Hello, 4th grade families, and Happy Spring Break!
Your children showed such an admirable work ethic this week, as play rehearsal consumed much of our time. While we have been rehearsing a lot in school, I have also been asking them to rehearse their lines at home, and I can tell that they have been! Each day I see a marked improvement in their memorization and expression. I really love watching how their dedication is paying off!
That said, with Spring Break upon us, and the play shortly thereafter, I am asking that the children continue to review and work on their lines for the play during the break. This includes knowing their cues, or the lines of other characters that come right before theirs. Please help them remember and practice!
Remember: the play will be on Wednesday, April 11, from 5:30-6:30.
We are in need of a few more props for the play. If you have any of these and would be willing to let us borrow them, please send me an email:
- Vintage hand mirror, hair brush
- Eye patch
- Apples (real or fake), spray-painted gold: 6
- Horn
- Axe
- (fake) gold ring
In Morning Lesson this week, I told the story of the Death of Balder. It is one of the final Norse mythology stories, in which a beloved god dies at the hands of Loki–once a playful and mischievous character, but now becoming more and more jealous and evil. This is an important, albeit a difficult, story in the arc of the Norse myths. The story brings up feelings of vulnerability and mortality. The students were very moved and saddened by the story. This is the beginning of the end for the Norse gods and goddesses we have come to know so well, after which they will hear of the dawning of a new age.
Ms. Rotko also visited us on Thursday, and spent the entire morning with the class. She is helping us with some suggestions for the play, getting a feel for the class and their routines, and taking the time to connect with the students. She and I are also collaborating on plans for the last two blocks of the school year. I really appreciate the time that she has been spending with our class so far, and I feel more and more confident that she will lead the class well during my leave.
My maternity leave will start on April 12. After the play, the class will begin its second Human and Animal Block. During this time, they will learn about many more interesting animals, and will work on their Animal Reports in class. Look for an email soon where I give more detailed specifications on these reports. My intent is for these reports to be done mostly in school, not at home.
I hope you all have an enjoyable and restful Spring Break!
Kindly,
Ms. Cather