Snow!!!

While our friends at other schools in the community were headed home for an early dismissal last Tuesday, we stayed at school and got to enjoy the flurries together. We had a beautiful walk back from Imaginon in the snow and then, after math workshop, we headed out for recess. Enjoy these photos!

Latta Plantation

Our first day back from our "snowcation" took us to Historic Latta Plantation. There we heard from a patriot soldier about life in colonial times. He had lots of great artifacts to show the kids. I'd say the best part was when Mr. Merritt was subjected to death by tomahawk! His presentation went out with a real bang when he fired a rifle from the period. After the presentation, the class got to experience colonial games. The kids enjoyed playing the "Game of Graces" and "Hoop and Stick."

Dr. Pridemore - Human Body Guest Speaker

Many thanks to Dr. Laura Pridemore, mother of Sarah, for coming in to talk with the 4th grade. She shared so much fascinating information with the students with a real focus on how to take good care of your body. Ask your student about the expression, "Eat from the garden and drink from the well."

All Trinity Builds

I hope that your 4th grader shared about our All Trinity Builds work on Friday afternoon. Students were put in groups of four, brainstormed elements they hoped to have on the playground, sketched a scale plan on graph paper, and then got building. Their materials consisted of straws, pipe cleaners, fabric, clay, pencils, corks, and other commonly found objects. We loved seeing them turn this trash to treasure! Enjoy the pictures below of your children hard at work and ask them about the details of their group's design.

School House Rock!

Mrs. Postle will be coming into our classroom each Friday morning to teach the songs and movements to "School House Rock," the musical that 4th grade will put on this spring.  That date is April 15 at 2:00pm.  A little singing, a little showmanship; it's a lot of fun!  Don't be surprised if you begin hearing echoes of "Interplanet Janet" or "Three, is a Magic Number" around the house.

Important Dates

March 5 at 2:30-Wax Museum

March 6-7 - Student-Led Conferences 

March 17-21 - TES Spring Break

March 24-28 - ERB Testing

April 2-4 - 4th grade to Earthshine, Lake Toxaway, NC

Calendar

Tuesday, February 11: Metro School

Wednesday, February 12: Don't Tell Me I Can't Fly at Children's Theatre (rescheduled from 2/12)

(**Mother Nature may have different plans for us on Tuesday and Wednesday. We shall see!**)

Friday, February 14: Valentine's Day, All Trinity Builds Challenge, Half-Day, and NUTS day (whew!)

Monday, February 17: President's Day holiday

Tuesday, February 18: Teacher Workday

Wednesday, February 19: Trading Cards due and rescheduled field trip to Latta Plantation

Wednesday March 5: Wax Museum at 2:30

Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7: Student-led conferences

Reader's Workshop

There is such an excited buzz in our classroom each day during Readers' Workshop!  Students are hard at work reading biographies, taking notes, creating graphic organizers, creating trading cards, and writing speeches. We are encouraging the students to do additional research on their chosen historical figure after reading their selected biography. The following website has terrific information.

While working on the biography projects, we are not doing our regular weekly work in the Reader's Notebooks. Students are still reading and recording each night but not doing the vocal and lit studies. We think they have enough work to do on their biography projects!

The Scholastic website has so much amazing information. I'd encourage you to take some time with your child to explore the many resources available. A specific tool that I really like is the Book Wizard. If your child has found a book they really loved, you can enter the title of the book and then click "Similar Books". This is a way to find more books that were similar to the book your child enjoyed.