Barn Swallow Classroom

Classroom News: January 30th

2012-01-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week we finished our mid-year writing samples. It is amazing to see the progress that they've made as writers. We continued working on our forest mural. As we learned about the ways in which animals adapt to the winter weather, we experimented with fat as an insulator, used loupes to take a closer look at wool fibers, and tried to spin yarn with our hands. We began looking in books for information about forest animals, and each student is beginning to choose a forest animal to research. On Thursday we went to Theatre in the Grove to see Charlotte's Web. Hopefully, your child has shared some highlights from this experience. If not, please be sure to ask your child to tell you about it.
This Friday we have an All-School Meeting in the morning, which also meaning it is "Spirit Day." Your child can participate by dressing up like their favorite book character (remember no weapons, masks or scary costumes).

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: January 23th

2012-01-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Families,

Last week turned out to be a very unusual week, with the holiday, late start, snow day, and a very wet zoo trip. It was definitely an adventure, and made for a short week together. We began the week talking about similes and metaphors, and finding examples of them in text. We reviewed the criteria for, "What makes an interesting personal narrative." On Thursday we headed off to the zoo. At the zoo, we took a class called, "Critter Coverings." We discovered how different body coverings help different creatures to survive. In the class we were introduced to a duck, a snake and a hedgehog. Each child was given the opportunity to pet each of these animals. We were able to visit the Pacific Northwest exhibit and saw wet eagles, beavers, otters, and a few other animals that were willing to come out! It was a wet day, but I think that everyone had a great time. We continued working on our forest mural. We finished the week making visits to our pea plants and recording observations in plant journals. It was a short week, but we managed to get a lot done!

Don't forget, this Friday there is no school, as the teachers will be working on report cards.

Thank you families!

Sherry

Classroom News: January 17th

2012-01-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

What a snowy day! We took advantage of the snow today and made vanilla ice cream. Ask your child how we made it. I was amazed that it really worked!

Thank you to those who have turned in money for the Charlotte's Web play. If you have not yet turned in the money for your child, please try to have it in by this Thursday, or let me know if you need a scholarship to cover the cost.

We now have enough volunteers to do our zoo trip! Parents are still welcome to join us even if they haven't signed up yet. It is always helpful to have smaller groups. We are hoping the weather will cooperate with us and will let you know if there are any changes to the schedule.

Last week we began making plants to go on our forest mural. The students worked on beautiful Oregon Grape pieces, and we began learning about the Douglas Fir tree. Ask your child about the story of the mice and the fir cone! On Thursday we walked to Tom McCall Forest where the students were detectives, looking for clues to solve..."The Mystery of Which Trees Are Growing in Tom McCall Forest." Students collected, examined and shared clues they found (various cones, branches, acorns, bark, helicopters, nuts and seeds), and we were able to identify several tree species growing at Tom McCall. Ask your child what trees live in the Tom McCall Forest!

During math first graders worked with money and adding teen numbers. They played "Who Has More Cents," to acquaint themselves with coin names and values, to count by 1's, 5's and 10's, and to compare quantities. First graders worked on addition of whole numbers, writing number sentences, exploring addition patterns and developing strategies through problems, investigations and games. Second grade math students reviewed place value, decomposing numbers (476=400+70+6), telling time, and addition problems that call for regrouping. All second grade students should be able to quickly answer all addition problem combinations of two numbers that equal sums of 10 and lower. Please have your second grader practice his or her flash cards that were sent home, as well as work on made-up addition problems that call for regrouping.

We finished the week reading about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and students wanted to make posters to continue sharing Dr. King's message. We had a silent march, holding the posters, as we walked through downtown Forest Grove and through the public library. Ask your child what his or her poster message was. I hope we continue to have a wintery week! If you haven't already yet heard the 'Winter' song sung by your child these last few days, ask him or her to teach it to you!

Home bags will come home as soon as our volunteer is able.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: January 9th

2012-01-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

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.

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

Classroom News: January 3rd

2012-01-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Happy New Year! We had a busy week before winter break. We were an audience at level three's science expose' and then interacted with level two at their Potlach project at the UCC. Students worked on retelling a story in their own words, which called for students to summarize pages from a non-fiction book read aloud about turtles. Students made snow people watercolor paintings and used salt to create a 'snow effect' in the wet paint. We ended the week with our publishing party, where students read aloud their narratives. During the afternoon the Barn Swallows were free to do a range of creating. Students made pins, sock puppets, chalk art, snowflakes, and many yarn creations.

In math, first graders made a sea star quilt. They looked for visual and number patterns, counted by fives, read numbers to 100, and described and extended patterns throughout this project. Second grade math students learned about how ones and tens 'regroup' when adding higher numbers. Students practiced addition story problems that call for regrouping. They continued to practice telling time to the exact minute, as well as reviewed the terms: half past, quarter to, and quarter after. Please have your second grade student continue to practice the addition flash cards that were sent home. Ask your child to explain the 'got it' pile and the 'not yet' pile. You can also make up double digit addition problems that call for regrouping and have your child practice at home. Telling time on analog clocks at home is also great practice!

On Thursday, January 26th, at ten o'clock, level 1 classes will be going to the Charlotte's Web play at Theatre in the Grove! Tickets are $5 per student. Please send your payment to the classroom (not the office) by Thursday, January 19th. If you are unable to pay, please let me know, as there are a few scholarships available. We are looking for one parent volunteer to join us. If you are interested, we would love to have you!

Home Bags will be coming home tomorrow!

Thank you families,

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: December 12th

2011-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

For our citizenship project this term we completed writing our Peace Letters to new friends in Iraq. This program was introduced to us through our wonderful volunteer, EmmaRose. Children in Iraq wanted to find a way to communicate with children in the United States. Your child's letter to a new friend is being sent to a translator today!

We finished reading "Dirt: the Scoop on Soil," as we read to find information. The students did an experiment to separate layers of soil, and then they made predictions on how much of each of the five layers there would be. Ask your child to name the five layers of soil in order from heaviest to lightest! (Here is the answer: rocks/pebbles, sand, silt, clay, and humus.) We also read "Animals in Winter," and learned how different animals survive the winter through various means, including hibernation, migration, storing food, or hunting and gathering. We compared this to things humans do to survive in the winter. On Friday we made and ate grilled flat bread. Earlier this semester the students harvested wheat from the Sunflower Garden and threshed it in the classroom. We ground the wheat in my new grain grinder and watched in awe as we put our freshly ground wheat flour into the bowl as we mixed the dough. We didn't have enough flour for the whole recipe, so Bob's Red Mill helped us with the rest!

First graders worked on growing patterns, counting by tens and subtraction. The first graders made 10 legged crabs to help with counting by tens. Second graders worked on double-digit addition story problems. Students focused on showing their work using pictures, numbers and words. They also worked on telling time, to the quarter hour. Second grade students have their own self-made addition flash cards that are coming home today in Home Bags. Please have your child regularly practice these facts as much as needed. Thank you!

This Thursday we will be planning upcoming spring trips and I will let you know the dates as soon as they are confirmed!

Have a fantastic winter break Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

FLAT BREAD RECIPE:

3 Cups of flour
1 Cup of ice water
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
2 Teaspoons of salt
2 Teaspoons of baking powder
1 Pinch of baking soda

Combine all ingredients and form into a dough ball. Cut the dough ball apart into smaller balls. (You decide how big!) Form the balls into flat shapes of your choosing. Cook on a griddle or in a frying pan on medium heat. Flip them to cook both sides. Brush olive oil over the bread when it's finished and add a little sea salt. (Fresh herbs and roasted garlic would also be great!)

Classroom News: December 5th

2011-12-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Last week, students worked on adding interesting details to their stories and began working on illustrations for their published writing pieces. Students learned about four ferns; sword, deer, licorice, and maidenhair. They created ferns for our classroom forest mural using their painted paper. The ferns look realistic, tucked together in our forest scene on the wall! The forest mural serves as a way for us to collect ideas for enhancing the habitat of the school forest. Ask your child which ferns she or he worked on. We also investigated the frost in the Sunflower Garden one chilly morning by looking at it under magnifying jeweler's loupes. Ask your child what he or she saw! We ended the week with an All School Meeting on Friday. Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Karen Torry were the substitute teachers for me while I was away with Ms. Karen Thias at a Story Workshop class at the Opal charter school. Both substitutes reported that the class did a great job!

This Thursday the Barn Swallows will be making vegetable soup! We will be donating half of the soup to the severe weather shelter at the UCC. Students are interested in churning butter after reading about how Ma', Mary, and Laura do it in our read aloud, 'Little House in the Big Woods'. (Ask your child how Ma' dyed the white winter milk!) We are hoping to make bread and butter in class on Friday. Thank you to families who have donated vegetables, broth, and grains!

Sincerely,

Ms. Sherry

Classroom News: November 28th

2011-11-28T16:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Writing:

Last week we continued to learn about worms and wrote worm fact pages for a classroom worm book. Students continued to work on writing and publishing their second narrative piece. Students chose an event from their own lives and described the beginning, middle, and end. They are working on using descriptive words and focused on placing capital letters and punctuation in the correct place.

Garden & Forest Project:

We began learning about the parts of soil and are in the midst of learning AMAZING facts! Ask your child to tell you about the colors of sand grains! During our Out and About we went to the Backyard garden and prepared the raised beds with the Violet Green Swallows. We picked and sampled many different kinds of greens. Then students planted garlic cloves that were harvested from the garden in the summer and saved. We ended with mulching the beds with rotting leaves.

Math:

First grade math students worked with odd and even numbers and patterns in math. They also began working on pattern block puzzles and patterns. Second grade math students worked on addition facts that made the sums of 10, 9, 8, and 7. They played the 'Make the Sums' game with these addition problems, made flash cards, and worked on memorizing the facts with partners and in small groups.

Home Bags:

Students have been doing a great job with remembering their Home Bags! In the rare case that your child forgets his or her bag on Monday, he or she will be able to get books the NEXT Monday and can reread the old books for that week, or find more at the library. Spelling and handwriting work will still be sent home. Thank you families!

Cooking:

Next week, on December 8th, we will be cooking garlic bread, using garlic and a little wheat from the school garden, and we will be making a healthy vegetable soup! If you would like to donate a food item, this is what we will need: (Organic, if possible) Vegetable stock, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, rutabegas, kale, fresh herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, chives, basil...), celery, turnips, quinoa, and lentils. Please email me with the ingredient(s) you and your child would like to donate to the class and bring them to school by Tuesday, December 6th. Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: November 14th

2011-11-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Pika and Teddy:

Our classroom birds are here! Please ask your child to tell you all about Pika, our Cockatiel, and Teddy, our parakeet. They had a great first day! Teddy preened Pika and did some acrobatics, Pika climbed the branch and sat in the book baskets in the library, Francis fed them both fresh peas, and Jacob offered them a carrot.

What We Did Last Week:

Last week we learned about reading books to find information and enjoyed a few non fiction worm books. We have learned MANY new facts about worms and have a large list for you to see on our door! For our Out and About, we went to the Backyard garden. First we marked the existing (and newly transplanted) plants in our future forest site. Then we moved many loads of leaves to the forest floor, in hopes of feeding the worms, protecting the soil, and bringing in more nutrients for the forest plants. The students felt like we were gathering food for a huge worm party! We ended our Out and About with worm exploration and observation. Every student found at least one worm! Last week we also worked on painting paper in preparation for our painted paper forest mural, which will be in our classroom. The forest mural is a way for us to keep track of all of the forest plants and animals we're learning about, as well as help us plan for how we want to enhance the school's 'forest' in the garden.

Math Last Week:

First graders worked on addition facts using buttons and bug story problems. They looked for patterns among addition facts. Second graders continued to work on fluency with addition facts that make the sum of 9 and 10. They made flash cards with these facts, practiced with partners, and continued to play the 'Make the Sum' game in small groups.

Home Bags:
Thank you families for helping your child remember to bring his or her Home Bag these last two weeks. Please help your child to make sure that all homework is labeled with the child's name. We have volunteers on Monday morning that are helping us to prepare the homework each week, and they will not have time to check your child's homework to make sure that it has a name. Please make sure that your child cuts out the spelling letters each week and manipulates them to make words. This step is very important in the process. Please do not put the letters back into the bags (please recycle the letters at home). Homework calendars will be coming home soon. This tool will help you and your child keep track of the work that is being completed at home, as well as allow me to learn more about your child's homework routine. You can look at the calendar with your child and plot out when your child will do each homework activity. It will also provide a space for your child to record the number of minutes spent on each subject. Please keep the calendar in the Home Bag. Thank you families!

Volunteer Opportunity:
On Thursday, December 8th we will be cooking at the UCC. We will leave the school at 1:00 and return by 3:00. I would love to have 2-3 parent volunteers to join us! If you are able to join us, please send me an email at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org. (Please also send me an email to confirm if you have already shared an interest in joining us!)

