September 16 - 27
Temporary Move
First and foremost, I want to thank each and everyone of you for your flexibility and understanding as we embark on a temporary move to Timberland Middle School. Although this new move will bring exciting opportunities, we know that with any great change the possibility of challenges may arise. We are happy to be attending school with ACMA and know that because of this many typical events and activities will be postponed until we return to West TV. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out...I am here for you and your families during this unique adventure!
Reading
This week students continued working on their stamina as Mrs. Hauser met with students in order to find their "just right" reading levels. Next week, the class will begin their first unit of study which focuses on reading intensely to grow ideas about characters. In order to do the work that this curriculum is asking, I encourage students to have a realistic fiction story they can read while trying to think more deeply and read more closely about each days mini-lesson.
Writing
This week students continued to set the foundational pieces of their realistic fiction stories by focusing on the importance characters. We discussed how their internal and external features influence them as characters and how often times their deepest desires are the things they cannot obtain. Next week we will spend our time perfecting the Story Arc in which we focus on rising and falling actions as well as the climax of a good story.
Math
This week, students finished their first inquiry exploration as they helped Mrs. Hauser solve a real world story problem. Students were introduced to ratio tables and used methods such a skip counting, doubling, multiplication and distributive property to solve there thinking and help her come up with an answer to her "turkey problem." Next week, students will begin working on their first math unit which will focus on the importance of place value and adding and subtracting up to the millions.
Inquiry
This week we continued working on our PYP unit of inquiry: Who We Are. With the temporary change in location we revisited our classroom agreements and came together as a community of learners to determine how we were going to best spend our time at Timberland. We also had an opportunity to share our values assignments with one another and hear how the things we care about impact us as individuals and as a class. We ended the week by discussing the concept of culture, and we used the metaphor that culture is an iceberg by describing things that are easy to see and things that are difficult to see just by looking at someone.
All Star Fun Run
Next week is the All Star Fun Run. The kids are excited to run, to raise money for the school and (above all else) earn a class party! The PTC has talked a lot about how the Fun Run fundraising impacts our students. As someone who interacts with them on a daily basis, I’d like to reiterate the importance of the funds raised. Our classroom learning is enhanced by the incredible programs this money funds including: field trips, All Star Reading Club, Oregon Battle of the Books, the 5th grade send off, Continent Club, Art Literacy, classroom parties and much more. We’re pushing hard to get closer to our fundraising goal. And to motivate the kids, we have added another class party opportunity. Each classroom is competing for a party based on class fundraising participation (either via Pledgestar.com or Pledge forms). It’s no surprise that our class would LOVE to win. Help them get there!
Here’s what you can do:
1. Use the Pledge Star website to register your student and send an email to a handful of family, friends or neighbors.
2. Use the pledge sheet from the Fun Run Packet to collect pledges and support from family and neighbors. Return the pledge form (and checks) to the front office.
Upcoming Dates
Temporary Move
First and foremost, I want to thank each and everyone of you for your flexibility and understanding as we embark on a temporary move to Timberland Middle School. Although this new move will bring exciting opportunities, we know that with any great change the possibility of challenges may arise. We are happy to be attending school with ACMA and know that because of this many typical events and activities will be postponed until we return to West TV. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out...I am here for you and your families during this unique adventure!
Reading
This week students continued working on their stamina as Mrs. Hauser met with students in order to find their "just right" reading levels. Next week, the class will begin their first unit of study which focuses on reading intensely to grow ideas about characters. In order to do the work that this curriculum is asking, I encourage students to have a realistic fiction story they can read while trying to think more deeply and read more closely about each days mini-lesson.
Writing
This week students continued to set the foundational pieces of their realistic fiction stories by focusing on the importance characters. We discussed how their internal and external features influence them as characters and how often times their deepest desires are the things they cannot obtain. Next week we will spend our time perfecting the Story Arc in which we focus on rising and falling actions as well as the climax of a good story.
Math
This week, students finished their first inquiry exploration as they helped Mrs. Hauser solve a real world story problem. Students were introduced to ratio tables and used methods such a skip counting, doubling, multiplication and distributive property to solve there thinking and help her come up with an answer to her "turkey problem." Next week, students will begin working on their first math unit which will focus on the importance of place value and adding and subtracting up to the millions.
Inquiry
This week we continued working on our PYP unit of inquiry: Who We Are. With the temporary change in location we revisited our classroom agreements and came together as a community of learners to determine how we were going to best spend our time at Timberland. We also had an opportunity to share our values assignments with one another and hear how the things we care about impact us as individuals and as a class. We ended the week by discussing the concept of culture, and we used the metaphor that culture is an iceberg by describing things that are easy to see and things that are difficult to see just by looking at someone.
All Star Fun Run
Next week is the All Star Fun Run. The kids are excited to run, to raise money for the school and (above all else) earn a class party! The PTC has talked a lot about how the Fun Run fundraising impacts our students. As someone who interacts with them on a daily basis, I’d like to reiterate the importance of the funds raised. Our classroom learning is enhanced by the incredible programs this money funds including: field trips, All Star Reading Club, Oregon Battle of the Books, the 5th grade send off, Continent Club, Art Literacy, classroom parties and much more. We’re pushing hard to get closer to our fundraising goal. And to motivate the kids, we have added another class party opportunity. Each classroom is competing for a party based on class fundraising participation (either via Pledgestar.com or Pledge forms). It’s no surprise that our class would LOVE to win. Help them get there!
Here’s what you can do:
1. Use the Pledge Star website to register your student and send an email to a handful of family, friends or neighbors.
2. Use the pledge sheet from the Fun Run Packet to collect pledges and support from family and neighbors. Return the pledge form (and checks) to the front office.
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, October1st- Reading Logs Due/ Vocabulary Test
- Tuesday, October 1st- Fun Run @ 8:30 am
- Wednesday, October 2nd- Walk 'n Roll to School Day
- Thursday, October 3rd- Bus Evacuation Drills @ 9:50 am
- Friday, October 11th- Staff Development: NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, October 15th- Picture Day
- Tuesday, October 15th- Fun Run Donations Due