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!
March 27th- March 31st- SPRING BREAK- NO SCHOOL
Wednesday April 5th O&A: Fernhill Wetlands 10:40- 1:25 pm
Wednesday, April 19th: O&A: Oregon Zoo Program 9:30-2pm
Wednesday, April 26th: Jackson Bottom Wetlands Program 9:30-2pm
Chaperones Needed! If you are interested, please email: [email protected]
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.
2016- 2017 YEARBOOKS:
Yearbook orders are due: Monday March 20 (Monday before the start of spring break).
Follow this link to the online order form. You can pay with debit/credit online.
Paper forms are in the school office, which can accept cash or check.
If you have questions: talk to Vickie/Karen in the office, or Stephanie in the art room.
Returning Student Forms Due April 3rd
With open enrollment for 2017-18 underway, it is time for parents of current students to confirm that they plan to return to FGCS next year. Click here to fill out an online Returning Student Form. Current students are guaranteed a classroom place for next school year when their parents submit a form by the deadline.
Upcoming Events From the ART ROOM:
April 1st Artwork deadline for Art Show/Concert
April 7th Art Show/Concert 5-7pm NOTE: Bring your cake in by 4pm
April 7th Yearbook Cover Contest: Submissions due
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(see below) and complete 30 minutes (minimum) of math practice.
3rd grade math
In 3rd Grade Math, students have been working on a complex multiplication story problem called "How Long, How Tall?"
Using two large posters of a city center, students worked in pairs to measure buildings, buses, trees and other objects in the city in relation to the height of a character named Antonio, who is four feet tall.
For example, one of the trees was determined to be 12 feet high since it was 3 times the height of Antonio. Then, groups got to create their own setting for an Antonio problem, like under the sea, Jurassic world or "the land of giant school supplies," and measure the heights of the objects in their drawings.
This investigation will lead to the creation of measuring strips, or number lines, to compare the products of different sized groups. To support your student in their developing understanding of multiplication, remind them that a problem like "4 x 5" can be read as "4 groups of 5."
4th grade math
- We are currently working on our FRACTIONS unit
- Our fraction unit was developed with Dr. Gowri Meda. For information about how we approach instruction during this unit, or to get information about how to review concepts at home with your child, visit Dr. Meda's website of math videos: Math Precisely.
Here are the practice pages for the previous weeks:
- Homework #1: Introduction to Fractions
- Homework #2: Unit Fractions/ Finding Fractions on a Number line
- Homework #3: Comparing Fractions
- Homework #4: Adding & Subtracting Fractions
- Homework #5: Adding & Subtract Fractions with UNLIKE denominators AND Multiplying a Fraction by a Whole Number
- Homework #6: Proper and Improper fractions, Conversions between improper fractions and mixed numbers, addition of mixed numbers
- Homework #7: Multiplying a mixed number by a whole number.
(They know how to do this- ask your kiddo to show you!)
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest?
Project:
On Wednesday, students went Out & About to Tom McCall Forest to explore some of the components of a forest habitat and to get ready for next week's trip to the Tillamook Forest. Students created an ecosystem web using forest organisms, and tried surviving in different niches (predator, prey, consumer and producer) through an active game.
Back in the classroom, we compared and contrasted two different local ecosystems: Forest and Ocean. Next, we kicked off our newest "Storypath" adventure: The Visitor's Center.
This unit about animal biology and ecosystems is designed to help students learn about Oregon’s ecosystems and geography. Students will compare and contrast animals from two different ecosystems, focusing on life cycle, diet, adaptations, and anatomy. For the culminating event, students will assume the responsibilities associated with their "Visitor's Center" job by creating exhibits to teach the school community.
This week, Puffin students began designing and making an imaginary visitor center in two specific local ecosystems (represented by forest and ocean murals). Next week, they will apply for a job in their imaginary visitor center. Before spring break, they will choose animals to study and organize into research groups.
Writing Workshop
Students continue to explore the "Art of Informational Writing" during writer's workshop.
Our Goals:
- We will generate informational text from our own "expert" knowledge of a topic.
- We will consider and choose a writing structure to organize information so it is clear.
- We will write an interesting beginning and conclusion. .
- We will read, revise, and edit as we work.
- Using Book Creator on the iPad, we will include headings, text boxes, pictures with captions, and other visuals in our finished books.
Reading Workshop:
On Monday, Level 2 students celebrated the National Education Association's twentieth annual Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday with:
- Buddy Reading (Dr. Seuss books, of course!)
- A poetry writing & guessing game using paintings from The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss
- A trip to Forest Grove Public Library
Literature Circles
These small group "Book Clubs" engage students in rich conversations about shared readings. Students can express their opinions, predictions, and questions about a text in a productive, structured way. Students take on specific group roles which are designed to develop reading, speaking, and thinking abilities. Ask your kiddo to tell you about the book they are reading!
Our Book Club Books:
- The Wanderer
- View from Saturday
- Bridge to Terabithia
- Holes
- The Mouse & the Motorcycle
- Cricket in Times Square
- How to Train Your Dragon
Read Aloud
Drizzle by Kathleen VanCleve