Photo Below: Art class is a time of reflection for Fourth Graders.  This week’s assignment was to create a Koi Fish scene. In both Chinese and Japanese landscape architecture, Koi Fish ponds provide a sanctuary of peace and tranquility.  

Science

This week Fourth Grade scholars continued their Science and Social Studies unit on Africa!  As a class, we took virtual field trips to places like the Congo River Basin and Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Scholars focused on each region’s biodiversity, looking closely at the unique plants and animals of the region. Students were mystified by the animal known as “the African Unicorn” otherwise known as the Okapi! This animal embodies the characteristics of both giraffes and zebras. 

New Read Aloud

Fourth Graders began a new Read Aloud book this week. We are reading Holes by Louis Sachar.  This book has won both a Newbery Medal as well as recognition of the National Book Award.  The story is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley Yelnats’ family has a history of bad luck, so when a miscarriage of justice sends him to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Center (which isn’t green and doesn’t have a lake), he is not surprised. Every day he and the other inmates are told to dig a hole, five foot wide by five foot deep, reporting anything they find. Why? The evil warden claims that it’s character building, but this is a lie. It’s up to Stanley to dig up the truth. Witty, inventive and completely unique, this is a masterpiece of storytelling that combines sly humor with irresistible, page-turning writing.

ERB’s Next Week

Beginning next week on Monday, May 17th, Fourth Grade students will begin ERB testing in the morning periods of the day. We will finish testing on Thursday May 20th. In class, we have been participating in practice exercises to ease the anxiety test taking can often bring. These activities include understanding the format of the test and the format of its questions. Fourth Graders have done a wonderful job preparing this week and feel confident for next week’s testing.

Important Dates: 

May 24th-28th- Spirit Week (details coming soon)

May 31st- Memorial Day- No School

June 3rd- Field Day/Last Day of School (11:30 dismissal)