March 25-29th Spring Break!
Monday, April 1st Puffins to Forest Grove Public Library 2pm-3pm
Students should bring their library books to return, library card and a tote bag.
Chaperones Needed!
Wednesday, April 3rd O&A to Fernhill Wetlands 10:45am-1:30pm
Chaperones Needed!
Please email if you are interested: [email protected]
Wednesday, April 24th ALL DAY O&A to Oregon Coast- Details coming soon...
Chaperones Needed!
Wednesday, May 1st ALL DAY O&A to Jackson Bottom Wetlands- Details coming soon...
Chaperones Needed!
Community School Calendar 2018-2019
Forest Grove Public Library November Calendar of Events
A little note about comfort: Spring is here! Please make sure that your kiddo is properly outfitted with waterproof layers and appropriate footwear on Monday and Wednesdays when they will be outside for at least part of their day.
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest...
This week in the backyard garden, we learned about invasive plant species in Oregon. Have you ever thought about where that pestilent blackberry and thistle originally came from? Students learned how invasive species are able to takeover based on their ability to rapidly grow, reproduce, and out-compete non-invasive species for resources. We played a game where students were either an invasive plant or a non-invasive plant competing for survival in the garden- be sure to ask your Puffin if they were able to out last the invaders!
Back in the classroom, we continued our study of "Animals through Time" by learning about how people create new breeds of animals by selecting certain traits and only having those animals have babies. Your kiddo learned in particular how the earliest dogs were medium-sized and wolf-like, but using selective breeding, we managed to get the many different dog breeds, from small dogs to big dogs, spotted dogs to plain dogs.
What makes selection possible is the fact that no two individuals are ever exactly alike--there are always small differences, and yet parents do pass on most of their traits to their offspring. You can help reinforce this learning at home by helping your child to notice these small differences in physical traits between siblings, cousins, and other family members, as well as to contemplate which traits have been passed on from one generation to the next.
After that, we saw how selection isn’t always caused by human beings: sometimes other, non-human factors can cause selection to happen.
In our lesson, we introduced the true story of two lizard species in Florida.
If you’re curious, you can read an adult-level version of the story here:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-evolution-green-brown-lizards-20141101-story.html
The change in these lizards is an example of "natural selection"— a big idea that your child will revisit over the course of their science education. In our lesson we did not use the term "natural selection," but this example laid the foundation for later understanding of the concept.
Writing Workshop
Students have begun 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: 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!
Suggested Weekly Homework:
Reading Homework
Spend at least 20 minutes reading (outside of school) every day.
Reading is on the "honor system" and we ask that you help your kiddo to develop a daily reading routine with good-fit books and a well-lit, comfy reading spot away from distractions.
Typing Homework
Level 2 students have typing homework to develop and support important keyboarding skills. Please practice at least 20 minutes per week on: Typing.com
Math homework
Every week, the math homework is to complete at least 30 minutes of math practice.
Ideas for math practice:
- Recommended: Students can get valuable math practice with their Dreambox account. The Dreambox accounts offer an easy way to track math progress and feature assignments that are on-topic with what we are learning in class.
- If your family would prefer to practice math skills in other ways (practice books, worksheets, flash cards, math games or other online resources such as Khan Academy), please send in your student's work OR send me an email before Friday morning each week letting me know how they completed their 30 minutes of weekly math practice. Current 3rd/ 4th grade math topics are listed below.
3rd grade parent info:
Current 4th grade Math Topic:
- Fractions
- Homework #6: Proper and Improper fractions, Conversions between improperfractions and mixed numbers, addition of mixed numbers
- Homework #7: Multiplying a mixed number by a whole number
- Practice Test A review of all fractions topics we have covered
- Homework #8: Subtraction of mixed numbers (with regrouping), multiplying a mixed number by a whole number and decimal notation
All 4th grade math students should be practicing their multiples DAILY.
Review Topics for 4th Grade Math: