Please Note: Puffins will be going outside every Monday (PE), Wednesday (O&A) and twice daily for recess.
In class we talked about our local climate and how we can be prepared.
Students are welcome to bring extra clothes and shoes to help them stay dry and warm.
Always dress for the weather!
Monday, April 24th: Puffins walking to the Forest Grove Public Library 1:50-3pm
Students should bring books to return, their library card and a tote bag.
Chaperones Needed! We need parent volunteers to walk with us, and accompany students to check out books. If you would like to join us, simply meet us in the classroom at 1:50pm.
SCHEDULE CHANGE: Tuesday, April 25th
Due to conference preparation, our testing start date has been moved back a day, and will begin on Tuesday.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) State Testing
Level 2 students will begin state testing on Tuesday, April 25th. 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 by: encouraging them to do their best, making sure they eat breakfast and bring a snack, and helping them get plenty of sleep. During the next week, we will discuss the English Language Arts (aka Reading and Writing) test and look at some sample questions together. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a practice test.
Your kiddo can also practice at home on the student practice test site. After following the link provided here, sign in as a guest, select your grade and test (Math or ELA).
State Testing: A Note from the Principal
State Testing: Opt-Out Information: Print form, fill out and return to Karen Torry
Opt-Out Form
Formulario de Exclusion
Wednesday, April 26th: Jackson Bottom Wetlands Program
Time change! 9-2pm
Wednesday, May 3rd: Haystack Rock Program @ Coast 8:30am-3pm
Please Note: Early Departure at 8:30!
Level 2 will bus out to Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. To maximize our time at the coast, we will leave at 8:30 am-sharp!
In order to participate, we ask that you drop your Puffin off at school between 8:10-8:20 on this day.
Don't forget a sack lunch, water bottle, and clothing for any weather the coast might offer - including warm, waterproof layers and close-toed shoes for the tide pools.
At Haystack Rock, students will do an hour of coastal habitat research and beach clean-up. We also will meet with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program to learn how to explore the tide pools responsibly, and spot coastal birds (fingers-crossed for a Puffin sighting!)
PLEASE NOTE:
The bus ride is full for chaperones, but if you wish to chaperone and can drive yourself, please do! If you choose to meet us there, we expect to arrive on the beach just north of Haystack Rock around 10:00 am.
Level 2 Weekly homework
1. Typing Homework: This year, Level 2 students will have typing homework to develop and support important keyboarding skills.
Please practice at least 20 minutes per week on: Typing.com
2. Reading: Spend at least 20 minutes reading (outside of school) every day.
When you finish a book, add it to your Tower of Books!
3. Math homework:
Students should log on to either Dream Box or Khan Academy and complete 30 minutes (minimum) of math practice. Other ideas for home practice: workbooks/ games
4th grade math
- Math Homework Worksheet Packet: Perimeter & Area
- Area & Perimeter Skills Practice on Khan Academy
(They know how to do this.... ask your kiddo to show you!)
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest?
This week, we went Out &About to the Oregon Zoo. A big thank-you to all of our amazing parent chaperones who braved the rainy weather!
Our O&A Objectives:
- How do zoologists design habitats to meet each animal’s unique adaptations?
- How does the zoo use informational signs to teach people in a fun way?
- What is conservation and why is it important?
- What can we learn from animals through close observation?
After exploring the animal exhibits, we met with a zoologist to hear about how animals change through their lifecycle and how wildlife biologists use this knowledge to protect them.
Next week, we will visit Jackson Bottom Wetlands. We'll learn from some experts how biodiversity keeps an ecosystem healthy. We'll compare forests and wetlands, and see how the Tualatin River ties them all together.
PROJECT: Animal Biology:
Students will soon begin working on research and visitor center jobs. They will be focusing on comparing/contrasting their ocean and forest animals.
Group 1 Tufted Puffin & Northern Spotted Owl
Group 2 Marbled Murrelet & Pileated Woodpecker
Group 3 Northern Sea Lion & Gray Wolf
Group 4 Gray Whale & Red Tree Vole
Group 5 Leatherback Sea Turtle & Pacific Giant Salamander
Group 6 Ochre Sea Star & Banana Slug
Our Visitor Center Jobs
Each student will be responsible for creating an exhibit for their visitor center as well as writing chapters in a group book.
- Ecosystem Model Specialist: Focus on Habitat
- Life Cycle Exhibit Educator: Focus on Life Cycle
- Animal Advocate Videographer: Focus on Survival Threats
- Biologist/ Animal Artist: Focus on Appearance & Diet
Read Aloud
Drizzle by Kathleen VanCleve
Up Next......
The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk