The Countdown

My first year back in the classroom is drawing to a close and I am exhausted, physically and mentally. I've poured a lot of heart and energy into this class! We finished up the Bible curriculum with a brief look at the trials of Job. We have several more history cards to study--presently we're learning about John Calvin. For the first time in their careers, the fifth graders will be completing their math book. We're on lesson 134 of 138. When we finish our math exams sometime next week we'll be playing math games until the end of the year! We've finished grammar, but will continue writing. Right now, each one is writing his autobiography. One student is tracing his family tree back to Adam and Eve! After that we'll study short story writing by examining what I consider to be a model short story--"Peter Rabbit". They'll each write and illustrate a children's book of their own.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the year we're having a party next Friday. There will be two plays, written primarily by the students themselves: the boys on Daniel, the girls on Esther. (I'm sure that sentence is inaccurately punctuated.) We'll also present a guided tour through the history of art from Egypt to the northern Renaissance in our museum of original works. A spelling bee pitting parents (and other visiting adults) against the students should be entertaining. Finally, in celebration of completing the math book, we'll have an ice cream sundae social.

The last day of actual classes will be May 25. Then, following a long Memorial Day weekend--happy birthday, Matt--happy anniversary, Ben and Michal--welcome newest Crum--there will be a Field Day of fun?? and games on Tuesday, and a half day on Wednesday, the 30th. I hope to have report cards done soon thereafter.

Then, SUMMER VACATION--hurray!!! Look out, Indiana and Colorado. Here we come!!!