Classroom News: Week of December 17th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we began our paint study!  The students began with sharing experiences they've had with paint.  (I told the story about my cat Duster painting 'works of art' when he was in the Humane Society for a fundraiser.  Yes, this is true!  He, apparently, enjoyed the sparkly gold paint the best.) Students made paintings and wrote stories about their memorable paint experiences.  Thursday was exciting, as we began experimenting with various materials (brainstormed by the students on Wednesday) to try to make paint.  Thank you for sending in such interesting ingredients for our experimentation!  We have some paint-like samples and are looking forward to experimenting some more.  As Ulee said, if we gave up and didn't make any more, we wouldn't be able to build stamina with making paint!  In math, first graders worked on subtraction  as they acted out hungry shark story problems.  They played variations on the "Who Has More Cents," game, making trades for various coin amounts.  Second graders continued to focus on new addition equations.  They started to make up their own wetland story problems based on their new equations, continued to work with fact families, and reviewed regrouping.  

We are in need of baby food jars for some upcoming projects.  If you have some that you are willing to donate, please send them to school with your child by Thursday. We also are in need of borrowing a popcorn popper.  While reading Farmer Boy,  we were inspired to make some popcorn, which seems like a great activity for Friday.  If you would like to donate popcorn or a stick of real butter (or heavy whipping cream, and we will make our own butter) we would appreciate it very much.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of December 10th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

The students worked hard last week preparing and rehearsing our two winter songs for the all school meeting.  They used nice, loud voices on Friday!  Students have been writing stories in story workshop and are now using puppets and dramatic play to find stories.  We started a new exploration on Friday-paint.  What IS paint?  We will explore that question together!  (We will be making a list of materials and ingredients that we think paint is made of, and may ask families to bring in some of these items for us to explore with this week.  I will send out another email if we get there or your child may ask you about it at home.  Thank you!)  In math the first graders worked on creating two charts that helped to reinforce counting and adding in multiples of 5's and 10's.  Second graders continued to work on memorizing addition facts through creating story problems and working with them while making fact families.  They also reviewed place value.  On Wednesday, Sarah and Meesha, two of the educators from Jackson Bottom Wetland, brought us their insect program.  We learned about classifying animals, insect habitats, and factors that are unique to insects.  (We also got to practice the fire drill in the middle of the lesson.  The Barn Swallows made it outside quickly and we were able to continue the insect lesson in the garden with Sarah and Meesha.  There were a lot of insects and arachnids scurrying about, which was surprising for December.)

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of December 3rd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we kept busy with reading groups and Story Workshop.  In math, first graders used number lines for adding and subtracting.  Students played the frog jump game to reinforce this concept and the students practiced creating and solving story problems using the number line.  Second graders started working on memorizing single-digit addition facts.  They focused on 4 facts (2+3=5, 7+5=12, 8+3=11 & 7+2=9) and used them in story problems and fact families.  They continued to review telling time and regrouping with addition.  On Wednesday we had an In & About.  Jackson Bottom came to us and brought their traveling program ‘amphibians.’  Students learned about characteristics and needs of amphibians through several hands-on activities.  We spent Friday afternoon making 'get well' cards for our good friend Natalie.


This Friday we will have another Spirit Day at our all school meeting.  The theme is dress as your favorite character.  The Barn Swallows will be singing two winter songs on the stage in the Grove Room at Central School.  You are welcome to come see our performance!  All school meetings begin at 9:45 and the Barn Swallows usually go first.  

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

P.S.  I will be posting videos of students sharing their stories soon!

Classroom News: Week of November 26th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we were busy!  On Wednesday we had a 'math in the garden' Out & About.  We estimated the quantity of fava beans in our seed envelope.  Then we grouped them by 10's and 1's to quickly find the total.  Finally, we divided the fava beans between 6 garden beds and amazingly, we had 36 beans!  We used standard measurement (inches) and non-standard measurement (hands, fingers) to figure out how deep and far apart to plant the fava beans and flower bulbs.  Be on the look-out this spring for tulips and daffodils!  

On Friday we made handprint trees with leaves to express what we were thankful for.  We continued to work on our stories using play dough, watercolor paint, colored pencils, shadows, and natural materials.  Students are writing fiction and non-fiction stories.  In math first graders worked with odd & even numbers and used them to make equations.  Second graders continued learning about regrouping ones into tens.  They learned how to use the hundred grid as a tool for adding and subtracting.  Students also began learning about inches, which came in handy for flower bulb planting.  

