This year our classroom is made up of twelve students in grades three and four. Each day we strive to be safe, responsible, respectful, and the best learners that we can be. It is a safe, friendly environment for the children to learn and grow.

     Our routine begins with our Pledge of Allegiance, reciting the Preamble, and morning meeting. Here we greet each other, participate in a group activity, share news about ourselves and talk about the upcoming day.

     Each of our core subjects come at various times throughout the day. We begin with math working in individual and small groups. Our reading program is literature based and will also incorporate the Open Court Reading Program. Our spelling program Is Houghton Mifflin. Writing will look a little different in the 3/4 classroom this year. Not only will we continue using the 4-Square method, but we will also incorporate Gary Chadwell's writing program. The students will learn how to write a Type 1 and Type 2 response this year. This is the writing program used by the Middle School. Our topic untis this year include Australia, New Hampshire, Land and Water, Eart/Space Science, and Magnets and Electricity.

The year long all school theme is.


General Homework Policy
     In keeping with its belief in and the support for a quality instructional program, the Nelson School District supports the concept of homework being an important part of the educational program.

     Homework is an appropriate vehicle for the promotion of self-discipline and the development of organizational skills and resourcefulness. It should be a meaningful extension of the studentís instructional day.

     The Nelson School Board expects that the staff will determine the implementation procedure to ensure that students, parents and staff are fully informed as to how homework will be emphasized, assigned and evaluated. Please know that students may be held in at recess time if homework is not completed by the date specified.


Third and Fourth Grade Homework Policy
     All students have homework Monday through Thursday evening. The purpose of homework at this level is to provide students with the opportunity to develop independent work habits and to practice ongoing academic skills. Third graders have approximately 40 minutes of homework each night and 4th graders have approximately 45 minutes.

     Students should not labor for hours over homework. If your child experiences a great deal of difficulty with any assignment and/or is taking an inordinate amount of time completing it, he/she should feel free to put it away. Parents should inform the teacher the next day, and he/she will take care of it. The ultimate responsibility of homework completion is on the child, but parental guidance and support goes a long way toward successful completion.

     Student's homework will consist of an independent reading task (personal choice or assigned reading from class), spelling workbook pages practicing spelling/sight word lists. Sometimes students will also have a short science, social studies or handwriting assignment during the week. Students also have a French assignment, which is given on Tuesday and is due on Thursday. French assignments take on average about 10 minutes to complete.

     All students will have a Home Assignment Book (HAB) starting in the 3rd grade to help them organize and complete assignments. These HAB'S are the same as those used in the 5th and 6th grades and are similar to those used at the Middle School.



About Miss Mullins
     My name is Kristin Mullins and I am the 3/4 teacher at Nelson School. I came to Nelson School in the summer of 2004. I graduated from Keene State College in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Developmental Psychology. Throughout college I worked with kindergarten through sixth grade students on many different levels. In 2003 I took a one year position and taught third grade at the Benjamin Franklin School in Keene, New Hampshire. I have worked with Special Education Students on lifeskills through summer school sessions, also at Franklin Elementary School. My favorite part of teaching is the interaction that I have with students. I enjoy watching them learn new concepts and play with new knowledge. Some of my passions outside of teaching include volleyball, scrapbooking, and reading.