March 2 Read Across America Day (PJs and stuffed animals encouraged)
March 3 Fourth Grade NAEP testing
March 6 All School Meeting and Spirit Day
March 11 All day O&A to Jackson Bottom Wetlands - chaperones needed
March 16 Library Visit
March 18 All day O&A to Tillamook Forest - chaperones needed
March 19 Empty Bowls Feast
Returning Student Form Due TOMORROW (March 3rd)
Click here to submit a Returning Student Form. Please fill out a separate form for each currently enrolled student who will be returning next year.
Homework Due Thursday, March 5th
1. Read for at least 20 minutes every night.
2. Complete Reading Response Letter OR Opinion Paragraph Packet
3. Complete at least 30 minutes of math practice*
*Suggested IXL skills for 3rd grade math practice:
F.3 - F.6 Multiplication
*Suggested IXL skills for 4th grade math practice:
E.1, E.2, E.3, & E.4 and multiplication facts
Literature Circles and Book Clubs
Students will continue meeting with book clubs this week for the following books: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary, George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl, The Time Warp Trio: Not-So-Jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and Class President by Louis Sachar. All Plovers will have time in class to read and write about their book, but some students may choose to read at home and complete their book club assignment as extra homework.
Upcoming Out and Abouts
This week, we will go to the B Street Trail to work on nature journaling and observing signs of spring. On March 11th, we will go to Jackson Bottom Wetlands and on March 18th we will go to the Tillamook Forestry Center to begin our study of animal biology and migration. Students who ordered school lunch for 3/11 or 3/18 will receive a sack lunch with a sandwich.
Volunteer Opportunities - http://vols.pt/drMimF
We are in need breakfast donations, library chaperones and O&A chaperones for March 11th and March 18th. Thank you for your support!
Math Notes
Last week in 3rd Grade Math, students worked in partners to make posters about their work on a complex multiplication story problem called "How Long, How Tall?" 6th grade mathematicians joined us for two days to offer their support and proofreading skills as the 3rd graders completed their posters. This investigation led to the creation of measuring strips, or number lines, to compare the products of different sized groups. To support your student with their IXL homework this week, remind them that a problem like "4 x 5" can be read as "4 groups of 5."
Last week in fourth grade math, students completed their Math Congress posters and presentations regarding the "Field Trip" problem of dividing sandwiches. This week we will continue our work with this context by extending our understanding to different division strategies. Students will also participate in math vocabulary building activities.
4th Grade NAEP Testing
FGCS 4th grade students have been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP assessment will be given at FGCS on Tuesday, March 3. For more information, click here to read a note from our principal, Vanessa Gray. If you have questions, please contact school test coordinator Karen Torry at [email protected] or 503-359-4600.
Empty Bowls Feast Info
Thursday, March 19th at United Church of Christ; 5:30 & 6:30pm serving times
Tickets Must Be Purchased by March 13 at FGCS (Suggested Donation: $10)
The Empty Bowls Feast supports the Family Bridge Program, which provides food, shelter and services to families in need. At the feast, you will receive a bowl at the door. Then you’ll fill it with delicious homemade soup, grab some bread and enjoy a meal with members of our wonderful community.
A limited number of handcrafted bowls are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket holders are guaranteed a warm meal. All families are welcome regardless of contribution amount. Tickets are not available at the door. Level 2 and 4 students have been making and glazing bowls in art in preparation for the Empty Bowls Feast. Students in Levels 1 and 3 will be making soup and bread on their Out and About before the Feast. Please contact Erin Morgan, Out and About Teacher, (503)359-4600 ext. 120 to help with cooking. We need help spreading the word about the event, selling tickets, making bowls and helping at the event. Please contact Art Teacher Teresa Perrin (503)359-4600 ext.111, [email protected] to sign up.
Weekly Review
Last week, we began studying nonfiction books in preparation for our next writing unit: Informational Text. Students read three articles from Time For Kids and looked for the special features of informational texts, such as captions, headings, sidebars and fact boxes. We also talked about the questions reporters typically: Who? What? Where? When? Why? And how? During our Out & About in the Backyard Garden, Plovers interviewed and photographed each other to gather material for classmate biographies. Later this year, they will create informational books about their migration animal (bat, gray whale, monarch butterfly, peregrine falcon, salmon or sandhill crane). I am also reading two nonfiction books aloud to the class: Extreme Weather and The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch.
Communication
Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Parents and students can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also leave a voice message on the class phone, come into the classroom before or after school, or call me before 8PM at home.