Fifth Grade: May 15-19, 2023

 Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

Thank you all for my amazing and generous end-of-year gift!  I cannot say enough how blessed I feel to teach your children, to work with your wonderful families, and to make this journey together!  Thank you.  

It was an amazing year together as we journeyed through the last year of elementary school.  The students were collectively excited to look ahead to officially becoming Middle Schoolers!  Questions arose steadily:  “Will we still have recess?” and other vital concerns were addressed (snack, creekcess, etc.) that demonstrate that the change of grade this year isn’t a major shift in who and how they are…yet!.  “Yes, recess, snack and creekcess all continue, and yes, work loads increase, too.”  Nothing is perfect! ;) 

Field day was filled with fun and adventures with water as the class played sponge and cup relays, and ran amuck in the sprinkler.  The developmental gap between first and fifth graders closes on Field Day as everyone enjoys themselves!  Bubbles and popsicles rounded out the morning beautifully. 

Please look for your child’s End of Year report toward the middle of June.  There is some summer work addressed here and there to keep skills sharp.  Students were given a book to read this summer, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and aside from that, having fun is the main directive.  I hope you all have the summer break you desire, for your children, your families, and for yourselves.  I look forward to our next adventures together in the sixth grade!

  • May 22: Start of Summer Break! 

  • May 22-26: Teacher In-Service

  • SUMMER BREAK!

  • August 5: Community Work Day

  • August 9: Grades First Day of School!

  • August 10: Kindergarten First Day of School!

  • August 14: Joyful Beginnings First Day of School!


With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: May 8-12, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

Thank you to our beautiful community for showering us with appreciation last week!  It’s a gift to teach at our school.  Your thoughtfulness is met with gratitude! 

Our class play of Demeter and Persephone was a successful experience.  The process in and around a Waldorf class play is one filled with specific intentions that allow the teacher to help students develop various personal skills.  A class play also helps strengthen the connectedness of the class community, as the students work together to coordinate movements, support each other to succeed in their roles, and help each other bring their best to the stage.  The students prepared for their roles before and after the excitement of the Pentathlon and did a terrific job overall.  Congratulations to you all, Fifth Grade!  A special thank you to Ki Kathee for supporting our class throughout the entire play experience with her musical gifts and performance expertise.

 As we look to these last days of fifth grade, the students take the time to look back on the past year and reflect on all they have done and accomplished as they review the pages of their main lesson books.  They share laughter and stories, celebrate successes, and witness growth and maturity, both personally and collectively.  I am grateful to share in these moments with your children, and I am thankful to look toward the coming sixth-grade year, knowing I will continue on this journey with your children and your families.  Thank you for all your kindness and support.

Reminders:

Please equip your child with sun hats, insect repellent, 2 filled water bottles, and water shoes that must have hard-soled, closed-toed shoes for safe and fun play in the creek. 

  • 5/17:  Field Day

  • 5/19:  Last Day of School 

  • 5/20: SUMMER BREAK BEGINS!

With gratitude,

Melissa

Fifth Grade: May 8-12, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

It was a busy week as we ramped up for our play this Thursday.   The students spent last week rehearsing lines, working on stage presence, and planning how to enter and exit the stage for each scene.  Ki Kathee has joined us for several practices, helping us with placement, music, and other aspects of our play.  Our play will be followed by a cast party at the picnic tables; please sign-up to bring some goodies if you can do so! 

Today, we had the opportunity to try out the pizza oven our class built out of clay harvested around campus, led by Mr. Matan.  Firewood is stored in the lower half, and a fire is built in the top part of the oven.  Once good and hot, the coals are pushed aside, and the pizza is placed inside to bake.  In addition to eating homemade pizza baked in the oven they built themselves, the students enjoyed s’mores.  What an amazing experience for the class! 

Reminders:

Now that the weather is (finally!) warming, please equip your child with sun hats, insect repellent, 2 filled water bottles, and water shoes. Creekcess will begin soon, and students may only go in the water if they have hard-soled, closed-toed shoes for the creek. 

