Dear Fourth and Fifth-Grade Families,
The class had a joyful start to the new school year! The students were delighted to see each other again and to welcome Bridget, who joined the class this year. The students were excited that we have brand-new outdoor and indoor classrooms. The class was ready and eager to learn after the Meet and Greet on Tuesday and the beautiful First Day Assembly on Wednesday to honor the rising first graders.
We started our first main lesson block of the year on Human and Animals by learning the poem “The Eagle” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, which describes an eagle getting ready to swiftly swoop down on his prey from a lofty cliff. The poem is instrumental in speech practice and the students enjoyed reciting the poem in several different ways. We also used words from the poem as our first spelling words that went home for practice last week. The students will come home with a new spelling list at the beginning of each week. They should practice these words at home to be recalled in a short quiz the following Monday. The class also discussed how animals have highly specialized limbs, such as wings or fins, that define their range of movement. This is compared to humans, who stand upright on their feet, and can use their hands and imagination freely to utilize different capacities. This week, the class is studying three archetypal animals: the eagle, the lion, and the bull or cow, while also looking at the human attributes we commonly attach to these animals.
Please make sure that you drop off your child on time each day. The class starts the day with math practice or other challenging activities and goes right into speech work, singing, and movement.
Announcements and Reminders:
Bring 2 full water bottles and bug spray every day.
Bring rain gear every day.
Bring slip-in canvas shoes (no slippers) to keep in the classroom.
Upcoming Events:
8/26 Community Work Day held by our class 9 a.m - 12 p.m.
9/4 Labor Day (No School)
9/5 Joyful Beginnings and Kindergarten Curriculum Night 6 p.m.
9/6 Grades Curriculum Night 6 p.m.
Warm regards,
Gaby
