Classroom News: Week of January 24th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We are getting ready to go on a great Out and About adventure to Clean Water Services on Wednesday, January 26th. We are in need of at least two additional adult volunteers to join us on this trip. Would you like to join us? I look forward to hearing from you! This should be a memorable experience!

Students had a great time last week with expert hydrologist, Mr. Adam (Lola's dad). They explored various wetland creatures and plants, colored a map of our watershed, and participated in a hands on water filtration activity. You may have noticed that your child brought home children's literature from this wetland activity. If you're able to, please take some time to talk about some of the ideas presented in the booklets. Students are looking forward to visiting the wetlands this spring!

We also had many laughs and giggles at the play Alexander's Day. Thank you for supporting our students for this worthwhile trip!

Last week the class decided that they would like to start a classroom newspaper with stories about their lives. Since students are regularly writing true stories from their lives, it helps a lot for them to come to school with many ideas to write about. I will let you know how our first (and only?!) newspaper progresses and will get it out as soon as we can. Please ask your child what his or her newspaper article is about. If you have a digital photograph that relates in any way to the article, please email it to me and I will do my best to put it in our 'newspaper'. Regular, short discussions about writing ideas is also very valuable! Thank you!

Important Dates:

-Report Card Writing Day (Friday, January 28th) We will not have school on this day.

-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) We will need at least two adult volunteers to join us on this trip. Would you like to join us? 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).

Please email me if you have any questions or ideas to share.

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

S.Reuter@fgcschool.org

Classroom News Blog: BarnSwallowClassroom.BlogSpot.com

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).

Please email me if you have any questions or ideas to share.

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of January 3rd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Happy New Year!

Classroom News:

-Gale's Creek, Water, and Wildlife Exploration- Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

We will be going to B Street farm to observe how Oregon's wet winters impact the land and wildlife at the farm. If the ground is soft, we will also help plant living willow shelters in the children's food forest. We will be at the farm for the afternoon. Please remind your child to wear layers, a winter jacket, hat, gloves, and warm boots every day.

-Alexander and the Terrible, Horribly, No Good, Very Bad Day Play at Theater in the Grove-Tuesday, January 18th

Level 1 students will be going to the Theater in the Grove! Admission for students is $5 and may be sent to school with your child. Theater in the Grove offers scholarships so that all may attend.

Please email me if you have any questions. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sherry