End of School

Wow, here it is the last day of school. Sure went by fast. The kids have been told this, but I am telling you parents also. Sometimes kids forget.

Recorders came home last week. Please keep them in a safe place so we can use them again next year.

Mr. Albrecht is planning to try something new next year which would involve NOT using crates. However, I recommend you hang onto them because they are used again in 6th and 7th grades. Also, Mr. Albrecht says he MIGHT change is mind if things don't work out as planned. Stayed tuned.

I also told the kids to hang onto their science binders from this year. I may or may not decide to use them for reading with them in 5th grade. If we don't use them, again they could hang onto them for 7th and 8th grade.

Some of the kids came home with money amounts written in their notebooks. These are bills that need to be paid before they can receive their report cards on Friday.

Speaking of report cards, open them carefully because there is a lot of extra stuff in there, such as Six Flags tickets for those who earned them, band info, a fifth grade note, and who knows what else we may decide to stick in there when we clean tomorrow. (Just kidding on that last one.)

So, have a great summer, and God bless all of you!

Old World

I guess I forgot to get this out sooner, but there really isn't anything new. It even sounds like God will bless us with a really nice day.

For everyone:
Wear comfortable shoes since we will do a LOT of walking. Dressing in layers might be good so that if it gets warm, you can take a layer off.
We will have time in the gift shop, so bring along a little money if shopping is your thing.
Bring along a lunch and a beverage. We usually eat outside at a picnic table.

For kids:
No cell phones, no ipods, no other electronic equipment

For parents:
You may bring cell phones in case of emergency, but they will need to be off most of the time.
Please do not give money to any children other than your own. This can sometimes cause hard feelings.

May 17, 2011

Sorry this is late, but at least it is still Tuesday. Just a couple quick notes.

Spelling test this week will be on Friday instead of Thursday to give the AHA group an extra day.

The note about Old World Wisconsin that came home today was for parents who have signed up to go, or who intend to sign up to go. Information for the students will be posted this weekend. Most of the info is the same: wear comfortable shoes, bring a lunch.

The cars for science were very interesting and creative. Thanks to all the parents who helped.

I can't believe that we are so close to the end of 4th grade. Only 11 more days. We are so thankful for the sunshine today.

Tuesday, May 11, 2011

Thank you to all the parents who helped us sing on Sunday. Everyone did a great job of using their talents to sing praises to our Lord.

Don't forget to build a "car" and bring it to school on Monday, May 16. Check the previous blog for details.

This week Thursday is track and field day for grades 6-8. Grades 4-5 will be using part of that day as an arbor day for the city of Greenfield. Since we have never been involved in this before, I do not have many details, other than they will be working outside for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Don't be surprised if they come home a little muddy. Mr. Hackmann is in charge of this event. Depending on how long this takes, we MIGHT have our spelling tests on Friday this week instead of Thursday.

We are reading a book in class called "Little House in Brookfield." One of the chapters tells about how the families back in 1840 washed their clothes. Your child needs to read this chapter with the adult in your house who does the most laundry. It should be a humbling experience for both of you, as well as educational. There is a sheet with a few questions to fill in. This needs to be done by Friday, May 13.

Finally, we should have a blog word, since we haven't had one for a while. The blog word is the name of the youngest child in the book we are reading. Joseph is the oldest. I will ask for this on Friday at lunch.

May 6, 2011

Surprise, it's a Friday note!

The oral reports yesterday were amazing and fun to watch. The kids did a great job, and some of them even asked to do it again.

We sing this Sunday in the 10:45 service. If you have not yet been to a practice, please come to the classroom at 10:15 so that we can go through it a few times before Mrs. Bloomquist leaves to play for church. The kids, and those who have already practiced, should be here no later than 10:30 in the classroom. We reserve the entire balcony for fourth grade and their families. If you are an early church family, you are free to leave during the first hymn after we sing. It is our prayer that this helps to make your Mother's Day more special as we share our faith in Jesus and help the children to "Pass It On."

Your child needs to build a "car" for science. This vehicle is due Monday, May 16, and needs to be made out of "junk" you have around the house. No actual wheels will be allowed, no kits, no Legos, etc. The kids have the details. This car needs to be able to roll down an incline; it does not need to move on its own. If you have any questions, ask Mrs. Johnson or Mr. Albrecht.

Finally, there is now a sign up sheet for Old World Wisconsin. It is in the parent tray. It is
May 24, it is an all day field trip, and the cost for chaperones is $20, which you do not have to pay when you sign up. Because our class is small and we take a bus, we can take as many parents and/or grandparents as would like to come. Just be aware that this field trip involves a lot of walking, and much of it is outdoors on uneven paths.

May 1, 2011

What did we learn on Family Tree Day?

1. We are very blessed with many modern conveniences, such as indoor toilets, running water, and comfortable shoes.

2. We are thankful that we do not have to walk 2 miles to school each day.

3. Our ancestors came from many different countries and from 4 of the 7 continents.

4. If is fun to look at old things.

5. We liked playing games, but we missed our playground balls.

6. People in the 1800's worked very hard and did not throw away as much as we do.

7. Some of us enjoyed it more than others.

COMING SOON!

Science fair projects due tomorrow morning. The fair is Thursday.

We are singing in church on Sunday. If you have not yet done so, please return your slip indicating when you are able to practice with us. Your child should have brought home the song to start teaching you.

Ocean animal oral reports are due Thursday, May 5. Your child has a list of requirements. If not, tell him or her to ask for another one.

Old World Wisconsin field trip is May 24. More information will be coming soon.

One more very special science activity will be explained in school this week. Ask your child about it on Tuesday. It will be due on Monday, May 16.

Can you believe it's almost the end of the school year?

April 19

Yes, I realize that this is late this week, and yes, I realize that it has also been a long time. Since no one has been complaining or asking questions because they don't know what's going on, I figure all is well.

As your child has probably already told you, there is no spelling this week, or next week. We are taking some time off to practice penmanship, which seems to have deteriorated. But you and the kids need to know that the penmanship grade is not based solely on penmanship papers. It also includes everything they do every day. That means working hard on penmanship papers will help, but if daily work is sloppy, the grade will reflect that.

English reports were very good. They are coming home today. However, we are not done with them. The next step is an oral report, but I will hold off on that until after science fair projects are done. Just so you know what is coming, they will be required to give an oral report of the information they learned, and present it to the class IN THE COSTUME OF THE ANIMAL THEY CHOSE. However, this is not as tricky as it sounds. A costume can be as simple as putting on a tail, or wearing a mask, or making some flippers, or even just being dressed in all one color.
More information will be coming home soon, but this is so you can start thinking about it.

Look for our lunch journals in your Tuesday folder. Most of the kids are doing a great job of finishing their lunches. Now that they are bringing snacks, sometimes they are less hungry at lunch time. You might want to consider adjusting amounts if you see a lot being thrown away. These journals are being done for your benefit and also as part of research in connection with the PEP grant.

Reminders
Family Tree Day is next Thursday, April 28.
Science Fair projects are due Monday, May 2.
Fourth graders and their parents are scheduled to sing in church on Mother's Day, May 8. We will begin learning the song this week so the kids can start teaching it to you.

Look for a Tuesday note in next week's folder with more information on all these upcoming events.

Sorry, kids, no blog word this week.