The following holidays we celebrate by having classroom and/or school-wide parties. Furthermore, fun and exciting activities are often planned in conjunction with these special events. During the beginning of the school year, a sign-up sheet is passed around where students sign up to bring a treat for only one of these parties. This helps decrease family expense as well as an overabundance of food and treats.
Halloween: The first holiday we celebrate is Halloween. A couple of weeks before Halloween, the 4th grade creates “Pumpkin Globes” in which, students trace and paint the continents of the world on their pumpkins. In addition to a neat art project, this activity also serves as an excellent social studies lesson since 4th graders work on map and globe skills before this. In addition, throughout the week of Halloween, we work on some writing assignments that coordinate with Halloween. Finally, classroom parties are held as well as a school-wide parade where students have the opportunity to view other students’ costumes. If you have a question about the appropriateness of a costume, please contact me at the school.
Thanksgiving: We don’t have a Thanksgiving party, but during the week of Thanksgiving, we do discuss the concept of Thanksgiving and family in addition to analyzing some short stories that take a look at this holiday.
Christmas: This is definitely one of my favorite holidays! We do have a Christmas party, and as a part of our party, we do “Secret Santa’s” in which, students exchange an inexpensive gift (usually $5.00 or less) secretly with one another. More information will be given to you and your child as this holiday draws near.
Valentine’s Day: This holiday we celebrate by having a party in which, students exchange Valentine’s Day cards (should be simple—can be bought or homemade) with everyone. Students can start bringing their cards in during the week of Valentine’s Day. Students can place these cards in bags or boxes that we will have decorated earlier in class. Normally, as a grade, we often set up an “Ice Cream Sundae Bar” in the hallway.
Easter: For this particular holiday, we simply work on some “Problem of the Days" (various types of critical thinking activities) that deal with Easter as well as have an “Easter Egg Hunt!”
Summer Birthday Bash: On one of the last days of school, we will have a "Summer Birthday Bash," in which, students who have summer birthdays that can't be celebrated during the school year, will have an opportunity to bring a treat and celebrate their birthdays with the entire class.
End-of-the-Year Party: We will take one of the final days of school to relax and celebrate a school year's worth of hard work and fun by having a party with food, drink, and other delicious treats!
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