allyson_hobbs@yarmouthschools.org

I grew up in South Portland, Maine where I enjoyed swimming ​competitively for the YMCA, and spending time with my family. After I ​graduated from South Portland High School, I attended the University of ​Maine Farmington where I obtained my degree in Elementary Education ​with a Concentration in Mathematics. I began my teaching career in ​2020, where I taught 4th grade in the Acton School District. I’m so ​excited to start my 5th year teaching 4th grade at Yarmouth Elementary ​School.

I enjoy spending the summer months on Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine. I ​am always outside paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, or reading! In my ​free time throughout the school year I enjoy coaching swimming, spending ​time outdoors, and skiing. I also enjoy spending time with my grey tuxedo ​cat named Chili.

Homework:

Typically, fourth graders have about 40 minutes of homework four nights a week. This usually ​consists of:

• Math Home Link: 10-15 minutes (4x/week)
  
• Nightly Independent Reading: 20-30 minutes (5-6x/week)
  

Please ensure that homework is part of your child's daily routine and that he or she has a quiet ​environment in which to work.

Homework provides an opportunity for students to practice the skills they are learning at school, as ​well as for you to participate in your child's learning process. However, it should not be a battle that ​causes friction between parent and child at home. Please let me know, via email or note, if your ​child especially struggled or was frustrated by a particular homework assignment. I will be happy to ​follow up with them during the school day.

Math Fact Practice:

Fluency with basic math facts is an important part of a child's mathematical toolkit. In fourth grade, ​we spend a great deal of time on two concepts, multi-digit multiplication and fractions, that require ​a solid foundation of multiplication facts. Children who are not yet automatic with their facts can ​easily get bogged down as they attempt to solve a problem, leading to frustration.

In general, students should be solid with the addition, subtraction and multiplication facts by the ​end of third grade, and in fourth grade students learn their division facts. In fourth grade, they are ​expected to be able to correctly answer 48/50 facts in 3 minutes or less.

What can parents do to help?

• Make math fact practice a part of the daily homework routine. Students should be practicing ​their multiplication or division facts for at least 5-10 minutes/day, until they demonstrate ​mastery.
  
• When possible, play games with your child to make math fact practice more fun. This is ​especially important for students who struggle with timed practice. Please reach out if you ​would like some ideas for multiplication/division games!
  

What resources are available?

Students can practice their facts at either of these sites, which we use at school:

• Xtramath: the first time they sign in, students will need to enster my email address and then their first ​name. They will receive their password from me
• ThatQuiz
• 99Math 
• Make your own flashcards!
  
• Use decks of cards to practice fact fluency.