Home Bags will now be coming home on Tuesday, but please continue to bring them to school on Monday.  There was a conflict with the space needed to prep the bags on Mondays.  Thank you for helping your children to return their homework each week.  We are using a class bar graph to keep track of how many Home Bags are returned each Monday.  Last week we had 14 and this week we had 15.  We hope to get to 21 regularly!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

A special note from Sherry and Karen:

We are thankful for students who are curious and inquisitive, and willing to take risks, for students that make mistakes and learn from them, for eager and diverse children that walk into our rooms each morning and work hard to come together as a strong community.  We are thankful for all you do to support your children as they learn and grow.  Thank you!  

Karen & Sherry

Classroom News: Week of November 13th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we began preparing the school garden beds for the winter.  Students learned about how to use fava beans as cover crops.  Fava beans are great to plant in the garden in the fall because they can handle the cold winter weather, they protect the soil from being compacted by the heavy rains, they take nitrogen from the air and deliver it to the soil, and you can even eat them!  Students learned about using leaves as mulch in the garden bed, inviting many worms.  We had a sunny and dry day in the garden and students made many observations, connections, and discoveries.

We had many students share their story workshop writing with the class.  Students chose to work with a variety of materials, from play dough to creating shadows with the projector, and worked on both fiction and non-fiction stories.  In math, first graders explored properties of addition using buttons and bugs.  Second graders were introduced to regrouping for addition using base ten pieces.  They continued to work on telling time to the exact minute.

Thank you for sending your child to school with rain gear and layers!  Being prepared for a variety of weather at school allows our class to be ready for recess fun outdoors, as well as keeps students comfortable during outdoor learning.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: November 5th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we worked on creating shadow puppet stories that the students shared with each other during our 'spooky story sharing time.'  (Take a look at the photographs in the album to the right to see our shadows!)  In math the first grade students worked on sorting and graphing.  Second graders continued to work on telling time and place value.  On Thursday we spent the day at Jackson Bottom Wetland learning about owls and other birds, and taking a walk to find signs of wildlife.  The students had opportunities to try tools that helped them understand how various birds have adaptations that allow them to successfully eat various foods.  They used binoculars to observe birds in the wetland, and they learned about how feathers serve several needs for birds.  The students did a great job asking interesting questions and sharing information.  Thank you to Jason, Richard, Carrie, and Rachelle for volunteering! 

Home bags came home on Monday!  Please note that with Veteran's Day next Monday, the home bags will be coming back to school on Tuesday.  We encourage all families to work with their child through the homework pieces, as immediate feedback is most valuable for our first and second graders!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of October 29th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Thank you for attending conferences last week!  I'm happy that we were able to spend some time together with your child.  I look forward to hearing how your child's goals unfold at home!

Last week we went on a colorful leaf walk.  We have a fall tradition of looking at the red and white amanita mushrooms over by the Wells Fargo bank parking lot.  If you haven't yet seen large red mushrooms with white spots, you MUST take a quick walk across the street to see the sight!  On the leaf walk, students gathered colorful leaves, as well as temporarily collected acorns, walnuts, and sweet gum fruit.  The students are going to use these natural materials for our story workshop writing time.  In the middle of the winter we are going to 'surprise' the squirrels by returning the 'stored food.'  Students used the colorful leaves to find many creative stories, as you will see in the photographs to the right.  In math, the first graders worked on counting by fives, created graphs, and used the graphs to interpret information.  The second graders practiced making symbolic representations of ones units, ten sticks, and hundreds blocks for various 3-digit numbers and continued telling time in 5 minute increments.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Barn Swallows are going to read spooky stories that they wrote during story workshop.  If you would like to donate a healthy snack for our story time, I'm sure the Barn Swallows would appreciate it.  Vegetables, dip, cut up fruit, sliced cheese, and crackers are all great snack ideas.  Thank you!  On Friday we are having another all school meeting.  The Violet Green Swallows will be presenting and the spirit theme is 'crazy hair and/or hat' day. 