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: November 7th

2011-11-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

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

Classroom News: October 30th

2011-10-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Tillamook Forest Trip:

We will have enough volunteers for our trip to the Tillamook Forest this Thursday! Thank you family volunteers! The bus will be leaving at 9:00 and returning to school at 2:15. (We will park at the Tillamook Forest Center.) We will be learning about the layers of the forest, nurse logs, fungi, and the living plants and creatures of the forest. The majority of the day we will be exploring outside. Please help your child to dress in plenty of warm layers, long pants, and shoes that are comfortable for hiking. Warm coats will be required for this trip!

Costume and Candy Reminder:

FGCS sent out an email to families about refraining from wearing costumes and sending candy in lunches to school. If you have questions, please email me. Thank you families!

Upcoming Out and Abouts:

Students will be spending more time getting to know the Backyard garden during most of our Out and Abouts in November and December. We hope to be planting garlic from seed saved this summer as well as fava beans to enrich the soil with nitrogen in the newly dug garden beds. On Thursday, December 8th, from 1:00-3:00, students will be cooking at the UCC in Forest Grove. We may make garlic bread using the garlic and some of the wheat from the school gardens. We may also make a fava bean hummus. Students are also interested in using the grain called amaranth in order to make an amazing (and healthy) dessert. We will see! Students will be cooking in small groups and we will need 3 or 4 parent volunteers. Please email me if you are interested in joining us. Thank you!

What We Did Last Week:

Last week students worked on editing and publishing their stories about our trip to the Kittle's Farm. Students know how to use carrots in their writing in order to add more details. They have been learning about capital letters at the beginning of sentences and punctuation at the end. We have discussed adjectives and even touched on similes and metaphors.

We studied why leaves change color and then went on almost an hour long leaf walk. Students' goals were to gather leaves from different types of trees, to find a variety of colors, and to find some leaves that were still green for an experiment. On the walk we saw mushrooms popping up all over. We were amazed to see large, bright red mushrooms with white polka dots scattered between the road and sidewalk by Wells Fargo Bank on A Street. (It is worth the walk over, if you'd like to see them! We were careful not to disturb them.) We ended our short week with a leaf experiment. We used rubbing alcohol and coffee filters to draw out the chlorophyll and pigment from the leaves. There are now 'ribbons' of green, orange, and yellow pigment trailing up the coffee filter!

Math:

In math, the 1st graders classified, sorted and graphed a variety of manipulatives. The 2nd graders practiced single-digit addition and subtraction. They reviewed telling time by the hour and identifying coins. Soon they will be working on fluency with single digit addition.

Home Bags:

This Monday is the first day for Home Bags! With this being the first week of work-at-home for level 1 students, it's important to take some time to discuss with your child the new routine that works for your family. It may be helpful to make a chart with days of the week and pictures showing what will be happening each day and when for your child to refer to. Thank you for making this important effort in supporting your student at home! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Garden Work Party:

I hope you are able to join us on Friday for the garden work party. In order for our level 1 students to have a garden to work in regularly, starting as early as November, we will need many adults (and kids!) with shovels this Friday. Our goal is for small groups of 4 or 5 students to each have a 4' by 8' garden bed to learn and work in for the rest of the school year. We want our students to have experiences growing, caring for, and tasting fresh vegetables and fruits. The garden work party will be from 1:30-5:00 in the Backyard and you are welcome to join us for all or part of that time. Once the beds are dug, we will welcome leaves from your yard to serve as mulch and for learning about decomposition.

It was great to see you all at conferences!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: October 24th

2011-10-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As you already know, school photos will be taken tomorrow! Please send your completed order form with your child, even if you will not be ordering photographs. Thank you!

Your child brought home his or her Personal Learning Plan today. Please take some time to read it before our conference. At the conference your child will share his or her goals with us and we will discuss ways we can support the goals. Next we will discuss work at home, which begins next week. After your child has had the chance to ask questions, he or she will go to the foyer for a quiet activity. Last, we will discuss your child's next steps for reading, writing, and math. This is also a time to ask questions and devise a plan so that together we can support your child academically at school and at home.

Our next big trip is to the Tillamook Forest (meeting at the Forest Center) on Thursday, November 3rd. We will be leaving at 9:00 and will return to school by 2:15. We do not currently have other trips scheduled, but are working on some for the spring. If you are able to join us for the Tillamook trip, we would love to have you! We will need 3-6+ volunteers in order to go on the trip. Thank you families!

On Friday, November 4th, from 1:30-5:00, we will have a work party so that we can get the garden beds ready for students. We need your help! Would you and your family like to join us? If you have leaves to donate to the school garden, you may drop them off at the garden on this day. Thank you families!

Next week we will begin sending home just right books and a spelling activity in "Home Bags". Students will bring home their "Home Bags" every Monday (or the first day of the school week). Please return your child's Home Bag each Monday morning to ensure that our volunteers are able to switch and replenish your child's books.

The students learned SO much at the Audubon Sanctuary last week and were brimming with facts to share when we returned! Thank you to Becky, Sue, Dick, and Craig for volunteering. Students took a tracking class and learned more about looking for signs of life in the woods. They also went on a hike and visited the many birds in the wildlife care center. Students are working on figuring out which native plants, trees, animals, and insects would help create a biodiverse and healthy forest ecosystem. We are planning for our school forest by using our wall as a giant mural and soon we hope to be adding models of the life we hope to have and help in our forest.

This week in the garden students collected edamame, calendula, and bean seeds. We will be saving them to plant in the spring. Students also moved logs and rocks from the garden to the forest area in hopes of creating nurse logs and animal habitats.

In writing students are working on adding details and adjectives to their stories and students are meeting in reading, spelling, and handwriting groups. First grade math students worked on graphing sea creatures and measuring in cups. Second grade math students worked on their fluency with addition and subtraction facts.

Please remember to sign up for conferences, if you haven't already done so. I look forward to seeing you then!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: October 18th

2011-10-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great time at Gales Meadow Farm last Thursday! Students prepared for the trip by writing questions to ask Farmer Anne. We were able to taste test many different organic heirloom vegetables, observed runner ducks working (They were busy eating slugs), helped harvest a variety of colorful squash, and gathered ideas for our own school garden. Thank you Phil for volunteering! Soon we will need a lot of extra adult help with getting our school garden ready for two classes to work in it at the same time. Would you like to help us dig new beds? A garden work party after school is soon to come and I will let you know the date as soon as it's finalized!

Students will visit the Tillamook Forest on November 3rd for an all day trip, in order to learn more about what makes a forest a balanced ecosystem, as well as to help them plan how to enhance our school's forest in the making. We will need 3-6+ volunteers for this trip. Would you like to join us? We'd love to have you! Please send me an email if you are interested at: S.Reuter@fgscshool.org and thank you!

Do you have piles of leaves at your house? Soon we will be gathering leaves for mulching in the garden (as well as to learn more about decomposition). If you are able to, we'd like your leaves! Please let me know if you would be able to bring leaves to school. Thank you!

Janelle, our former special education teacher, and Kate, our Americorps volunteer, have been working with our students in the mornings during our literacy block, allowing us to offer additional time in small reading groups and for individualized instruction. Thank you Janelle and Kate! Please continue to encourage your child to read 5 to 7 days a week for about 20 minutes each day.

This Friday we are having our All School Meeting in the Grove Room at the old Central School. Our class will be singing some of our morning meeting literacy songs, and they know many! It will be hard to narrow down our list of options! All School Meetings also call for school spirit, which means Friday is an optional 'Crazy Head' day where students can wear crazy hats or make their hair crazy.

Student goal setting conferences will be held October 27th and 28th. Please call the office to set up your conference. I look forward to seeing all of you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: October 10th

2011-10-10T16:41:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a fantastic time at the Kittle's farm last Thursday! We spent the morning in the woods looking for signs of forest life and collected branches to build shelter structures in the school garden. We found deer trails and saw scat and tracks from a variety of animals. Students were like detectives and used clues to figure out what animals lived there in the woods. In the afternoon we collected eggs, picked Italian plums and cooked delicious plum custard tarts. We also fed the horse carrots and ate salsa made from the garden produce. Thank you to the Kittle family and to our volunteers Jenna, Scott, Dick, and Sheila!

This Thursday we are going to Gales Meadow organic farm to see what food is growing in October. We will be leaving at 11:10 and will return to school by 2:15. We will be outside for this trip. Please help your child be prepared with warm layers, a rain coat with a hood, rain boots, a healthy lunch, and a full water bottle. We have enough volunteers for this trip, but if you are interested, you are welcome to join us!

This week students will continue reading in their book clubs. At the beginning of the school year we brainstormed a large list of WHY people read and the students came up with many reasons. Most of all, reading should be fun! If your child does not yet have a habit of reading at home, please take some time to consider what kind of reading routine would make sense for you and your child. Five to seven days a week, for about twenty minutes at a time is a good goal for first and second graders. You can read books to your child, he or she can read them to you, or he or she can read them alone. Soon we will be sending home 'just right' books with all students so that you will always have reading material that fits your child!

We are also working on our personal narrative writing unit, which will focus on our experiences at the Kittle's farm. We filled up almost three pages with favorite memories when we came back to school that afternoon! I think the students have a lot to write about and am looking forward to their stories! Students will continue working on handwriting this week, as well as spelling, and are deciding what their own school goals should be for this year. Students will share their goal with you at their goal setting conference on October 27-28.

Since we have a short week this week, I'd also like to check in with families about our trip on Tuesday, October 18th to the Audubon. If you have volunteered to join us, could you please send me a short confirmation email? We had many parents interested in this trip and I want to be sure I have my volunteer list in order! Part of our trip will entail a hike and tour through the forest. Then we will take a class on identifying animal tracks and detecting other signs of life while out in the woods. This class will help us when we go to see what lives in the Tillamook Forest in the spring, as we are trying to build a forest habitat for forest creatures at school! ***The day we go on this trip is normally a pizza fundraising day. Please remember to send a healthy lunch with your child and your pizza order will be pushed up to the next week, if you ordered. Please also help your child be prepared for wet and cold weather by wearing warm layers, a rain jacket, rain boots, as well as a full water bottle.

Thank you Barn Swallow families! We have a great class!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: October 3rd

2011-10-03T17:20:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great time last week learning about forest and garden seeds and plants at B Street Farm. We were cool in the shady forest there and VERY warm in the vibrant sun in the garden. I wonder if that was our last 'hot' day?! Keep sending rain jackets and rain boots to school every day. (You are welcome to leave them there at school, too.) Thank you to our volunteers that day; Brenda, Camille, Beth, Luke, and Chelsea! Your help made a difference for the class!

This week, our tentative trips to Ayers Creek Farm or Tillamook Forest did not work out. HOWEVER, Beth and Jeff Kittle, Tommy's parents, have offered for our classes to come to their farm this Thursday to pick and eat food in their gardens and study forest amongst their many trees! All students will need to come with a full water bottle, healthy lunch, rain jacket, and rain boots. We are still looking for more parent volunteers for this trip. If you are able to join us, please email me. We look forward to having you!

We are still looking for more parent volunteers for our trip to Gale's Meadow Farm on Thursday, October 13th and to the forest sanctuary on Tuesday, October 18th. If you are able to join us, please email me. Thank you!

This week students are beginning their book clubs! It's so nice to see everyone with 'just right' books. We are also starting a non-fiction personal narrative writing unit this week. We have been working on handwriting and are starting spelling this week. Tomorrow students will pick a little wheat and we'll see if we can grind it into flour. Wish us luck! We are also writing a letter as a class to Terry O'Day, who runs B Street Farm, to see if we could have some of the farm's amaranth grain. I told the class that a few years ago students in my class picked amaranth, got the grains out, popped it into tiny popcorn, and mixed it with honey and chopped walnuts to make 'candy'. The students are very intrigued and excited to try it! I will let you know if we have a cooking day scheduled in the near future.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: September 26th

2011-09-26T17:19:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Students have been spending time in the Backyard garden picking, observing, and eating bok choy, tomatoes, basil, borage, calendula, onions, chives, sage, thyme, garlic, and swiss chard. They have learned how to use jeweler's loupes to see the amazing tiny details of each vegetable, and have finished their botanical drawings of our garden pesto ingredients. Students this year will be planning and contributing to the school forest and school gardens and are ready to see other examples of gardens, farms, and forests in order to help them get ideas and plan.

We have several trips tentatively scheduled and will need to have MANY parent volunteers join us!

-B Street Farm: (CONFIRMED) Thursday, September 29th (From 12:45-3:05) (0-6+ volunteers needed)

-Ayer's Creek Farm OR Tillamook Forest: (TENTATIVE) Thursday, October 6th (From 11:10-2:15) (3-6+ volunteers needed)

-Audubon Sanctuary: (CONFIRMED) Tuesday, October 18th (From about 9:10-2:15) (3-6+ volunteers needed)

Please email me if you are able to join us. We look forward to having you!

