Happy Winter Break!

Have a wonderful holiday season and an even better new years!

The students received one homework assignment over the break. They are to interview a family member/friend about someone who has immigrated to the United States. The reverse side of the sheet involves diagramming their family tree. We will use these stories to begin our look at the history of immigration in the United States in January.

Monday Homework & some Big News

The students surprised me with a lovely and fun birthday party this afternoon! Thanks to everyone for making it a special day!
I announced to the students today that I have some big news...I am pregnant. My due date is May 4th. As of now, I plan on being at school through the end of April. That leaves just a few weeks that the students will be with a substitute (minus marine biology week). No one has been officially assigned yet, but I have received many wonderful suggestions of possible subs.

Mini classes start tomorrow!

HOMEWORK:
Due Thursday:
- Current Event for Group 2 (Devlin, Rowen, Alex, Tiani, Maya, Haley, & Isaac)

Wednesday Homework

Due Thursday:
- Current Events for Group 1 (Alex B., Sierra, Coyle, Arturo, Francis, Clay, Deva, Marina)
-- 3D River Project

Due Friday:
- Bound River Story -- all done in a book!
- Geography #9 - South America
- RIVER FESTIVAL IS TONIGHT!

Tuesday Homework

Late Start Tomorrow!!!!!

By now, all writing should be done for the book! Many students are working on final illustrations and pasting their pages into their books.

Due Thursday:
- Current Events for Group 1 (Alex B., Sierra, Coyle, Arturo, Francis, Clay, Deva, Marina)
-- 3D River Project

Due Friday:
- Bound River Story -- all done in a book!
- Geography #9 - South America
- RIVER FESTIVAL IS TONIGHT!

Monday Homework

WE ARE BOWLING TOMORROW! PLEASE BRING $6 CASH (OR A CHECK MADE OUT TO SARAH BACUS!)

Due Tuesday:
- Epilogue for River Story

Due Thursday:
- Current Events for Group 1 (Alex B., Sierra, Coyle, Arturo, Francis, Clay, Deva, Marina)
-- 3D River Project

Due Friday:
- Bound River Story -- all done in a book!
- Geography #9 - South America
- RIVER FESTIVAL IS TONIGHT!

Publish Post

Weekend Homework

We tackled how to write a bibliography today in class. Many students tried to use easybib.com -- and we found it to be not so easy. Technology can often be a hindrance, not a help. However, students received a resource sheet that shows how to write up the cited source in MLA format for all different sources. By the end of our session, everyone seemed on board with how to find the required information needed to write the bibliography.
Next Friday is the River Festival! It's going to be so great to have everyone come and see the beautiful mural we've been putting up in class; read the student's brilliant river stories; and see their 3D river projects.

Due Monday:
- Bibliography for River Story
- Final draft of problems/solutions for the River Story

Due Tuesday:
- Author's page (students received the requirements for this page today in class)
- Illustrations for each page -- Each page of the book needs to have a detailed border or an illustration that that helps the reader further understand the story

Due Thursday:
- 3D River Project

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #9 - South America

Wednesday Homework

Reminder: NO SCHOOL on Friday -- I will be doing report cards!


Due Thursday:
- Geography #8 (Africa)
- Current Events for Group 4 (Ian, Austin, Andrew, Barbara, Christina, Sienna, Ana, Dawson)
- Rough Draft of your River's Problems/Solutions page
- ALL LATE WORK MUST BE TURNED IN!

Tuesday Homework

Read-A-Thon Ends Tomorrow!
Reminder: NO SCHOOL on Friday -- I will be doing report cards!

Due Wednesday:
- All Service Learning Reflections (community, school, grade-based, garden)
- Final draft of your river's Settlers and Growth/Industry pages (that's 2 separate pages)

Due Thursday:
- Geography #8 (Africa)
- Current Events for Group 4 (Ian, Austin, Andrew, Barbara, Christina, Sienna, Ana, Dawson)
- ALL LATE WORK MUST BE TURNED IN!

Monday Homework

We are heading to Balch Creek tomorrow! Please make sure you have a lunch, water bottle, and warm layers!
Read-A-Thon Ends Wednesday
Reminder: NO SCHOOL on Friday -- I will be doing report cards!

Due Wednesday:
- All Service Learning Reflections (community, school, grade-based, garden)
- Final draft of your river's Settlers and Growth/Industry pages (that's 2 separate pages)

Due Thursday:
- Geography #8 (Africa)
- Current Events for Group 4 (Ian, Austin, Andrew, Barbara, Christina, Sienna, Ana, Dawson)
- ALL LATE WORK MUST BE TURNED IN!

Thanksgiving Break!

I just posted some new photos. Click here to see photos of us working on our river mural and cooking up some delicious fall food...nothing like seeing kids up on ladders and with knives in their hands!
Click here to see photos of our awesome trip to the Cooley Gallery at Reed College. Who knew one could make such beautiful pieces of art with CDs, a pencil, and a straight-edge!?

Students received the assignment for the 3D river project. It is due on December 9th, ideas are due Nov. 29th. I will send an email with the project description attached.

Service Opportunity! Garden Day at school on Monday from 1-3pm!

Research for Settlers and Growth/Industry for the River Story is due Monday Nov. 29th. The writing the students are doing for these river stories are amazing! They are staying true to the perspectives they chose and crafting beautiful stories about the history of their river.

All Service Reflections are due Dec. 1st. We are doing the class-based reflection in class.

Thursday Homework

Due Thursday:
- Current Event for Group 3 (Julia, Zoe, Miette, Janai, Dylan, Elvis, Dawson, Amy
- Finish reading Tangerine, complete 3 dialogue journal entries
- River research for Settlers and Growth of Cities and Industry
- Reed Gallery Field Study Assignment

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #7
- Rough draft of Native American River Story

We are planning on starting to watch the Outsiders on Thursday.

In order to watch The Outsiders on Thursday,

You need to have the following turned in!

• Reading Project
• Tangerine Assignments
• Total of 9 dialogue journal entries
• Character Notes
• Water Cycle Narrative
• At least 2 Service Reflections
• River Story:
• Final Draft of Introduction
• Final Draft of Geology
• Final Draft of Natural History (Plants and Animals)
• One illustrated page

Tuesday Homework

Dress up like a character from your favorite book tomorrow to help kick off the Read-A-Thon!

Due Thursday:
- Current Event for Group 3 (Julia, Zoe, Miette, Janai, Dylan, Elvis, Dawson, Amy
- Finish reading Tangerine, complete 3 dialogue journal entries
- River research for Settlers and Growth of Cities and Industry
- Reed Gallery Field Study Assignment

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #7

We are planning on starting to watch the Outsiders on Thursday.

In order to watch The Outsiders on Thursday,

You need to have the following turned in!

• Reading Project
• Tangerine Assignments
• Total of 9 dialogue journal entries
• Character Notes
• Water Cycle Narrative
• At least 2 Service Reflections
• River Story:
• Final Draft of Introduction
• Final Draft of Geology
• Final Draft of Natural History (Plants and Animals)
• Rough Draft of Native Americans
• One illustrated page

The Outsiders is rate PG. If you would not like to have your student watch this movie, please let me know!

Monday Homework

We are traveling to Reed to visit the Cooley Gallery tomorrow. It looks like a very interesting exhibit on 3 women abstract artists. Here's the link if you are interested in checking it out:
http://www.reed.edu/gallery/
Students need to bring a lunch; we will be eating in the cafeteria on Reed campus, so they also have the option of bringing some money to purchase their lunch.

Due Tuesday:
- Draft of River Natural History (the plants and animals)
- Final Draft of River Geology
- One illustrated page for River Story book (this can be some illustrations on your introduction page or a border; or a stand-alone illustration about one topic (geology, natural history, Native Americans, etc.)

Due Thursday:
- Current Event for Group 3 (Julia, Zoe, Miette, Janai, Dylan, Elvis, Dawson, Amy
- Finish reading Tangerine, complete 3 dialogue journal entries

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #7

Weekend Homework

Due Monday:
- Final draft of Introduction for River Story
- 1st draft of Geology page for River Story
(We looked at examples of both of these today in class)
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ASSIGNMENT AND GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

- Tangerine up to Dec. 3 (pages 237-270) just read

Due Thursday:
- Current Events for group 3

Due Friday:
Geography Sheet #7

No School Thursday!

No School Thursday!

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #6 on Asian countries
- Current Events for Group 2
- Read up to Nov. 27 in Tangerine (page 237) keep notes about a main character (preferably the one you started a poster on in class a few weeks ago)
- Rough draft of introduction for the River Story (many students turned it in today)

Tuesday Homework

We made some delicious tortillas, pinto beans, and butternut squash mash today! We tested the theory about whether or not cooking dry beans with salt keeps them tougher and had a short chemistry lesson on ions and charges. Our results?...cook them however you want. Salt or no salt they'll be delicious! Thanks to Noelle for all her help with this project!

Due Wednesday:
- research for your river on natural history (native plants and animals of the area) and Native American tribes

No School Thursday!

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #6 on Asian countries
- Current Events for Group 2
- Read up to Nov. 27 in Tangerine (page 237) keep notes about a main character (preferably the one you started a poster on in class a few weeks ago)

Long Weekend

Click here to see pictures from our field trip to Tryon Creek State Park. A big thanks to Nicole, Noelle, Dan, Amanda, and Brenda for driving us all out there and spending the day with us!
We had a long hike up to the Englewood trail to set up inquiry plots for monitoring garlic mustard and ivy. Each student group developed a question based around the invasive properties of both these plants that they will be attempting to answer throughout the year.

Due Monday:
- Geology research for students' rivers: these should be the main geologic events/formations that shape their river
- Read up to Part II in Tangerine (page 199)

Due Tuesday:
- Service Learning reflection

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #6 - countries of Asia
- 2nd Current Event for Devlin, Rowen, Alex H., Tiani, Maya, Haley, Isaac

Photos!

Click here to see photos from the 7th grade trip to Bull Run Reservoir

Click here to see photos from our trip to Johnson Creek Park

Wednesday Homework

Due Thursday:
- Tryon Field Study assignment in EC Journal
- Geography Sheet #5
- Unicef Money
- 2nd Current Even for Group 1
- Just read up to 'Nov. 2' in Tangerine

Due Monday:
- Research for GEOLOGY of students' rivers. We started research today, we will continue with finding research tomorrow in relation to the geology/formation of the river and the river bed.

Due Tuesday:
- Service Learning Reflection

Tuesday Homework

• Essential Questions and assignment for Tryon Creek Field Study, Due: Thursday
• Geography #5--due Thursday (because no school on Friday).

• Trick-or-Treat for Unicef: students can still collect money for UNICEF and bring it in by Thursday. They can use this as a community-based project.

• Due Thursday: Read up to Nov. 2 in Tangerine (pages 133-168), just read!

Monday Homework

Tomorrow we are going to Tryon Creek State Park! The weather is predicted to be cool, but clear. Dress for the worst and hope for the best!

Due Tuesday

• River STory: students should complete a fact page with border and a page with a beautiful map with the course of the river also described in beautiful language. These pages will be compiled into a book (ala Lynn Cherry's A River Ran Wild) about an American river. Each student has already chosen their river and have begun researching it. This week we will focus on the geology of the river.

Students are coming to me saying they aren't finding a lot of information about certain rivers. This is the perfect time to choose a MAJOR River in the US and not struggle through the research process. If basic facts are find difficult to find-- discovering the geology of the river will seem impossible.

• Geography #5--due Thursday (because no school on Friday).

• Trick-or-Treat for Unicef: students can still collect money for UNICEF and bring it in by Thursday. They can use this as a community-based project.

• Due Thursday: Read up to Nov. 2 in Tangerine (pages 133-168), just read!
  

Weekend Homework

Hi, all.

Here's a list of the homework:

1. Tangerine: read to page 133 and complete 3 dialogue journal entries for Monday.

2. River STory: students should complete a fact page with border and a page with a beautiful map with the course of the river also described in beautiful language. These pages will be compiled into a book (ala Lynn Cherry's A River Ran Wild) about an American river. Each student has already chosen their river and have begun researching it. Next week we will focus on the geology of the river.

3. Geography #5--due Thursday (because no school on Friday).

4. Treak-or-Treat for Unicef this weekend: students can use this as a community-based project; information about this will be available tonight at the dance.

Enjoy your weekend,
Sarah

Thursday Homework

Due Friday:

- Read article: Sea Lions Show Salmon What it Really Means to be Endangered and complete notetaking/notemaking notes (jot down notes and summarize in own words)

- Confirmation that parents have seen 'Classwork Results Page'

- Geography Sheet #4

Due Monday:

- Read Tangerine up to Sept. 26 (pgs. 97-133) and complete 3 dialogue journal entries

Due Tuesday:

For the American River Story; final drafts of:

1. THE MAP:

a. a map of the river showing where it begins, where it ends, its entire length, and major tributaries.

b. a paragraph description of the river’s course (this is the caption)

2. THE FACTS: A page of facts about the river you have researched.

Bonneville Pictures

Great pictures from Nicole!
Click here to see pictures from our trip to Bonneville Dam and the Cascade Fish Hatchery. Look for the 2 videos of some aggressive spawning salmon!

Wednesday Homework

Due Thursday:
- Essential question and assignment for Bonneville Dam field study
- Read up to Part I in Tangerine (pg. 94) -- just read, no assignment
- Current Events for Ian, Austin, Andrew, Barbara, Christina, Sienna, Ana, Dawson

Due Friday:
- Geography sheet #4

Tuesday Homework

Well, we had our first rainy field trip of the year! But we had two great tours at Bonneville and at the Cascade Fish Hatchery...plus we got to see Chinook spawning in Eagle Creek!

Due Thursday:
- Read up to Part I in Tangerine (no assignment to go with)
- Field study assignment for Bonneville Dam

Due Friday:
-Geography Sheet #4

The Weekend!

Garden Day is tomorrow at SES, 9-12:00

Due Monday:
- 2nd Draft of Water Cycle Narrative (the students will be using the laptops again tomorrow to work on typing up a copy-- if they have a version started at home they can bring it saved on a thumb drive or email it to themselves in order to access it at school)
- Tangerine, read up to 'September 8' (pgs. 33-64); complete 3 entries in a 'dialogue journal' (direction for this are glued into their reading journals -- email me if your student needs a copy)

Due Tuesday:
- Stream Scene, pages 115-117; for the graph on page 116, the students are asked to graph both dissolved oxygen and temperature versus depth. They need to complete a separate line for dissolved oxygen versus depth and for temperature versus depth -- preferably in different colors

Thursday Homework

We had a painted paper frenzy this afternoon! Students created beautiful colors that will go up on our river mural soon!

Due Friday:
- Geography Sheet #3
- Service Reflection #2

Due Monday:
- 2nd Draft of Water Cycle Narrative (the students will be using the laptops again tomorrow to work on typing up a copy-- if they have a version started at home they can bring it saved on a thumb drive or email it to themselves in order to access it at school)
- Tangerine, read up to 'September 8' (pgs. 33-64); complete 3 entries in a 'dialogue journal' (direction for this are glued into their reading journals -- email me if your student needs a copy)

Due Tuesday:
- Stream Scene, pages 115-117; for the graph on page 116, the students are asked to graph both dissolved oxygen and temperature versus depth. They need to complete a separate line for dissolved oxygen versus depth and for temperature versus depth -- preferably in different colors

Monday Homework

It's so great to have everyone back and be together again. Yeah!
We started a new novel today as a class -- Tangerine by Edward Bloor. An audio version of it can be found on audible.com

Due Tuesday:

• Eagle Fern questions - written in EC journal

• Bring Tangerine to school

• Traveling to Johnson Creek Park! Bring a lunch!