We are headed to Jackson Bottom Wetland for an all day trip this Thursday from 9:00 to 2:15.  We will need one or two more parent volunteers and would love to have you join us.  If you are interested, please email me at:  S.Reuter@fgcschool.org 

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of October 22nd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We started last week with a fantastic trip to Zenger Farm in Portland.  We were given a tour of the farm, got to sample their harvest and helped feed their chickens.  We visited the turkeys, honey bees, and learned more about worm compost.  After lunch we got to help out with jobs on the farm.  The students had great questions and insights to share with the farmers.  
The students continued to meet with reading groups, as well as have some independent reading time.  We reviewed some of the things we've learned about wetlands.  (Some students even saw a red legged frog at the wetlands at Zenger Farm!)  On Wednesday afternoon we went to both school gardens to harvest tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, garlic, and herbs.  We then used our ingredients to make salsa.  All students tried this wonderful vegetable mix and with the strong scent of garlic in the air, we had many happy kids! The first graders worked on writing and solving bugs picture problems, and played an attribute game to figure out which bugs were hiding in the teacher's pockets.  The second graders continued working on telling time by the hour and 5 minute increments.  
We learned about setting goals, and how goals help us to accomplish things.  The students wrote a personal goal or two that they will share with you at our goal setting conferences on Thursday or Friday. If you have not yet signed up for a conference, please stop in or call the office (503-359-4600) to schedule a time when you and your child can come in to meet.  The conferences will be a time for me to share assessment information about your child, and make a plan on how we can work together to support your child's progress.  Be on the look out for your child's PLP (Personalized Learning Plan) coming home today!  Please take a moment at home to read through it.  I'm looking forward to meeting with you and your child this Thursday or Friday.

We will be having another big Out & About to Jackson Bottom Wetlands on Thursday, November 1st.  We will need 2-3 adult volunteers to join us.  If you are interested, we would love to have you!   We will leave the school at 9:00 am and return by 2:15 pm.  Please email me (S.Reuter@fgcschool.org) to let me know if you can join us.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of October 15th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a wonderful time learning at the Fern Hill Wetlands last week.  Forest Grove sure is lucky to have so many people who care about our wetlands and the life there.  There are many changes happening, from building a natural shore for shorebirds to creating waterfalls with bridges and trails.  There is a lot for families to look forward to!  The swallow classes are going to learn more about seasonal wetlands and will begin working on creating this special ecosystem in the Sunflower Garden at school.  We will need to learn a lot more about the plants and animals that live there in order to make an accurate 'seasonal wetland' here at school.

Students continued working on their various stories during story workshop and began 'finding stories' through using colored pencils and drawing.  We are meeting in reading groups and have started working on handwriting.  In math the first graders have been busy solving and creating story picture problems involving ladybugs and other beetles.  The second graders have been working on place value through counting seeds in tomatoes and are beginning to work on telling time.

Thank you for sending your child to school with rain gear.  It's important to have waterproof shoes and rain jackets at school every day, as we go outside for recess in the rain and we are now in the rainy season.  (Hooded sweatshirts and fleece jackets soak up the rain, leaving students cold and wet during class time.  Waterproof gear is so important!)  Tomorrow is picture day and student goal setting conferences are around the corner.  If you haven't signed up yet, please call the school office at: (503)359.4600.  I will let you know as soon as we have more trips scheduled and in the meantime, we will be getting to know our school gardens and prepare them for the winter.  We will also begin to build our seasonal wetland.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of October 8th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have enough volunteers for our trip this Wednesday to the Fern Hill Wetlands, here in Forest Grove.  We are excited to learn about some big upcoming changes that will be happening there to improve the habitats for the creatures we will be learning about!

Last week we introduced a new element to our Story Workshop, as the students began using 'movable collage' to find and tell stories.  On Friday, the class did a FANTASTIC  job presenting our farm book to the school at the all school meeting.  The students have started meeting in reading groups, as well as reading 'just-right' books independently.  On Wednesday we visited La Esperanza Farm, a local, organic, co-op farm.  The students learned the history of the farm and its significance to our community.  We learned about various ways that farmers employ organic practices and sustainable methods of irrigation.  The students were invited to sample tomatoes and beans, and to take home a marigold.  It was another great opportunity to learn about local, organic farming.