In reading students have been building stamina with the length of time they are reading. We started at three minutes and are now close to 20. We are learning the comprehension strategy of connecting our own lives to the text by saying, "This reminds me of...". We are also spending some time reading picture books about vegetables, gardens, seeds, and forests in order to gain more background knowledge as a class.

In writing we are reviewing how to sound out words, stretching them out, and writing the sounds we hear. One of the emergent stages of writing is phonetic spelling, which is a very important stage. Students are able to focus on their ideas more and gain confidence as they share their thoughts through words on paper. Spelling will be taught soon as well!

Students are beginning to plan what we should do to enhance the habitat in the school forest this week. We are also beginning to notice and collect the many seeds of the autumn gardens and wild nooks. We are learning about seed saving! Students are encouraged to continue noticing seeds around them, especially outdoors, and to bring them in to share with the class. We will also be collecting materials from home to be reused to create a large model of the school forest and Backyard garden on the large walls of our classroom!

So many students were wearing their rain jackets today! We have a prepared group of kids this year. Please continue to send (or keep) a rain jacket to school with your child.

I'd also like to remind our families that we have a great chance to get together and meet new families during the Harvest Celebration held in the Backyard garden this Wednesday night at 5:30. Come see the future site of the swallows' gardens and forest as well as meet the wonderful people that make up our school community!

As always, weekly classroom news will be posted, along with some photos, at : BarnSwallowClassroom.BlogSpot.Com You can go directly to the blog rather than email if it is more convenient for you.

I hope to hear from you about joining us on our trips!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: September 19th

2011-09-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

I'd like to share with you the following description of what level 1 will be working on this school year!

GARDENS AND LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS

"Children in level 1 will experience the changes of the seasons through taking an active, hands-on role with growing food in the school gardens, observing, exploring, and comparing local ecosystems, and using their knowledge to enhance habitats in the school yard. Children will learn how the garden and ecosystems follow similar natural rhythms and cycles through hands-on experiences. They will also explore the similarities and differences in how humans and animals interact within their environment throughout the seasons. Through various creative means, children will regularly share their knowledge of local gardens and ecosystems with their community."

YEAR 1: GARDENS AND FORESTS

"Children will compare and contrast the ecology of gardens and forests throughout the seasons through regular experiences in the school gardens and trips to nearby forests. In the fall children will identify what is ready to eat for humans and animals in the gardens and forests. Harvesting, tasting, comparing, and observing will happen regularly as children study and explore new vegetables and fruits in the gardens. Children will study the emerging seeds, fungi, and the decomposition process happening in the gardens and forests. As the weather turns colder, children will learn how humans and some animals can store and preserve the bounty of the fall harvest in preparation for the dormant winter. In the winter, they will explore various ways that humans and forest animals stay warm during the cold months and will observe how the rainy season affects the life of the gardens and forests. Children will also begin to plan the school gardens for the year and begin to plan how to enhance the forest habitat on the school grounds based on their experiences and observations in the forest. They will witness the dormant natural spaces of the gardens and forests 'come to life' in the spring. The children will explore the first plants that are ready to eat for humans and animals after the cold, dormant winter. While they observe seeds naturally sprouting on the forest floor, they will also be sprouting their own seeds for the school gardens. Students will learn about plants of the garden and forest, witness and study life cycles of garden and forest creatures, and observe and learn about the pollination cycle. Finally, children will plant, tend, harvest, cook, and eat produce from the school garden as well as take steps towards enhancing the forest habitat on the school grounds. This year is especially important, as level 1 students will be working hard to reconfigure the school garden beds, allowing more than 40 students to be working in the garden at the same time!"

Trips are currently being scheduled for the school year and soon we will be looking for parent volunteers! I will send out an email to Barn Swallow families the moment we have firm dates in hopes to have 3 to 5 parents accompany our class on each big trip. The more volunteers we have, the more successful the learning experiences are for students while "Out and About". We also anticipate that we will need the help of our families when it's time to dig the new garden beds. I hope you can join us!

Last week students brainstormed a list of possible class rules and responsibilities. Then we took the long list and categorized it into four easy to remember rules for school time:

Take care of each other and critters that we meet.
Be safe.
Do your best.
Take care of all things.

Students also practiced new reading routines and are quickly gaining independence! They have been working on self portrait paintings and they will be up by the end of this week! In Ms. Karen's first grade math class, students explored the many manipulatives that they will be working with this year, as well as got to know each other. Students in the second grade math class picked cherry tomatoes after recess and used them to review counting by tens. We also used the tomatoes to practice estimating how many we had, and then dissected them to count their seeds. Students were introduced to place value as they sorted out the tomato seeds into ones, tens, and even hundreds! During our Out and About to the Backyard garden, students identified and picked over 10 vegetables and herbs. We blended our 'Secret Garden Pesto' ingredients in the food processor, which the students have named "Cropper Chopper". Taste tests on Friday afternoon were mostly positive!

This week we will begin our writing routines as well as start italic handwriting. Students will share their 'Secret Garden Pesto Recipe' with you through their artwork and writing.

As students gain independence throughout the day, I will be starting one on one reading assessments. Reading assessments help me know where students are on the continuum of reading, allowing me to meet children where they are and guide them along the continuum. Please ask your child what 'reading stamina' is, as well as how to choose a 'just right book'.

Time spent on establishing community and routines provide an extremely important foundation for the entire school year! Students are off to a fantastic beginning and I'm looking forward to our indoor and outdoor time together!

Please email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Sherry

Week of September 12th, 2011

2011-09-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

The Barn Swallow class has had a great beginning to the school year! We have been spending a lot of time getting to know each other, building class culture and community, and learning the procedures and the routines of the classroom. We have learned a few new games, for example, the Freeze Game and the Name Game. We've learned the songs Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Do Your Ears Hang Low, and My Bonnie. Students have been practicing the 'Hand Shake Hello' greeting during our Morning Meetings. We practice giving a firm, but gentle hand shake, with eye contact. Students also learned about the three ways to read today (Read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story).

Last week students visited the Backyard garden, helped water the many dry plants, and taste tested a variety of garden plants. Some favorites were borage (leaf and flower) and calendula petals. Students have also been working on their self portrait water color paintings. They will be finished and on display very soon!

We will continue to build our class community this week and begin to form our classroom rules as a class. I am going to begin introducing the main parts of our literacy structure, which allows students to work productively and independently while I meet with reading and writing groups, as well as confer with students one-on-one. Math by grade also began today. We will have math on Mondays through Thursday every day after the morning recess. First graders will have math with Ms. Karen and second graders will be with Ms. Sherry. Students will also meet their P.E. and art teachers this week. Please refer to the weekly schedule below to ensure that your child is prepared for each day at school. We will have our Out and About on Thursday afternoon at the Backyard garden this week and hope to pick and sample fresh vegetables. We will also begin to think about how to use the garden space so that our classes can grow an abundance of fresh food this year!

Students have a morning snack before their first recess and classroom families take turns bringing healthy snacks every day for a week (Monday through Thursday). On average, families bring the class snack 2 times during the entire year. We currently do not have any food allergies. Students will be working on brainstorming a snack list this week which will include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Good snack choices are foods that are substantial, low in waste/wrappers, and ready to eat, as we do not want to use up a drop of our reading time! The students and I will not have time to cut apples or peel oranges, for example, because we will be busy working on literacy goals and will be reading up a storm! The snack schedule will be sent out by the end of this week.

Birthdays are a special time for students and birthday kids are welcome to bring a simply prepared favorite vegetable or fruit in the morning of his or her special day. (If you would like to.) Party invitations are allowed at school only if the entire class is invited.

*Weekly Schedule: *Occasionally there are changes!

Monday: Art

Tuesday: Art & Sometimes Garden

Wednesday: P.E.

Thursday: Out and About

Friday: Sometimes Garden

Thank you Barn Swallow families. I'm really looking forward to our year together.

We have a GREAT class!

Please email me with any questions, ideas, or thoughts at: S.Reuter@fgcschool.org

I look forward to hearing from you!

In the future I will also post classroom news to our classroom blog at: BarnSwallowClassroom.Blogspot.com

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: May 23rd

2011-05-23T13:41:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Our trip tomorrow to Oceanside is based on a fantastic true story of the actions two naturalists took in the early 1900s. William Finley and Herman Bohlman were two young scientists who met as boys while bird watching in Portland, Oregon. While in Oceanside, the two young naturalists witnessed many people on boats going past the Three Arch Rocks, using the sea lions and shore birds as targets for target practice. Day after day, boats would come by and shoot hundreds of animals, leaving them behind. William and Herman realized that if the animals were getting killed at this rate, there soon wouldn't be any left. They decided to take a 14 foot boat to to the large rocks to photograph the birds and wildlife, hoping that they could teach others about the animals and help save them. After an amazing adventure of getting themselves and their delicate camera equipment to the cliffs on the rocks, William and Herman were finally able to take many photographs of the coast animals. Months later, they traveled from Oregon to Washington D.C. to meet with Theodore Roosevelt and showed him their photographs and explained what was happening on the Oregon coast. President Roosevelt was convinced by these two young naturalist to make Three Arch Rocks a National Wildlife Refuge. It was the United State's third sanctuary and the first ever on the west coast. It offers protection to thirteen species of birds and three species of seals and sea lions.

Tomorrow we'll be able to enjoy and learn about the animals that these two young scientists risked their lives to help many years ago! Students learn throughout their time at FGCS that ecosystems are connected and the life within them is interdependent, which includes people. Tomorrow the Barn Swallow students will not only see the Three Arch Rocks where a healthy ecosystem exists, but will also learn more about the life close at hand, thriving in the many tide pools on the shore of Oceanside. Students will choose one or two tide pool creatures that they observed and will be painting them on clay tiles that will be displayed as public art around the school. The tiles will serve as a reminder to all of us of the shore animals, just as William and Herman's photographs helped bring an awareness to the animals of the Oregon coast.

Students should bring a healthy lunch, a full water bottle, wear shoes that are easy to walk in and that can get wet and/or sandy, and wear layers to stay comfortable on the shore. We will be leaving right away at 9:00 and the bus needs to be back to school by 2:00. This makes for a quick but special trip!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Volunteer Confirmation

2011-05-20T12:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Here is a list of our parent volunteers as of Friday, May 20th. We have enough volunteers, but if you are interested in joining us, you are welcome to do so! Thank you for your support families!

-Oceanside Trip: Tuesday, May 24th (all day) VOLUNTEERS: Beth (Alyssa K.'s mom), Jey (Lola's mom)

-Jackson Bottom Wetlands: Tuesday, May 31st VOLUNTEERS: Becky (Alivia's mom), Jey (Lola's mom)

-Haystack Rock Trip: Monday, June 6th (all day) VOLUNTEERS: Jeff (Alyssa K.'s dad), Jey (Lola's mom), Jennifer (August's mom)

If you have questions, you are more than welcome to email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org

Sincerely,

Sherr

Classroom News: Upcoming Trips and Dates

2011-05-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

There are many trips and special events happening during these last weeks of school. Here is a list of all important upcoming dates:

-Oceanside Trip: Tuesday, May 24th (all day)

-Third grade speeches due: Thursday, May 26th

-Memorial Day (No School): Monday, May 30th

-Jackson Bottom Wetlands: Tuesday, May 31st

-Celebrations of Learning: Wednesday, June 1st (5:00-6:30)

-Grading Day (No School): Friday, June 3rd

-Haystack Rock Trip: Monday, June 6th (all day)

-Field Day: Monday, June 13th (Please send your child to school in comfortable clothes, with sunscreen on, and full water bottles.)

-Bridging Day: Tuesday, June 14th (Dismissal is at 1:05)

If you have questions, you are more than welcome to email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: May 19th

2011-05-19T16:01:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have an all school meeting tomorrow morning during the school day and with school spirit in mind, students have voted today for a school wide 'Dress as Your Favorite Movie Character' day. If your child would like to dress up tomorrow he or she is more than welcome to do so! Our parent music volunteers have also arranged for a musical show by 'Recycle Man' during the all school meeting. It should be an interesting morning!

I have also just received the following email from our student art teacher. The Barn Swallows have art on Fridays and will begin painting a very exciting mural tomorrow. Students will be using permanent paint on the asphalt for the mural and their teacher asks that the clothing and shoes students wear will be old and able to get paint on them.

Dear Families,

As I am technically taking over Teresa's role as the primary art teacher, I thought it appropriate to notify you (and ask if you) would be willing to send home an email to parents letting them know that we will be working with outdoor acrylic paint tomorrow, Friday the 20th, (which has proven to not wash out of most fabrics). Do you mind letting parents know to send their students with clothes and shoes that can be "redecorated." We are hoping to prevent as much paint as possible from contacting clothes and shoes but also want to prepare.

Thank you kindly,

Jennifer

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sherry

Classroom News: May 18th

2011-05-19T16:00:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

In my rush to go pick up my class from art, I forgot to say when the Haystack Rock trip is. It is scheduled for Monday, June 6th. Both of our ocean trips have been scheduled on dates that allow us to see the tide pools! I hope to see many parents there! (You can either carpool or go with us on the bus. We will have two classes on the bus and will have plenty of room.)