Due Wednesday:

• Tea Party packet for Tangerine (most completed it in class or have just a little to finish up) -- it's some introductory activities/questions about the new novel

Due Thursday:

• Current event assignment for Julia, Zoe, Miette, Janai, Dylan, Elvis, & Amy (Alex B., Isaac, and Rowen to also present)
  

Due Friday:

• Geography Sheet #3
• Service Reflection #2 (the students will be working on a reflection for the Harvest Fair on Wednesday morning)
  

Due Date for Book Report on Choice Novel

We really have spent no time together as a core class this week...so I am moving the due date to October 18th for all students 6-8th grade.

Pics from Willamette River Walk

Click here to see a few pictures from our Willamette River walk!

Long Weekend

Final Novel Project for Choice Novel
Due: October 18 for 6th Grade
Due: October 14 for 7/8th Grade

Geography Sheet #3
Due: October 22

Eagle Fern Review Questions
Due: October 19

Wednesday Homework

If one could measure the success of Eagle Fern by sleepy looks and foggy brains today...I'd say Eagle Fern was 100% a success! We had a great time and learned a lot.

Midterm reports will be sent out Tuesday, October 12th. Because of Outdoor School next week (I will be there just Sunday/Monday) -- any missing/late work must be turned in tomorrow for it to count towards midterms. That doesn't mean I won't continue to accept it and have it apply towards the final grades for the trimester.

Due Tomorrow:
- 1 Service Reflection
- Willamette River Story (a 6 paneled storyboard in the student's EC journals)
- Geography Sheet #2 on US major bodies of water and mountain ranges
- Current events for Devlin, Rowen, Alex H., Tiani, Maya, Haley, Isaac

Novel Project: Due 10/11 for 7/8th grade, Due 10/18 for 6 grade

Friday Announcements

Students have been working on their water cycle inspired narratives. Today we looked at revising our rough drafts for dialogue, blocking, and vivid character and setting descriptions. There are some pretty great stories being told in class!

This week we solidified our understanding of watersheds...ask your student to share with you their 'palm watershed'. Can they point out a tributary? a confluence? We also played with the idea of carrying capacity. Students became deer and had to get their survival needs each year from the habitat. It got more difficult when there was a drought one year and wolves were reintroduced! What is a sustainable carrying capacity for your household? :)

Eagle Fern is Monday!
Students need to be at school by 8:30am. We will meet on the basketball court. Students should put their luggage next to our class's sign and everyone needs to check in with me! If you are not picking up your student on Tuesday evening, please let me know how/who they will be going home with...in a note or otherwise.

Due Oct 7 (Thursday):
- Willamette River Story - we started this storyboard in class yesterday, it is in the student's EC journals
- One Service Reflection: either school, community, or international (a gardening reflection will suffice if a students has not participated in a service event yet)
- Geography Sheet #2 - U.S. rivers and mountains
- We have our class picture on Oct. 7th -- forms were sent home today.

Thursday Homework

Due Tomorrow:
- Rough draft of 'Water Cycle Inspired' narrative -- 4-5 paragraphs of a story with an exposition (description of characters/setting), rising action, climax, and resolution
- Geography worksheet

Students need to make sure Environmental Core notebooks are at school Friday. They will be collected and taken to Eagle Fern for use Monday morning!

Wednesday Homework

Eagle Fern forms/money due ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent home a list of assignments I have received and scored for students. Please take a look at these and either sign it and send it back to me with your student or send me an email letting me know you saw it. Points awarded for different assignments are never firm until they are published at the end of the term. Until then, they should be considered as feedback and can be raised.

Due Thursday:
- Field study assignment from Willamette River Walk
- Bring novel
- Please bring in any extra veggies, fruits, herbs etc. you have in your garden we can cook/preserve with tomorrow!
- Picture of river word (students were assigned a vocabulary term related to rivers and had to create a graphic representation of the word-- the written word becomes the term in the picture)
- Current Event for Alex Burlay, coyle, Sierra, Arturo, Francis, Clay, Deva, and Marina

Due Friday:
- Geography worksheet
- Rough Draft of 'Water Cycle Inspired' Narrative (can be typed or just written in writer's workshop notebook)

Monday Homework

Due tomorrow:
Stream Scene, pages 17, 19, 20, 37, 38, 39 (extended one day)
- Bring novel to read quietly in the morning

Due Friday:
- Geography sheet

Field Study Tomorrow!
- Wear good walking shoes
- bring a lunch and water bottle!
- Have a hat or sunscreen

Weekend Homework

Due Monday:
- Come with a solid idea of what you want to write your water-cycle-inspired narrative on. Do some 'research' by talking to people involved with the event...gather as many details as you can!
- in Stream Scene packet: Pages 17, 19, 20 on the water cycle (ignore the making of the model) and pages 37, 38, 39 on Watersheds


Due Friday (9/31)
- Geography worksheet

Have fun at the dance!!!

Thursday Homework

Most students shared their interview poems with the class today. They were so sweet and well written! The students also gave amazing positive feedback to each other... A very nice morning.
After a quick game of kickball we reviewed what a riparian zone is and why they are important to stream health.
The peer mediators did a great job leading our first class meeting today. Students voted on having a 'fishing game' for our booth at the Harvest Fair.
We also reviewed the basic water cycle and learned some new terms: surface runoff, subsurface runoff, transpiration, accumulation; in addition to precipitation and condensation.
At the end of the day students received a current events assignment that they will be responsible for once a month. Information about Eagle Fern was sent home today. If you are still interested in chaperoning, please let me know.