We are looking forward to our trip next Monday to Zenger Farm.  I have the list of volunteers joining us included in the 'Class Trips and Events Calendar' link above.  Picture day is on October 16th and conferences are around the corner.  More information about signing up for conferences is soon to come!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Fern Hill Wetlands Volunteer Opportunities

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have another trip confirmed and it's coming up fast!  Next Wednesday, October 10th, from about 11:30 to 2:00, we will be learning at the Fern Hill Wetlands here in Forest Grove.  There are many exciting changes occurring there and we will learn more about what's to come as we explore Forest Grove's wetland.  We will need 1-2 adult volunteers to join us to ensure safe, supervised, and happy learners.  Would you like to come?  Please email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org if you are interested.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of October 1st

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great time learning at Gales Meadow Organic &Heirloom Farm last week.  (Double click on the pictures to the right to enlarge.)  Students learned more about organic farming and will share what they have learned about the farm in a presentation this Friday at our all school meeting.  (Families are always welcome to attend the all school meetings.  If you are interested, we will be at the Central School in the Grove Room.  The meeting begins at about 9:45.)  Through 'writing the sounds they hear,' students have been working on writing sentences that describe photographs from our farm trip.  We hope to turn our presentation into our first farm book and are working on it this week!

This week, on Wednesday, we will walk to La Esperanza Farm to learn about small market farms.  We would like to have one more parent volunteer join us and would love to have you.  The trip will be from 1:00-3:00.  We have enough volunteers for our trip to Zenger Farm on Monday, October 15th.  (Our volunteers are:  Christina, Kacie, Limor, Becky, and Beth   We welcome additional volunteers, especially if a parent volunteer has a sick child the day of the trip and is not able to attend.  Please let me know if you are interested.)

Last week we worked on math fact families.  See if your child can figure out the four facts for the 9, 4, 5 family.  It helps to have 9 similar objects in front of your child, with 4 of them one color and 5 another color.  For example, we would use 4 yellow folders and 5 red folders.  (Here are the answers:  4+5=9, 5+4=9, 9-4=5, and 9-5=4)  You can make up more problems like this at home, making them more or less challenging to fit your child.  Students have been working on transferring stories that they 'found' using play dough into writing.  It is fun to notice the different styles of writing that students have.  Some come to story workshop with a story in mind and get to writing it right away, some work with the materials and 'find' a story and then write down pieces of it as it progresses in front of them, and some find the entire story with the materials, from beginning to end, and then write it down.  There are many ways to approach this creative writing program and I am really enjoying each student's unique process!

Please let me know if you have any questions, families.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

We now have enough volunteers for the October 15th trip to Zenger Farm!  Thank you families!

Classroom News: Week of September 24th

Dear Barn Swallows,

We have enough volunteers for our trip this Wednesday, September 26th, to Gales Meadow organic, heirloom vegetable farm!  If you are interested in joining us, you are welcome.  Please remember to send your child to school that day with a full water bottle, rain gear, waterproof boots, extra warm clothing, and a healthy lunch.  School lunch orders will be made into a sack lunch that day.

We are still in need of 3 to 4 more adult volunteers for our big trip to Zenger Farm on Monday, October 15th.  This will be an all day trip and adult volunteers are necessary in order for us to make the trip.  We will be learning more about where our food comes from and see how it's grown in a way that takes care of nature.  We would love to have you join us!  Please email me at:  S.Reuter@fgcschool.org    Thank you!

Last week students finished their self portraits.  They will be hanging up soon!  Early in the week, we went on a sidewalk chalk art walk.  We discussed how you can 'find' stories in art.  Students stopped along the way and 'found' and described imaginative stories from the chalk art.  We also studied apples throughout the week.  We read many books about apples and gathered apple facts together.  Then students had an Out and About at my house (in Forest Grove) where they helped collect cider apples under our big apple tree.  Students also learned more about chickens and eggs, as they explored my chicken coop and found an egg that Edna the hen left in the next box.  Students demonstrated a lot of care as they 'earned the trust' of my four rabbits, who live with the chickens.  They fed them clover, dandelion greens, grass, and apple cores.  All of the students were so kind and considerate!  (See photos at the top right of the page.)  On Thursday Max's mom, Limor, brought a cider press to the Backyard Garden.  Through teamwork and positive communication, the Barn Swallows worked together and pressed cider.  We really enjoyed learning about where cider comes from and how it is made.  Thank you Limor!

