Dear 4th grade families,
The poetry is continuing to flow beautifully from our classroom and has progressively strengthened with each new poem. Originally we concentrated on line breaks, rhythm and rhyme, but now that we are also emphasizing the importance of word choices, it has opened up a whole new world. We re-read Robert Frost’s, The Pasture and everyone chose one, two or three words that really spoke to them. (The list from the board is included in the slideshow below.) We have banned boring words and the students also shared their poems with each other for word suggestions. They have learned how to use the thesaurus on our classroom shelf, the one on the computer, and most importantly, the one in their heads!
Next week is a bit special as the 5th and 6th graders are away on their trips to Hurlburt and Nature’s Classroom. It will be a bit quieter and we will have a lunch/recess with the 3rd graders on Friday.
As you know, we have a World Geography quiz on Monday. We have discussed different ways to remember Cape of Good Hope vs. Cape Horn, the Iberian Peninsula from the Arabian Peninsula, and I’m told the most challenging is keeping the Atlas and Andes mountains straight. The quiz I give on Monday is one I re-give a couple of times throughout the year, it can take a while to keep it all straight.
I know that last night’s math homework was challenging. I usually go over 1 or 2 problem’s in class so they have a foundation from which they can continue. But we were a bit rushed yesterday and they were on their own. I will say that when we reviewed it in class, the different strategies used were fascinating to all, myself included.
I know it is a fine that you walk as to when to help and when to pull back, but last night was definitely a night to help! I never want the kids to get to a point of frustration. I ask for a good 20 minutes of doing their best, and to bring in their questions the next day.
Finally, I want to thank Jill and Julia for a terrific lunch bunch on Thursday! Every student tried, and loved, the delicious bone broth soup along with the noodles and other goodies on the side. It’s rare to get everyone to try something new. Dessert was a perfect treat at the end of the day as well.
There are 2 slideshows attached below- somehow I don’t think I shared the ones from our OMI trip. The other one is just a mishmash of life inside the classroom, the learning commons, and the garden.
Hope you all get some time outside this weekend,
Best, Katharine