Room 21 Newsletter, October 20, 2006

CLASS NEWS

Our focus is turning to salmon. In our costal community of Huk-toocht we talked and found that just about everyone, no matter what their position in town had some connection to salmon.

We received our Chinook salmon eggs on Thursday. For the next couple months the students will monitor the eggs in their incubator tank. Then when they are ready we’ll release them into the wild.

We just finished our novel Maniac Magee. Now we’re writing a character analysis of Jeffery Magee.

Today we began our new Math unit on 3D Geometry and volume.

FIELD TRIPS

This week we took a wonderful trip to the Salmon River at Wildwood. We tested the water for clarity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

The students also looked for Macro-invertebrates, walked along the stream, through the wetland and in the forest.

As they did their work the students asked, “Is this a good habitat for salmon?” Why or why not? We will continue our study of salmon and water throughout the year.

OCTOBER BOOK REVIEWS

Remember the October Biography Book Reviews are due on Tuesday the 31st. Though I will still be out of town, I have told the substitute to plan for presentations that afternoon. Students are encouraged to present as their biography character. If  it involves a costume please bring it in a bag and change into it for the afternoon.

Refreshments would be nice, if you can help supply some let me know. Please think Healthy when getting refreshments (egg. fruit, popcorn, juice, etc.).

TEACHER NEWS

Next week (on Thursday) Ben Needham, Sarah Jones, and I are all leaving for Scotland to attend the International Storyline Conference. This is an opportunity to see Storyline in action on its home turf and meet with teachers from around the world who also use Storyline in their classrooms. We hope to bring back fresh ideas for our work here at CSS.

CONFERENCES

Remember Parent / Teacher Conferences are November 20, 21 and 22, this fall. If you haven’t signed up yet come by or contact me to choose a day and time for your child’s conference.

RAINWATER GARDEN

Don’t forget the first Saturday of each month! From 10am to 1pm there are garden work parties where you can get dirty (or not) while helping out and learning about our rainwater garden.

You can get more information from M. Wilk 503-232-3831

DATES TO REMEMBER

Tues. Oct. 31st: Biography Book Reviews Due
Wed. Nov. 1st: No School
November 20, 21 & 22: Parent-Teacher Conferences