Our short week was still packed!  We had a Hubbard Street Assembly on Monday, the Red Carpet Recital Tuesday, and several of our 5th grade students traveled to Brooks for the Math Event on Thursday.  This week resembles the busy feel from last week:  plenty of fun things to do both in the classroom and beyond.

4th Grade Math:   Our fourth grade class began Unit 8 (area, perimeter and scale) by drawing kitchen layouts and learning about the work triangle that is common in kitchen planning.  I arranged for us to have a very official "conference call" with my dad who works in kitchen design.  The kids are always astounded that this concept really exists and that my dad actually knows about it, so they take him quite seriously as he (literally) has them walk through through a couple of examples.  We had a lot of fun talking with him.

This year my dad went one step further and explained a little about how designers also account for other things when designing a kitchen, like a major height difference between a man and woman.  Even I hadn't really thought about this before, so I off-handedly replied aloud "oh yeah... who DO you plan for in that situation?"

Without hesitation, one of the kids very matter-of-factly replied "the woman." 

5th Grade Math: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/


Writing:   Thanks again for the fantastic feedback you provided for your children on their "Build-a-Teacher."  Their work looks wonderful and I'm excited to read their final products.  Look for them in the hallway near the lobby in the upcoming weeks!  This week we'll revise and publish the 'free choice' writing piece that the kids have been drafting. 

Reading:   We are enjoying the Habitats theme in treasures, as it has offered a chance to read a lot of non-fiction texts about various animals in various habitats.  This unit will round out our year and we'll look forward to seeing connections between it and our science units.

From the Mixed Up Files ... was off to a slow start due to our schedule last week, but we're enjoying in nonetheless.  This week we should be able to pick up some speed and get going in the plot.
Social Studies: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/

Miscellaneous:

• We have run out of tissue! If you're able, we'd appreciate if you could donate a box to get us through the end of the year. Much thanks!
• If you need to access the band/ orchestra permission slip for the May concert, visit the link: https://docs.google.com/a/op97.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGlfbEpFUTRyN0VZeDFEQlpqTEpEVkE6MQ#gid=0
• The format for the 6^th Grade Orientation on May 2 has been amended since the flyers were sent home last week. The format for this evening will be geared toward parents and guardians, so the 5^th grade students will not need to be in attendance. The next middle school transition activity for 5^th graders will take place on May 14, when they attend the Feeder School Picnic at Taylor Park.