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.

Home stretch!

Monday is the beginning of the fourth quarter. It is a chance for a fresh start one more time. You get one more chance to do the very best you can in fourth grade.

It is also a time when some kids tend to lose ground. The weather gets nice, and other things seem to be more fun. But think of it in terms of baseball. You need to get to home plate if you want to score. If you stop now, at third base, you get no points. But if you keep pushing all the way to home, you score a run. That's what we need to do now--keep pushing for one more quarter, so that we can finish fourth grade with a home run!

Speaking of baseball, the blog word (phrase) for this week is "Keep your eye on the ball." Put it in your assignment notebook on the page for Friday. Remind me during lunch to check it.

One final note for this week. The date for family tree day is Thursday, April 28. I will get more information out to you soon, but if you want a sneak peak, you can check the blog for it from last year. I believe it is still up. You can also check out photos from the St. Jacobi photo section. Not only do you get to share information from your family tree, and bring heirlooms, if you have them, but we all get to dress as your grandparents might have dressed 100 years ago! Stay tuned for more information.

Hope you enjoyed your break.

Oh, yeah. And remember that science fair projects are due in 30 days!