Due Friday:
- River vocabulary matching sheet -- this is a preassessment. However, if students want to look up terms they aren't sure of, that's fine.
- Eagle fern permission slip and money (as soon as possible)

Tryon Photos

Click here to see photos from yesterday's field study.

Due tomorrow:
Final draft of interview poem
Bring your novel to silently read in the morning

Tryon Creek!

What a beautiful day for a trip to Tryon! I was amazed with students' observations and questions on our morning hike. Our afternoon was pretty rushed, so we will definitely be taking some time on Thursday to debrief our field study and share notes/comments on physical/chemical characteristics of the creek, riparian plants, and what macroinvertebrates were found in the creek.
Thanks to Nicole and Marina for taking pictures...my camera was out of batteries...but we'll have some photos up soon. And thanks for our amazing drivers/chaperones...Nicole, Noelle, Patty, D'Arcy, Jeff, Brenda, and Amanda! You truly helped to make the day spectacular for the students.

Due Thursday:
- Field study essential questions in your EC journal

See yesterdays post for previously assigned homework.

Monday Homework

Due Wednesday:
- Definitions of vocabulary list from the Outsiders (our read-aloud)
- A paragraph explaining the 'Rising Action' (see: Overview of plot handout in reading journal) for you choice novel

Due Thursday:
- Final draft of interview poem

Tryon Creek tomorrow!
We are going to Tryon Creek for our field study tomorrow in parent's cars. Students need to make sure they have a lunch, water bottle, EC journal, Pojar native plant guide (bring if you have one), LONG PANTS (lots o' stinging nettle!), shoes that can get wet or a small towel to dry off feet if they go barefoot in the shallow creek.

Happy (rainy) Weekend!

We had a lovely week that included a fun trip to JEAN's farm and meeting our third grade buddies! At the end of the day today, many students shared that meeting their buddy this afternoon made their week. Students also got a formal introduction to Service Learning and what is required for the reflections/learning piece. Sarah Taylor also clarified some questions about service learning at morning meeting this morning. SOLV is having a river/beach clean up on Saturday, September 25th. Click here to see the list of locations and details...there are many within Portland!

Due Monday:
-Rough draft of partner poem
- See yesterday's homework post

Thursday Homework

Due Tomorrow:
- In your reading journal, answer the 'Exposition' questions from the 'understanding elements of plot' handout about your choice novel. Questions should be answered in paragraph form.

Due Monday:
- 'What I'm For' symbol (if not already turned in)
- A paragraph explaining what you are for and why it makes the world (global or local) a better/happier place

First Field Study Photos

Check out some photos from our trips to Jameson Fountain and JEAN's Farm!
Click here.

Weekly Schedule

I have posted the weekly schedule on my webpage on the Sunnyside School webpage.
Click here to navigate to the page and download the schedule.

Thursday Reminder

Please make sure you have your choice-novel with you at school tomorrow.

Due Tomorrow:
Field Study notes in EC Journal from JEAN's Farm
I will be collecting your EC Journals and grading the Fountain and the JEAN's farm trip.

Tuesday HW

Due Thursday:
Field Study notes in EC Journal from JEAN's Farm

Monday 9/13

Welcome Parents!

I hope you enjoy visiting our classroom and are as excited about the school year as we are!

Tomorrow we are traveling to Jean's Farm to participate in some outdoor cooking, harvest potatoes, and get an introduction to water quality!
Please make sure you bring:
- lunch
- water bottle that is full of water!
- layers
- EC Journal
- Pencil
- smiling faces

Weekend Homework

We had a successful first field study today. Much thanks to Nicole and Carrie for coming along! I am scooting off to my brother's wedding this weekend...I promise a longer post next week.

Homework:
Due Monday:
- finish field study questions in EC journal
- Bring in a favorite poem
- Bring in your novel and read just the 1st chapter over the weekend -- focusing how the author introduces characters in the story (or REintroduces in the case of novel series)

Homework/Announcements 9/9

Field Study Tomorrow to Jameson Square Fountain!
Please bring:
- lunch
- water
- layers
-EC journal
- pencil
- towel/extra clothes for those who plan on getting seriously wet

Due Tomorrow:
Please bring in a novel that you would like to read for the next 3-4 weeks
WE NEED ANY MISSING FORMS BY TOMORROW!

Due Monday:
A copy of your favorite poem

First Day of School!

Happy First Day of School!

I am so excited to be spending the Year of the River with this class of amazing students!

Check this blog for schedule updates, announcements, stories from students, photos, and homework.

Homework:
Due Wednesday, 9/8~
- 10 things I should know about you
- Forms: Fall field trips, walking field trip, medical form

First Day of School!

June 3 Homework

Due Friday:
- Questions from Reed Gallery field study (answer in EC journal)
- Any missing/late work from Urban Planning unit

8th graders:
FINAL PORTFOLIO IS DUE MONDAY!

June 1 Homework Update

Due Tomorrow: All Service Reflections



Due Thursday: research one piece of art by...

-Andy Warhol

-Robert Rauschenberg

-Daniel Spoerri



Due Friday: Any late/missing urban planning assignments
8th Graders;
-Remember Me poem due tomorrow
- Memories due Friday
-Portfolio is due MONDAY

Weekend Homework

Due Monday:
-Bring in materials for 3D models!