Students learned about the five finger rule when choosing a book.  Please ask your child to explain how to use this rule as you read books together at home.  We continue to build community and to get to know each other through playing many simple games, learning new greetings, and singing songs.  We are off to a great year!

If you are interested in joining our classroom community, there is a garden work party this Friday, September 28th in the Backyard Garden from 1:30 to 3:00.  This would be a great opportunity to meet other school families and to get your kids together, making a difference in the garden.  The Backyard Garden is in need of TLC and we would love to have you join us!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of September 17th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have a couple of trips coming up!  On Thursday, September 27th we will go to Gales Meadow Farm near Gales Creek.  We will be gone from 11:00-2:15.  We need one extra adult to help chaperone this trip.  If you are available, please let me know.  As you know, on Monday, October 15th we will go to Zenger Farm.  We will need four to five more adult volunteers to join us in order to make the trip and we would love for you to join us.  If you are interested in either of these volunteering opportunities, please email me at:  S.Reuter@fgcschool.org
Class trips are a great way to spend some time with your child, and get to know the class.  Thank you!

Last week we continued working on our self-portraits.  We brainstormed, discussed and established our classroom rules.  They are:  Take care of each other, do your best, be safe, and take care of things.  Story writing workshop was introduced and students had opportunities to use Playdough to develop a story in the classroom, and natural materials to develop a story in the Backyard Garden during our Out and About.  Ask your child if he or she remembers what stories were made last week.  On Friday, we began recording these stories.  On Thursday students began math class and in the afternoon we explored The Sunflower Garden (the smaller garden behind the school).  We worked together as a class and created a garden scavenger hunt.  Students found zinnias, tomatoes, peppers, oat seeds, and more.  We ended the afternoon taste testing lemon summer squash and cucumbers.  In our first full week together we had many moments of fun, excitement, hard-work and community building.  Thank you for all you have done to prepare your children for our time together!

We will begin our homework program after goal setting conferences in October.  We can talk in more detail about homework at that time.  Home Bags will come home with your child every Monday, or the first day of our school week.  They will contain homework ("just-right" books, math homework, a spelling activity, and handwriting practice).  If your child brings finished work home it can stay at home, unless a note is attached to indicate otherwise.  Please always return the bag to school on Monday morning so that our volunteers can prepare it to go home again that afternoon.  If for some reason your child forgets to return the bag on Monday morning, we will send home new math, handwriting and spelling pages, and your child can continue to reread the same books from the previous week.  Please help your child to develop the habit of regularly returning homework each week!  When your child completes homework, it should be returned to school in the home bag. Please have your child read the "just-right" books several times throughout the week and return the books to school, so that the books may be used by another child.  My hope is that these bags will be one more tool in our efforts to work together as a team in educating your children.  Thank you!

In the meantime, please continue reading routines together at home.  Children can read to you, you can read to them, or you can take turns.  Reading for enjoyment is very important!  Writing for real purposes at home, such as writing notes to family members, making lists, writing in a journal, etc. is good writing practice.  Emergent writers work on 'writing the sounds they hear.'  They start with phonetic writing, though working on the spelling of sight words (for example, said, the, was) is always a good idea because these words do not typically follow 'phonetic rules'.  Encourage your child to stretch out words and to try to include a letter for each sound he or she hears.  Encouragement and support of this stage is really important.  Ask your child about our Story Workshop where students use materials to make (and find) a story.  As your child plays at home, see if he or she can record part of all of their stories through writing.  Cooking, measuring, telling time by the hour and possibly five minute increments, adding and subtraction single and double digit numbers, working through family story problems, and working with coins all will help support your child as a mathematician.  The more these activities are incorporated into everyday home routines, for real purposes in an enjoyable context, the better connection students will have to how school can help them with 'real life'.

Please contact me with any questions you may have.  Thank you families for your support at home!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of September 10th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As you know, our first week together was very brief!  We worked on activities, games and songs that helped us get to know each other.  The students began learning routines that we will use all year.  Teresa, our art teacher, invited the class to come and tour the new art room and share their hopes for this year.  Our PE teacher, Rick, introduced himself to the class, and gave an overview of the year.  On Friday, we had our first All-School Meeting of the year.  These are once-a-month meetings, that give classes a chance to share their learning with each other and build community.  I have enjoyed getting to know all of your children, and am looking forward to working with them this year.  We really have a special group of kids!

