Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents. If you would like to see a question posted please eMail your question to Ms. Sidell by clicking on the mailbox icon at the top of the right corner of the screen.
My child did not understand the homework. What should I do?
Write a note to me or sign the child's homework page. Ms. Sidell will work on the homework with the child within the next 24 hours.Back to Top
My child is crying over the homework. Should he keep working?
Never let your child your child get worked up over so much that he is crying. If the student feels overwhelmed then have him walk away for a five or ten minute break or move on to another homework subject. Try to revisit the overwhelming homework with your support. If tears come back, pack up the homework and send me a note. I need to know if something is too difficult or overwhelming for your child. We will talk about it and figure out where the content gets tough and develop some strategies for coping.Back to Top
I can't help because I don't do it the way they do in class. How can I help?
Send me an eMail. I am more than willing to talk to you about the progression of how children become more efficient over time in our world of discovering math in today's curriculum. They will pick up the traditional algorithm. We want to give them time to sort the concepts out and discover the meaning behind the computation. Using the traditional algorithm is not always the most efficient way to solve math problems.Back to Top
Is my child reading the right books at home?
Yes. Reading at home is for enjoyment and practice. We work on literacy for 90 to 110 minutes per day where I control the environment in which they are thinking about and working at reading. If you feel the book is an easy picture book that has been read a hundred times, then ask them to practice reading it out loud so that it sounds like they are talking. There are times where I will assign a topic to read or a comprehension assignment, in this case I want to see what they can do by themselves. This does not usually replace independent reading.Back to Top
Should I correct my child's homework?
No. You may look at it you may make suggestions. If you end up doing all the work then how do I know what they can and cannot do independently? If you do end up working together to complete an assignment, please let me know via a note or eMail. You may also write "with assistance" at the top and I will understand.Back to Top
G = Gone O = Over I = In C = Class I cannot possibly grade every piece of work grade four students produce on my own. I also know that most students do not even look at returned papers for comments and mistakes. So it is more helpful for us to review and discuss the work in class and learn from each other.Back to Top
How do we honor birthdays in 4Si.
-We sing Happy Birthday. -Everyone makes a card and then a book is bound with well wishes and compliments. -The birthday person gets to do extra special jobs all day and get DEAR time during Reading Workshop.Back to Top
What are "multiplication combinations?"
This is new terminology in our math curriculum. It is a replacement for the phrase "multiplication facts." Students are expected to know their facts by mid-December. We take time to practice combinations and have many assessments throughout the year. It is expected that all fourth graders practice at home in some form everyday for five to ten minutes.Back to Top
How much reading should my child be doing at home?
The district policy for homework is assignments four days per week, lasting 45 minutes to one hour. I try to give assignments that meet this criteria. I ask students to read every day, even on weekends. You don't get better at reading if you do not practice regularly and vigorously.Back to Top
Does a grown-up reading to a student count for reading at home?
Generally, yes. Specifically, parent reading to student and student only listening - only once a week but student owes teacher a day. Doing a read aloud together (parent reads a chapter, student reads the next chapter) counts - and is very much encouraged! Wellesley Public Library even has parent/child book clubs which are wonderful. Reading aloud to your child is important and lets them hear what good reading sounds like. It gets families taking about books and reading. It shows children that their parents value and place importance in reading. It's like Suzuki-Style reading. Envelope the child in the act of reading and they will become lovers of books and it will become easy.Back to Top
What is The Better Answer Strategy
Better Answer Strategy Used for responding to Open Response Questions in paragraph format and contains elements in order. 1) Underline the important words in a question or statement. 2) Topic Sentence (restate the question including the exact important words you underlined) 3) Gist (a short quick answer that shares your thought or opinion - do not details) 4) Supporting Details (look for in related information from your reading or use your own schema for writing to prove that your gist is related to the original question. 5) Wrap It Up (Restate the underlined important words to make a conclusion - this will always be similar to the topic sentence you wrote in Step 1) This strategy was introduced to Hunnewell students in third grade. All fourth grade students are expected to respond in this manner for open response questions going forward.)Back to Top