Daily class snack for recess
A BIG Thank you to all of our amazing families who provide daily snacks for the class. Your support is amazing!!
There are many kids who need a healthy snack each day at second recess, and our classroom supply is again running out.
If you are able, please consider donating a box of individually wrapped snacks to the Puffin nest.
What works best? Easy-peel Clementine oranges, granola bars or fruit leather make great individually wrapped snacks.
Just send your class donation in with your kiddo. Our Puffins thank you!!
Level 2 Dictionaries
Each year, the Forest grove Grange #282 donates dictionaries to our level 2 students. Your Puffin will be bringing theirs home today 4/29. Click this LINK to find 10 fun dictionary activities you can do at home!
Water Bottles
As you know, all FGCS students need a refillable water bottle for school. We have water bottle filling stations, not regular drinking fountains, so a water bottle is an essential school supply. We continue to have students coming to school without one. Please check to make sure your students have water bottles or provide one if they don't. Inexpensive water bottles are available at dollar stores and online. Please mark your students' bottles with their names so they can be returned to them if they're misplaced. Let's keep those kiddos hydrated!
Upcoming Calendar Events:
April 19th- May 6th: Oregon State Testing for Level 2 Students
State (SBAC) Testing
Level 2 students will begin state testing on Tuesday, April 19th. Testing is administered in the computer lab in short sessions, and spread out over 3 weeks. Students have the opportunity to work on the same test over multiple sessions so they can work at their own pace.
Friday, May 20th: NO SCHOOL for students
Teacher grading day
Monday, May 30th: NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
2021-22 School Year Calendar
A message from Art Teacher Stephanie:
Yearbook is on sale now for $20.
To purchase a yearbook please go to www.treering.com/validate and enter the number 1016052158063632. Students are now creating the cover of the yearbook. A yearbook is a great way to remember their time this year. If you have any questions please email Stephanie at [email protected]. Thanks for all your support!
What’s happening in the Puffin Nest?
This week, we completed our Oregon Trail Storypath unit reflections. We discussed and wrote about the different aspects of our project work:
- Reading about westward expansion, manifest destiny, and the reasons people chose to make the trip
- Creating our characters and the setting for our learning about the Oregon Trail
- Learning about landforms and what challenges the emigrants would face
- Making wagons and preparing for the journey
- Facing (role-playing) many challenges along the trail and writing about their opinions and experiences
- Considering the perspectives of Native Americans and how western expansion impacted their lives
- Arriving in the Willamette Valley and celebrating with our Pioneer Day
After wrapping up this important social studies unit, it's now time to turn our focus to science topics!
Our new science weather unit: Stormy Skies
This week in science we explored the mystery, “Where do clouds come from?” Your child observed important clues, such as the fact that water changes from a liquid to a gas (even without boiling!). You can continue to support your child’s curiosity by pointing out water vapor whenever you see it rising off hot water in the kitchen or bath, or pointing out tiny droplets of water forming on a mirror, windows, or glasses. Engage their minds by asking, “Wow, why do you think this is happening?”
On Wednesday, we went to the Backyard Garden for our O&A time and focused on condensation, the water cycle, and weather observations. Students spent time at the garden Weather Station and recorded data for temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud formations. We also played a water cycle version of "rock, paper, scissors" along with extending our knowledge of condensation with another experiment related to seed germination.
Read Aloud
Our storytelling adventure continues with a new read-aloud:
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
The Wanderer combines storytelling, adventure, family relationships, and compelling characterization to tell a tale of a difficult journey to another land and to a sense of self-awareness.
A Reminder about Level 2 Homework:
In Level 2, our homework is on the honor system. We ask families to develop and sustain this important practice at home in a way that works best for you. Having a regular routine (time/place/materials) will ensure that your child will be prepared to tackle their required homework in Level 3 more easily.
Math: at least 30 minutes (or more) of math practice each week.
Practicing multiplication math facts at home is a GREAT way to support your kiddo!
- 3rd graders should work on: 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's and 6's
- 4th graders should work on all multiplication facts for 2-12's.
We also recommend that students engage in 10-15 minutes of a math activity (math website or game) and then complete one page in their math workbook at least 2 days per week.
All level 2 kiddos brought home a math workbook (or packet) for homework practice in November. Let us know if they are ready for a new book!
For computer practice, take a moment to set up a free account for your child:
- Khan Academy: instructional videos and problem solving practice
- Prodigy: answer math questions, complete quests, earn rewards
- SumDog: solve math problems while playing video games
- Math Game Time: no account set-up required, select grade level & play!
- The public library is a great resource. Make sure your kiddo has access to lots of “good fit” books that they are excited to read. Check out our Level 2 Book Recommendations HERE.
- Read-alouds and audio books work too! Also, listen to your child read out loud, and ask them questions about their reading & thinking.