We will be spending the day at Zenger Farm on October 15th and will learn more about where our food comes from.  (This will be an all day trip.)  We will need 4 to 6 adult volunteers to join us and we would love to have you!  If you are interested in being a volunteer for this trip, please email me at:  S.Reuter@fgcschool.org and I will put you on the list.

Please note that I have included our class trips calendar, snack schedule, weekly schedule, birthday treats policy, and a description of this year's wetlands project on the upper right column of our blog, in case you would like to reference it throughout the year.

Thank you Barn Swallow families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of May 21st

Dear Barn Swallow Families,


Last week we worked on finishing up our free verse poetry unit.  We read a book about the life cycle of a butterfly and students decided that they wanted to make real models showing the life cycle.  So far, they have made the caterpillar and butterfly stages.  In the garden this week we made observational drawings of plants and then we painted with watercolors.  We mulched and watered our garden beds.  Ask your child why we mulched the gardens with leaves.  In math the first graders finished their measurement unit and began a unit on geometry.  The students organized shapes into a grid that helped to quickly identify size, shape and color.  They played a couple of games to familiarize themselves with the various attributes of shapes.  Second graders worked on double digit subtraction with regrouping and reviewed coin values.  We ended the week planting basil indoors.
Reminder: Friday is a spirit day.  Please encourage your child to wear their school colors: blue, brown, or green and/or wear their FGCS shirts.
We're all looking forward to our annual talent show next week. A rehearsal for performers is scheduled for 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thurs., May 24 in the District Office Grove Room, 1728 Main St. If students can't attend the rehearsal, they should check in with Karen Torry about technology needs (if any). The Talent Show is set for 10 a.m. Fri., May 25 in the Grove Room. Parents and other family members are encouraged to attend. Please contact Karen at k.torry@fgcschool.org or 503-359-4600 with questions.


Our big trip to the Tillamook Forest is coming soon!  On Thursday, June 7th we will be spending the day observing and exploring in the forest.  If you are still interested in joining us, please send me a quick confirmation at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org so that I can make sure my volunteer list is correct.  We will be leaving the school near 9:00 and returning by 2:15.


Thank you families!


Sincerely,


Sherry

Classroom News: Week of May 14th, 2012

Dear Barn Swallow Families,


Last week we worked on writing Mother's Day poems.  I hope that all of you enjoyed reading your child's poem!  We continued learning about bees and other pollinators.  We went to The Backyard garden twice last week.  We planted a variety of carrots.  We had yellow, white, all purple, purple with orange centers and a variety of orange ones.  Friday was very warm and we spent part of the afternoon watering the Backyard garden while Mike Geraci, Pacific University professor, gathered student stories for his video project.  The first graders continued measuring last week during math.  They measured in inches and in centimeters in the classroom and outside.  They made comparisons of lengths, and recorded measurement in numbers and units.  Second graders practiced regrouping with subtraction using popsicle sticks for tens and chick peas for ones.  This week students will work on regrouping problems with double digits.  For math homework, students can use objects like pencils, sticks, rocks, beans, pennies etc. to represent tens and ones to go along with the practice sheet.  Have your child show you how to use these objects with some subtraction problems.  Homework will be coming home on Tuesday.

Reminders:  Friday, May 25th at 9:45 we will have our school Talent Show.  Thursday, June 7th we will go to the Tillamook Forest all day, and we need several adult volunteers to accompany us.  Thursday, June 14th is Field Day.  Friday, June 15th is our last day of school, and we will hold our Bridging Ceremony at Pacific University.  All are welcome to attend, and it is especially recommended if your child will be bridging - headed to a new level classroom next year.  If you plan on attending, please pick up Pacific University waiver forms in the office for all guests attending.  


Thank you families!


Sincerely,
Sherry

Classroom News: May 7th

Dear Barn Swallow Families


On May 1st the Barn Swallows celebrated May Day by making May Day baskets.  We read about honey bees and students worked on their 'Parts of a Flower' posters.  First graders worked on measuring in math class.  They began the week learning about non-standard measurements (hand spans, unifix cubes and popsicle sticks) and used these methods for measuring in the classroom.  On Wednesday and Thursday, they began measuring in inches during the 'Measurement Olympics.'  The students worked in teams playing games that involved measuring distance.  Second graders worked on various activities with place value.  They also reviewed subtraction and will soon begin regrouping with subtraction.  On Thursday we planted flower and spinach seeds indoors.  We're hoping for some spring weather on Thursdays for Out & Abouts!