- Catch up on any missing/late work!!

- Service Learning reflections!

8th Graders:
- Final draft of resume
- 2nd Thank you Letter due Friday

Homework Update

Due Thursday:
- Invention Convention project!
- We need chaperones for Mississippi!

Due Friday:
- Rough draft of Ideal Neighborhood description (300-500 words)

Homework Update

Due Wednesday:
- Final draft of 'ideal neighborhood' map, with 5 places you love the most stared and a 2-3 sentence description of the 5 starred locations (this can be done on a separate sheet of paper)
-Rough draft of RESUME for 8th graders
- Bring in resources for Brownsfield 3D model -- foam board, shoe boxes, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, etc.

Due Thursday:
- Invention Convention projects due!!!
- Trip to Mississippi Ave. ~ gentrification, Rebuilding Center, food carts, and more!

Due Friday:
-Revisions on the character analysis for any score received that is a 3 or lower

Community Service Opportunity

Cycling for clean rivers

Be a partner for clean rivers and streams. Join Environmental Services and the Portland Bureau of Transportation on a bicycle tour of innovative stormwater and transportation infrastructure. See examples of green streets, rain gardens, trees and ecoroofs as well as new bike boulevards, signaling and related art projects.

Tabor to the River: Cycling for Clean Rivers

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ride starts at Sewallcrest Park, SE Stephens Street and SE 31st Avenue

Bikes, trailers, and tag-alongs are welcome. Advance registration is not required. Bicycle helmets are mandatory. Riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For bike tour information, contact Erica at erica.timm@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5729. To learn more about the Tabor to the River Program, go to portlandonline.com/bes/tabortoriver. To learn more about Transportation Options, go to GettingAroundPortland.org.

Homework Update

Due Tuesday:
- Sci Fi Reading Assignment #5
- David Aguilar is coming to speak about astronomy
- Bring in resources for Brownfields projects/models

Due Wednesday:
- Final 'ideal neighborhood' map

Due Thursday:
- Invention Convention Project!

Weekend Homework!

Due Monday:
- Last day to turn in the character analysis, this is an official worksample, students who don't turn it in will receive a 0

Due Tuesday:
- Reading Sci Fi assignment #5

For 8th graders:
- RD of resume due Wednesday, final due Friday

Over the weekend...
- Work on Invention Convention Project. They are due Thursday morning!
- Service opportunity on Saturday at Sellwood Park for Migratory Bird Festival

Homework Update May 6, 2010

Hello!
We had an amazing trip to Orenco Station in Hillsboro today, a transit-oriented development.
Make sure you hear about your student's impressions of the place. It's definitely like nothing we see in Portland! I'll post the pics soon.

Due Friday:
- Completed field study 'key questions' for the trip to Orenco Station
- Final draft of Character Analysis Essay

Due Tuesday:
- Sci Fi Reading Assignment #5

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY THIS SATURDAY!
http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandmigratorybirds/index.cfm?c=32956&a=53563
Portland Parks and Rec is holding a free event at Sellwood Park celebrating migratory birds. If students attend this event and learn about the organizations that are there. They can write a reflection about their experience.

May 5, 2010 Homework

Due Thursday:

- Read Orenco Article, highlight things that relate to your area of exptertise; be ready for a quiz on it first thing in the morning!

Due Friday:

- Final draft of Character Analysis

Due Tuesday:

- Sci Fi reading assignment #5...you have the last group of questions to pick from

May 4, 2010

Due Wednesday:
- Grade your neighborhood using the 'Health Indicator Grading Tables'; include a paragraph on the back where you assess the grades you gave your neighborhood and address whether or not you choose to hang out in your neighborhood and why

Due Friday:
- Final draft of Character Analysis Essay

Tomorrow:
7th to Jefferson Dancers!

Homework Update May 3, 2010

Due Tuesday:
-Sci Fi Reading Assignment #4

Due Friday:
- Final draft of Character Analysis essay

On Wednesday:
- 7th to Jefferson Dancers

Weekend Homework!

Due Monday:
- 2nd Draft of Character Analysis with revisions, including suggestions/comments from peer-review letter
- Invention Convention: Biomimicry Idea...What's the problem? What's a solution from nature? Who are you working with?

Due Tuesday:
- Sci Fi Reading Assignment #4

8th Graders:
By now for your 8th grade portfolio you should have turned in...
- I am Poem
- Speech
- Business Card
- Job Shadow Reflection
Coming up:
- 1st Thank You Letter due May 5

7th Graders:
- Turn in Marine Biology Paper work!
- Jefferson Dancers May 5th

Homework Update April 28, 2010

***Note*** Rough draft for Character Analysis is now due FRIDAY!, not Thurs.

Due Thursday: Reard articles on Food Deserts & Village Gardens. Come prepared and on-time to school for trip to Jean's Farm

Due Friday: Rough draft of Character Analysis

Due Monday: Idea for Invention Convention

Due Tuesday: Sci Fi Assignment #4

Service Learning: Last day to turn in reflections is JUNE 2nd! This means all service reflections, for each trimester. The Celebration day is June 9th. Only students who have all service done for the whole year will attend. Let's make sure we get those service projects/reflections done!

Homework Update April 27, 2010

Due Thursday:
- Rough draft of character analysis paper.

Due Tuesday:
- Reading Assignment #4

Tomorrow: Grade-level Marine Bio meetings
On Thursday: Jean's Farm
On Friday: Panoramic Picture for Middle School

April 26 Homework Update

Midterm reports are due tomorrow. If you have not turned in your wildlife tours reflection and/or an additional service reflection, you will receive a midterm in Service Learning.

Due Tuesday:

- outline of Character Analysis essay

- Sci Fi Reading Assignment #3

- Complete map assignment if you didn't finish in class

Homework Update April 23, 2010

Due Monday:
- Graphic organzier for Character Analysis paper for The Hunger Games: complete the front side and up to 'supporting paragraphs' on the back
- Rough draft of introductory paragraph. Make sure you include a hook, you establish context (What is the book? Who is the Author? What is the book about?), and your thesis statement.

Due Tuesday:
- Sci Fi Assignment #3...remember, you are now answering from a new set of questions

MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO TURN IN LATE WORK BEFORE MIDTERMS ON TUESDAY! You were given a list of missing assignments. Make sure you get those in on Monday.

All service reflections are due on June 2nd!

April 20 Homework

Tomorrow: Late Start, 10:45am

Due Wednesday:
- Service-learning reflection (community, school, or class)
- It's no electricity day tomorrow! Make a list of all the things you use tonight that run on electricity.

Due Friday:
- Wildlife Tour reflection...I have a template with questions that you should follow.

Due Tuesday, April 27:
- Sci Fi reading assignment #3

8th Grade Portfolio:
- I am poem (if not turned in already)
- Business card
- Job Shadow reflection (Due Monday April 26)

Weekend Homework

Due Monday:
- Wildlife Tours 'cheat-sheet'

Due Tuesday:
- Sci Fi Assignment #2

Due Wednesday:
- School based service reflection due

Homework update April 14th

Due Thursday:
'Finding solutions for Brownsfield' article

Due Friday:
Final draft of animal story
These will be great to have with us at Wildlife Tours on April 22nd in case you need a little time-filler with a group.

Due Tuesday, April 20th:
#2 Sci Fi reading assignment
...We had great discussions yesterday about our novels. Apparently we are bigger fans of science fiction than we had originally thought!

Field Study tomorrow!

April 13 Homework Update

Due Tuesday:
- 1st Sci Fi novel assignment.

Due Thursday:
- Looking for Solutions in Brownsfields article assignment. Please encourage your student to check with me if they are having difficulty finding an article.

April 9 Homework Update

Due Monday:
Discussion Web for '4 Sustainable Questions' article

Due Tuesday:
1st Sci Fi novel reading assignment

Late assignments:
2nd draft of animal story
urban planning vocab visual


8th graders should already have turned in:
- 2nd draft of speech
- draft of I Am Poem

Homework update

Due Friday:
- 2nd draft of your animal story
- 8th grade speeches - second draft
- short paragraph on the 'livability' of our Hawthorne section
- urban planning vocab sheet

Due Tuesday:
- 1st Sci Fi reading assignment

Homework Update April 6, 2010

Due Wednesday:
- Conference business card (can be completed on computer or by hand on index card)
- 6th Grade to Whitebird dance performance
- Rough Draft of 8th grade i am poem

Due Friday:
- 8th grade speeches

Due Tues April 13th:
- Week 1 Reading Assignment for Sci Fi

Homework Update April 5, 2010

Due Tuesday:
- 'Urban planning' definition
- YOU MUST BRING A BOOK TO READ FOR THE OAKS TEST
- Class spelling bee

Wednesday:
- Spelling Bee at morning meeting
- 6th to WhiteBird

April 2 Homework Update

Due Monday:
Final History Alive Assignment
(1/2 page typed on a topic of your choosing from middle ages or renaissance)

- Bring in photos for tech class (thumb drive, cd, camera)

- Spelling bee (final bee is on Wednesday at MM)

- Rough draft of animal story is due on Monday

Homework Update April 1st

Due Friday:
- Rough Draft of Wildlife Tour animal story
- 'Animated' poem (late as of Wednesday)
- Rough Draft of 8th grade speech (late as of Wednesday)

Due Monday:
- bring in images on a CD or jump drive next week for their tech class
- Final draft of Animal story
- Science Fiction book in possession (this cannot be fantasy; must have utopia/dystopia theme or involve an alternate society). I will email out a list of suggestions with Friday's email.

Due Wednesday, April 7
- Final draft of 8th Grade Speech

April 20 or 21 - Job Shadow day for 8th graders

Homework Update March 31, 2010

Due Thursday:
- Wildlife tour animal research
- One rough draft paragraph of wildlife tour creative story

Due Monday:
- Final draft of Wildlife Tour creative story

On Thursday:
We are going to the libary!

Homework Update March 30, 2010

Due Wednesday:
'Animated poem': write up a final draft of any of the list poems we started in class (Spring break, a lifework goal (for example: disorgationation, procrastination, etc.), or forgetfullness

Add some 'animation' to the poem in the form of drawings, magazine pictures/collage, images from computer, or an actual animated slideshow/movie

Rough draft of 8th grade speeches are DUE on Wednesday!

