This document provides information about Waldron Mercy Academy's transition to 4th grade. It lists the 4th grade teachers and their subject areas. It also outlines goals to foster independence, responsibility, and organization in 4th graders. Suggestions are provided on how to develop these traits, such as giving children jobs and responsibilities. The document concludes by offering homework tips and previewing focus areas for various 4th grade subjects, like practicing math facts in Language Arts, tests and projects in Science, and a state project in Social Studies.

1. WALDRON MERCY
ACADEMY
Transition to 4th grade

2. Fourth Grade Teachers
Homeroom
Mrs. Bonnie Guarini
Ms. Caitlin McDugall
Mr. Samuel Sheng
Mrs. Bonnie Guarini
Room 24
Mathematics
Religion
Ms. Caitlin McDugall
Room 25
Language Arts
Mr. Samuel Sheng
Room 26
Social Studies
Science

3. Fourth Graders
We hope to foster within our children :
 Independence
 Responsibility
 Organization

4. Independence
 Give them a job to do, show them how, and let
them follow through.
 Encourage independent acts like doing chores
without being asked, paying for items at the
store, keeping track of their own things and
picking up after themselves.
 Foster competence by teaching them jobs they
are able and ready to do – make a bed, use a
tool, cook a meal, or make a snack.

5. Responsibility
 Help them accept responsibility when they
are wrong. Let them know we all learn
from mistakes.
 Give them long-term projects that take
more than one day to do and let them be
responsible for it. Let them feel the pride of
a job well done. Praise them for following
through.

6. Organization
 Show them how to organize at home and
let them practice. First a sock drawer,
then a desk drawer, then parts of their
room…
 Show them how you organize for home
and work (e.g. your calendar, your
briefcase, your home office)
 “A place for everything, and everything in
its place.”

7. Homework/Communication
 Sign planner each night
 Reading is homework.
 Chunk your studying.
 Priority List.

8. Helpful Hints
 Fourth Grade Handbook
on Fourth Grade Web site
 Look for everything on the
Fourth Grade Web site
first.

9. Language Arts
Things to do over the summer vacation:
 Read regularly -- by yourself and with others!
 Practice reading aloud to build fluency; and try to read like a storyteller…
use expression to make the story interesting!
 Think about what you’re reading. While you read, write questions on sticky
notes to “talk to the text” and enhance understanding.
 Talk about text, as well... retell and summarize… make
predictions, connections, and inferences… compare and contrast
characters… evaluate author’s purpose… imagine an epilogue to share with
friends…
 Write, write, write!!!
 Keep a daily or weekly journal to collect memories of your summer
adventures and experiences. Add pictures and design a cover. Make your
journal your own unique creation to reflect your personality!
 Find a spot to do creative writing. Share imaginative ideas and stories, write
about whatever your heart desires.
 Practice writing your cursive letters and focus on neat handwriting. 

10. Mathematics
 Know their facts –
addition and
subtraction to 20 and
times tables
 There’s an app for
that!
 Practice, practice,
practice.

11. Science
Tests
In Class Projects
Labs/Online Lab Book wiki
assignments
STEM

12. Social Studies
Study of five US Regions
Quizzes for each lesson
Homework
Study Guide/Chunking
Study Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
State and Territory Project