  • 5/9: First Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/9: Third/Fourth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/11:  Second Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/11:  Fifth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/13:  Community Work Day 

  • 5/17:  Field Day

  • 5/19:  Last Day of School 

With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: April 24-28, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

Thank you all for a wonderful auction experience!  Having the special adults in our students’ lives gather together to enjoy each other’s company and view the amazing class projects was a delight!  A special thank you to Major’s mom, Candace, for completing our project in such an incredible way!  We thank you all for supporting our school!

The Southeastern Waldorf School Pentathlon was an experience to be remembered by our Fifth Grade class for years to come.  The students rose to the occasion at all practices, our class presentation, and the final events, building their inner confidence and beautifully representing our school community.  They made friends with those in their city-states, cheering on their new teammates and their classmates in other city-states, alike.  A special and tremendous thank you to Mr. Matan for the excellent training year, and for supporting all the student-athletes at the games, Ki Ben for preparing the students to shine at their presentation for over 140 students and teachers in the audience, Asher’s mom, Heather, for chaperoning, Rory’s dad, Zach, for being a judge, Christopher’s mom, Debbie, for helping to support the dissemination of information, and a special thank you to Violet, who read her Ode to Aphrodite in front of close to 100 students, plus all the supporting adults and families in attendance from 8 different schools! Thank you, also, to all the Fifth Grade parents for your constant support, patience, and understanding as we shared this journey to the Pentathlon.

Our class play of Demeter and Persephone will be on Thursday, May 11th at 6:00.  Our play will be followed by a cast party at the picnic tables; please sign-up to bring some goodies if you are able to do so! Students are memorizing their lines at home, practicing at school, and working on the setting, stage placement, and props.  Please encourage your child to set aside time to practice at home and help them to memorize their dialogue and add inflection and attitude appropriate to their parts.

Reminders:

Now that the weather is warming, please equip your child with sun hats, insect repellent, 2 filled water bottles, and water shoes. Creekcess will begin soon and students may only go in the water if they have hard-soled, closed-toed shoes for the creek. 

  • 5/5 Half Day 

  • 5/9: First Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/9: Third/Fourth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/11: Second Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/11: Fifth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/13 Community Work Day 

  • 5/19 Last Day of School 


With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: April 17-21, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

This Friday is our annual fundraiser!  We are so excited and we hope to see you all (adults only, please). Thank you for your participation in our class auction project and thank you for your continuous support of our school!

We had an amazing and musically educational visit to see the KSU orchestra practice on Wednesday.  It was wonderful to see such an array of instruments and the diverse body of students who play them with such enthusiasm.  Thank you to Ki Ben, our Music teacher, for arranging our visit!

This past week, the fifth-grade class made their final preparations as we head to the South Eastern Pentathlon games.  Practicing our Olympic Oath was central to our week.  

Great Zeus mighty ruler of Olympus,

We pledge our honor to these games.

Strength and Grace will guide our limbs.

Courage and Beauty will guide our hearts.

Truth and Spirit of Cooperation will guide our minds.

We pledge to strive with all our skill to win with Grace, and lose with Dignity.

The students spent extra time with Mr. Matan, finalizing form, speed, and grace for the five events, discus, baton relay, long jump, javelin, and wrestling.  We are packed, excited, anxious, and, as you read this, at the games with seven other Waldorf school fifth-grade classes!

Adding to our excitement, the students are readying for our class play which will be held the Thursday evening of May 11th at 6:00, followed by a cast party at the picnic tables.  Parts have been assigned, and with Ki Kathee’s support, the students dove fully into practice. We worked through the play several times, running through lines and scenes with partners and as a class. Students will be working to memorize their lines at home; please encourage them to set aside time to practice at home and help them to memorize their dialogue and add inflection and attitude appropriate to their parts.

Reminders:

Now that the weather is warming, please equip your child with sun hats, insect repellent, 2 filled water bottles and water shoes. Creekcess will begin soon and students may only go in the water if they have hard-soled, closed-toed shoes for the creek. 