Due Thursday:
Wildlife tour Animal Research

Homework Update March 29, 2010

Due Wednesday:

• 'Animated poem': write up a final draft of any of the list poems we started in class (Spring break, a lifework goal (for example: disorgationation, procrastination, etc.), or forgetfullness
• Add some 'animation' to the poem in the form of drawings, magazine pictures/collage, images from computer, or an actual animated slideshow/movie

Rough draft of 8th grade speeches are DUE on Wednesday!

Tomorrow: OAKS Reading test. Make sure you have a book to read if you finish the test early.

Homework Update March 16, 2010

Reading:

• Finish Middle Ages novels by Wednesday the 17th
• Complete 'Medieval Times Speed Meet' preparation questions by Wednesday
• Medieval Times Speed Meet is on Thursday the 18th!

History Alive:

• Due Thursday the 18th, Pages 210-211. Where would you sit the people for a Renaissance dinner party? Ignore the part about cutting out the pictures. Make sure you justify why you would sit people where you do.

End of Term Tomorrow!

The end of the term is tomorrow! Hooray! One more week until Spring Break.
We had a rainy field study today that was punctuated by some bright moments. Hopeful for owls, sniffing for skunk cabbage, pulling at garlic mustard, delighted by native buds. Thanks so much to the drivers!

Homework due Friday:
- All Service Learning Reflections

• Class
• School
• Community
• Garden
• Buddies
• MLK - artist statement
• International (due by the end of the year)

- History Alive, Chapter 29 reading notes pages 197-202. some questions refer to activities done in class, ignore them.

- Middle Ages novel: Friday letter #4 is due tomorrow. I was gone on Wednesday and did not collect the 4th Wednesday assignment (historical facts), so I will collect those tomorrow as well.

Homework Update March 9, 2010

Due Wednesday:

• 'Wednesday' reading assignment #4 with historical facts
• Service Reflections (Community, School, MLK Artist Statement, Gardening) - we will do class-based in school tomorrow

Due Thursday:

• Chapter 28, TB pages 315-321, WB 193-193
• Speeches for Sasha, Sawyer, Mason, Heidy, Audrey
• Traveling to Tryon Creek - we need drivers!

Due Friday

• Speeches for Johanna, Madison, Dagon, Julia
• End of term - all late work turned in!

Homework Update March 8

Tomorrow (Tues.): History Alive, Unit 2, open-note quiz. Finish any missing History Alive assignments.

Service Learning Reflections:
- 1 school
- 1 community
- MLK = artist statement
- garden reflection

Due Wednesday:
Final wednesday reading letter: 'historical-based questions' about your novel

Homework Update March 5

Happy Birthday Ezra!
And Happy Birthday Sasha (tomorrow)!

Homework this weekend:
Reading
The 3rd reading letter was due today. I had taken their Wednesday assignments home and forgot to bring them back yesterday; so I extended the 'Friday' letter to be due on Monday.
Their 4th Wednesday novel assignment is due on Wednesday.

History Alive
Chapter 11 and reading notes in workbook pages 68-69

Service Reflections
It's the last weekend before the end of the term to get community service projects done.
We will be writing our class-based service reflection together on Wednesday.

8th Grade Spanish:
Final draft of comic is due on Monday.

Homework Update March 4, 2010

Due Friday:
3rd Friday reading letter.
Alter Weiner reflection

Due Monday:
History Alive Chapter 11 textbook and reading notes in WB pages 68-69

Bring in Canned food!

Homework Update March 3, 2010

We had an amazing presentation this morning by Alter Weiner, a Holocaust survivore and author of From a Name to a Number. In addition to a reflection I am asking students to have a conversation with their families about what they heard this morning and what they can take from his moving presentation.

Due Friday: Reading letter #3 (this includes summary of their middle ages novel so far and a response to at least one of the questions on the assignment sheet)
Due Friday: Alter Weiner reflection

Upcoming dates:
March 11,12: 7th grade speeches
March 12: End of Term. All assignments must be turned in!
March 15: No School, Garden Day at SES! 9am-12pm

Homework Update Feb. 26, 2010

Due Wednesday:
History Alive Chapters 9 and reading notes. Just read chapter 10

7th grade: speech rough draft

Third novel reading assignment: 3 fact-based questions

8th Graders- You must be at school at 8am!

Homework Update Feb. 25, 2010

• Any missing art projects are due to Mia tomorrow
• Friday's reading letter for the midieval novel is due tomorrow (synopsis in 35 words or less and response to at least one of the suggested questions on the assignment sheet).

History Alive: Any new assignments that were assigned today are not due until Wed, March 3rd.

• Finish reading notes for Chapter 8 (page 54 in workbook). Workbook pages 49-53 were done in class this afternoon.
• Chapter 9, textbook pages 93-103, workbook pages 56-59
• JUST READ chapter 10 in textbook, no reading notes

So far in History Alive, students should have reading notes for chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7,and 8 Whew!

7th Grade Speeches: Students should have a rough draft of their speech to turn into me by Wednesday, March 3rd. We will work on revising them in class that week. Speeches will be given in class the week of March 8th.

Pictures

Link to Jean's Farm Pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sunnysidesarah/JeanSFarmFall2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCIhbfb0azUqwE&feat=directlink

Link to Photos from the Arboretum. Taken by Claudia:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sunnysidesarah/ArboretumFall2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKfk1oLqhvS5Cw&feat=directlink

Song Writing Workshop
http://picasaweb.google.com/sunnysidesarah/SongWriting?authkey=Gv1sRgCKeF_5mH5Jb4Cg&feat=directlink