Decades and Filmmaking

The Roberts' girls have been hard at work in the last few weeks!  Last week's Decade Chapel was the culmination of a lot of hard work by our class.  By  reading and researching about the culture, people and important events of the decades of the twentieth century, the class was able to plan a program for Chapel, and they did so with great energy!   Not only did they plan the skits, but they also wrote many of them.  This chapel was really just an outgrowth of what the girls have been learning and was not meant to be a polished performance, although it was close to it!  In fact, they pulled it together in about six days.  I was hugely impressed with what they were able to accomplish.  I wish that I had pictures for you, but I was too busy running the music to take pictures. Bummer!  Some things you just have to experience, I guess. 

The girls, in partners, are also working on making an I-Movie about the building and sinking of the Titanic.  They are in the role of newscasters, and each partnership decides on the perspective they will take.  I was lucky enough to run into a former student of mine, Molly Bennett Moran, who now lives in  California.  She and her husband produce independent films.  Of course, you know where I am going with this...Molly was kind enough to talk to the Roberts and Trice girls about what goes into making a film.  Having attended St. Catherine's, Molly had a keen understanding of a fourth grade experience here, so her approach was just perfect.  It was terrific for these girls to see that there is yet another career available to women these days. I think we might have some aspiring filmmakers in our class!

We shall overcome.....Sixties Day in Rockin' Roberts

Sixties Day is in full swing!  I thought that you might enjoy a little up-to-date information and pictures. We had hippies and "ladies who lunch" and Jacqueline Kennedy and Twiggie and girls with big flowered dresses and go-go boots...all the intriguing diversity of the Sixties... and the beats goes on in our Fourthie classroom.  We have sung and danced and drawn and researched and marched and staged a sit-in with our demands.  Mrs. Kapetanis was a little easier than college presidents of the Sixties,(we will be having that Jeans Day!) but she told the girls a wonderful story about her father meeting Robert F. Kennedy on a campaign train in 1968.   We have had quite a day of learning, and there's more to come!

 

Fourthie Update

                                                                                            January 19, 2012   

Dear Parents,

Gold-White Day was so much fun!  The girls were beyond excited, and they all looked decked out and darling.  I am sorry to postpone Sixties Day again, but I was afraid to schedule it for the same day as Gold-White.  The plan is to have it on Tuesday, January 24.  It really is low key.  The girls have seen many pictures on websites and in books.  Some can don jeans and come as hippies, and others may go for the mod look or the Jackie Kennedy look.  It really does not matter, but please do not buy anything!  The activities that I plan for the girls are really at the center of the day.  

My memory card on my camera decided not to work today, so I apologize for not posting pictures on the blog. Instead,the school website will capture the spirit of the day. I will have it together for Tuesday!  Speaking of the blog, we are having a lot of fun incorporating that aspect into our social studies curriculum.  The girls are excited to write, and I am excited to read what they have written.  I confess to reading their entries way too late last night. Something about that word...blog...is enticing, isn't it?

Spirits are high in fourth grade, and we are taking advantage of that on all fronts!  It will be a great year for learning in 2012.

 Sincerely,

Pam

Before St. Stephen's

It's all about the shepherds, kings, pages and readers...

St. Stephen's Service

                                                                                                            December 12, 2011

Dear Parents,

            If we weren’t already in the Christmas spirit, it would be impossible not to jump in… with the class energy level at an all-time high!  It’s such a wonderful season…I love being with your daughters during this time.  We’ve been singing Christmas carols, decorating the bulletin board and preparing for the Gift Service on Friday.  Our Fourthies are participating fully!  We have the readers, Mary and Joseph, the Angel, some Kings and Jesters, the shepherds, the fabulous choir and the gifted Strings ensemble, so we are represented well.  We are having a full practice on Thursday at St. Stephen’s from 1:00-2:30.

             As you already know, the service will be held at St. Stephen’s at 10:00 on Friday, December 16.  The girls will come to school at the usual time.  You may pick up your daughters in the classroom immediately following the service.

I hope that you and your families have a blessed and wonderful Christmas.  Certainly, when I think of the spirit of the season, I know how fortunate I am to spend my days with your precious girls.  Not only are they dear in every way, but also they make me laugh, and that is the most fun of all!

Sincerely,

Pam

Christmas Fun for Roberts' Fourthies

Christmas music(Yes, Justin, it was all about you for these girls!)glitter, glue, some imagination, and general Fourthie enthusiasm, and we had the perfect recipe for a fun morning!

Moms in the 80s

We have been studying the 80s, as you already know!  Not only have the girls been learning about significant political events and people of the 80s, but they also have been doing research on the culture.  That, of course, includes you!  Remember that 80s hair you had in high school or college, or those big shoulders?  Well, thanks to Kay Livick Milne, St. Catherine's art teacher and a former student of mine, you are immortalized in clay.  Kay and I have wanted to do a ceramics project together, so this seemed perfect.  I thought that you would enjoy seeing a few pictures of this event.  Of course, a little "Footloose" and Cindy Lauper  seemed appropriate mood music.  Kay's personal favorite was Billy Idol, so he was around also. Unfortunately, we are losing Kay to Hawaii next week, but she managed to complete this project in an hour!  Another St. Catherine's talented graduate gives back to us.