  • 4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

  • 4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

  • 4/29 Community Work Day  

  • 5/5 Half Day 

  • 5/9: First Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/9: Third/Fourth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/11: Second Grade Play 5pm

  • 5/11: Fifth Grade Play 6pm

  • 5/13 Community Work Day 

  • 5/19 Last Day of School 

With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: April 10-14, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

We completed our second botany block following our spring break week.  We spent time learning about two helpful pollinators, butterflies and bees.  We learned about how they collect nectar, the flowers' gift to these insects, and in return, the butterflies and bees distribute pollen to continue the life cycle of flowering plants.  We also learned about oak trees, their life cycle, seed distribution, and the benefits these trees contribute.  We did the same for coconut palm trees.  As we ended the week learning about bees, we enjoyed a special snack of apples dipped in local honey.

We will begin our second North American geography block, focusing now on the United States, and will work in our Key to Fractions 3 booklets. Also, we are making ourselves ready for the Pentathlon. The students are regularly practicing with Mr. Matan for the five events, working with Ki Ben to learn the songs they will perform, memorizing the oath, and will rewrite final copies of their odes to the gods. 

We are now diving more fully into our play practice based on the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone.  We are reading the script together and working through ideas for performing the various scenes.  Parts will be announced soon and at-home practice will be required.  The play will be the second week of May, the exact date and time will be announced soon!  

We are definitely keeping ourselves busy!

Reminders:

Now that the weather is warming, please equip your child with sun hats, insect repellent, and water shoes. Creekcess will begin soon and students may only go in the water if they have hard-soled, closed-toed shoes for the creek. 


4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day  

5/5 Half Day 

5/13 Community Work Day 

5/19 Last Day of School 

With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: March 27-31, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

The spring weather gave us a perfect start to our second Botany block.  We began the week by reviewing the lower plants we studied last semester.  Following this review, the concept of vascular and non-vascular plants and the differences between monocotyledons and dicotyledons were introduced.  As we looked closely at the parts of a seed, we explored the parts of a lima bean that we had soaked and dissected and planted lima beans and marigold seeds.  Touring the campus, we had many opportunities to notice the complicated leaf patterns and the four, five, or multi-petals of dicots.  We ended the week learning about pollen and its importance to the life cycle of a plant.  This coming week, we will finish our exploration of botany as we look closely at pollinators and their life cycles.

We were excited to begin play practice last week with a read-through of our play based on the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone.  In the coming week, the class will work on the play without specifically assigned parts, allowing students the opportunity to live into many characters, work on fluency as we read parts aloud, and absorb the general mood of the play.  Once parts are assigned, students will bring home scripts to memorize lines.  The play will take place after school one evening in early May; the date will be announced as soon as possible!

Our Grandfriends Tea was a lovely community event!  It was wonderful to meet the family and friends of our students and watch the children share and show off our amazing school and campus.  Thank you to all for your support.  

Have a lovely, restful, and fun-filled Spring Break!

Reminders:

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day  

5/5 Half Day 

5/13 Community Work Day 

5/19 Last Day of School 


With gratitude,

Melissa




Fifth Grade: March 20-24, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

This past week, the fifth-grade class completed their final Ancient Civilization block of the school year. We traveled through time through stories from the ancient cultures of India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and finally, Greece. The students deeply enjoyed the stories and a view of life for the people during these time periods. Not only were they able to see the differences in how people in these varied cultures lived, but as we progressed through time, the students could also witness the many similarities these cultures shared as they tried to make sense of and learn more about the world around them. The class is reading additional stories from the Greek period through independent reading assignments. We will soon be working on our class play based on one of the myths we heard as a class. 

We have now moved into our second Botany block. In the next two weeks, we will review the lower plant families and also learn about dicotyledons. To complement this block, each student chose a native plant to draw and then transfer onto copper sheets using tooling. These lovely drawings will become a fantastic wall-art piece for our class auction project!  

If you haven’t yet, please email an RSVP with the number of guests, and their names, who will be attending the Grandfriends Tea on March 31st. 

