Even though the OMSI trip is still 3 weeks away, it is already dominating my time and the kids’ thoughts.  Student Guides will go home on Monday or Tuesday with details about our fabulous itinerary, the packing list, and release forms.  Those of you who haven’t sent in your permission slip and $25, please try to do so this week so that we can establish a final count. Our itinerary includes stops at the State Capitol and Hoyt Arboretum, as well as a power packed overnight stay at OMSI.

Believe it or not, the OMSI trip is not the only field trip on the horizon. On April 20th (Wednesday of next week), Room 15 kids will be heading over to Don Jones Park for an Arbor Day activity and tree planting with the City of Central Point. This is a special event we started last year. Our hope is that every year around Arbor Day, Room 15 kids will get down in the dirt to collaborate with the City on a special project.

In class, students are reading each day and night from their Book Clubs (Where the Red Fern Grows, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Tracker). Because these are the most challenging books of the year, it’s important that kids meet their nightly reading quota and come to school each day prepared for the Book Club Quiz.  Students are also studying the Civil War, presenting their DARE essays (the first round of speeches were excellent), writing reviews of Monday’s classroom plays, making peanut butter, continuing yet another battery of State Tests, and more. In math class, they’re uncovering the LCM and comparing fractions. Here’s the math homework for the week: Monday, April 11th; Tuesday, April 12th, Wednesday, April 13th, Thursday, April 14th. Finally, remember that there’s no school on Friday the 15th (furlough day) or Monday the 18th (professional development).