Friday, May 25th will be our All-School Talent Show.  It's not a contest, but a time to share talents, interests, and hobbies.  Many of our level one students have signed up to perform.  There will be a dress rehearsal at 3:00 on Thursday, the 24th for all children that plan to participate.  If your child has signed up, but is not able to make it to the rehearsal, please contact Karen Torry at K.Torry@fgcschool.org.  All families are welcome to join us for the Talent Show!  


Sincerely,
Sherry 

Classroom News: Week of April 30th, 2012

Dear Barn Swallow Families,


As your child may have already shared with you, my mom is visiting me from Wisconsin early this week!  Nikki Carter is the Barn Swallows' substitute teacher until Wednesday and I will return on Thursday.  She has already sent me an email letting me know how well today went.  I'm proud of the Barn Swallow students for doing their best and helping routines run smoothly!


Last week we focused on pollination.  We read several books looking for information about pollinating.  The students made pipe cleaner bees, and became pollinators in the garden.  They were amazed to see real pollen on the fuzzy faces of their pipe cleaner bees!  Students continued to pull the 'band-aid/weed' plants from their garden beds.  We were given a wonderful donation of free vegetable transplants from Westwind Gardens, located on Stringtown Road here in Forest Grove.  Westwind grows organic vegetable transplants for many stores in the area (New Seasons, Portland, Nursery, Fred Meyer, and others).  Their plants' tags are labeled 'Planet Wise'.  Thank you Phil and Liz!  Students were able to plant kolrabi, broccoli, pock choy, swiss chard, and many varieties of lettuce.  If you would like to volunteer to join us in the garden on Thursday afternoons, we would love to have you!


If your child forgot his or her home bag this week, you have one more day to get the bag returned - our volunteer was unable to come today to get the bags ready, so they won't be going home today.



Thank you families!


Sincerely,
Sherry

Garden Film Project and Consent Form

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Our class has a very interesting opportunity coming up. Pacific University professor Michael Geraci, is interested in interviewing and video taping the Barn Swallow students as they work in the school garden in the next two weeks. He will be creating a short film that will include some Barn Swallow students. Please take a moment to fill out the form below letting Mr. Geraci know if you consent to having your child be a part of his project. If you have any questions, please email me and I will forward them to Mr. Geraci.

A consent form will be sent home today.  Please return this form by Monday, April 30th or earlier.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 23rd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,


Last week the students worked on writing independent choice stories.  Some students are working on fiction stories, some are writing personal narratives, and some chose to write other non-fiction stories.  We have been learning about the parts of a flower.  The students used a variety of magnification tools to get a good look at the various parts of flowers.  Ask your child to identify the parts of flowers in your yard or neighborhood.  (Stigma, pistil, stamen, ovule, sepal, petal, stem, and pollen)  We went for a flower walk around the neighborhood to look at the wide variety of blooms.  At the school and garden students selected flowers to bring back to class to study further.  The students made diagrams of flower parts.  We continued planting starts of tomatoes, tomatillos, and peppers for our school garden.  Out class spent Friday afternoon learning about 'pioneer band-aid plants' also known as weeds.  Students learned about the important role that 'weeds' have in preventing erosion in exposed soil in nature.  Students spent time digging out the roots of 'weeds' in their gardens and mulching the exposed soil with leaves.  During math, first graders used number lines and number grids.  They played games to figure out missing numbers.  The students asked questions and used clues to figure out mystery numbers.  Second graders reviewed telling time, regrouping with addition, and measuring.  They started working on fluency with single digit subtraction facts.  The week ended with the annual FGCS Earth Day Bike Ride.  


We have two garden work parties coming up and we really would love (and need) your help!  The first work party is on Friday, May 4th, after school.  The last one of the school year is Friday, June 1st, after school.  If your family is interested in adopting the school gardens for a week (or weeks) during the summer, we would greatly appreciate it.  We are in need of family volunteers to deeply water the gardens and pick, as well as eat, any ripe vegetables and fruits.  Interested?  Please let me know! 