Reminders:

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea (11:00-12:00)

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day  

5/5 Half Day 

5/13 Community Work Day 


With gratitude,

Melissa



Fifth Grade: March 13-17, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

The Fifth-grade class had a busy and fun week.  On Tuesday, we celebrated Pi day, 3.14!  After stepping back into geometry and reviewing how to measure the circumference of a circle, we had fun with a Pi-related movement activity and a painting activity, both related to the endless decimal places of this irrational number.  We also enjoyed apple pie (Pi) bars.  As an additional surprise, we also had a cherry pie (Pi) from Andi and her family!  Thank you, it was delicious!

During the other school days, the students worked on writing odes to the god or goddess of their choosing.  We learned how to use a thesaurus, and after completing a brainstorming exercise, we used the thesaurus to help expand our vocabulary choices.  Adjectives were reviewed during grammar and have been essential while working on our odes.  

Please be on the lookout for Key to Decimal homework this week and next.  Students are assigned a certain number of pages to complete at home and can work beyond that requirement if desired.

Reminders:

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea (11:00-12:00)

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day  

* Please RSVP to your child’s teacher the number of guests, and their names, that will be attending the Grandfriends Tea on March 31st. Click here to email  Ki Melissa.

With gratitude,

Melissa



Fifth Grade: March 6-10, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

The fifth-grade class has enjoyed hearing stories of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. We heard the stories of Persephone and Hades, Pandora and her Jar of Miseries, and Zeus causing the great flood to try to eliminate mortals from the earth. This past week, each student had the opportunity to decide what gift they would wish to bring to the world if they were an immortal Greek god or goddess. Their gift could be tangible or intangible. As a class, we discussed the effects each gift could have, including positive and negative consequences, on the mortal race. The students then wrote about their preferred god or goddess and, if they were immortal, what gift they would want to bring to the human race. In Grammar, we reviewed adverbs. We ended the week learning about similes and metaphors as we began to work on each writing an ode to our preferred Greek god or goddess. 

In math, students are finishing up their Key to Decimal 2 workbooks. During our Morning Math, we are reviewing and expanding our long division skills. Students are also now applying the steps to calculate the class average of laps done each day and for the week as a whole.

Reminders:

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea (11:00-12:00)

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day  


With gratitude,

Melissa



Fifth Grade: February 27- March 3, 2023

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,


It was wonderful to be back together and enjoy some spring-like weather (and rain, of course – lol).  The class began our block on ancient Greek mythology this past week.   We first learned about the geographical features of Greece, including understanding the difference between an island and an islet.  We then heard a version of the ancient Greek creation story and met the gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus.  We will continue to hear various stories from this period for the next two weeks.  We also finished our class reader, Black Ships Before Troy, and will now read The Wanderings of Odysseus, also by Rosemary Sutcliff.   

The Pentathlon is fast approaching!  Most days of the week, the students run laps right after they arrive at school or before snacktime, to help develop stamina for the relay race.  We keep track of our laps individually and as a class, including figuring out the average number of laps we collectively run each day (math!).  Students have been learning the skills needed for wrestling through various fun games.  In addition, the class helped to dig a sandpit (now well filled with sand) to practice their long jump skills, and the students are beginning to practice javelin and disk throwing.  In alignment with Greek culture, winning an event is not only based on speed or strength but also on form, behavior, and performance.  This tradition of joining other area Waldorf schools to participate together in these events is one we are excited to experience in our fifth-grade year!

Reminders:

3/11 Community Work Day 

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea 

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon 

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day 

4/29 Community Work Day 

With gratitude,

Melissa

Fifth Grade: February 13 - 17

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

It was wonderful to meet and talk together during our parent-teacher conferences.  Sharing your children’s progress and viewing their work is always inspiring!  

