Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Grade 4! “A Road Trip to Remember.” In September, your child will be embarking on a journey across the USA. I’m very thrilled to begin this trip with each of you. As this 2010 school year comes to a close, I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of your child into my classroom. I am excited to carry out new activities and am looking forward to a wonderful year. This summer your child will be reading two books for their summer reading. However, I highly suggest and encourage your child to read as many books as they are able to. I encourage all students to participate in the Connecticut Reads, Governor’s Reading Challenge. This is a great opportunity to lounge on a beach chair and take a trip, investigate, and discover through reading. The two mandatory books I’ve selected are: The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden and The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith. Both of these titles are being held at Barnes and Noble in North Haven. However, I’ve also included a list of other notable fourth grade books.
My belief is that all children are capable of learning. The only factor which determines how much they learn, is how they are taught. It is evident that all children learn differently. You will come to find out that I vary my teaching styles to meet the needs of each individual child. I also believe that not only do children learn differently but they also are able to represent what they know in different manners. This is why I am allowing each child to select how they would like to show me what they have learned from each book. Each child must complete one project for each book. Be creative there isn’t a right or wrong way to complete these projects. Have Fun.
"Plasma, Platelets, and Pineapple. " A Walk Through Connecticut History with Sassacus"
Building Blood with Berries"
Part I. Reading 
Project Choices for The Cricket in Times Square
- Create a diorama of a specific scene from the story. This diorama must include the characters and the setting. Be prepared to give a five minute oral presentation on what scene you have chosen to re-create, and why you’ve chosen to create this scene.
2. This assignment is a journal/scrapbook project. This entire project can be done in a folder or any other way you wish to complete it. You do not need to buy any materials. Every picture can be either printed from your computer or drawn by hand. This is a project testing your comprehension and creativity. There are limited guidelines for this assignment. The project must be an eight entry journal/scrapbook which includes both pictures and text. You must also include a cover page stating which characters’ journal this is. This entire journal must be written in first person!! YOU HAVE BECOME A CHARACTEER IN THIS STORY! You will write eight journal entries from this character’s point of view. You might choose to become Chester the cricket and write one entry about traveling in a picnic basket to New York City. Use your senses when you are writing these entries. Think about what the characters might of heard, seen, felt, touched or tasted. These entries must go along with the story.
Project Choices for The War with Grandpa
1. Make puppets of the main characters. Prepare a short puppet play to share with our class.
2. Design a poster using a Venn diagram, in which you compare one of the main characters to yourself.
3. Make a collage that represents the main characters, events, and setting.
4. Make a time line for the main events of this story. Include a written description and illustration for each.
5. Write a letter or e-mail to the author sharing your thoughts about the book.
6. Design an advertisement for this book. You can create a poster, commercial, magazine ad, song or a brochure.
7. Create a plan book of five other pranks Peter could pull on grandpa. State what the prank is, how you will accomplish it, and the supplies you will need. You may also sketch the pranks you decide on.
Part II. Writing- SUMMER SCRAPBOOK 
Each of us loves to share our summer vacation stories with each other. Each year students can’t wait to discuss the tropical places they’ve traveled to or that one family reunion that was unforgettable. This year, I have purchased a notebook for each of you to make your summer memories last a lifetime.
In this scrapbook, I would like you to write about day trips you’ve went on, places you’ve visited, parties you’ve attended or anything else you did this summer. You must write in your journal using cursive writing. I would like you to write in this journal at least six times throughout the summer. However, you may write in it as much as you’d like. You may include pictures, drawings, poems, ticket stubs, menus, postcards, newspaper clippings or anything else that may go with your entry. Remember this year you will be having Social Studies every day. If you visit any historical places you may want to write about them in your summer journal. You will continue writing in this journal throughout the school year. This journal will be due the first day of school. We will be sharing your journals the first week of school.
Part III. Arithmetic 
In addition to these two books and scrapbook assignment, I suggest each child review their multiplication facts from 1-12. They should be able to recite them without hesitation. Knowing their multiplication facts is crucial in fourth grade. Students are expected to be able to complete fifty facts in less than three minutes. This can be a great way to spend time as a family. The use of playing cards, number cubes or dominos are great tools for practice. The following websites are also great math review sites.
I have compiled a list of school supplies based on what I found necessary. If you have any questions please e-mail me at nlibero2020@gmail.com. I would also like to be able to communicate with each of you over the summer. Once you receive this packet, if you could send me an e-mail with your name, your child’s name and your e-mail address, I would greatly appreciate it. I firmly believe that teaching is a team effort. It takes both the teacher and parent to make the difference. Have a safe summer. See you in the fall! 
I dreamed I stood in a studio,
And watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a child’s mind,
And they fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher; the tools used,
Were books and music and art.
One, a parent with guiding hands,
A gentle and loving heart.
Day after day the teacher toiled,
With a touch both deft and skilled.
The parent labored side by side,
And all the values filled.
And when at last their task was done,
They looked at what they’d wrought.
The beautiful shape of the precious child,
Could neither be sold nor bought.
And each agreed it would have failed,
If one had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
And behind the teacher, home.
Author Unknown
School Supplies
1. One- inch binder (Social Studies and Science)
1. Package of dividers
1. Three ring hole puncher
1-Three Subject Notebook (Reading, Religion, English)
2-Composition Notebooks (Math and Science Lab)
1-Package of graphing paper
1- Packages of wide ruled loose-leaf.
1-Box of Pencils
1-Box of Erasable Pens (Blue or Black Ink)
1-Box of Correcting Pens (Red/Purple/Green/Pink)
2-Double Pocket Folders
2-Boxes of Kleenex
2-Rolls of Paper Towels
1-Pencil/Pen Case
1- Package of Skinny EXPO Markers.
A Planner will be provided
Thank-you,
Ms. Libero
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