Barn Swallow Classroom: Classroom News: Week of January 10th

Monday, January 10, 2011

Classroom News: Week of January 10th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great time today in the sunshine! I was able to take the class outside for our chapter book read a loud-a real breath of fresh air.

Students are busy making paper mache and fabric models of birds that live in this area. We will hang them from our ceiling so it feels like the birds are flying around our classroom. Students have written physical descriptions of their birds and next will learn more about what they depend on in order to survive and thrive (diet and habitat). Students will use what they've learned to explain why clean water is important for the survival of their bird that they are researching. This helps students begin to understand interdependence, as well as the value and importance of water with high quality. My goal is for students to see what their own role is in our local ecosystem. Soon we will be learning more about how water gets to our homes, how it is cleaned, as well as learn more about local wetland ecosystems. What are some lessons about water usage at home you could do with your child?

Upcoming Important Dates:

Special guest speaker, expert Hydrologist and Lola's dad, Adam Fleenor (Wednesday, January 12th) We will learn how wetlands naturally filter water, as well as learn more about wetland plants and wildlife. Students were very curious when I told them that wetlands can filter water. We're looking forward to learning more about this!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 17th) We will not have school on this day.
Alexander and the Terrible...Day Play (Tuesday, January 18th) Please send $5 this week with your child for admission to the play next Tuesday. Scholarships are available. Please email me for more information.
Clean Water Services Trip (Wednesday, January 26th) We will learn how water comes in and leaves our homes, as well as how it is cleaned. This should be a very memorable trip!
Report Card Writing Day (Friday, January 28th) We will not have school on this day. I will be writing report cards!
Celebrations of Learning (Wednesday, February 2nd) Come see what classes are working on at our Celebrations of Learning. There will be many activities going on in down town Forest Grove, as this is also the night of 'First Wednesday' for our local businesses. We hope to see you there!
Portland Art Museum (Tuesday, February 8th) As students create their own works of art based on ecosystems of our area, we have decided it would be very valuable to learn about how other artists have approached this theme. We will go on a guided tour at the Portland Art Museum called 'Northwest Art'. Soon students will be working on a class 'Treasure Book' which is a hardcover, bound book. This book will include student research, as well as artwork. Copies will be for sale for about $19 each. I will let you know more details as we get closer to the due date (which is in late March).