This past week we finished our second geometry block.  We discussed Pythagoras and his theorem, learned about square numbers, and explored some fun and exciting number concepts.  In our Grammar lesson, we reviewed verbs (action, linking, and helping) and talked more about subjects and predicates.  To celebrate Valentine’s day, the students charted points on a graph using Cartesian art, made Valentine’s cards for their families, and enjoyed brownies.  In celebration of Black history month, we have been learning about Black inventors throughout history, including Lyda Newman, who created and introduced hair care products and brushes specifically for Black hair, and Charles Drew, who figured out how to preserve blood and began the concept of blood banks both in England and in America.

When we return, we will begin our unit on Ancient Greece.  The class has been reading aloud the book Black Ships Before Troy, by Rosemary Sutcliff, based on the Iliad.  In addition to being rich with language and imagery, this story has given them an introduction to the Greek gods and an understanding of the time period and culture.  Once we finish reading the book, we will begin The Odyssey, also by Rosemary Sutcliff.  

Have a wonderful mid-winter break. Please remember, school resumes on Tuesday, February 28th.

Reminders:

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 

3/11: Community Work Day 

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea 

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School)

With gratitude,

Melissa

Fifth Grade: February 6-10, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

The class continued to focus on geometry this past week.  Each morning they began their main lesson identifying and measuring angles with protractors. We learned about polygons as we practiced shading with coloring pencils to create the shapes of various polygons from the inside out. From straight-edge shapes, our focus moved to circles and how to measure them.  The students learned about Pi, and through hands-on activities understood the diameter of a circle is equal to approximately 3.14 of its circumference. They drew many freehand circles, creating colorful designs.  We closed the week beginning a lesson about the Sieve of Eratosthenes as the students used a hundreds chart to identify prime numbers. We will finish our second geometry block this week with an introduction to Pythagoras, have some number fun, and with a brief exploration of charts and graphs.

The Chinese New Year puppet show was a success!  The students put great effort into all aspects of the show from writing the play, learning their lines in Mandarin, sewing puppets, folding origami rabbits and firecrackers, and practicing before presenting to the early childhood and grades classes this past Wednesday.  They did an amazing job and all aspects of this experience were beneficial.  A special thank you to Ki Cerina for leading our class in this endeavor and to Ki Ieva for the many extra handwork classes to help the students sew their sweet puppets!  You can see the Chinese New Year puppet show here.

I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences this week!

Reminders:

2/15-2/17:   Half Days and  Parent Conferences:  Please sign up for your slot here.

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 

3/11: Community Work Day 

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea 

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

With gratitude,

Melissa

Fifth Grade: January 30- February 3, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

We dove into our geometry block this past week, continuing our review of the properties of triangles, discussing the dimensions of objects (0-D to 3-D), and learning seven types of quadrilaterals. We also practiced measuring flat shapes, calculating perimeter and area, and also using our protractors to measure angles. The students enjoyed drawing colorful designs using various quadrilaterals, helping solidify the content being taught through artistic renderings.  The class also is continuing to work with the four processes during morning math and to work in their Key to Decimal books several afternoons each week.  During our Grammar period, we focused on subjects and predicates. The students identified each in a given sentence and then drew a funny picture based on the sentences given. This week, we will continue learning about quadrilaterals and move on to circles. 

The students are excited to present their Chinese New Year play this Wednesday to the Early Childhood and Grades students (we are past Chinese New year’s, but the students had lots to do! :).  Each student memorized their lines in Mandarin, practiced together diligently during Mandarin class, and sewed a three-dimensional animal character.  We will have two short shows in the morning and will be sure to record and post a show in our Garden Messenger!

Thank you to all of our families who joined us this past Saturday for our All School meeting.  Coming together as a community to support our lovely school is what keeps us strong and helps us grow.  

Reminders:

2/15-2/17:   Half Days and  Parent Conferences:  Please sign up for your slot here.

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 

3/11: Community Work Day 

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea 

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School) 

With gratitude,

Melissa


Fifth Grade: January 23 - 27

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

This past week we completed our block on Ancient Egypt with a summary writing of the Treachery of Set.  The students enjoyed this block, hearing the creation myths and stories of the gods while at the same time learning factual information about this period in time.   As the class moves from the early grades into the middle school years, blocks about cultures and places begin to focus more on historical facts and timelines.  This meets students developing interests in the world at large and all that it holds for them.  