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: May 18th

2011-05-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have many exciting trips planned for the end of the school year and our Oceanside trip is coming up quickly! Next Tuesday, May 24th, we will be exploring and learning about living creatures in tide pools! As mentioned before, we will need several parent volunteers to join us. Would you like to come? We would love to have you!

We will be going to Jackson Bottom Wetlands on Tuesday, May 31st and would like 1 or 2 parent volunteers to join us. Our last big trip of the year will be to explore and learn about the creatures in the tide pools at Haystack Rock. We will need parent volunteers to come to the beach with us. Please let me know if you're interested!

Third graders will be working on speeches and will be bringing them home to work on. Visual props are encouraged! Students will be writing the speeches on their own and it will be a demonstration of what they can do without the help of others. Speeches will begin next Thursday, May 26th.

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: May 15th

2011-05-19T15:58:00.001-07:00

Dear Families,

Third grade swallows have been working hard on a variety of skills. We have worked on parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines, various polygons and their properties, story problems, graphs, and number patterns. We have also worked on moving two dimensional figures in a variety of ways. Ask your child to show you our hand clapping demonstrations of reflections (flips), translations (slides), and rotations (turns).

The third grade math test will begin this Wednesday during regular math time (from 10:45-11:40). Please remind your child to get enough sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Students have as much time as they need to complete the test. Please email me with any questions you may have.

Thank you families,

Sherry

Classroom News: May 1

2011-05-19T15:57:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As you already know, the third grade reading test is beginning tomorrow morning (Monday). Please help your child to get enough rest as well as eat a healthy breakfast.

Third graders will be taking their reading test this week and the math test next week. Students have as many days as they need to take the tests. Reading will begin tomorrow morning at 9:00. Students will have each morning this week, from 9:00-9:50 to work on their reading test. The math test will begin next week and will be each morning from 10:45 (right after morning recess) until 11:35.

Thank you for your support families!

Sincerely,

Sherry Reuter

Classroom News: April 25

2011-05-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

This Thursday we will be going on our wetlands trip. In my previous email about our trips I said that we were going to Jackson Bottom Wetlands this week, but we're now going to Fern Hill Wetlands instead. Our class is still in need of 1 to 2 adult volunteers to join us. Would you like to come?! We plan on being out at the wetlands almost all day. (We will leave school a little after 9:00 and plan on returning near 2:00.) There are new, fuzzy goslings following their mothers about at Fern Hill. What else will we see?Please help your child to dress so that she or he will be comfortable in a variety of weather. Rain boots, pants of sturdy fabric, layers, extra socks, and most important, a rain jacket with a hood, are all very important. (If your child's rain jacket does not have a hood, please send along a hat as well.)

Third graders are about to begin their Oregon state tests. They will take the reading test first, which begins next Monday, May 2nd. Please help your child get plenty of rest as well as have healthy breakfasts!

Be looking for the News Times tomorrow, as I have a hunch that our Earth Day paraders may be in the paper!

Thank you families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 22

2011-05-19T15:55:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Yesterday I gave the Barn Swallows time to brainstorm a plan to celebrate and honor the earth for Earth Day today. (Even though we talked about how EVERY day really is Earth Day!) The students had many great ideas and in the end, this is what they decided to do. They wanted to plant trees, but needed trees and a place to plant them. They decided that they could plant a fruit tree in the school garden, but we would need money to buy the tree(s). A student said that we could sell our free verse poems that we have been working on and use the money to buy the fruit tree(s). In the end, we had an Earth Day parade, with students holding handmade signs (on the back of old posters) that gave tips and reminders about things everyone can do to help make a difference for nature. For example, 'Turn off lights, Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth, Take shorter showers, Buy from organic farms, Ride bikes, Turn off the T.V. and go outside, Compost, Protect our wildlife, Keep Gale's Creek clean, Grow your own food...' Students made book marks (with reused paper and reused yarn for tassels) that had their free verse poems about nature written on them. During the Earth Day Parade in downtown Forest Grove they sold the bookmarks for a dollar each! The parade made its way to Pacific University, where many bookmarks were sold! (Students also had a chance to see their artwork on display at the student union. (In Ms. Teresa's art class the students are focusing on the Western Snowy Plover. Through making large fabric banners of this endangered Oregon bird, which will be temporarily displayed on the beach in the near future, the students are learning that public art can send messages and communicate important ideas. (The Western Snowy Plover's eggs are sandy colored and laid in the kelp and driftwood on beaches. People and pets accidentally step on the camouflaged eggs, which over time has made a large impact on the population of the plovers.))

In the end, the Barn Swallows earned 35+ dollars for the fruit trees and there are many bookmarks left! The News Times took photos of our Earth Day paraders and I wanted to let you know that we might appear in the paper! Such an exciting day for the students! I think that they learned a lot from today's wonderful experience!

Sherry

Classroom News: April 18th

2011-05-19T15:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Our student led conferences were a great success! Thank you for supporting your child on this important day.

Yesterday we received our Treasure Books. Students each researched a bird that lives in Oregon and together we created an Oregon Bird Field Guide. We hope you enjoy it, as well as learn something new about the amazing birds that surround us! I ordered 2-3 extra copies and if anyone would like to purchase them, they're yours! (They are $17.90 each.)

This Friday is a very big day for the Forest Grove Community School! We will begin the day with a talent show from 9:00-11:00. Then the Barn Swallows will be participating in a class created Earth Day project. We will be meeting this week to decide how we can help the nature of Forest Grove and beyond. After school this Friday is our 2nd Earth Day Bike Ride! Your child should have brought home a permission slip yesterday. If you and your child would like to go, please be sure to send the signed permission form back by this Thursday. It will be a great event!

We have several fantastic trips planned for the rest of this school year! The next trip will be going back to the Jackson Bottom Wetlands on Thursday, April 28th. That's next week. We are in need of parent volunteers to come enjoy a spring day learning at the wetlands. This will be an all day trip on the 28th. (We'll be back by 2:15.) Would you like to join us? Please email me back if you are interested.

Third graders will begin their annual state tests soon. They will take two tests, the first in reading comprehension and the second in math. The reading test will begin Monday, May 2nd, and the math test will begin the second week of May. It is important for students to eat healthy breakfasts and meals, as well as come to school well rested and happy. Please help your child to be comfortable!

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 13th

2011-05-19T15:51:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

The Barn Swallow students were getting ready for their student led conferences and at the end of the day I forgot to share the following news (in the email below) with the class. On Monday from 12:00-12:20, there will be a twenty minute mixed class recess/activity for the new levels. The first graders will have recess/activity with Ms. Karen and I, and the second and third graders will have recess/activity with Rachel's temporary substitute Carol and Becky (future teachers of third and fourth grade).

The Barn Swallows will discuss next year's change during our morning meeting this Monday. If you would like to share the news with your child before then, you are more than welcome to do so. (There are details in the email below that may help answer some of your child's questions.)

Every year it is always hard to let my third graders 'bridge' to the next level, now my second and third graders will be bridging. I will have to make my heart toughen up a bit! ;) We have a very special class and I am so fond of all of my students. No matter what class arrangement we have, your children are all very special to me and they will always be welcome in the Barn Swallow classroom.

I will see you all tomorrow at our student led conferences!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 11th

2011-04-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Students are busy preparing for their student led conferences which are coming up quickly! It appears that almost everyone has signed up for their child's conference. If you haven't yet, please be sure to stop by the school office to sign up for a time. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday night!

Students will continue to prepare for their conferences this week. I am very impressed with the fluent and expressive reading I am hearing while students prepare to read aloud. Students will be reflecting upon how they have grown throughout the school year by looking at their goals from the beginning of the year, as well as rereading their earliest writing pieces.

I'm hoping to begin free verse poetry this week. We had a great time last week reading the students' free verse poems from last year and students were excited to start creating poetry on their own.

We are hoping to finish the bird models that we have been working on SO hard- in time to share them with you at conferences. Students researched native birds and have been learning about their birds' interdependence within their 'watery ecosystem'!

I will see you all very soon!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: April 4th

2011-04-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Spring is here! The Barn Swallows were able to enjoy somewhat warm weather last Tuesday as they went to the school garden to plant peas and flower bulbs. We have also started a seed project in the classroom and students are keeping journals on their seeds. Last Friday we heard our first shouts of 'It sprouted!' I wonder what the seeds/seedlings will look like on Monday after the weekend!

Students worked very hard writing a Spring Break paper last week and they are looking forward to sharing it, along with other great work, with you during Student Led Conferences, which are on Thursday, April 14th. Sign ups for conferences will be out soon. Three families are in the room at a time, the conference will take 30 minutes or less and the time slots are from 9:00-12:00 and 4:30-7:30 (with the last appointments starting at 7:00). Student Led Conferences are a time for students to share all of their hard work with you! Students are working hard to prepare for this big day. We look forward to seeing you there!

This week for our Out and About we are going to start by picking kale that has overwintered in the garden. Then we will make our way to the UCC kitchen to make a quinoa, kale, and vegetable soup. Cooking is always tricky with only two adults and we would love to have at least one more parent join us! Would you like to come? Thank you!

We will have some all day outdoor trips coming up and we hope you will consider volunteering to join us! The dates are not confirmed yet, but we are planning on studying tide pools at Oceanside and/or Cannon Beach, as well as learn more about the wetland ecosystem at Jackson Bottom Wetlands. When I have confirmed dates, I will be sure to let you know!

It's also gardening time! We plan on getting our hands dirty again (and hopefully often!) and will be going to the school garden as much as possible. Students remembered the amazing garden pesto we made in the fall and have already started their basil seeds in the classroom. Will we have pesto before the school year begins?! Time will tell!

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: March 14th

2011-04-11T15:31:00.002-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Your child is about to become an author of our class book on local birds! We are sending our book to a publishing company that will make hard cover copies of the class book. If you are interested in purchasing one or more copies of our book, please send your order form to school by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15th. (The book will be mailed out to the company on Wednesday.)

I hope you all enjoy spring break next week!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News

2011-04-11T15:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Level 1 is looking for some dedicated students (with adults) who are interested in helping out at the Empty Bowls night. When I asked the class who was interested in coming to help, I had almost the whole class raise their hands! If you would like to volunteer with your child, please email me at S.Reuter@FGCSchool.org and I will have Erin Morgan and Teresa Perrin contact you. (Erin: E.Morgan@FGCSchool.org Teresa: T.Perrin@FGCSchool.org)

Thank you in advance! It's going to be a fun night!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of February 28th

2011-02-28T12:18:00.001-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Thank you for donating ingredients today for the Empty Bowls event this Wednesday night! Erin our Out and About coordinator will be purchasing the rest of the ingredients for our soup today after school.

We are still in need of two volunteers for cooking tomorrow, Tuesday, afternoon. We will be leaving school near 12:30 and will be cooking at the UCC until 3:00. Please email me if you are able to join us! We really need your help.

Wednesday night is the Empty Bowls event! We are looking for student volunteers to help serve soup. Would you and your child like to join us? (Students need to be supervised by an adult.)

Thank you Barn Swallow families! Please email me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Empty Bowls Event

2011-02-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Happy Friday! As you may know, the Level one classes are preparing for our Empty Bowls Feast on Wednesday, March 2nd. This dinner event, part of an international grassroots effort to fight hunger, will raise funds for local organizations that deal with food insecurity. The Swallows have been working hard to craft their bowls for the Feast, and now we are ready to make the soup that will fill them!

For this coming week's Out and About (Tuesday, March 1st), the Barn Swallows will be making Vegetable Barley Soup and we need your help! Here are three ways you could contribute:

1) Volunteer next Tuesday to join us on our Out and About, from 12:30-3:00. We would like at least 2 extra adults to join us!

2) Donate a small food item to our soup.

We are gratefully accepting:

- Vegetable stock

- Barley for soup

- Root Vegetables (Parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes...any others?)

-Kale

-Onions

-Fresh garlic

- Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, sage, parsley, chives)

If you are able to donate a food item, please email me and/or send the food item to school with your child on Monday, February 28th . Any other home-grown veggies or herbs would be an added treat, and are welcome. Thanks!

3) Attend the Empty Bowls FEAST. Tickets for a meal plus a student-hand-made bowl start at only $10, and can be purchased in the front office. Your support is welcome! Email k.torry@fgcschool.org for more information.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy the weekend,

Sincerely,

Sherry

Erin

Teresa

Rachel

Karen

Classroom News: Week of February 14th

2011-02-15T08:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Students have been working very hard on the writing process and all have completed their very descriptive paragraphs about their birds' diets! We are displaying our paragraphs in the hallway and we invite you to come read them!

Last week after visiting the Portland Art Museum students created Andrew Goldsworthy art in the park. We took photographs of the natural art and students made cards which included the title of their art, the media, and the artist's name. We hope to share this natural art with you!

