Brief Bio: I have been a teacher in Long Hill Township for 11 years.  I taught first grade for six years, and this is my fifth year in fourth grade.  I have been teaching for 22 years.  

To reach me: You may email me at Bplotkin "@" longhill.org  call me at 908-647-2312 (ext 2288).  I check my messages a few times a day, and will get back to you as soon as I get your message.

Expectations: I am looking forward to a GREAT year. I encourage a cooperative learning environment. Character building and kindness are extremely important. I also encourage the children to  strive to work at their greatest potential. I expect the children to take responsibility for their homework every night and for their daily classwork. 

 Daily Homework:   The D.I.R.T. program is an ongoing reading program that we will participate in for the entire year. This program will not begin until October and will be explained on Back To School Night. The children should be reading every night whether it is silently or aloud to a parent.

There will be some type of homework every night, except for the weekends.  I have had a conversation with the class today (October 27th) about homework.  They should always do the best they can and not just try to "get it over with."  Perhaps they could work on their homework right after school or later in the evening.  Whatever works best for them and your schedules is what is optimum.

Testing: I will always tell the children a few days in advance about upcoming tests.  There will be study guides given out in Science and Social Studies for the children to do independently.  We will then go over their answers in class together to make sure that the children have the correct answers.

A great website for Social Studies is available with our new series:  www.harcourtschool.com/ss1

D.I.R.T. will begin the week of October 3rd. 

Social Studies Test -Unit 3 Lesson 1 - Wednesday, February 8th

The class mascot for 2011-12 is the Black Labrador. 

Valentine's Day Party -  February 14th - 2 p.m.

 LAL - We our studying possessives (singular and plural) this week in Spelling.  Please study the words with your children as this can be a difficult lesson.

   2011-12 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

 The following is a list of school supplies you will need to have in school by Monday, September 12, 2011.

* One subject  spiral notebook

* One 1 inch binder with loose-leaf paper and dividers

* Two large pink erasers

* Two plastic (two pocket) folders

* Two twelve packs of #2 pencils

* One package of glue sticks

* One twelve pack of colored pencils (primary colors)

* One twelve pack of markers (primary colors)

* Two highlighters

* One package of Expo dry erase markers (with eraser)

* Four JUMBO book socks

Please make sure that your child has access to a ruler, lined paper, a dictionary and pencils at home.  This will be helpful for them with their homework throughout the year.