On Thursday, we began our Geometry II block.  We began by reviewing our main lesson books, remembering all we learned about points, lines, angles, and triangles. The class was next introduced to quadrilaterals with drawings, using both freehand and help from a straight-edge to create colorful designs.  This week, we will continue exploring these four-sided figures artistically, review how to find the perimeter of a shape, and begin to focus on the properties of squares, rectangles, and other quadrilaterals.   Alongside this, the class is working extra hours with Ki Ieva, sewing small animal forms for their coming Chinese New Year puppet show, which they will present to the students at our school.  

This Saturday, February 4, is our All School Meeting (adults only, please)!  Following our community workday, we ask you to please join us at 12:00 for a faculty-sponsored, complimentary soup bar before we join together to hear about the “State of the School” at 12:30.  As an added incentive, each family represented receives 2 volunteer hours.

Reminders:

2/4:  Community Work Day / All-School Meeting–A Community Event (adults only, please)

2/15-2/17:   Half Days and  Parent Conferences:  Please sign up for your slot here.

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 

3/11: Community Work Day 

With gratitude,

Melissa

Fifth Grade: January 16-20, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

The class enjoyed a week of stories based on the Ancient Egyptian creation myths filled with the adventures of their gods.  We learned about the gods, such as Thoth, Isis and Osiris, and Set, along with learning more about how the Pharaoh ruled in those times.  We copied summaries, and painted and drew pictures as we proceeded through our school week. During our weekly grammar lesson, we added proper nouns to our book and focused on some of the various types of pronouns.  This week, we will review verbs and look more closely at the various types of verbs. Additionally, we will finish our block on Ancient Egypt, begin our Geometry II block about quadrilaterals and circles. 

We enjoyed a fun and educational visit from the Southern Train Museum last week!  The students always are enthusiastic and entranced to view the model train displays.  As fifth graders, they were able to focus more on the practical aspects of train travel and understand more readily how locomotives operated in the past and today.  Thank you, Southern Train Museum!  
Parent Conferences are right around the corner!  February 15th, 16th, and 17th will be half-days for all classes as we take an opportunity to meet with the parents of our students.  Please sign up for your slot here. I look forward to meeting with you to review your child’s progress and view their main lesson books. 

Reminders:

2/4:  Community Work Day / All-School Meeting–A Community Event

2/15-2/17:   Half Days and  Parent Conferences 

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 


With gratitude,

Melissa




 



Fifth Grade: January 9-13, 2023

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

It was a busy and fun first whole week of the Spring semester!  The students were happy to move back to the dome for the majority of the school day.  We will continue using our indoor classroom on the more frigid mornings and move inside or outside depending on our specialty schedule.  Please send your child with layers, as it warms up nicely in the dome between the woodstove fire and the sunshine (and not as much on overcast days).  

We are enjoying learning about the land and culture of Ancient Egypt.  This past week we drew a map of Egypt during this time period.  We spent time learning about pyramids, embalming, mummification, hieroglyphics, and the Rosetta Stone, and listening to the retellings of stories of creation and the gods of Ancient Egypt.  We will continue to hear more stories from Ancient Egypt this week.  

Alongside, during our extra main lesson periods, the class is finishing work in their Key to Decimals 1 book and several students have begun book 2.  We also copied our Parts of Speech verse and are beginning to review each part of speech during another extra main lesson period.  The class is practicing for their Chinese New Year puppet show with Ki Cerina and will begin sewing their felt animal props with Ki Ieva this week.

Mark the date: February 4th is our All School meeting, please see the Main Messenger for more information . This is an event for our entire community and all families are asked to attend. We share in a soup bar, compliments of our faculty and staff, and focus on the State of the School. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Reminders:

2/4:  Community Work Day / All-School Meeting–A Community Event

2/15-2/17:   Half Days and  Parent Conferences 

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School) 

2/27:  Teacher In-Service (No School) 


With gratitude,

Melissa




 



Fifth Grade: January 5-6, 2023

Welcome back, Fifth Grade Families!

I hope you all had a joyful and rejuvenating winter break!

Please send your student back to school with their rain gear, warm layers, and their usual snack, lunch, and two water bottles.  We will be sharing time between our indoor classroom, outdoor classroom, and the dome (yay!).  Please remind your child to dress for the weather! :)

Additionally, we have a new schedule this semester. Music is Monday and Fridays,  Ukulele should come to school every Monday.  

As always, please be sure your child arrives on time for the start of our school day. 

With gratitude,

Melissa 


Fifth Grade: December 12-16, 2022

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

It is hard to believe we are at the end of our Fall semester and heading into Winter break already!  Thank you all for making the first half of our fifth-grade year an amazing experience and for holding steady for our class, our students, and me!   We are looking forward to all the learning and adventure the spring semester has to offer. Additionally, “thank yous” for the lovely gifts and kind wishes over break.

We had a fun day on Wednesday at our class party/pajama day!  Thank you to all who donated goodies and supplies.  We read books, made a lovely gnome craft with Ki Ieva, and the students enjoyed having a “yes” day at school (“Can we draw on the chalkboard?” Yes!  “Can we have (more) recess?” Yes! And so on! :).  Our Assembly was also a success!  It felt good to gather together again and enjoy watching classes across the grades program sharing verses and songs!  Thank you to those who were able to attend!

We finished hearing the Epic of Gilgamesh as we ended our block on Ancient Mesopotamia.  Many students came close to completing their first Key to Decimals books, and a few will bring them home to catch up over break.  We will move into the Key to Decimals 2 booklet shortly after we return to school, dive back into Geometry, and work directly with grammar and the parts of speech.

Please enjoy this Winter break creating memories, having fun, and taking the opportunity to relax and reflect on this past year and the many lovely memories it holds.  Finally, thank you for sharing your amazing children with me! See you in the new year!

Reminders: 

  • Thursday, January 5:  Spring semester begins

  • Monday, January 16: MLK Jr. Day of Service (No School) 

  • Saturday, February 4: Community Work Day / All School Meeting 

  • February 15 - 17: Half Days & Parent Conferences 

  • February 20 - 24: Mid Winter Break (No School) 

  • Monday, February 27: Teacher In-Service (No School) 

With gratitude,

Melissa





Fifth Grade: November 29- December 2, 2022

Dear Fifth-Grade Families,

We had a wonderful start to the final part of the Fall semester.  During the first part of the week, we completed the first block of North American geography with a review of Central America and talked about the Caribbean Islands as well.  Throughout this block, the students looked at the geography of various regions.  On Tuesday, we began our block of Ancient Mesopotamia, learning about the historical significance of this period.  We also started the Epic poem of Gilgamesh, the oldest known epic tale. 

Fifth grade has stayed busy with many other activities as well.  We moved from fractions to decimals in math, working in our new Key To booklets.  The class was thrilled to find that decimals were better “behaved” mathematically than fractions and got right to work!  We will continue to work in these booklets during our math periods.  In Mandarin, the students are developing a puppet show for the Chinese New Year that they will share with the other grade classes in February.  As a class, the students are responsible for writing the script, creating sewn puppets in Handwork, and making additional props in class.  In Music, the class is continuing to develop their ukulele skills and in Handwork, students are all busy knitting socks! 

Please join us at 1:30 on Thursday, December 8th to watch the fifth-grade students take their final walk through the Winter Spiral if you are able. 

Reminders: 

  • Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8&9:  Winter Spiral

  • Week of Dec. 12-15: MUST Ministry Toy Drive

  • Wednesday, Dec. 14th:  Pajama day and Class Party

  • Thursday, Dec. 15th: Grades Assembly (12:00-12:30)

  • Thursday, Dec. 15th:  Last day of Fall semester (Half day, early dismissal)

  • Friday, Dec. 16th - Wednesday, Jan. 4:  Winter Break

  • Thursday, Jan. 5th:  Spring semester begins

With gratitude,

Melissa