As part of the Checkbook Project, Room 15 students complete a Friday Tax Report in which they calculate their “classroom income” for the week and then deduct 10% for income taxes and 5% for Social Security taxes. “Oh my gosh,” muttered a student last Friday. “I have to pay $38.50 in income tax!”  Of course, nobody likes to pay taxes, but the opportunity to brainstorm and discuss what real-world taxes provide us was priceless.  So, too, is all the “real world math” that the Friday Tax Reports entail (to see a sample of a typical tax report, click here).  Ironically, this was also the week we received a letter from Nur Tshering Sherpa, the Nepalese boy we support with our classroom coin drive. Because Nepal is such a poor country with virtually no tax base, public schools are essentially non-existent. Our support allows Nur to attend a private school where his education may actually lead to college and a career away from trekking. Trekking, though exciting by western standards, is extremely dangerous and short-lived–even for members of the renowned Sherpa clan like Nur. So thank you for your support of our classroom fundraiser, allowing Nur to attend school, and thanks also for your support of an Oregon tax system that will keep CPE educating these fantastic kids.

For homework this week, students need to be certain to finish their Book Club selections. They’ll be tested on Friday for comprehension. Also, students need to be reviewing their plays scripts–many of the questions in their vocabulary journals this week apply to the plays. In class, students will be completing their In My Shoes essays, starting their Lewis & Clark journals, and working on their web pages. Be sure to take a look at our 100 Favorite Things posts (some of mine appear below). They say a lot about a person. To view your child’s list, navigate to their webpages and look for the Category called 100 Favorite Things.