Here are some important upcoming dates:

Family Resource Center walking trip (Tuesday, February 15th) Students will be learning more about the local Family Resource Center and look for ways that they can help deliver food to local families in need.
Presidents' Day, No School (Monday, February 21st)
Empty Bowls Night (Wednesday, March 2nd at the UCC) Level 1 students have been very busy in art class hand making ceramic bowls to donate to the Empty Bowls project. This will be a great community event and I hope you consider joining us! Please read the following note about this project from Ms. Teresa: "Forest Grove Community School presents the Empty Bowl Feast on Wednesday, March 2nd, 5:30pm at the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove. This is an event that takes place around the world to end hunger and food insecurity. For a donation of $10 and up, you will receive one handcrafted bowl and homemade soup created by 1st-3rd graders at FGCS. Tickets are available in the main office, there will also be a limited number of tickets available at the door. When you arrive at the feast you will select a bowl, fill it with delicious soup and eat amongst the wonderful members of your community. All proceeds will go to the Family Resource Center and Family Bridge.
Questions? contact Teresa Perrin, FGCS Art Teacher, (503) 359-4600 ext.111 or t.perrin@fgcschool.org."

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Valentines Celebration Monday the 14th

2011-02-15T08:07:00.001-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As you know, we are having a small party on Monday afternoon from 2:05-3:00. We will eat healthy foods, hand out Valentines (if you choose to participate) and enjoy each others' company. (I do believe that Apollo is doing a few magic tricks for us! All talent is welcome for the party!) If you would like to send a small plate of a healthy treat, we would welcome it! We are trying not to use disposable bowls/plates/utensils, so finger food is best. (We will have napkins.) Ideas are cheese and whole grain crackers, fruit, vegetables. I understand that Gage is bringing something, Tommy and Emma are bringing popcorn, Colby is bringing apple slices, and Ben is bringing vegetables. The Barn Swallows have hefty appetites and if you also wish to send something to school with your child, we would love to have it! Candy attached to Valentines are allowed. Students will be able to eat a some candy as long as they are also enjoying the healthy treats. Please let me know if you would prefer differently! :)

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of February 7th

2011-02-15T08:06:00.001-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We had a great turn out last Wednesday for our open house Celebrations of Learning. The students enjoyed sharing their bird models and bird diet paragraphs that they are working on! Be sure to ask your child what his or her bird eats. We have been talking about attention grabbing introductions, interesting verbs/action words, and adjectives. Ask your child to share some examples from his or her paragraph.

Important Reminders:

Portland Art Museum Trip: (Tuesday, February 8th, from 9:00-2:15) We are still in need of at least 2 parent volunteers. Are you able to join us? Please email me today!
Valentine's Day: (Monday, February 14th) We will have a little celebration at the end of this day. Valentines can be exchanged as long as everyone is included. We have 19 students and I can send a class list home. Sounds like a good time to practice neat handwriting! Would anyone like to send a vegetable tray, sliced cheese, or whole grain crackers?
Presidents' Day: (Monday, February 21st) No school on this day

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

Thank you Barn Swallow families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of January 24th

2011-01-23T17:58:00.001-08:00

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

2011-01-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

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

Classroom News: Week of December 13th

2010-12-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

Our events for this week are:

-Dog Biscuit and Cookie Baking at the UCC:

Tuesday, December 14th for our Out and About

We will be selling our hand made dog biscuits during the Night of Traditions this Thursday. Please be sure to stop by if you know a special little (or big) dog! We will have large bags for $4.00 and small bags for $2.50. All proceeds will be donated to the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter for homeless cats and dogs. Thank you!

Students will also spend time baking cut out cookies and we will be donating undecorated cookies and frosting to the Family Bridge program at the UCC. This is a year round program for homeless families that are temporarily housed at several churches in the area. If you would like to donate money to this program, we are accepting donations in the classroom. Thank you!

-Night of Traditions at FGCS

Thursday, December 16th, from 5:00-6:30

The Barn Swallow class will be putting on a special performance for our families in our little classroom! We will be singing three songs, starting at 5:05. (Students should meet in the classroom between 4:55-5:03 to get their props together and 'take their places'.) We hope to see you there for the show!

I will be sending home more books over the winter break, along with sight words to practice spelling. First in Math computer math games allow all students to choose 'just right' math activities at home. If you can show how math is integrated into your every day lives at home, that's even better! Be sure to check your child's math teacher's blog to see what your child is working on.

Thank you Barn Swallow families. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday night!

Classroom News: Week of December 6th

2010-12-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events

-Night of Traditions:

Thursday, December 16th, from 5:00-6:30 at school

Please visit the school website for more information about this event. We will be selling our homemade dog biscuits as a fundraiser this night!

This Week

-Dog Biscuit Baking:

Tuesday, December 7th, from 12:30-3:00 at the UCC in Forest Grove

Students have been learning about animal shelters and homeless pets and will be baking dog biscuits on Tuesday during our Out and About. Dog biscuits will be sold as a fundraiser at our Night of Traditions. All proceeds will be donated to Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter. We hope to see you there!

For more information about pet adoption at Bonnie Hays, please visit:

http://www.co.washington.or.us/pets/

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Classroom News: Week of November 29th

2010-11-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday! This week we have many fun activities planned for the Barn Swallows:

Tuesday, November 30th- We're going to B Street Farm for the afternoon to plant willow shelters in the children's food forest.
Wednesday, December 1st-We're attending a wolf ecology presentation given by a Pacific University student.
Thursday, December 2nd-We'll be visiting a StarLab Planetarium at the Forest Grove Library.

Next week we will be learning how to bake dog treats at the UCC for our Out and About. We will be planning a dog treat sale sometime after school before winter break. All proceeds will go to the Bonnie Hayes Animal Shelter to help dogs, cats, and other homeless animals in need.

Be sure to ask your child what he or she is researching for our 'Water and Nature' project. After visiting so many amazing places during these past two months, we sure have a lot to talk about!

Here's a list of some of the places we've been this year:

Camp Tillikum Canoe Trip
Gales Creek home made boat floating in Forest Grove
Gales Creek in the woods near Timber Road
Two Visits to the Tillamook Forest
Jackson Bottom Wetlands

Thank you Barn Swallow families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Classroom News: Week of November 8th

2010-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

Quick News Summary:

We need at least 2 volunteers for this Tuesday, November 9th from 9:00-2:15 for our second Tillamook Forest trip.
Please check the weather report this Tuesday morning to ensure that your child is dressed to be outside all day. (See details below on what to bring.)
We will need at least 2 volunteers for November 16th from 9:00-2:15 for our first Jackson Bottom Wetlands trip.
Books will be sent home on Mondays when I get many more copies made. Until then, I will continue to send books when I get them made. Would you like to help fold and staple class books?
No school on Thursday, November 11th

News With Details:

We have great news! Our trip last week to the Tillamook Forest was a great success. We were able to access the water from a few different entry points (Jones Creek and the Wilson River) and students were inspired to narrow down their water project topic based on their varied experiences. The great news is that we have been given the opportunity to go back to the same area this upcoming week, from 9:00-2:15 on Tuesday November 9th! Students will finalize their water project topic and focus on it during their time in the Tillamook forest this Tuesday. We will need at least two volunteers to join us. If we have more, that would be fantastic! The more volunteers we have, the more students will be able to get out of their experience, as they can break into smaller groups that could be arranged by their chosen topic. (For example, students who are studying moss, lichen, and fungi would be able to go in a group with students studying ferns and trees and explore the forest, while students studying aquatic creatures, rocks, and birds would spend more time near the water.) Would you like to join us? We would love to have you!

Please remember to check the weather report on Tuesday morning to help ensure that your child is prepared to be outside all day. Students will be able to catch aquatic macroinvertibrates (the Tillamook Forestry Center is letting us borrow their equipment again). This means that students will need to bring rubber boots so that they can kick up the sediment and debris on the stream bottom while partners have nets ready. Remember a back pack with a change of clothes, healthy lunch, and full water bottle. Students need to carry their back packs with them so minimal weight is best! If it's raining we will still be outside all day. Rain jackets with hoods are a must for every day at school with Oregon's rainy weather!

We will also be going to Jackson Bottom Wetlands on November 16th from 9:00-2:15. We will need at least two volunteers to join us. We would love to have you!

Thank you families!

Classroom News: Week of November 1st

2010-10-31T18:10:00.001-07:00

Dates to Remember

-Tillamook Forest Center & Stream Exploration

Wednesday, November 3rd, 9:00-2:15:

We will need 3 parents volunteers to come with us on this trip. Would you like to join us? We would love to have you!

-Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday, November 11th

Thank you for coming to our student goal setting conferences. It was great to be able to meet with you all!

This Wednesday we are going to the Tillamook Forest! Our class is still in need of volunteers to join us. If you are available this Wednesday, from 9:00-2:15 we would love to have you! Please remember to send a lunch with your child, as this is normally the fundraising 'pizza day'. Rain gear, waterproof hiking/walking shoes, water bottle, and a change of clothes should be sent with your child on Wednesday as well.

During conferences many families expressed the desire to continue to have the black and white books sent home. I am happy to do so! I will eventually be sending home between 5-10 every Monday with the students who want them, but first I will need some help with folding and stapling the books together. If you're interested in helping our class with this book making project, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it!

Snack Schedule

Emma -November 1-4
Alyssa D. -November 8-10
August -November 15-18
Connor -November 22-23
Alivia -November 29-December 2
Apollo -December 6-9
Luella -December 13-16
Lola -January 3-6

Classroom News: Week of October 25th

2010-10-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

Dates to Remember

-Student Conferences (No School)

Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th:

Please call the office to schedule your child's student conference.

-Tillamook Forest Center & Stream Exploration

Wednesday, November 3rd, 9:00-2:15:

We will need 3 parents volunteers to come with us on this trip. Would you like to join us? We would love to have you!

-Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday, November 11th

This Week's News

This is a short week, as we have student goal setting conferences this Thursday and Friday. If you haven't signed up yet please call the office! Students have discussed their goals with me, but may need a reminder on what we talked about. On Monday you will receive your child's initial Personalized Learning Plan. Please take a moment during the next three days to talk with your child about his or her strengths and goals noted on the PLP. You may even want to talk about ways you can support your child's goals at home. At our conference, we will finalize your child's personal learning plan and set up 'Work at Home' systems if they are needed or wanted.

This week students will pick pumpkins from the sunflower garden, estimate the total number of seeds in four pumpkins, count and group the seeds into groups of ten and ten groups of ten, and add up all of the seeds. How many do you think we'll get? During our Out and About we are going to roast the seeds and make pumpkin bread muffins at the UCC here in town.

We are going to the Tillamook Forest next week on Tuesday for an all day trip. Students will continue to contemplate their water projects as they explore the water at the Tillamook Forest Center. We currently do not have any parents signed up to come with us. If you like fresh air, happy kids, and forests, then next Tuesday might be your day to come on out with us! We will need 2-3 parents to ensure safety while in the forest. Please join us!

Snack Schedule

Ben -October 18-21
Siobhan -October 25-27
Emma -November 1-4
Alyssa D. -November 8-10
August -November 15-18
Connor -November 22-23
Alivia -November 29-December 2
Apollo -December 6-9
Luella -December 13-16
Lola -January 3-6

(P.S. I accidentally deleted the October 18th post from last week. If you needed a reminder of something that was on it, please email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org.)

Classroom News: Week of October 11th

2010-10-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Dates to Remember:

-Student Conferences (No School):

Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th.

Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday, November 11th

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Wednesday, November 24th through Friday, November 26th

Important: Upcoming Trips and Volunteers Needed!

Wednesday, October 20th, 10:00-2:00: Gales' Creek Trip

(4-5 Parent Volunteers Needed)

(Near Timber Road)

-We're going to explore the water in Gale's Creek near Timber road! How does the this section of Gales Creek, which is in the forest, compare to the part of Gales Creek here in town? (We floated our small boats in Gales Creek in town.) What creatures live there? Where does the water come from? Where is it going?

Would you like to join us? I will need 4-5 parent volunteers to help supervise small groups of students and guide them in 'question making'.

Tuesday, October 26th, 12:30-3:00: Baking Pumpkin Recipes at the UCC in Forest Grove

(2-3 Volunteers Needed)

-We're going to pick several of the pumpkins growing in the sunflower garden and make pumpkin bread and bake pumpkin seeds. Would you like to join us? I will need 2-3 parent volunteers to help guide small groups with following the pumpkin bread recipe.

Wednesday, November 3rd, 9:00-2:15, Tillamook Forest Center & Stream Exploration

(4-5 Volunteers Needed)

-We're visiting the Tillamook forest and will be able to borrow various water equipment in order to learn more about what lives in the river. We'll also have time to explore the education center and will focus on displays that teach about water ecosystems. Would you like to join us? I will need 4-5 parent volunteers to help supervise and guide small groups.

Goggles, Snorkels, and a Kiddie Pool

We are hoping to borrow enough goggles and snorkels for our students to practice using this week. If you have any extras, we would take great care of them, and wash them before and after using. Do you or anyone you know have a small kiddie pool that we could borrow this week? If we have enough goggles, we will begin an activity with them on Thursday of this week. Thank you!

Home Bags

Students and families have been doing a fantastic job of bringing the Home Bags to school every day. By now you have noticed that I am sending home black and white books. My main goals are to provide just right reading materials at home and create more opportunities for reading. Most of all, I want students to enjoy reading. If your child would like to keep the book for more than one day, that is fine. Ask your child to let me know and I will keep it in his or her bag. Some books are meant to be repeated many times. The beginner books should be read often. You can read them with your child or ask if he or she would like to try reading it independently. You can also ask your child about what he or she has read to check his or her level of comprehension. Overall, these books are a way to help ensure good reading habits at home. Please email me with any suggestions or additional thoughts.

Snack Schedule

The snack schedule can be found at the top right of the blog page. Snacks need to be store bought and not prepared at home. We have been enjoying the healthy snacks families have been sending. Thank you! Here is a snap shot of our snack schedule:

Colby -October 11-14
Ben -October 18-21
Siobhan -October 25-27
Emma -November 1-4
Alyssa D. -November 8-10
August -November 15-18
Connor -November 22-23
Alivia -November 29-December 2
Apollo -December 6-9
Luella -December 13-16
Lola -January 3-6

Last Week's Classroom News

Literacy: Reading and Writing

Students continue to show great independence with 'Read to Self' and 'Work on Writing' routines in the classroom. I have been able to meet with students in small groups as well as one on one. We have a very independent class!

We continue to look for examples of descriptive language in our reading and writing. Students have been sharing examples of adjectives that they find in the books they are reading. We started learning about nouns and categorized them in three categories: people, places, and things. We also began to talk about the conventions of writing and discussed when a noun should begin with a capital letter.

In writing we are working on the trait called 'Word Choice.' Students wrote a short true story about something from their lives. Their goal was to use adjectives throughout the writing. Many students were able to read their writing to the class. When we heard an adjective, we did a silent cheer! Students also began writing a scary story or picture book with captions. Our goal is to give the readers goosebumps! (Be careful when you read these stories. You may want to keep the lights on!)

We also had a very grouchy spider join our classroom. His name is Harry. He was found in a web in the branches in our room and he was holding a book called, 'The Witches' by Roald Dahl. If anyone can teach us descriptive language and fantastic word choice, it's Roald Dahl! (We finished another of his books last week, called 'Esio Trot'. This story is about a man who loves a sweet woman, but the woman is in love with her tortoise. Ask your child to tell you more about this book!)

Out and About

We were able to make it to B Street Farm! Students spent time harvesting ripe vegetables like cherry tomatoes, zucchini, fennel, thyme, mint, borage flowers, peppers, and more. Students shaped the dough of their individual pizzas, decorated them with vegetables from the garden, and then Terry O'Day helped us bake them in the wood 'rocket oven'. While the pizzas baked students explored the garden. Many found berries, a snake, some were eating mint and handing it out to others, some tried edible flowers, and some just picked and ate cherry tomatoes. There was a chicken that joined us in the garden and she seemed to enjoy the added company! The pizzas turned out really well and students enjoyed their time at the farm!

We also were able to go out to the sunflower garden on Thursday. Students picked basil, kale, lemon balm, calendula petals, pumpkin flowers, nasturtium flowers, and red swiss chard. We blended it all up in a food processor to make our own version of 'garden pesto'. The Barn Swallow students were not sure of this curious mixture and many wanted just a little taste on their first cracker. Just about everyone tried it, loved it, and asked for a heaping spoonful on their second round! It you would like the recipe, ask your child! (I can help too!)

This Week's Classroom News

Literacy: Reading and Writing

Students are finishing their scary stories and will soon share them with the class. Students will also be setting their reading and writing goals this week. Each student will spend time reading with me and sharing their writing. We'll discuss their strengths in reading and writing, then brainstorm some possible goals together. Your child will share his or her reading and writing goals with you at his or her conference.

Out and About

We're going to B Street Farm this Tuesday during our Out and About time. We'll spend some time harvesting and eating vegetables as well as explore the food forest garden that students helped plan and plant last year. We will learn about the bridge that is being built next to the farm. It goes right over Gales Creek! We will also learn about a possible Pacific University student project where students will design a frog pond in the children's food forest. If the project begins, we would be welcome to help them build the pond.

Classroom News: Week of October 4th

2010-10-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Dates to Remember

-Teacher In-Service (No School):

Friday, October 8th

-Student Conferences (No School):

Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th.

Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday, November 11th

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Wednesday, November 24th through Friday, November 26th

Last Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

During morning meeting Emma, Lola, Gage, Ramsey, and Emilee shared something special with the class. We continued our 'Hand-Shake-Hello' greeting and are ready to learn many more!

Literacy: Reading and Writing

Students practiced choosing between 'Read to Self' and 'Work on Writing' during our literacy block. They also were able to choose their own places to do their work in the room. We are reflecting often upon what worked and what we could fix. The students are solidly in this basic routine!

I continued to do reading assessments and began to meet with small reading groups, focusing on getting 'just right' books into emergent readers' hands. Students continue to practice the five finger rule when choosing 'just right' books. Be sure to ask your child to explain this rule at home.

Writing mini lessons last week have revolved around choosing interesting words to use in writing. Word choice is one of the traits of writing that we will be working on this year. Ask your child what an 'adjective' is and see if he or she can give you some interesting examples!

Out and About

Our canoe trip was a success! Students spent the first part of the morning paddling around the clear lake. We saw many orange salamanders! We were able to wade in the water and explore. Students found frogs, water beetles, and many other interesting insects. This was a very positive introduction to this year's theme-water!

Snack

For snack last week we had whole wheat honey pretzel sticks and rice crackers. The students enjoyed all of these snacks very much! Thank you! The snack schedule is included in the classroom blog. Look at the top of the page on the far right and you should see the link to the snack schedule page.

This Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

This week the following students will be sharing during our morning meetings:

Monday: August
Tuesday: Tyler
Wednesday: Alivia
Thursday: Colby
Friday: Tommy
Next Monday: Jack

We will learn a new greeting this week called 'What's the News?' Ask your child to explain this greeting at home. Perhaps you could try it at the dinner table!

Literacy: Reading and Writing

This week students will begin to independently apply what they have been learning about our reading and writing routines. Students will choose their own places to work and will practice 'Read to Self' and 'Work on Writing' for an extended period of time.

Students will focus on using interesting adjectives in their writing. This week we will be learning more about nouns.

Out and About

All of our students have submitting the B Street permission forms and we are waiting to find out if they will be processed in time for our Out and About on Tuesday afternoon. If we are able to go to the farm, we will be harvesting vegetables from the gardens and make pizzas in the wood stove! Students will also get some time to explore the food forest that they helped design, build, and plant last year. There is also the possibility that Pacific University students will design a frog pond in the food forest. Students will see the proposed site and will be invited to help build it over the course of the school year. If we are unable to go to the farm, we will harvest food in the new school garden. We are hoping to harvest the pumpkins soon and possibly do some cooking!

Classroom News: Week of September 27th

2010-09-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Pika is on my finger and Teddy is by his mirror.

Extra Special News!
Pika and Teddy are here! Pika has been our class bird for the last three years. She is a very tame and polite female cockatiel and loves to be held! Teddy is a visiting parakeet and is a very spunky and quirky male. The birds get to be out of their cage all day long while we have class. They are being very well behaved! We are hoping to be reading to Pika soon, as she loves when people hold and talk to her. She is the perfect reading partner!

Dates to Remember

-Camp Tilikum Canoe Trip This Tuesday!

Tuesday, September 28th, from 9:00-2:15

Great news! We have enough adult volunteers for the entire class to be on the water at the same time! We will have at least three students in a canoe at a time, with one adult volunteer in each canoe. I will send a check off list of 'things to bring' and put it in your child's Home Bag this afternoon. Thanks for helping your child be prepared for a great adventure!

-Pizza Wednesday Weekly Fundraiser Begins

Wednesday, September 29th

As mentioned in the FGCS news, pizza orders are due today. If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, please visit the school website link above for more information on how to order. Orders are due today, Monday.

FGCS Spirit Day and All School Meeting:

Friday, October 1st

Our school has regular All School Meetings in the Grove Room at Central School during the school day. This Friday, students are asked to show their 'school spirit' by wearing 'Crazy Clothes'. This theme was chosen by one of our FGCS classes. Your child can wear crazy clothes that allow him or her to be safe. Have fun choosing what to wear Barn Swallows!

-Teacher In-Service (No School):

Friday, October 8th

-Student Conferences (No School):

Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th.

Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday, November 11th

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Wednesday, November 24th through Friday, November 26th

Last Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

Students continued to take turns sharing something that is special to them during our morning meetings. Alyssa D., Hunter, Apollo, Siobhan, and Connor shared something special with the class during our morning meetings. We learned a new greeting called the 'Braid Greeting' where we make two circles and as we greet each other, we end up making a 'human braid'! We also learned the song 'Michael Finnegan'.

Literacy: Reading and Writing

Students continued to do their reading assessments and I introduced our literacy structure, which is called Daily 5. The five literacy activities being: read to self, read to someone, work on writing, word work (spelling), and listen to reading. Students this week are learning how to 'Read to Self' independently. When students learn how to be prepared and independent readers, I will be able to meet with small reading groups and confer with individual students. We also brainstormed 'How to Choose a Spot' in the classroom so that everyone can do their best.

I gave the students a spelling inventory test to find out where they are at on the spelling continuum. This will allow me to match students up with spelling words that are just right. The spelling program that we currently use is called 'Words Their Way'. It focuses on patterns of vowels and consonants within words. Once students understand their pattern, they are able to apply this knowledge to the spelling of other words.

I also introduced our writing structure, which will allow for students to write independently while I work on writing strategies with small groups and confer individually with students. The writing structure will eventually revolve around students creating personal goals under one of the following categories: conventions (punctuation), spelling (phonetic and conventional), ideas and content, word choice, and organization.

Out and About

The boat floating at Gale's Creek was a success! All boats floated and we learned about the current. It pushed the boats back against the bank. Some students attempted to create an 'equal and opposite force' by paddling sticks to make an opposite current. This helped the boats go a little farther away from the bank. There was also a lot of excitement when we had a few visitors, crayfish! Students took turns observing the crayfish in the shallow water near the bank. I wonder what creatures we'll see in the water during our canoe trip?! We ended our boat floating trip with a quick, fresh, and healthy snack-we picked blackberries!

Home Bags

We have been doing a good job of remembering to bring Home Bags back and forth to school! On Thursday we had 18 out of 20 and on Friday we had 16 out of 20. The class is hoping to get 20 out of 20 many days in a row!

Level 1 hopes that the Home Bag will mostly serve as a communication tool that connects home and school. When important letters come home they can often get lost in young hands, accidentally left behind, or scrunched in backpacks to never be found again. (Not all students have backpacks.) The Home Bag will be used to tote these letters home. I also want to send finished student work home regularly, and again, the Home Bag will help you know when there is finished work to be collected (and protected!) In late October students will set their personal academic goals during our student conferences. Student goals become a part of each child's PLP (Personalized Learning Plan). If families prefer, I will send 'just right' work home after goal setting conferences, that will help support students' personal goals. Once in a while, math teachers will send home a math game that allows for extra practice at home. (Please communicate with your child's teacher if you prefer to not have additional math practice sent home.)

The Home Bag is for:

Letters and notes from school
Finished work to take home
Work that supports student goals
Work that students want to take home and continue

This is new for all of level one and we are looking forward to your feedback!

Snack

For snack last week we had grapes & pretzels, pitas, hummus, & carrot sticks, sliced cheese & whole grain crackers, and bananas. The students enjoyed all of these snacks very much! Thank you! The snack schedule is included in the classroom blog. Look at the top of the page on the far right and you should see the link to the snack schedule page.

This Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

This week the following students will be sharing during our morning meetings:

Monday: Emma
Tuesday: Lola
Wednesday: Gage
Thursday: Ramsey
Friday: Emilee
Next Monday: Alivia

Literacy: Reading and Writing

We will continue to do reading assessments this week. I have been able to read one on one with students, as the class is learning how to 'Read to Self' independently for longer periods of time. Students were also able to choose their own places to work today and followed the chart that they brainstormed. We will continue to practice 'Read to Self' and choosing a spot for independent work this week. Students are doing a great job with reflecting upon what worked well and how to fix something that didn't work well. Again, the five literacy activities of Daily 5 are: read to self, read to someone, work on writing, word work (spelling), and listen to reading.

The spelling inventory test that students took last week has given me some great information on where to begin with our spelling program for each student. Word work (spelling) will soon become a part of our regular literacy block. If you would like your child's spelling words sent home in the 'Home Bag', once we begin word work, please email me.

