Fourth & Fifth Grade: March 23 - 27, 2026
Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,
The class is continuing their studies in the Decimal Fractions block. The focus for this week was multiplying decimals by decimals and understanding where to place the decimal point in the product. The students received an ample amount of practice in their understanding of multiplying decimals through various games, relay races, and individual practice. The class also reviewed adding and subtracting decimals. Time was spent reading and listening to word problems that consisted of decimals; the students worked on figuring out the correct mathematical operation and mapped out the problem in order to find the correct answer.
In our Language Arts class, our current spelling list focuses on 20 commonly misspelled homophones. The students brainstormed ways to associate a word with its meaning. As a way to work on descriptive skills, the class played a game where one person needed to describe a word without saying it, and everyone else needed to guess the correct word and its correct spelling. It was a unique challenge for the class compared to our normal spelling and vocabulary lists, which typically consist of words related to the Main Lesson topics.
Since we are less than a month away from the Waldorf Southeast Pentathlon, the level of excitement has increased. The students have been training hard and working on improving their form in the more technical events: the long jump, the javelin, and the discus throw. Over the last few weeks, there has been an increase in teamwork, helping, and lifting each other up during our training sessions. Even though modern sports often have a focus on winning and being the best, in the Waldorf philosophy, the Greek Pentathlon serves a different purpose. It serves as a rite of passage as children enter a transitional phase in their childhood. The Pentathlon offers an opportunity for children to participate in a team-building communal activity while also developing confidence in themselves and their growing bodies. The class is looking forward to the festivities in April! Parents are asked to steadfastly encourage their child to look forward to the “unknowns” in this experience and to not give away what lies ahead. It is facing the unknown that truly builds each student's faith in themselves. This event is well held, and each student is hailed by the judges based on their personal improvements.
Announcements & Reminders:
Grandfriends Day is this Wednesday, April 1st! Parents, grandparents, and other special grownups in your child’s life are welcome to join us in our forest classroom for light refreshments and time to enjoy community and watch your children at play! You are also welcome and encouraged to attend the Grade performance at 10:30 am.
April 1: Grandfriends Tea at 11:00 (All students and family members are welcome to join)
April 6-10: Spring Break (No School)
April 24: Annual Auction Fundraiser (Half Day)
April 25: Community Work Day
Warm Regards,
Ki Nicole
