November 9 O&A with Trackers Portland 12:15 - 1:45
November 10 No School
November 20-24 Thanksgiving Break
November 27 Library Visit
Homework Due by Thursday, November 9th
1. Read for at least 20 minutes every night.
2. Complete at least 30 minutes of math practice
3. Complete at least 20 minutes of typing practice.
4. Optional: Compete Paragraph of the Week writing assignment.
Prompt: Choose one Out&About or field trip that you have been on and write about what happened on that trip.
Paragraph of the Week
Plovers can now earn bonus pay for completing extra writing practice at home! Every week, I will post a new writing prompt in the newsletter and in the classroom. Responding to these prompts will support the narrative writing we are currently working on in the classrooms, but this extra homework assignment is optional. If your student would prefer to type their essay instead of writing it, they can email it to me at [email protected] or bring in a printed copy.
Expectations for Paragraph of the Week:
- Write at least 5 sentences.
- Tell about one time you did something and include details.
- Your story should have a beginning, middle and end.
- Sentences have correct capitalization and punctuation.
- Neat handwriting.
Upcoming Out and Abouts
This week, we will be working with Trackers Portland to learn about archery - a skill that Native Americans often used to hunt for their food. Trackers will set up a foam archery range at Central School, where the Puffins and Plovers will learn how to use the equipment responsibly and understand the historical connection this skill has to the land. Parents, please complete the Trackers permission slip by following the instructions below. Students without a permission slip will not be able to participate in the archery activity.
We are excited to have your student join us for a field trip we are doing with Forest Grove Community School. Here are directions on how to fill out the online permission slip. To begin your registration please log into your Trackers online account or if you do not have one please create one before registering. Trackers Earth Account Creation or Log In:https://new.trackersearth.com/users/sign_in
Once you log into your account will need to click on this registration link:http://new.trackersearth.com/legacy_checkouts/new?cart=9999800004247
At the payment page, please click Pay Later and enter the code “campcredit”
Volunteer Opportunities
1. Mystery Readers - I have spots available every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 for mystery readers, but I can add more if those times do not work with your schedule. Please email me if you need to schedule an alternative time.
2. Breakfast Donations - Jerky, berries, cider, dried fruit or veggies, and "blubber" (aka jello) needed for our First Salmon Ceremony on 11/17.
3. Laundry and Dish Duty - Needed 11/17
4. Library Chaperones - Chaperones needed for our next library visit 11/27
First Salmon Ceremony
Early Northwest Coast people believed that the animals they hunted were really animal spirits that let themselves be caught to help people. If the spirits became angry, it was feared that they would not return as animals, and people would go hungry. An important tradition was the First Salmon ceremony. After the first salmon of the fishing season was caught, it was carefully cooked during a special ceremony. Each person in the village ate a small piece of it. Then, its bones were returned to the water. People thought that if the bones of a salmon were not put back in the water, its spirit would become angry and salmon might never swim up the river again.
Next Friday, we will have a ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of our Early Northwest Coast project. This celebration will include storytelling, music, games and a feast! I've added a few special requests to our Friday Community Breakfast sign-up page for the traditional foods that students requested: jerky, berries, dried fruit, dried seaweed/nori, cider and "blubber" (aka jello). There are multiple sign ups to ensure that we have enough food and a variety of options! Students should bring their own reusable mugs for cider and tea.
Another part of the ceremony involves giving gifts. Students will have time in class this week to make a small trinket (like a friendship bracelet or painted rock) to give to another student. Some Plovers may want to work at home on their gift, but this is not required and you are not expected to buy any presents or materials!
Weekly Review
The Plovers presented at All School Meeting last week about their Native American project and a totem pole they created for our classroom. Check out their presentation below and read the captions to find out what the Plovers shared from the stage at All School Meeting!