Welcome to Grade 4!



It's hard to believe, but we are well on our way into a new school year and have (almost) survived the first month! I feel so lucky to be teaching all the boys and girls of Division 4 this year and we have already created a very caring and supportive community, in which we will continue to grow and learn throughout the year! All of my grade 4 students are excited to be part of the intermediate grades now and they are eager to become strong role models and leaders in our wonderful school. I am truly thrilled to be part of their journey and ... to be back at this amazing school community, where kindness is a top priority! Ruth King really R.O.C.K.S.!

I am also very much looking forward to be working with such an active and supportive parent community; I know that many of our PAC parents are parents of the students in my class. Already, it has been great meeting many parents and guardians at Meet The Teacher Night and every day in the classroom, and I hope that this blog will help foster communication between the classroom and the home. Please bookmark this page and check in frequently as I will attempt to update this blog weekly and include dates of important events and other reminders that might be of interest to you. This blog also provides opportunity to celebrate your child's learning, and for you, to provide feedback. I always welcome comments, which you can post after each one of my posts, or you can send me an email at kvanderleeden@sd62.bc.ca.

The first few weeks have gone by quickly and we are still spending time to get to know each other, learning new routines and most importantly understanding my ONLY rule...the Golden Rule. If you get a chance, please ask your child about it!

We also met our little buddies, the grade 1/2 students from Ms. Walker's class, who will join us in many fun activities throughout the year. In October, we will start our Reading Buddies Program with Ms. Walker's class. More about it in one of my next posts! Speaking of reading: We have launched our Home Reading Program and forms have been sent home. As in previous years, ribbons, certificates and prizes will be given to students, who read regularly at home. As I keep telling my students: Good readers become good thinkers and good writers!

We also started our spelling program last week and parents can expect new spelling words to come home on Mondays. The weekly test is scheduled for Fridays, which gives students time to practice their words during the week. Last week's test went very well for most kids and we had many perfect scores of 20/20.
In Math, we are starting to look at large numbers up to 10 000 and this week, I will administer a pre-assessment to find out about strengths and needs in Math. We will spend a lot of time on a rigorous Math Program to prepare students for the upper intermediate grades and give them a strong foundation for middle school. Stay tuned for more information, tips, and ways to support your child in Math at home!
Take care for now and let's hope for a sunny week ahead!