Great news! Level 1 will be visiting Oregon Zoo on Thursday, January 19th to learn about how Oregon animals stay warm in the winter. We'll leave the school by 9:00 am and return at about 2:15. If you are interested in going please let me know. Our class will need at least 4-6 parent volunteers and we would love to have you join us!
I will be sending home envelopes for payments for the Charlotte's Web play today. The Barn Swallows are looking forward to going! Please remember that scholarships are available. Contact me with questions.
Last week we read a book about skunks to gather information. Students practiced gathering information and retelling facts in our own words and writing. Ask your child if he or she remembers any facts about skunks. I also had the chance to tell my own true skunk story, complete with photographs, captions, and a happy ending! On Thursday, we walked to Pacific University Library to view the Level 3 students Garden Art Exhibit. The students were very observant and shared many details that they noticed about the work. After viewing the artwork, we took advantage of being on campus. We identified Oregon Grape, Salal, and students even spotted Licorice Fern growing high in a tree! We observed spunky squirrels chasing each other around the trees and then, right after talking about the Acorn Woodpecker, it flew right over our heads! Students found branch debris on the lawn that had acorns tucked into woodpecker-made holes. It was like we were looking at the Acorn Woodpecker's pantry! As we were seeing how many students could hold hands and fit around the trunk of a sequoia tree (19), we realized that there was a raccoon 'bathroom' at the base of it. Apparently, raccoons use a tree many times as its scat location. We discussed how nature might have designed it that way to feed the soil, which would then feed the tree. Students found sprouting acorns, as well. We were able to take advantage of so many 'teachable moments' and students were making a lot of connections! On Friday we planted peas and started a journal to keep track of their growth. We used the calendar to predict when the peas would be ready to harvest and counted the seeds by groups of ten. We had more than 500 seeds! We will let you know when they germinate. We also planted one of the sprouting acorns. Students hope to plant the young oak in the school forest.
Last week we read a book about skunks to gather information. Students practiced gathering information and retelling facts in our own words and writing. Ask your child if he or she remembers any facts about skunks. I also had the chance to tell my own true skunk story, complete with photographs, captions, and a happy ending! On Thursday, we walked to Pacific University Library to view the Level 3 students Garden Art Exhibit. The students were very observant and shared many details that they noticed about the work. After viewing the artwork, we took advantage of being on campus. We identified Oregon Grape, Salal, and students even spotted Licorice Fern growing high in a tree! We observed spunky squirrels chasing each other around the trees and then, right after talking about the Acorn Woodpecker, it flew right over our heads! Students found branch debris on the lawn that had acorns tucked into woodpecker-made holes. It was like we were looking at the Acorn Woodpecker's pantry! As we were seeing how many students could hold hands and fit around the trunk of a sequoia tree (19), we realized that there was a raccoon 'bathroom' at the base of it. Apparently, raccoons use a tree many times as its scat location. We discussed how nature might have designed it that way to feed the soil, which would then feed the tree. Students found sprouting acorns, as well. We were able to take advantage of so many 'teachable moments' and students were making a lot of connections! On Friday we planted peas and started a journal to keep track of their growth. We used the calendar to predict when the peas would be ready to harvest and counted the seeds by groups of ten. We had more than 500 seeds! We will let you know when they germinate. We also planted one of the sprouting acorns. Students hope to plant the young oak in the school forest.
In math the first graders got to act out stories, and visualize subtraction problems, as they took on the role of hungry sharks. They also began learning coin names and values, as we played, "Who Has More Cents?" Second graders worked on addition problems that call for regrouping and worked on telling time in their new time packets. At home, you can make up and practice double and triple digit addition problems that call for regrouping. Telling the exact time on analog clocks is also great practice.
If you or someone you know is interested in sharing sewing, knitting, or crocheting skills with the class, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you families!
Sincerely,
Sherry
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