Our Classroom: Before, During, & After 2017

Over on Instagram, I posted videos of what our classroom looked like at the beginning of summer, when I was partially done organizing it, and what it looks like as we're ready for school to begin! It takes a lot of work to get it looking good for the first day!

Specialist Schedule 2017

At our school, we have specialists daily. This year, fourth grade's specialist time is 10:30-11:20. Check out what we have each day!

• Monday: Library
• Tuesday: Computer Lab
• Wednesday: Music
• Thursday: Art
• Friday: Gym...remember to wear your sneakers!

Why read 20 minutes daily?

As a part of nightly homework, we assign a reading log, ask that students read a minimum of 20 minutes per night, and have an adult initial that the reading occurred. Those students that pass in their weekly reading log on Friday get to enjoy an extra recess!

Why is it important for students to read 20 minutes a day? Check out the great visual below:

I know that it can be difficult, at times, for families to read. Here are some ideas for how to integrate reading into things you may already do:

• Read bedtime stories
• Visit the Nashua Public Library
• Read a recipe and cook something yummy together
• Out your child in charge of reading the grocery list at the store
• Go somewhere new, and have your child read the directions
• Create a cool reading space in your home (maybe a fort?!?)

Make sure you have plenty of reading materials at home. Appropriate reading materials for the reading log include:

• Books
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Online articles
• Books on a Kindle or iPad
• Epic! Books online 

You can help by checking for understanding during or after your child reads. Some sample questions to ask are:

• What do you predict will happen before reading?
• What was the setting of the story? Can you find evidence in the text?
• How did the main character feel when...?
• What was one of the problems that the main character encountered?
• Does this remind you of another book you've read? How so?