I Facilitate Thinking.
I Engage Minds.
I Listen to Questions.
I Support Struggle.
I Cultivate Dreams.
I Learn Every Day.
I TEACH!
"Every child has a different style and pace. Each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding." - Robert John Meehan.
WELCOME TO GRADE 4!
I am so thrilled to be your child's teacher for the upcoming school year! I can’t wait to get to know your child and share what’s all in store for the coming year.
But, before that I would love to introduce myself. I am Mrs. Maya N. Hotwanni. I was born in India and moved to Sint Maarten 23 years ago. I have a masters degree from India. This is my 20th year teaching at Learning Unlimited Preparatory School. I started as an assistant teacher at the age of
17 (India). This year, I turned 48.
I do believe that every child has a different style of learning and pace. I will try my best to meet them where they are and help them reach their goal and potential.
In Grade 4, learning occurs in the most fascinating and fun manner. Fourth grade is a very exciting and challenging experience for the students, as they acquire the necessary skills that will prepare them for the following years.
I am looking forward for a very successful year.
Textbooks/ Workbooks/Agendas
Textbooks/Workbooks are for classroom use only. Students may take their books home to study for tests, but they must be brought back to class on the next school day, without being written in please. Textbooks must be covered with paper or reusable book covers. Students are expected to keep a record of their assignments in an agenda, which must be brought to school on a daily basis. Each student’s agenda and take home folder should be checked every night for assignments or notes from the school and signed by a parent or guardian.
Textbooks/Workbooks are for classroom use only. Students may take their books home to study for tests, but they must be brought back to class on the next school day, without being written in please. Textbooks must be covered with paper or reusable book covers. Students are expected to keep a record of their assignments in an agenda, which must be brought to school on a daily basis. Each student’s agenda and take home folder should be checked every night for assignments or notes from the school and signed by a parent or guardian.
Quizzes and Tests
Tests and Quizzes will be given in all core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Reading). Please help your child through the studying process by setting a quiet place at home.
Tests and Quizzes will be given in all core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Reading). Please help your child through the studying process by setting a quiet place at home.
Semesters
Please note that elementary terms are divided into two 18-week semesters. The Elementary school will provide interim reports, mid-semester, for those students who are struggling academically. Report cards will be distributed at the end of each term.
Please note that elementary terms are divided into two 18-week semesters. The Elementary school will provide interim reports, mid-semester, for those students who are struggling academically. Report cards will be distributed at the end of each term.
Homework
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis, as it reinforces skills, concepts and information learned in class. It helps students to work independently and develop self-discipline.
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis, as it reinforces skills, concepts and information learned in class. It helps students to work independently and develop self-discipline.
Reading Log
Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes every evening to help them become better readers and enjoy reading. They will also be expected to complete a reading response to accompany their reading log. Reading logs will be given at the beginning of the week and will be due every Friday.
Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes every evening to help them become better readers and enjoy reading. They will also be expected to complete a reading response to accompany their reading log. Reading logs will be given at the beginning of the week and will be due every Friday.
Rotation Schedule
Monday: Spanish
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Physical Education and Recorders
Thursday: Performing Arts
Friday: Informational Technology
Monday: Spanish
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Physical Education and Recorders
Thursday: Performing Arts
Friday: Informational Technology
Class Dojo
Grade 4 will be using the app ClassDojo to connect with parents. ClassDojo is a communication and behavior management app. Each student has a profile on which points can be added or deducted throughout the day. Students earn “Dojo Points” based on their classroom conduct and work ethic. This information is then recorded on students’ profiles. All parents are requested to download the classdojo app on an electronic device or sign in via a computer and daily monitor their child’s progress.
Grade 4 will be using the app ClassDojo to connect with parents. ClassDojo is a communication and behavior management app. Each student has a profile on which points can be added or deducted throughout the day. Students earn “Dojo Points” based on their classroom conduct and work ethic. This information is then recorded on students’ profiles. All parents are requested to download the classdojo app on an electronic device or sign in via a computer and daily monitor their child’s progress.
Report Card Grades
Report card grades will be based on tests, quizzes, graded classwork, completion of homework, and participation in classroom discussion.
Curriculum
Below are some topics that we will be covering in the four core subjects:
Reading: cause and effect, compare and contrast, main idea, sequencing, genre, comprehension, context clues, making inferences, text features, drawing conclusions, reading chapter book: Because of Winn – Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and Frindle by Andrew Clements, theme, story elements, author’s purpose, fact and opinion
Writing: 3 paragraph essay, friendly letter writing, sentence variety, narrative writing, expository writing, persuasive writing, 5 paragraph essay, creative writing, summarizing, descriptive writing, writing poetry
Grammar: sentences, subjects/ nouns, predicates/ verbs, simple and compound sentences, more about nouns, possessive nouns, action verbs and linking verbs, main verbs and helping verbs, present tense verbs, past tense verbs, future tense verbs, irregular verb, pronouns, possessive pronouns, adjectives and adverbs, prepositions, phrases and clauses, complex sentences, sentence fragments, and run on sentences, commas and colons, titles and quotation marks, more about quotation marks, negatives and easily confused words
Word Work: dictionary skills, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, homophones, homographs, Prefixes, suffixes, similes, and metaphors
Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction to One Million Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers Multiply 2 and 3-Digit Numbers Divide by 1-Digit Numbers Factors, Multiples, and Patterns Fraction Equivalence and Comparison Add and Subtract Fractions Multiply Fractions with Whole Numbers Relate Fractions and Decimal Two – Dimensional Figures Angels Relative Sizes of Measurement Algebra: Perimeter and Area
Life science
Kingdoms of Life
The Animal Kingdom
Exploring Ecosystems
Surviving in Ecosystems
Earth and Its Resources
Shaping Earth
Saving Earth’s Resources
Weather and Space
Weather and Climate
The Solar System and Beyond
Matter
Properties of Matter
Matter and its changes
Force and Energy
Forces
Energy
The First Americans
St. Maarten History
Slave trade
Native Groups
Colonization
Map skills:
Introduction to the US and States
Boundaries and Rivers
Political Maps
Physical Maps
Continents
South America: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
North America: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Europe: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Africa: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Asia: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Economics
St. Maarten History
Slave trade
Native Groups
Colonization
Map skills:
Introduction to the US and States
Boundaries and Rivers
Political Maps
Physical Maps
Continents
South America: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
North America: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Europe: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Africa: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Asia: countries, geography, climate, culture, map skills
Economics
