Monday, April 29th: Oregon State Testing Begins for Level 2 Students (see details below)
Wednesday, May 1st ALL DAY O&A to Jackson Bottom Wetlands Biodiversity Program
The bus departs at 9:30am and returns to FGCS at 1:30pm
Friday, May 3rd: FGCS Talent Show 9:30 am
Wednesday, May 8th: NO SCHOOL
Forest Grove School District has canceled all classes for Wednesday, May 8th, because of a statewide teacher Day of Action that encourages teachers to participate in a walkout. This Day of Action, organized by the Oregon Education Association, is intended to call attention to need for adequate, stable K-12 school funding.
Wednesday, May 22nd ALL DAY O&A to the Oregon coast to participate in the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. (NOTE: This is our second beach trip)
The HRAP is an environmental education program with a mission to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock.
Monday, May 27th NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
Community School Calendar 2018-2019
State (SBAC) Testing
Level 2 students will begin state testing on Monday, April 29th. Testing is administered in the computer lab in short afternoon 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:
- Every day, please send a healthy snack with your child
- Encourage them to do their best
- Help them get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast
- Homework: practice keyboarding skills
After following the link provided here:
sign in as a guest, select your grade and test (Math or ELA).
What's Happening in the Puffin Nest...
Our young scientists have been studying animal and plant adaptations. On our O&A’s this spring, we are exploring the unique Oregon ecosystems that many animals and plants call home.
We have been learning that animals must adapt in order to survive (climate, food sources, predators/competitors). With increasing population growth and human activity that disturbs natural habitats, animals must now learn to adapt to these kind of threats as well.
One major threat to marine life is plastic, and students learned that they can help with this problem by getting involved.
This week, we traveled to the Oregon coast to participate in a “Stewardship in Action” program hosted by the Friends of Haystack Rock. Students hunted for and removed micro and macro plastics, as well as other non-organic beach debris. Back at City Hall, students sorted and used the plastic bits to create Puffin and Plover collages. Great work level 2 kiddos!!
Reading Workshop: Non-Fiction Research Clubs
Students are jumping into non-fiction research clubs.
This week, we talked about activating and building background knowledge by thinking about what we know before and during our reading. We practiced being on the lookout for our own misconceptions.
We are focusing on the importance of learning over "knowing" so that we are flexible when we identify our own incorrect thinking. We can celebrate when we reverse a misconception, because it shows that we have learned something new, which is our goal!
Writing Workshop
Students have begun to explore the "Art of Informational Writing" during writer's workshop.
Our Goals:
- In my introduction, I explain what a reader will learn about my topic. Also, I hook my reader in one of these ways:by telling a surprising fact, explaining why the subject matters, or asking and answering a question
- I use paragraphs and headings to separate sections.
- I put facts, details and examples into each part of my non-fiction writing.
- I use transition words such as: another, for example, as you can see…
- I use expert words and a teaching tone.
- I include pictures, captions and diagrams to teach about my topic.
- I read my work out-loud to make sure it “sounds right” and I get help from others to check my spelling
- I use capital letters correctly, and I put punctuation at the end of every sentence.
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:
All 4th grade math students should be practicing their multiples DAILY.
Review Topics for 4th Grade Math: