Thank you! Thank you! I felt like a most cherished teacher all week long! I was presented with thoughtful, generous gifts each and every day - Wow! Our classroom and my desk are now decorated with a gorgeous big flower pot, handmade bookmarks, a vase filled with chocolate, beautifully framed poems and words of appreciation (one in the form of a green 'thumbprint' tree made with the special prints of each student), a poster message covered in candy (the kids have been eyeing that one every hour!), and two gift cards for books and tea! You are all so giving, and I am honored to know each and every one of you. I am most especially honored to be entrusted with the friendship and trust of your children this past school year. My first year back in the general education classroom with this group of precious fourth graders is most definitely a highlight of my entire career. I will certainly always treasure the wonderful memories we have created together this year. I want to send a special thank you to Sharon Pertzborn-Jensen, who was the organizer behind all these delights I received all week.
It hit me today in one sudden moment as we looked at the calendar, that we really don't have many days left until June 8th. We have a field trip on May 31st to look forward to first. Within the next week, we would like to collect the last of the admission money we need for our visit to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. The PTO is covering all of our costs except for $5 for Little Norway. Also, all parents who would enjoy spending this fun day with us are welcome, if you don't mind driving your own cars (you can carpool and follow the buses) and paying in advance the $21 total for admissions to both locations. You can send it all in this coming week. The more the merrier, and it will be a great day. We will board our bus at school at 9:20 am, we will tour Little Norway first, and then we will all be able to eat our lunches (totally disposable, please) at a picnic area at Cave of the Mounds right before we take our cave tours.
Back in the classroom, this past week every student happily dug into a research project highlighting their chosen state of the United States. This group sure does love a project, and again are proving themselves to be motivated researchers. They are using books from the library as well as information from internet searches. Maps will be drawn by hand, pictures will be printed, notes will be typed (or carefully written), and all will be displayed on both sides of a poster board. Interesting facts have been positively flying around our room each day - so exciting. Again, they all seem to be teaching each other - and me! I love that!
Math class has us examining and constructing geometric solids, figuring volume, trying to experience just how much grams and kilograms weigh... it's different! It's been fun, because we are using lots of manipulatives (pan balances, measured weights, geometric blocks, straws and twist ties) to experience what we are learning. We wrapped up our science experiments with rocks and minerals, but we still have material to cover (like sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks!). We will still have a couple more spelling lists to practice, and more writing projects to add to our language binders. The next four weeks will be full!
Thank you again for a most special "Teacher Appreciation Week". Enjoy a good weather weekend. Melanie Hannam
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