Weekly Update

Hi All,
We had a pretty great week here in Room 210!
in Ecore...Yesterday we met our Site - Brookside Wetlands. We'll be going there at least 4 times this year and what a delightful place to be! We explored and mapped the wetlands, tested water quality and did our first nature journal. What a dynamic place and class. I told the class, "don't get stuck in the mud" and some folks really learned what I meant by that!

In reading...We continue to read Sees Behind Trees as a class read aloud. We are looking for writing styles and compiling a list that we want to try in our own writing. We are also discussing cultural norms and customs. I have been working intentionally with the class to turn in quality journals - ones that are written in complete sentences, use examples from the book to back their ideas, organized in a neat and labeled way....Please feel happy to read your child's journal and give feedback too.

In service...We are participating in the Mystyery Harvest box - it's a great competition - today we harvested and received our assignment to research 2-3 small dishes based on our list (page 9 in service journal) The dishes should compliment each other. Steph will choose the winners of our class and we will prepare those dishes on Tuesday 1:10-2:10...I only have 1 volunteer so far - thanks Renee! - So if you have some time, let me know.

Next week...  We look forward to diving into Choice Novel, setting up writer's workshop and beginning our River Memoirs. We will also go on the Willamette River Walk on Thursday for Field Study. And finally - the first middle school dance will happen Friday, Sept 27 :)

HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND
1. Sees Behind Trees - Journal #3...integrate my notes to you about your first journal entries. AND identify the writing techniques I used in this blog post! :) DUE MONDAY9/23
2. Mystery Harvest Box - Recipe search. Record on pg 10 of Service journal. DUE MONDAY 9/23
3. Reader's Profile - Fill in your reader's profile and be ready to share, also start thinking of a choice novel for Tuesday. DUE TUESDAY 9/24
***EAGLE FERN PERMISSION SLIPS***

Homework :)

1. Be prepared for field study tomorrow at Brookside Wetlands...bring lunch, water
thanks chaperones, Steve, Gary & Jan!
2. Read What is a Wetland and answer the questions.

Tuesday Homework

Quick Homework

1. Due tomorrow - I stand for worksheet...we read a poem called I stand and then brainstormed all our passions and opportunities for service around those passions. Then students were to pick one passion and answer the questions and think of a poem they could write about what they stand for.

2. Due Fri - Read Aloud - Sees Behind Trees Journal #2.

LARGE SUMMER SQUASH???

Hi All,
Every year the Middle School participates in the IRON CHEF competition where each class cooks a dish from locally sourced foods. I'm thinking ahead a bit while thinking about what is in season now...of course I thought about all that overgrown summer squash! Do you have some? How about having that student of yours grate it up (like cheese), hand grated or by cuisinart, put it in a freezer bag and write iron chef on it and freeze it for the winter. If you don't have space then we can freeze it here at school. There are tons of fun things you can do with grated squash: bread, pasta, pizza crust....

go for it  and make some bread with the extras :) We'll talk about this in class tomorrow too.
thanks! cori

ps...thanks for all of you who sent in your 5 things I should know about your child. It really helps me to understand your child so I can do my best.

pps..and...Marie -Gavin G's mom has so graciously volunteered to be our room parent! Thanks Marie, you are the best :) I really appreciate it. She'll be the one double checking chaperones and putting calls out for support. Think of her as an amazing class assistant who delegates tasks smoothly, who calls on your passions and talents, who never stops emailing until she gets a yes....ok, well - that last one was me dreamin' :) Give her a big THANKS next time  you see her.