Short week

Hello,

I want to remind everyone of the short week.  Thursday is a 1:00 release and there is no school (for students) on Friday.  Historically, this has been conference week.  It feels weird to not have that on our plate as we approach April vacation.

Strep throat is continuing to take its toll.  We have had nine kids from our class out due to strep.  Two more were out today, but I haven't found out if strep is the cause for those absences.  Another fourth grade teacher had three out due to strep today.  Please remind your children of the importance of clean hands before eating. 

We switched with Mrs. Smith's class again today for Maine studies.  I'm not sure what they did in there so you'll have to ask for yourself. 

We were back in the computer lab this afternoon continuing our research papers.  Five have started writing rough drafts.  Fourteen are still researching. 

All the math classes are starting a bar modeling unit.  This is what the fifth grade teachers have told us is the most important thing for our fourth graders to learn to be successful next year.  The work I sent home tonight comes from the third grade text.  It is important to get these skills down before we hit fractions. 

My summer plans are starting to take shape.  I got a plane ticket for Denver.  My plan is to scout out a kid-friendly trip consisting of Moab (Arches National Park), Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.  I've spent quite a bit of time out there and would love to take groups of kids out there to expand their horizons.  My nephew is my guinea pig.  Half of the fun is in the planning. 

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Shea