This week we will continue to build upon our writing structure. Students have been building their writing stamina and working for longer periods of time. The writing block will be broken up with writing strategy lessons and student sharing.

The writing block structure will eventually revolve around students creating personal goals under one of the following categories: conventions (punctuation), spelling (phonetic and conventional), ideas and content, word choice, and organization. While students are writing independently, I will begin meeting with small writing strategy groups and conferring one on one with students about their writing. The work that we do will support the students' individual goals. Once students reach their goal, we will choose another one in a different category to work on.

Out and About

As you already know, we are going canoeing for our Out and About this week! I will take as many pictures as I can and share them on the blog.

We were hoping to go to B Street Farm on Thursday and make pizzas and salsa. Our student forms are not all in yet, so we won't be allowed to go as a class. If you have your form, please be sure to get it in. The food at the farm is ready for us to harvest and the kids are anxious to see their food forest from last year!

I might be able to take the students to the new garden on Thursday, but would need an additional adult to go with us. Would you like to join us? We would love to have you! Email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org if you are interested in coming to the garden on Thursday afternoon between 12:30 and 3:00.

Home Bags

We have been doing a good job of remembering to bring Home Bags back and forth to school! On Thursday we had 18 out of 20 and on Friday we had 16 out of 20. On Monday we had 15 out of 20. The class is hoping to get 20 out of 20 many days in a row!

Classroom News: Week of September 20th

2010-09-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Dates to Remember

-Picture Day is Today

Monday, September 20th

Please send your picture form to school with your child on the 20th. If your child wants an id card for $1, please write that on the form.

-Scholastic Book Fair Begins This Week

Books can be purchased before and after school. There is a great variety of books at this sale!

-School Open House this Wednesday Night

Wednesday, September 22nd, 5:00-6:30

Come visit the school and see what our students have been up to in these first weeks of school. We'll have a scavenger hunt that will take you all around the school. Then stop in the Barn Swallow classroom to meet your new classroom community!

-Camp Tilikum Canoe Trip Next Tuesday

Tuesday, September 28th, from 9:00-2:15

If you are interested in volunteering on this day, we would love to have you! We will have at least three students in a canoe at a time, with one parent volunteer in each canoe. If we have 6 parent volunteers, the class can go canoeing all at one time for a longer period of time. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us for this water adventure! As of today, we have one parent who has confirmed that she is coming. We need many more of you lovely parents! I hope to hear from you soon. (Please email me at S.Reuter@fgcschool.org)

-Pizza Wednesday Weekly Fundraiser Begins

Wednesday, September 29th

If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, please visit the school website link above for more information on how to order.

-Teacher In-Service (No School): Friday, October 8th

-Student Conferences (No School): Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th.

Last Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

Last week students continued to build community, learn routines and procedures, and get to know each other through a variety of activities. We practiced greeting each other during our morning meetings with the 'Handshake Hello' greeting where we focus on giving eye contact, having a firm but gentle handshake, and greet with sincerity. Students learned or reviewed the 'Little Bird' song and dance (ask your child to teach you!). We also sang 'Do Your Ears Hang Low' and 'My Bonnie' along with very fast actions. On Friday afternoon we had a great time as students volunteered to either lead the class in a song, OR they sang alone! This class is full of music! Emilee led 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider'. Apollo led 'Little Bird'. Colby san 'Bye Bye Miss American Pie' and Ben enchanted us with his fast folk sining of 'Ol Rattler' and 'Town Hall'.

Last week we started sharing time during our morning meetings. Students signed up to bring in something special to them from home. We have time for one student each morning. Luella shared her shiny dance trophies and medals and Ben shared two amazing rocks that he found outside with his dad. Students share in front of their class and practice presentation and speaking skills. Student presenters begin speaking when their audience is ready to listen, make eye contact with people in the audience, and use a loud and clear voice. The students in the audience are practicing how to be 'audience members' by showing the speaker they are paying attention by looking at them, giving comments, and asking follow up questions.

Our class has also brainstormed and came up with our classroom rules. Students came up with 21 different rules and we were able to condense them into the following four:

-Do your best.

-Take care of each other and all living things.

-Be safe.

-Take care of all things.

Snack

Last week we had a mixture of organic cranberries sweetened with apple juice, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and peanuts. The week before, we had Aussie Bites which have many whole grains and dried fruit.

Student News

Emma lost a tooth at school and the tooth fairy came to her house. Hunter is in the planning stages of a level 1 Warrior Dash! He is also working on a Star Wars comic book. Siobhan's escape hamster was found in the basement and is recovering. Gage found a bean that was in the shape of a 'G for Gage' and he also dug up the 'record winning beet' for our picnic! (Gage wants to be a farmer when he grows up.)

Literacy: Reading & Writing

Some of the books we read as a group last week were, 'The Curious Garden', and 'The Kingdom With No Rules'. Level 1 has had a team of volunteers begin helping teachers with doing individual reading assessments with our students. The reading assessment results offer information on what book levels would be appropriate for students to read independently and in an instructional setting. Our literacy structure will allow for small groups of similar reading levels to meet together and work on various reading skills. The structure this year will also allow for students to work on goals with the teacher within the following categories: Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary. I am excited to begin working with reading and writing strategy groups as well as be able to individually confer with students!

Last week, students were given daily opportunities to choose and read books, as well as write about any topic. This allowed me to see what books students were naturally gravitating towards, as well as see their comfort level with both reading and writing. I was able to informally help students find books that matched their reading and comfort levels.

Students also began their 'All About Me' books where they fill in information about themselves in a book that asks for a variety of information. In this book, some students are working on sounding out words and writing the sounds that they hear (phonetic spelling), while others are focusing on conventional spelling and neat italic handwriting. Students also created water color self portraits, which will be on display at our open house. They are fantastic!

Physical Education, Art, and Out and About

Students met their 'specials' teachers last week. In P.E. students met their teacher Rick and played 'Sharks and Minnows', 'China Wall', and a fox game. In art students met their teacher Teresa and learned about their classroom. They did a silent partner 'two hands on a crayon' activity and they also did vegetable prints, using vegetables from the school gardens. Students met their Out and About teacher Erin on Tuesday. We went to the new school garden and picked beans, basil, and tomatoes. Students picked, washed, prepared, and arranged their group's vegetables for a class picnic. I saw many kids eating LOTS of vegetables! It was great! On Thursday the Barn Swallow class was able to join the Violet Green Swallow class at the new garden. Students picked and prepared beets, purple lettuce, purple cabbage, beans, nasturtium flowers, and squash flowers. We had a great picnic and I did not know that beets would go over so well! (I saw a lot of purple mouths!) Ask Gage about his 'record winning beet!' After the picnic, students had time to explore the garden. Even though it was sprinkling, I saw a lot of rain-jacket-clad kids laughing, learning about their 'natural world', and having a GREAT time!

Mathematics

Math class started on Tuesday last week. Students have math class by grade. First graders go with Ms. Karen, second graders go with Ms. Rachel, and third graders go with me, Ms. Sherry. We have math class regularly on Mondays through Thursdays. Students have been spending time getting to know their new math classmates as well as their teacher. Please refer to the 'MATH CLASSROOM NEWS' link above every week and click on your child's grade to see his or her weekly math class news. Thank you!

This Week's Classroom News

Community & Classroom Procedures

Students will continue to take turns sharing something that is special to them during our morning meetings. We will learn new greetings and of course, more songs!

Literacy: Reading and Writing

Students will continue to do their reading assessments and this week I am introducing our literacy structure, which is called Daily 5. The five literacy activities being: read to self, read to someone, work on writing, word word (spelling), and listen to reading. Students this week are learning how to 'Read to Self' independently. When students learn how to be prepared and independent readers, I will be able to meet with small reading groups and confer with individual students. I will also give the students a spelling inventory test to find out where they are at on the spelling continuum. This will allow me to match students up with spelling words that are just right. The spelling program that we currently use is called 'Words Their Way'. It focuses on patterns of vowels and consonants within words. Once students understand their pattern, they are able to apply this knowledge to the spelling of other words. For example, the silent 'e' in 'cake'. The silent 'e' in 'cake' makes the 'a' say its name. If students are writing the work 'rake' later, they could apply what they learned with their word work, and spell 'rake' also with a silent 'e'. I will also be introducing our writing structure, which will allow for students to write independently while I work on writing strategies with small groups and confer individually with students.

Out and About

We are not able to go to B Street farm this week so I am hoping to take a walking trip to Gale's Creek. Since we're going canoeing next week, students will design their own miniature canoes in small groups and learn about how different materials react with water. Once the canoes are ready, groups will safely take turns testing them out from the level bank of Gale's Creek. Mini canoes will have fishing line tied on to them so that we can bring them back in and we will have prior tests in a bucket of water to make sure pieces do not fall off into the water. I'm excited to see what the students come up with!

Home Bags

This year each student is going to have a 'Home Bag' that will hold any unfinished or additional school work to do at home. This will look different for each student and I will be able to individually address that through what you will find in your child's Home Bag. Some activities will be having students mark on a sheet how many minutes they read that night. Some students will borrow black and white copied books that are at their level to read as many times as they can. Some students may have math games. Sometimes there may be unfinished work from the day, or work that students want to take home and keep working on that night.

Since this is new, I would like to begin by establishing a habit of bringing the home bag back and forth to school each day, Monday through Friday. For example, Gina brings her Home Bag home on Monday and there is a book inside to read. Gina reads the book at home, puts it back in her Home Bag, and brings it back to school the next day on Tuesday. I am going to get Velcro strips that will attach the handles of the Home Bag to lunch boxes. That way, just as we remember to bring a lunch each day, we will begin the habit of bringing the Home Bag to school each day. This week I would like to do a practice round, starting on Wednesday. This might be too much to ask, but I'd like to try it and see how it goes! I'd love to hear your feedback. Though students might not have something in their Home Bags every day, I thought it would be easier to remember to take it every day with the lunch box as a routine. Let me know what you think and we will adjust this as needed! This Wednesday through Friday there will not necessarily be any work found in the Home Bag. It is mainly to see if this is a routine that we would be able to do with practice. Again, I'd love to hear from you about this and if you think this would work for you and your family. Thank you!

Would you like to volunteer for our canoe trip next Tuesday?

Please consider joining us for our canoe trip next Tuesday, September 28th. We need a few more parents in order to go canoeing, as each boat will have an adult. We will leave the school around 9:00 and come back by 2:15. Please remember to send water bottles, a healthy lunch, layers of clothing, an extra set of clothing in a backpack, rain boots, and a rain jacket with your child. It's going to be a great water adventure!

Classroom News!

2010-09-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Weekly Schedule

Mondays: P.E.

-Wear comfortable running shoes and loose clothing.

Tuesdays: Out and About

-Wear comfortable walking shoes that can get wet and muddy.

-Bring enough layers and appropriate clothing to be outdoors for two or more hours, even in the rain!

Wednesdays: Art

Thursdays: Garden, Computer Lab, or Library

-Wear comfortable walking shoes that can get wet and muddy.

Fridays: Art

Every Day:

Please be sure that your child brings the following each day to school:

-A healthy lunch

-A full water bottle

-A rain jacket (Students go out for recess and have Out and Abouts on rainy days!)

-Comfortable walking shoes that can get wet (no flip flops or slip ons)

-Clothes that can get dirty

-Sunscreen

-Sunhat

-Extra set of clothes kept in the back pack

Dates to Remember

-Math Class Begins: Tuesday, September 14th

First graders will go to Ms. Karen, Second graders are with Ms. Rachel, and third graders are with Ms. Sherry.

Please be sure to also refer to teachers' math blogs for information on math class.

-Picture Day: Monday, September 20th

Please send your picture form to school with your child on the 20th. If your child wants an id card for $1, please write that on the form.

-School Open House: Wednesday, September 22nd, 5:00-6:30

Come visit the school and see what our students have been up to in these first weeks of school!

-Camp Tilikum Canoe Trip: Tuesday, September 28th, all day

If you are interested in volunteering on this day, we would love to have you! We will have at least three students in a canoe at a time, with one parent volunteer. If we have 6 parent volunteers, the class can go canoeing all at one time for a longer period of time! Please let me know if you are interested in joining us for this water adventure!

-Pizza Wednesday Begins: Wednesday, September 29th

If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, please visit the school website link above for more information on how to order.

-Teacher In-Service (No School): Friday, October 8th

-Student Conferences (No School): Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th.

Our First Days Together

The Barn Swallow class has had a great beginning to the school year! We have been spending a lot of time getting to know each other, building class culture and community, and learning the procedures and the routines of the classroom. We have learned a few new games, for example, the Freeze Game, Cooseki and Pebble Pebble. We've learned the songs Make New Friends, Do Your Ears Hang Low, and Whadalee-Atcha. Students practiced the 'Hand Shake Hello' greeting where we practice giving a firm, but gentle hand shake, with eye contact.

