Books? It is at this time of year that I ask you to begin looking high and low for rogue books from the classroom library. Laundry room? Back seat? Magazine rack in the den? Please round up as many as you can and send them this way. If you find some from other school years, we'll take those, too!
Here are some Dates to Keep in Mind as we draw this 4th grade year to a close!
- Friday, June 2, 2017 - "Unite or Die" begins at 10:00am in the Dickson Dining Hall. Then, follow your child upstairs for an academic museum that will knock your socks right off! ("Unite or Die" is less than 30 minutes, and the academic museum is a "come and go" style event. If you need to get back to work, you should be able to head out by 11:00am.)
- Monday, June 5, 2017 - NOT A SPIRIT SHIRT DAY. Students are asked to wear their school uniforms for the 8th grade graduation which all classes attend. They may wear their spirit shirts on the last day of school.
- Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - Tribes Field Day from 1-3pm. Ask your child how he/she should be dressing for the event
- Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - No backpacks -
- 10:30am - Schoolwide Moving-up Chapel. Please join us.
- Early Dismissal, 11:40am
Enrichment Blog Update from ART!
The fourth grade artists ROCKED the Spring Arts Festival! Their work reflected the wide scope of their passions and inspiration. From superheros to emoji’s, each piece serves as a reflection of the artist at one moment in time. Since summer is quickly approaching Ms. O and Ms. Rankey wanted to give y’all a few tips to keep your artists inspired and motivated over the summer.
•Keep a sketchbook.
This can be a fun family activity. Each member of the family can spend some time reflecting on a day, an activity, or a vacation. Don’t be “adult” worried...follow the joy your child has when sketching, doodling, writing, etc.
•Save your recycling materials.
Many of the young artists building and sculpture materials come right from the recycle bin. Cereal boxes, egg cartons, bottle caps, etc. can all spur your child's imagination at any point of a rainy day. Don’t forget to stock up on tape (btw, the old-school gum-back tape that needs to be moistened is the BEST)!!
•Embrace the mess and mistakes.
We know this can be difficult but letting your young artist make a mess is essential for their growth and development as an artist. Artists take risks and try new things and sometimes it just doesn’t work. As adults, we tend to get frustrated and quit but kids just keep going. When exploring materials the artists can get so immersed that they don’t even see the fabulous mess they just made:). Remind them that even artists have to clean their studio (especially if that studio doubles as your dining room table!).
•Pro “artist” materials are not necessary.
Kid artists have master the “use what you have” technique. Although they may love an organized set of super sharpened colored pencils, they simply don’t need them to make powerful artwork. For your own sanity, just make sure all markers and paint are washable...remember, you are embracing the mess:).
We will be updating our Art Department Blog with a 2016-2017 wrap-up and adding in some more fun summertime tips. It has been a pleasure teaching your child this year and we look forward to new and exciting things in 5th grade!
Thanks,
Jen Rankey and Mary Ann O’Sullivan