Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,

The class began the week by drawing campus maps in their Main Lesson books. This was an interesting activity, as each student shared their feelings on how challenging it can be to visualize and imagine a different perspective, in this instance, a bird’s eye view. The students were then tasked with going home and viewing their room from various perspectives: a small animal point of view, their own point of view, and then, if parents allowed, to stand on a chair and view it from higher up. They then drew maps of their room, which were copied into their Main Lesson books. Expanding their sense of place and direction, each student wrote down and learned the different parts of their address. They were tasked with taking a sheet of paper with their address written on it home and writing directions from their house to school. The class had a great time looking at printed maps of their trip from home to school. Observations included noticing distances between locations, how close some classmates lived to each other, and who lived the furthest away from the school.

The students continued exploring Tsalagi (Cherokee) history and culture. The class learned about the dynamics of the families, the jobs and roles of the adults as well as the children, and the importance of giving thanks to the land for what they hunted and gathered. Students learned how Tsalagi houses were made, how their towns were structured, and about the seven clans that made up a tribe. Beautiful pictures were drawn in Main Lesson books for these lessons, as well as written summaries. Some summaries were written collectively by the class, while others were individually written. The class continues to reinforce and create an image of Tsalagi life through our reader, Soft Rain, and all eagerly await the time during our lesson when we read more about Soft Rain and her family as they are forced to move west.

Next week will be the last week of this block. The class will continue to learn about Cherokee life, the importance of the seven clans and what they represented, as well as the tragedy that ensued with the Trail of Tears and the loss of their land.

Announcements and Reminders for Fourth & Fifth Grade:

Curriculum Night is tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend as we look together at the year ahead.
The forest can get chilly in the mornings. Please help your child remember to bring a sweatshirt or sweater.

With Gratitude,

Paulyna