a book that interests your child. When you finish a chapter, talk about the section in a conversational tone. You may ask your child to summarize a passage or a chapter and tell you what he or she liked about the story. Make reading aloud and discussing books a natural part of communicating with your child.

Reading Habits
         By fourth grade, children usually have acquired the reading skills that are necessary for reading independently. To check comprehension, discuss the significant points from books, chapters, or passages. Ask your child to tell you what he or she thinks and feels about the characters in the story, and how he or she visualizes the events that took place. Discuss how a story's event seems real or similar to an experience your child may have had. If needed, focus on particular details by asking specific questions such as "Find the sentence in the passage that tells why Frank decided to enter the swimming competition." Your child will appreciate your input and will learn when you share your thoughts about the book.

Set a Daily Routine
         Children do better when they know what is expected of them. Your child will benefit by developing good homework habits if you set up a daily homework schedule. At this age, your child is old enough to have some input in the decision about the best time for completing homework. If balancing schoolwork, play, and chores is difficult, help your child develop a schedule that includes a definite time for schoolwork each night. Be sure the work area is well lit and quiet. Having materials readily available maximizes learning time. Let your child take responsibility for completing homework. If he or she forgets the routine, a reminder is appropriate. Provide help only if you think your child has made a real effort on the assignment. Most importantly, praise your child when homework is done independently and appropriately. (E.g., "I really am proud of the way you complete your homework each night. You are doing the work without reminders.")

Help Your Child Learn to Study for Tests
         Tests at the fourth grade level are more difficult and detailed. Helping your child learn the skills of how to study for a test will affect academic success at all grade levels.

         You have started the routine of establishing good study habits by setting aside a time each day to study. Encourage your child to use the following techniques for studying for a test:

         Review textbook chapters by looking at headings and subheadings, pictures, graphs, tables, and the summary at the end of the chapter.

         Use index cards to note important information. Use these cards to study for tests. Review class notes and homework. Use a highlighter to underline important points.Review study questions if available. Study questions may be distributed by the classroom teacher or located at the end of a textbook chapter.

         Have your child make a list of sample questions to study. Ask your child these questions to determine how well he or she understands the information and how ready he or she is to take the test. Go over important notes several times for memory retention. If your child has difficulties retaining information, try to make the information more relevant.

Encourage Curiosity and Creativity
         Your child will continue to explore the world and will have questions about daily discoveries. Take time to help your child learn ways to get answers to questions. Use the library and educational resources on the Internet. Children at this age love to invent and create. Encourage your child to conduct research on areas of interest and work on projects that develop creative ability.

Stay Involved and Offer Praise
         Your child will respond to school positively if you show an ongoing interest. Attend parent-teacher conferences and other school-sponsored events. Volunteer, if possible, to help in school. Your child may frown on this at first, but will be glad that you are involved. Remember that children who are motivated feel good about their efforts. Offer praise regularly.

Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Safety Tips
         As a parent, you have an important role in shaping your children’s physical activity, nutrition, and safety attitudes and behaviors. Help keep them safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Here are some things you can do.

         Find a convenient place for your children to be active regularly. Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself, and make physical activity part of your family's daily routine; (e.g., designate time for family walks or playing active games together.) It is recommended that children participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily.

         Plan your children's snack choices. Offer healthy choices such as yogurt, frozen yogurt, apples, oranges, celery, and carrots.

         Create a safe home and community environment. Hand washing is recognized as a major factor in preventing infectious disease, including food-borne illness. Remind your children of proper hand-washing techniques to use whenever hands are unclean and always after toilet use and before eating.