Giving thanks and going to the mountains

It was such a short week that time really flew by -- we managed to fit in some writing ("easy essays" about our favorite time of year), some science (ask about our smoke box, which models how wind travels toward heat), some math, and some reading. The big excitement, after Thanksgiving break, of course, is the upcoming fifth grade trip to Balarat. Balarat is Denver Public Schools' outdoor environmental program, located up in the foothills above Boulder. It's been open for almost forty years, and provides every fifth grader in DPS with the unique opportunity to spend some quality time up "in the mountains". This year we are lucky enough to be able to spend two nights and three days up at Balarat. Both fifth grade classes will be going up together, and we will mix up students and teachers so everyone will have a chance to get to know new people and see friends in the other class. My fourth graders will stay at school with a sub, but they are already looking forward to going to Balarat next year (and having three whole days without those annoying fifth graders around....)!

Enjoy your break, and if you are (or have) a fifth grader, remember to pack warm clothes and a sack lunch for Monday. The Balarat bus will leave at 9:15, so don't be late! We will return around 3:30 on Wednesday.