Classroom News: November 7th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last Week:

We finished publishing our first narrative writing of the year, and celebrated with a publishing party last Wednesday! The students shared their stories with the Violet Green Swallow classroom. On Tuesday we made leaf rubbings of the leaves we collected on our leaf walk. On Wednesday afternoon the students learned about gathering data using tally marks and practiced taking data on the colors of leaves we have in the classroom. On Thursday we headed out to the Tillamook Forest and it was a fantastic trip! The students gathered information about mushrooms, nurse logs, plants, and animals of the forest. We had a wonderful group of parent volunteers that really helped to make the trip a success. Thank you to Ramona, David, Dick, Vanessa, Beth, Brenda, Becky, and Craig! On Friday morning we had an All-School Meeting. One of the topics was learning more about FGCS students' rights and responsibilities. During the afternoon we began to write letters to children in Iraq, as part of a program that promotes peace through communication. We ended the week with a work party in the garden. Thank you to all the families that came out to help! Your effort, time and commitment were appreciated. You really helped us to prepare the garden as an amazing learning environment for your children and I can't wait to get the kids in the soil!

Math:

In math, first graders learned coin values and names of pennies and nickels. They created graphs and explored probability. They will bring home a game in their homework bags that will help them to review this learning. Second graders played a new game called 'Make the Sum'. They worked on addition facts that make the sum of 9 and 10. This game is coming home in Home Bags today! Please take some time to regularly play this game with your child throughout the next weeks.

Volunteer Opportunities:

On Thursday, December 8th, we will be cooking at the UCC. We will need 2 or 3 more parents to join us and would love to have you! I am also looking for parent volunteers who would like to regularly come on our Thursday afternoon Out and Abouts from 1:00-3:00. Most of this time will be spent in the school gardens. Please let me know if you are interested in this commitment!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry