Turning another corner…
The past two weeks have been very productive in fourth grade. Our final chemistry experiment involved “turning water into wine”. This was another acid/ base color reaction using phenolphthalein which turns bright magenta when exposed to any basic compound. Students did a formal written analysis describing the experiment and what is happening.
Our Mystery Stories are finished! Each story is suspenseful and includes a mystery problem or crime, which is solved by a clever sleuth looking for clues. These stories were drafted, revised several times, and made final. It has been a longer writing project and very rewarding to complete. We will have an author’s celebration on Friday, March 2 before we leave for vacation. Please stop in to read your child’s story after break. I would be happy to email you a copy upon request as well.
Our social skills lessons have had our group identify what makes TGS a healthy and supportive learning community. We discussed how there are no innocent bystanders in a caring community. Everyone needs to look out for each other and if someone is feeling teased, sad, or left out it is a student’s job to make any injustice known. We brainstormed ways to help a victim being teased or harassed. Our class talked about the Walpole incident and how a community needs to listen and act when a person needs help. We recognized the importance of being honest and outspoken to promote safety in a community.
The March Reading Challenge contracts went home. Parents are encouraged to participate too. This is a good way to promote and reward reading at home. I would like all fourth graders to set a realistic goal and continue reading this month. This program helps many students learn to become more self-directed and interested in reading. There are so many great books to discover!
Thurs. March 22- We will ride the bus to the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro to “Meet the Orchestra”—a music program for kids by the Windham Orchestra. (8:45- 11 a.m.)
TGS Talent Show- sponsored by the Student Council – Wed. April 11
Auditions will take place during the week of March 26
Watch the Wed. Notice for details- all talents encouraged!
Enjoy the long March break and I look forward to turning the corner to spring and new curriculum themes. In science we will study the anatomy and function of the eye. In April we will immerse ourselves in an exciting study of Ancient Egypt.
--Emily