I have read a few good stories to the class, Stephanie's Ponytail and The Three Wishes, which inspired students to draw or write three wishes that they would make if a 'tree fairy' appeared in front of us, granting wishes. Students practiced being presenters and good audience members as almost every student took a turn presenting their favorite wish that they would make. Ask your child about 'sound waves' during a presentation! Students have worked on water color paintings of their favorite summer memory and then wrote a sentence about it using neat italic handwriting. They also had a great time acting out their memory, having the rest of the class guess what is was. We've had time to read books and pictures independently and soon our literacy block will be running smoothly!

We also had a math dilemma where we were having a hard time figuring out how all 21 of us could fit on the carpet in a circle. We measured the carpet in feet and then measured how much space one student needed when he or she sat cross legged (1 and a half feet). Then students made a 'map' of the carpet on graph paper and tried to figure out how to make room for everyone on the carpet. We have tape on the rug now, which marks all 21 places to sit on the carpet!

Students used magnifying loupes in the garden and had fantastic close-up views of plants and insects. The loupes are amazing and we will be sure to have them out at our Open House night for everyone to experiment with. We also visited the garden to see how many different living creatures we could find. The list was long!

This Week

We will continue to build our class community this week and begin to form our classroom rules as a class. I am going to begin introducing the main parts of our literacy structure, which allows students to work productively and independently while I meet with reading and writing strategy groups, as well as confer with students one-on-one. Math by grade begins on Tuesday for a short, half hour session. We will have math on Mondays through Thursday every day after the morning recess. Students will also meet their P.E., art, and Out and About teachers this week. Please refer to the weekly schedule above to ensure that your child is prepared for each day at school. We will also have our first Out and About on Tuesday to the garden across the street where we will pick and sample fresh vegetables! We may be lucky enough to go again on Thursday. I hope that all students will come to school every day prepared for the weather. We often go outside in the rain and rain jackets and waterproof shoes are necessary every day. Students should also bring a full water bottle each day to ensure that they are comfortable and hydrated. Sun hats also do a wonders in keeping cool and are encouraged! Students will also be having lunch on Fridays this year, rather than a 'big snack'.

Snack

Students have a morning snack before their first recess and in the past we have had a snack schedule where families would take turns bringing healthy snacks every day for a week (Monday through Thursday). On average, families bring the class snack 2 times during the entire year. We currently do not have any food allergies. Good snack choices are foods that are substantial, low in waste/wrappers, and ready to eat. The students and I will not have time to cut apples or peel oranges, for example, because we will be busy working on literacy goals and will be reading up a storm! Because food is a part of our curriculum, fresh and seasonal snacks are always exciting. In the near future I might have an option where families send $20 before their snack week and I would buy the snacks for the class. I also might be getting a small refrigerator in the classroom, if I can fit it in, which would allow for more interesting snacks! The snack schedule will be sent out by the end of this week.

Thank you Barn Swallow families. I'm really looking forward to our year together.

We have a GREAT class!

Please email me with any questions, ideas, or thoughts at: S.Reuter@fgcschool.org

I look forward to hearing from you!

Classroom News- Family Visits

2010-08-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

Summer is flying by! I hope you all are enjoying time outside in the sun with your wonderful families. I was able to make a surprise trip to Wisconsin to see my family in July and camped for a week with my mom, three of my four brothers and their families, and about 20 other relatives. We even had a black bear come to our campsite four days in a row. Since the zipper on my tent was permanently stuck open, leaving about a foot of open space, I can assure you that I didn't sleep very well the entire time! Other than that, we had a great time.

I'd like to remind families about the upcoming family visits which will be held at the school in your child's classroom. Family visits are a great opportunity for me to catch up with all of my wonderful students before the school year begins. I'm looking forward to talking with your child about his or her summer adventures, as well as hopes and concerns for the upcoming school year. Our project themes this year are food and water, and the projects will be student/class directed. At our visit I'd like to talk with your child about questions he or she has about food and water, as well as brainstorm some possible project ideas that he or she might like to pursue. I would also like to know what books your child has been reading this summer. If we have time, we'll take a look at the classroom library and your child can pick out a few books to put in his or her book box. Beginning August 16th, you may call the school office to schedule your family visit, which will be Wednesday, August 25th through Friday, August 27, between 10:00 and 6:00, lasting up to 45 minutes. The school phone number is (503)359 4600.

If you are interested in picking up your child's school work, you are welcome to meet me in the front office at school on Thursday, August 12th between 5:00 and 6:00. Please reply by email if you plan on coming! (You may also pick it up outside of the classroom during family visits, August 25th-27th.)

I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Student Presentations and Animal Safari Night Details!

2010-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We are hoping to have a 'rain-free' night at B Street Farm on Wednesday night! We will be sitting around the campfire for student presentations and you may like to bring a small blanket for your family to sit on or even bring lawn chairs if you'd rather have a seat. It will be a tight space, but we will all squeeze in as best as we can! There is a parking lot on B Street, right before the bridge next to the farm as you're heading out of Forest Grove and there may be a few spaces available in the parking lot.

Schedule:
4:25
Arrive
Arrive at the farm. Please place your blankets/chairs on the patio next to the main building so that paths are clear in the village during student led tours. Terry O'Day will have a B Street Farm waiver form that must be signed by all who attend. Your child will then pick up his or her research book and then you can begin the tour!

4:30
Student Led Tour and Animal Safari
Your child will lead you and your family on a tour of B Street Farm and share his or her research book with you. Your child has created a check list of what an outdoor space would need to have in order to support the animal they've researched. Explore the farm and try to find what is on your child's animal check list. Talk about other outdoor spaces, for example, a back or front yard, that could be enhanced to support wild life and people. Then go on the 'Animal Safari' in the Food Forest Village and find students' animals in their natural habitat! Check them off on the Animal Safari check list as you find them.

4:55
Meet in the forested area where we play 'Eagle Eye'. Your child will show you where this is.
The Violet Green Swallow students and families will begin getting settled in the Food Forest Village for their presentations.

5:00
Eagle Eye
We will make a large circle so everyone can see and hear the directions. Students will teach families how to play the game Eagle Eye and we will all play as many rounds as we can. Beware, students are looking forward to seeing if we can have a PARENTS ONLY round of Eagle Eye! Wear clothes that can get dirty!

5:25
Gather your blanket/chairs and head on over to the Food Forest Village.

5:30
Animal Research Presentation in the Food Forest Village
The Barn Swallow class will present their animal research with families around the campfire.
If we have time, we will roast marshmallows. (Shhhh!)

We're excited to share what we've learned with you!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Portland Farmers Market Trip- May 2010

2010-06-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Students had a fantastic time at the Portland Farmers Market! The class broke up into three groups and each group was given a $10 budget. Their challenge was to find fruits and vegetables for the entire class to try at our picnic at the fountain park, while staying within the $10 budget. Not only did students use their money skills in a real context, talk to real farmers about their in-season produce, and work together as a team, but many tried new vegetables! I hope that the Barn Swallow kids will frequent more farmers markets this summer and continue to try new healthy foods from Oregon!

We're Going to the Portland Farmers Market!

2010-06-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Barn Swallow Families,

We have great news! The Barn Swallow and Violet-Green Swallow classes will be able to present their local animal research at B Street Farm in their food forest village on Wednesday, June 9th, from 4:30-6:00. We will begin with each child leading his or her family on a 'Forest Grove Animal Safari Tour' around the food forest. Your child will also use his or her research to show you what this natural space has to offer his or her animal, as well as make suggestions on what could be done to enhance the habitat. We will break up into two groups (by classes) where each class will take turns presenting some of their work to the Barn Swallow families. We will be around the campfire in the village that the students help make this semester. Students will have suggestions for what we can all do in our back yards, or other natural spaces, to enhance the habitat for local, native animals. While the Violet-Green Swallows are presenting their research around the campfire, the Barn Swallow students have a special treat for you and your family. They are going to teach you how to play the game Eagle Eye in the forest! This is one of many games that allow children to play freely in nature and I'm sure students would LOVE to see their parents play this game!

I hope that you are able to come to our presentation and animal safari night. Your entire family is welcome!

We also have confirmed that Thursday, June 10th, during the school day, we will be going on a tour of a community surrounded by a mature food forest, the Tryon Creek community. I am hoping to have two or three parents join our class and would love to have you! Please email me if you are interested.

Thank you Barn Swallow families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

Reminder of Dates:
June 2nd: Celebrations of Learning (Wed.)
June 4th: Grading day, no school (Fri.)
June 9th: Presentation and Animal Safari night (Wed.)
June 10th: Tryon Creek community and mature food forest (During the school day) (Thurs.)
June 14th: Field day (Send sunscreen, water bottle, and comfortable clothes) (Mon.)
June 15th: Bridging Ceremony (Location to be announced!) School dismissed at 1:05 (Tues.)

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Dear Barn Swallow Families,

As we are working on our food forest at B Street farm and planting vegetable seeds as much as possible, we are getting anxious to see fresh produce! With this in mind, level 1 has decided to take all three classes to the Portland farmers market on Wednesday, May 26 to see what's in season. What is in season at the end of May? We'll find out! Students will be divided into groups, given a budget, and will get to purchase produce to share with their class. We'll enjoy it picnic style at a nearby park (Students should pack a healthy lunch as well.)

I am looking for three adults to accompany small groups of about 6 children each for this trip. Would you like to come with us? We will be leaving the school at 9:00 and arriving back to the school at about 2:00.

Since this will be on a Wednesday, we will let the pizza fundraising volunteers know that level 1 students will need their orders pushed to the next week.

We are in the midst of planning another trip to a mature food forest and will let you know as soon as the date is confirmed (in June).

I am also planning for the Barn Swallows to present their animal research and lead tours of the food forest at B Street farm (also in June). I will let you know as soon as the date is confirmed. If you plan on attending, please stop in the office to fill out a B Street farm waiver form for all attendees.

Thank you Barn Swallow Families!

Sincerely,

Sherry

What Lives At Ash Street Field in January?

2010-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

January 2010

2010-01-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Happy new year!

I hope you all enjoyed your time together over the winter break. We had a great first day together today!

Tuesdays are our Out and About day and it sounds like it is going to rain tomorrow. We often will go outside for Out and Abouts and recesses even if it is wet out (or we would be staying in almost every day in the winter in Oregon!) Please send a rain jacket and rain boots with your child to school EVERY day if you can during these wet times. You are welcome to keep these items at school if it makes it easier for you. We do not have a covered area for recesses but students do regularly go out for exercise and play. (In the case of extreme rain/weather we do have recess indoors or will cancel a trip, but normally we try going out.)

Tomorrow we are going to Ash Street Field (at the end of Ash Street in Forest Grove) from about 12:45-3:00. I have heard from the Violet Green Swallow class that it's pretty muddy there so in order to have engaged and happy students in the outdoors, I would love everyone to be comfortable and well prepared. Please send rain boots and a water-proof rain jacket with a hood tomorrow with your child. If your child's jacket does not have a hood please send a water-proof hat. Layers, gloves, and water-proof rain pants are also a good idea for Out and Abouts. Also, it seems that some students are not yet comfortable or easily able to zip up their jackets. If your child needs extra practice zipping up his or her jacket, it would be a great if you could practice together.

Thank you for helping me with this! If you would like to come on any of our Out and About trips to volunteer you are more than welcome to join us. We go every Tuesday from about 12:20-3:00. I am also trying to arrange for us to have an additional outdoor class time on Fridays. We would be able to go to B Street Farm every Friday from 9:30-12:30. In order to be able to go I would need a regular parent volunteer to walk with us to the farm (from 9:05-9:30) and walk back (from 12:25-3:00). You are welcome to stay with us and help, but I do understand that this is a long time to volunteer. If you think that you would be able to walk with us on Fridays please let me know! I would love to be able to begin next week.

December 2009

2009-12-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

Level 1 Feast and Plays: Friday, December 18th, from 10:45-12:45

Students brought home invitations for the level 1 second 'annual' feast earlier last week. We are in the midst of deciding on what food we want to make and are in a flurry of action as we practice our play "The Nine Little Survivor Pigs" where we will be teaching about three primitive shelters and correct shelter location criteria. It should be very interesting!

For the feast we have decided that we are going to use the amaranth grain that we harvested in the fall at B Street Farm, as well as the walnuts that we have been drying in our room (from Ben's dad, Peter). Part of our preparation will include separating the debris from the tiny amaranth grain and cracking the walnut shells. We are thinking about making walnut and amaranth bread and crackers, as well as making our own butter and ricotta cheese! I think we also might pop some of the amaranth grain-it pops like popcorn only is very tiny. These are big plans! I will see how I can fit it all into our schedule.

We will be doing most of the cooking/preparation on Tuesday afternoon and I will be buying ingredients on Monday night. If you are able to donate a few dollars towards our ingredients I would very much appreciate it! Last year we had families donate the ingredients, but it was tricky to communicate about who would bring what. This way, I will just make a quick trip to the grocery store and get what we will need for our level 1 feast.

Thank you! I hope to see you there!