Monday, May 1st: Puffins to Forest Grove Public Library
Parent chaperones: meet in the classroom at 1:50pm if you would like to join us:)
Monday, May 8th: State Testing continues for Level 2 students.
Please see message below.
Friday, May 12th: Art Show and Cake Decorating Contest!
After school at the Forest Grove Public Library
For more information, email Art Teacher Stephanie at: [email protected]
Friday, May 19th: NO SCHOOL for students
Teacher grading and staff development day
Friday, May 26: FGCS talent show 9:30-11 a.m.
Grove Room/District Office, 1728 Main Street. Parents are welcome to attend.
Monday, May 29th: NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
Thursday, June 8: FGCS Celebration of Learning Event @ 5:30-6:30 p.m.
A little note about comfort: Spring is here! Please make sure that your kiddo is properly outfitted with a water bottle, layers and appropriate footwear everyday!
Oregon State Testing Begins for Level 2 Students
State (SBAC) Testing
Testing is administered in the computer lab in short sessions, and students have the opportunity to work on the same test over multiple sessions so they can work at their own pace.
Please help support your Puffin:
- Encourage them to do their best, and share strategies for test worries (breathing)
- Help them get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast
- Practice keyboarding/typing skills
Next week, we will take a break from testing (students who were absent will have the opportunity to finish their tests) and we will return to the computer lab again on 5/8 to work on our math state tests.
Your kiddo can also practice at home @ https://osasportal.org/students.html
After following the link: sign in as a guest, select your grade and test (Math or ELA).
Math Homework
For the upcoming week, focus on these Apply homework pages:
For 4th graders:
4th graders should be working up to lesson 22 in the Module 4 workbook.
Also, 4th graders should check that all lessons are finished up in their module 3 workbook.
For 3rd graders:
3rd graders should be working up to lesson 15 in the new Module 4 workbook.
Also, 3rd graders should check that all lessons are finished up in their module 3 workbook.
Also strongly recommended: daily practice with multiplication facts for 2-10's
Check out these multiplication fact practice apps: Looking for more? Check out lessons on Khan Academy.
What's happening in the Puffin Nest:
Our new StoryPath unit:
Main Street: Understanding Goods and Services.
Over the next 2 months, students will explore community collaboration and civics, the path of goods and services, and natural resource management by creating a business and addressing problems within the business community.
Episode 5:
Trouble on Main Street (Litter)
One of the objectives of this Storypath is for students to have an opportunity to learn about how citizens can have a voice in their community. Our discussions this week centered around a community forum to solve a littering problem in the community. We learned that a community forum is a meeting at which people can come together to discuss an issue. People’s viewpoints are shared so that the community can work together to solve a problem.
Out & About
Does your family have a favorite park? This week, we met Parks Supervisor Tom to learn about Forest Grove's amazing parks. They asked if the Plovers and Puffins could help out by spreading wood chips under trees and picking up litter. Working together, we got so much done! After our stewardship work in the sun, we were wiped out. Consider packing hats and sunscreen on O&A days!
Read Aloud
We are enjoying the genre of Mystery!
The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch.
This is a story about two young, adventurous detectives, who accidentally stumble upon a mystery surrounding a magician's diary. This is a fun read, filled with word games, and featuring a mysterious narrator.
Our kiddos are considering clues and suspects, making predictions, asking questions and solving puzzles.
The Olympics of Writing:
Level 2 jumps into the SBAC writing challenge!
Our Olympic Mindset BIG IDEAS:
- Successful Olympians have a growth mindset: We can develop our skills and talents through hard work, the right strategies and guidance from others.
- Successful Olympians train to become great using motivation, visualization & mindfulness
Social Emotional Learning
We continued to focus the "job" description of being a student who strives to make gains in scholarship, citizenship and stewardship. We want to be self-aware and cultivate helpful habits that will serve us well. Our focus:
Growth Mindset:
- I believe my intelligence and abilities can be improved with effort and the right strategies.
- I love learning new things, I like to be challenged, and I am willing to make mistakes! I persevere and try my best. I have a positive attitude, even when things are tough.
- I am thoughtful about my words and I am aware of how they affect others.
- I always show respect and care to all students and teachers by speaking kindly.
- If I get upset, I take a break before saying something unkind.
- I pay attention to directions and I understand how to do my job as a student independently. I don’t need many extra reminders.
- I am ready and eager to learn. I do my best to pay attention during lessons.
- I participate by raising my hand to share ideas.
- I take care of my materials and space.
- I am aware of my body, and I move safely around others.
Tower of Books Challenge
The Tower of Books is an optional at-home independent reading challenge designed to support your child's daily reading habits. We ask that all of our level 2 kiddos engage in 20 minutes of reading outside of school time each day. Our kiddos brought home their paper "Tower of Books" backgrounds and book spine labels at fall conferences.
To meet the challenge, students must write down the name and category for each book they finish on a paper book "spine" and add it to their tower. The goal is 30 books! Consider an incentive for every tenth book your child reads (like picking family dinner or movie night). We have a special V.I.P celebration and award for any students who are able to complete the challenge before the last day of school this year. Please support your child in working on their tower and in helping them to be accountable with finishing a book "cover-to-cover" by discussing the book with them when they finish.