Thank you families!


Sincerely,


Sherry

Classroom News: April 16th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Thank you for joining us for conferences last week. All students did a fantastic job presenting their work!

The student Treasure Book forest field guides arrived today! They were sent home this afternoon. If you would like to order additional copies, you can now order them online. (The ordering information is inside of the book. If you have questions, I can help you!)

This Friday FGCS is celebrating Earth Day by having its third annual bike ride at 2:00. If your child is interested in joining the bike ride, he or she will need to return a signed permission slip by Thursday and have an adult accompany him or her. All participants must wear a helmet as well. (I will send home permission slips with interested students tomorrow, or you can get a copy of the form from the school website to print.)

We have our last big trip to the Tillamook Forest scheduled for Thursday, June 7th. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 9th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a full week last week! The Barn Swallow students have been busy preparing for their Student Led Conference, which is this Thursday. If you haven't yet signed up, please stop by the office or call the school (503.359.4600) to schedule. The Student Led Conferences are an opportunity for your child to shine as he or she shares with you the growth he or she has made this year in school, as well as for you to see some samples of work. Your child will share work, demonstrate learning, and explain areas of growth. I will be in the room, and can give your child guidance if needed, but I try to take a backseat so that your child is empowered to take the lead. I hope that you will feel as proud of your child's accomplishments and I do. We look forward to having you visit the classroom!

Last week, students began writing stories about something that they did over spring break. For our Out and About, students started tomato, tomatillo, and pepper seeds and they are now under lights on the shelf that the students put together. Students planted potatoes in the backyard and we had a visit from twin lambs in the garden. In small groups, students had an opportunity to spend time petting and learning about these sweet, wooly creatures. Thank you to Logan's family for bringing the lambs. What a fun and busy Out and About!

During math, first graders worked on learning and practicing telling time to the hour and half hour. They worked on solving each others lobster picture problems. Second graders began measuring in inches and centimeters and were introduced to measuring to the nearest whole number. Second graders will be regularly receiving math homework every Monday, starting on April 9th. The homework will serve as an opportunity for your child to review and reinforce what we are currently working on in math class. It is not mandatory, though I will make special notes at the top of pages that may particularly benefit your child, based on informal and formal assessments. I encourage your child to return the work done at home, especially if your child needs additional practice with particular skills.

If you would like to join us for our Out and Abouts to the garden on Thursdays, we would love to have you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 2nd

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Welcome back! I hope that all of you had a great spring break and that everyone is now healthy again!

The Barn Swallows finished their Treasure Book pages last week and our Oregon Forest Animal Field Guide is being printed this week! I am so proud of the amount of effort, detail, and care that the students put into this project. We're looking forward to getting our published books in the mail!

As you know, both of our trips to the Tillamook Forest got cancelled. We were able to reschedule one trip on Thursday, June 7th. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative by then! If you would like to volunteer to join us, we would love to have you.

We will be focusing on studies in the gardens for the rest of the school year. Soon, students will be working on writing free verse poetry.

This week, students are preparing for their Student Led Conference, which is held in the classroom on Thursday, April 12th. This is a time for students to share what they have been working on this year with their families. Please sign up in the office for your conference.

If you would like to order a yearbook, you can pick up an order form in the office. Yearbooks are $20. Orders are due this Friday, April 6th.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: March 20th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

With the predicted 2 to 5 inches of snow for tomorrow at elevations of 1000 feet, we have decided to cancel the trip to the Tillamook forest tomorrow. (The bus company would let us know by 7:00 in the morning if they are able to make the trip or not, but we have decided to make a decision earlier so that families, trip volunteers, and teachers can prepare accordingly.)

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: March 19th

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

I wanted to send you a quick note letting you know a little more about how the level 1 Treasure Book order forms work. I have many students with older siblings in levels 2 and 3. In the higher levels, students write their own entire book and their first one is free. They can also order additional copies at cost. For level one, students do not receive a free copy of the book. Students each are responsible for two pages in the book and together, this year, they are working on a forest animal field guide. If you intended on ordering/receiving a copy of the class book, and need to change your order form, I can either send a new form home with your child, or your child can take the original form home. Purchasing the book, of course, is optional! All forms need to come back either way, according to the company's system, by Wednesday. Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry