On the final day of the 2008-2009 school year, the fourth graders of Mr. La Marr's class were asked to give advice to the "new" fourth graders as to how to be successful during the 4th grade school year. The class was very successful in its own right and had great ideas for the incoming fourth graders. The students took the prompt seriously and gave some very specific advice as to how to be a successful fourth grade, rapid learner student in Mr. La Marr's class.

Mr. La Marr is a great teacher, but there are some things you must NEVER do to be successful in his class.

Never:

• lose your books
  
• talk while he is talking. You might be sent outside to count the bricks.
  
• do your own project while he is speaking
  
• open your desk while he is still talking

Mr. La Marr is a great teacher. To get on his good side, do these things:

• be quiet
  
• keep your books in class
  
• don't eat the science

Things to look forward to:

• occasional 4's
  
• Westminster Woods
  
• Science Night
  

Dear 4th graders,

You're going to have so much fun this year! But, to be successful, you need to do a few things. Keep your desk clean. If you don't, it becomes a black hole. Work hard. It will be worth it at the end. Don't goof off. You will get in trouble and won't be able to do your homework. Don't keep things until the last minute. Teachers give you time to do things because projects need time. They aren't supposed to get done in one day. That is all the advice I have for you.

Shilpa

Here are some tips on how to be successful in 4th grade.

Writing: Think beyond what the question is asking. Use good vocabulary words and key words in your writing. When you read The Phantom Tollbooth, make sure that you are writing about what the phrase really means!

Math: Pay close attention and keep your formula sheets!

Science: Do exactly what Mr. La Marr tells you and DON'T EAT THE SCIENCE!!!

In general: Don't talk when you are not asked to. Mr. La Marr will embarrass people. At Westminster Woods, sit up next to Mr. La Marr so that when people lunge on him, you can push them down in mid-air. HAVE FUN!

To get good grades in Mr. La Marr's fourth grade class you should:

• always be quiet because Mr. La Marr will send you outside.
  
• always put time and effort into your work because Mr. La Marr can tell if you haven't and Mr. La Marr grades harshly. He's not afraid to give you 1's or 2's.
  
• always be quiet when you line up and line up straight. Mr. La Marr will make you line up again and no one wants to be late to recess.
  
• Never be loud; the whole class will be loud and Mr. La Marr doesn't like it when it is too loud.
  
• When he rings the bell, listen or else bad things will happen like canceling fate cards (in simulations).
  
• Raise your hand a lot because he tallies how much you participate.
  

Pay attention. Don't drive Mr. La Marr up the wall. Try your best on everything. In the middle of class, don't talk or sing.

In this class, these things listed may give you the help you may need.

• always be organized
  
• make sure you have room in your desk
  
• don't just throw papers in your desk
  
• be sure to do the best you can and learn
  
• don't blurt out words or you'll end up counting bricks
  
• The most important rule is be nice and kind
  
• and also be yourself
  
  

My words of advice? I think you just should study hard, work hard, and try to be the best you can be. Remember, you can always improve in everything so give it your all. Now it's my tips for umm . . . other things. Don't get too competitive in "games". Working hard will help you win. Oh and get Mr. La Marr on the cargo net at Westminster Woods. Sneak up on him. Pretend to help him.

Michael

Mr. La Marr is a really awesome teacher so don't disappoint him. Keep a clean desk and be very organized. This is so you don't lose your books.

1. If you don't find your books at the end of the year-NO REPORT CARD.

2. Also, no books for the upcoming 4th graders.

3. Don't forget homework. Trust me, it'll haunt you like the ghost of homework past.

Follow this and you'll be successful.

Jacqueline

Don't talk out loud as much as you did last year. You won't easily get away with it this year. I learned the hard way!

Raise your hand and get called on a lot throughout the year. Mr. La Marr marks down almost every time you get called on. There's a participation grade on your report card.

Study for tests, and the tests will be easier. Look for words you don't know, and look them up in a dictionary. Don't talk loudly during rotations. Write rough drafts, and edit your paper multiple times. Pay attention in class. Mr. La Marr might call on you randomly. Have fun, work hard, and try your best at everything.

Christina

To be successful in Mr. La Marr's class you should:

• Keep an organized desk.
  
• Pay attention and follow rules. He will embarrass you if you don't.
  
• Try hard. He is not an easy grader.
  
• When he gives you a project, don't wait until the last minute to do it. You will not get a good grade.
  
• Participate as much as you can. It will get you a better grade, and you will learn more.

Vijay

Mr. La Marr is the best teacher, but he is a really hard grader. He makes you think on homework a lot. The homework on the books you read in class is made to think deeper and more detailed. By the end of the year it's a lot easier because you've had lots of experience. Mr. La Marr will make you laugh every day. The things in class may be hard, but Mr. La Marr makes it really FUN! Have a great year!

How to be successful in fourth grade:

• Mr. La Marr is a hard grader so write down lots of possible answers.
  
• Listen closely-Mr. La Marr might call on you when you are not paying attention.
  
• Always have fun in Mr. La Marr's class. He's a funny teacher.
  
• Never give up. Keep trying to find the answer.
  
• Write in cursive. Mr. La Marr does not like it when you don't write in cursive.

Kiana

If you want to be fairly successful in Mr. La Marr's class you should:

• follow the rules on the poster
  
• not talk on your way to lunch
  
• not flick or throw any small objects
  
• not discriminate others
  
• be prepared for a hard grader so when you get a "4" you really earned a "4"
  

Joseph

You should always ask questions if you don't know anything about a certain subject. Don't be scared to ask questions. It doesn't mean you're stupid. I noticed that people in my class that asked questions were more successful. Mr. La Marr will actually like you asking questions. Have fun with Mr. La Marr in fourth grade!

Katherine

To be the best you can be in 4th grade, you should:

• always keep a clean desk
  
• when Mr. La Marr says you lost your book, don't wait until collection day
  
• don't talk out in class; you will end up outside and will miss the instruction
  
• don't give up and never be afraid to ask for help
  
• Have Fun!!!
  

Haley

My advice to Mr. La Marr's future students is work and study as hard as you can, don't talk out of turn, and stay on task. If you do those things, you should be good in his class.

David

1) If Mr. La Marr is on the cargo net, and he is jumping up and down on it, don't walk.

2) Don't throw away papers that he says to keep; they will be very useful.

3) Keep a neat desk.

4) Don't lose your literature or other books like math, science, etc. for you will be in trouble at the end of the year.

5) Pay attention!

Richard

You should always keep a neat and organized desk. It will help you in the future and in Mr. La Marr's class. Keep track of your books till the last day of school.

Vikram

Don't get talking. There is always going to be a little group of kids that is going to have to go outside to sit in the hallway.

Never start a poking fight with Mr. La Marr. He always wins.

Mason

To be successful in fourth grade you should:

• bring your books
  
• follow instructions
  
• do things ahead of time
  
• try your best

Pranav

Listen to this advice.

Don't talk in class or you will get sent outside. Then you can't learn anything when you're staring at a brick wall. So, when you want to say an answer, raise your hand. Don't talk to friends during class.

Amy

Advice for school:

Be organized. Keep all your papers in a binder.

Don't lose anything!

Pay attention or you're going to end up in the hallway.

Don't forget anything!

Advice for Westminster Woods:

On the cargo net, pretend to be on Mr. La Marr's team and then tackle him.

Go on the "illegal" hike.

Watch out for banana slugs! Don't squash them.

Tylor

To have a successful year, you should . . .

• not try to do a whole project the night before it is due.
  
• not do anything sneaky. HE WILL CATCH YOU!
  
• beware of him on the cargo net.
  
• do not go for speed in your work.
  

To be successful in fourth grade you should use your binder wisely. You should learn how to type. You do a lot of work on the computer.

There are lots of things you should do in Mr. La Marr's class. One of them is get organized and stay organized. Know where all of your books, homework, signature sheets and other important papers are at all times. Get good grades too. Mr. La Marr is hilarious, but is pretty hard on grades. Besides, there is nothing more satisfying than Mr. La Marr saying that a lot of the class got a "1" or a "2" but you look down at your paper and notice you're the only one with a "4". Don't brag though.

To be a successful 4th grader, you need to stay focused, work hard, and think. I hope this will help you. Have fun on the cargo net.

Evelina

Dear new 4th graders,

You are now in the class of the greatest teacher in the world, Mr. La Marr. He does a lot of awesome activities in class. He is ridiculously funny. He does a lot of Friday basketball and football. He LOVES the 49ers. Hope you enjoy your fourth grade year of 2009-2010.

Sincerely,

Some Unknown Person

• Always listen in class
  
• Have fun
  
• Never give up
  
• Be very detailed in your writing
  
• Don't finish your homework in 5 minutes or less
  
• Don't be distracted a lot
  
• Don't talk to your neighbors during class

Kiley

Here's some advice for being successful in Room 15 with Mr. La Marr:

1) Keep your desk clean! If you don't it will haunt you as you near the end of the year.

2) Do not be noisy in the hallways or in class. Mr. La Marr likes it kind of quiet.

3) Always be prepared! Keep an eye on the schedule to make this happen. Get your materials out early.

These are the three top most important things to survive 4th grade. Now you're sure to have more fun!

Good luck,

Amanda

Dear 4th grader,

To be successful in fourth grade, you must:

• keep old papers; you will need them
  
• don't lose your books
  
• be ready to learn
  
• listen to Mr. La Marr
  
• follow directions
  
• and have fun
  

Mr. La Marr is a hard teacher so be ready. He is also very funny.

Isabel

To be successful in fourth grade is to be:

• on top of everything
  
• always follow and listen to the directions
  
• be nice to others
  
• always get your signatures signed and homework done
  
• prepared for anything
  
• be aware of the cargo net

Reyce

I hope that you found some ideas that will help you. It isn't as hard as it sounds. My advice: just come to class ready, try hard in all that you do, show enthusiasm, behave yourself, and, as many suggested, have fun! Fourth grade is great!

~Mr. L