Fourth & Fifth Grade: August 11-14, 2026
Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,
It was a pleasure meeting you all at Meet & Greet and on the first day of school! We have an adventure-filled year planned. The class’s first Main Lesson topic of the year is Local Geography & Mapmaking. Children typically study geography, specifically of the local lands, at this age because it allows them to build a foundational sense of place and develop a personal connection to their everyday environment. The lesson block began with learning the etymology of the word geography, which literally means “earth writing,” so the class did exactly that by carving their names into the soil, which was perfectly soft and squishy after rain from the previous evening.
The students next focused on learning about how to move in space. In our morning circle, the class choreographed a compilation of big body movements and then challenged themselves by completing the sequence with their eyes closed. This helped teach them to trust themselves to navigate space in various directions. Once the children grasped this understanding, they learned how to navigate the campus grounds using a compass rose. We walked the entire campus identifying the northernmost, southernmost, easternmost, and westernmost points of the property. Later on, as we dive deeper into mapmaking, remembering these points will help with our class project for this block: drawing a blueprint of our school.
Class Reminders and Announcements:
We have a hot and sunny week ahead. Students are expected to bring two full water bottles to school so they can stay hydrated during our action-packed school days.
August 29: Community Workday (All families welcome!)
September 7: Labor Day (No School)
September 8: Early Childhood Curriculum Meeting, 6:00 pm (Adults only)
September 9: Grade Curriculum Meeting, 6:00 pm (Adults only)
Warmly,
Ki Nicole
