Mrs. Tripepi's Fourth Grade

We spent the past two mornings completing our part of the school’s clay totem project!  Our clay pieces are now glazed and are awaiting a trip to the kiln at Moscow Junior High for their final firing.  Our young artists did an amazing job of designing and creating beautiful totems representing Idaho geography and symbols. 

A big thank you to Marilyn Franklin, Sydney Maillot, Sinora Shrestha, Ann Hewitt, and Joann Dorschel for volunteering in the classroom during the glazing.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Spring is here!  The next two months are going to be busy ones for us. Here are some of the activities and events coming up in Mrs. Tripepi’s fourth grade.

April 3: 4th quarter begins

April 10-11: glazing clay totems

April 19: language ISAT

April 23: reading ISAT

April 27: math ISAT; March and April birthday celebration

May 3-4: Curriculum days; no school for students

May 11 and 14 swimming classes at UI pool

May 18: Book Fair and Breakfast

May 25: May-August birthday celebration

May 28: Memorial Day 

June 4: swimming at Hamilton-Lowe Center (weather 

          permitting)

June 6: last day of school

I will keep you updated on additions and changes to the schedule through our blog and notices in the Wednesday folder.

I love Portfolio Sharing Night!  We’ve had a hectic week preparing for this evening, but it is worth every minute when I watch the children conferencing with you!  The pride and ownership they take as they explain their accomplishments and goals is truly a joy to watch.  I believe that when children reflect on what they have done and learned, it contributes to their understanding that they are in control of their learning and helps them to become lifelong learners.

Thank you so much for coming and making this a wonderful McDonald tradition!

According to the calendar, spring has arrived, but it certainly doesn’t look like it today!   In addition to the late snow, we had a surprise visitor on the hill behind the school today.  As you may have heard, a young moose has been roaming around the neighborhood.  It was exciting to watch him from our window!

The moose is a fitting visitor as we continue our study of the Oregon Trail.  Moose would be just one of the many forms of wildlife encountered by the early pioneers on their trek.  Your young “pioneers” have now chosen the supplies they need to take in their wagons, calculating the weight and cost of everything to make sure they aren’t over budget or overweight!  They have done an amazing job of working together to make sure their wagon train has everything they’ll need. 

There are some important dates coming up that I want to share with you. 

• Thursday, March 29: March birthday celebrations
• Friday, March 30: Oregon Trail project due
• Monday, April 2:  end of third quarter; no school for students; Portfolio Sharing evening from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 3: fourth quarter begins
• Thursday, April 19: Language ISAT test
• Monday, April 23: Reading ISAT test
• Friday, April 27: Math ISAT test

I will keep you posted on other upcoming events as they are scheduled.  In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for signs of spring!

And, we’re off!  Our Oregon Trail adventure has begun.  This week, each student was assigned an identity and a wagon train.  They are in the process of choosing names, personality traits, and stories.  Along with their fellow travelers, they will soon take off from Independence, Missouri and start the long  journey to the WillametteValley in Oregon. 

Each student will also do an independent project to help extend our understanding of the Oregon Trail experience.  Your child has a packet of materials we will be using for this study and it includes a page explaining options for the project.  I am also adding the information to this post. 

It was an enthusiastic group today as we began preparations for the journey.  I think we’re in for an exciting month!

Wagon Train Project Ideas

Create an original project to help us learn about life on a wagon train in the 1800’s.   This is your chance to use your imagination and be creative!   All models and dioramas must include a written explanation.  Projects are due on Friday, March 30.

• Use discarded scraps of fabric to hand-sew a simple quilt.
• Make a model of a covered wagon.
• Make a model of a western military fort from the 1800’s.
• Make a diorama of a landmark along the trail.   Include a background and 3-dimensional items to create a realistic scene.
• Write and illustrate an original tall tale.  Read your story to the class.
• Make a poster depicting clothing worn by people in the 1800’s.  Consider the attire of men and women, pioneers, cowboys, and Indians.
• Make a book describing the wildlife that pioneers would have seen during their westward journey.
• Do you have another idea?  Talk to me about it!

We are heading West on the Oregon Trail!  Over the past two weeks, we have been reading historical fiction books telling the tales of pioneers traveling westward.  Now, it’s time for our class to follow on our own Oregon Trail adventures.  This week, we will begin a simulation of this long and difficult journey, with each child in the class taking on the role of an emigrant and keeping a journal of the experience.  Along with the reading and writing, we will get a taste of the games, crafts, chores, and music of that time.  This promises to be a great adventure and we’re ready to get started!

Our second semester is underway!  Here is a preview of what’s coming up in Room 21.

We are still working on our Simple Machines science unit.  So far, we have looked at inclined planes and levers.  We will continue this week with screws, wheels, and wedges.

We are starting a new literature unit today, with  historical fiction  novels focusing on the Oregon Trail.  These books help us build a background for our Oregon Trail simulation project, which will begin later this month.  This is one of the highlights  of fourth grade and I am excited to get started!

This Thursday and Friday, we will participate in the school-wide art project, creating clay totems.  This amazing project is directed by local artist Lizette Fife and is overseen by our music and movement teachers, Mrs. Berthiaume and Ms. Sant.  Each student in grades 4-6 will make a segment of the totem, which will then be mounted on the brick wall outside the multipurpose room.  Fourth graders are designing their sections to reflect symbols of Idaho.  Several parents have volunteered to come on Thursday and Friday morning from 10:00-11:20 to help students with their clay work.  If you would like to join us, please email or call me before Thursday.

We will celebrate Valentine’s Day next Tuesday, the 14^th.  Students are welcome to bring Valentines for their classmates.  I only ask that, if children choose to bring Valentine cards, that they bring one for everyone in the class. I will send a class list home in the Wednesday folder.

I am posting our third quarter reading assignments on the Independent Reading page of this blog. 

This quarter is going to be a busy and eventful one!  Check back for updates.

All I can say is “Wow!”  The diorama projects are amazing!!  Your children have surpassed my expectations in their effort, creativity, and attention to detail.  They are sharing their projects in class this week and then we will display the  dioramas in the library for the school to enjoy. 

This week marks the end of our first semester.  There is no school on Friday, so teachers can complete grading and report cards.  Your child’s report card will come home in the Wednesday folder next week.

A very Happy New Year to all!  We have been back in the classroom for over a week now, and we have a lot going on.

This week, we have been learning about Southeast Asia.  We read a story titled “Two Lands, One Heart” about a boy who travelled to visit his mother’s homeland in Vietnam.

We have also been watching a wonderful movie called “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom”.  It is the true story of 9-year-old Linn Yann who escaped with her mother and five siblings from war-torn Cambodia in 1979.  The family was relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they faced the many challenges of adapting to life in a new culture with an unfamiliar language.  Linn, who had never been to school before and was illiterate in her own language, was a determined student and excelled in school.  Four years after her arrival, she won the regional spelling bee in Chattanooga  and went on to the National Bee.  Her story is wonderful and inspiring!   It has given us much to talk about in class.

We are looking forward to our own school spelling bee next Thursday when six students from our class will compete against other fourth, fifth, and sixth graders for the chance to represent McDonald Elementary at the Inland Northwest Regional Spelling Bee in March.

We are quickly approaching the end of the first semester.  Our final story summary of the quarter is due on Tuesday, January 24.  The diorama project is also due that day.  Students have been telling me about their projects and I am looking forward to seeing them!  The dioramas will be displayed in the library after the children have shared them in class.

There is no school for students on Friday, January 27th, as this is our teacher work day to complete grading and report cards.  You will receive your child’s report card the following week in the Wednesday folder.

Wishing you a very Happy Holiday!