Students are finishing up their first quilt square for the Quilting a Nation project we are working on in Social Studies celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. They will complete a total of three, each time with a new partner; one for events leading up to the Civil War, one for the Civil War, and one for Reconstruction. Check out the blog, http://belthorne2011.blogspot.com/

to see all the research the students are finding.

On Tuesday we are traveling to Mercy Corps to learn about world water issues. PLEASE BRING $5 FOR THIS TRIP! If you can donate more to sponsor another student it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks to Dawson for organizing the trip for us as part of his 7th grade Service Learning Project!

Homework:

Due Monday:

- Rough Draft of bottled water essay (completed graphic organizer with complete sentences is acceptable)

- Artist statement for first quilt piece

- Final quilt square

- $5 FOR MERCY CORPS!!!

Due Tuesday:

- Trip to Mercy Corps -- $5!!!

- Civil War novel project check -- bring in what you have done for your project so far

Due Thursday:

- Current Events for Group 1 (alex b., sierra, coyle, arturo, francis, clay, deva, marina, capella)

Due Friday:

- Geography #24

(Spanish: Due Monday- Make a place setting: plato (plate), cuchara (spoon), cuchillo (knife), tenedor (fork), servilleta (napkin) -- make sure they are labeled!)

Service Learning Opportunities over the next few weeks:

Swap Shop at SES--students signed up to work either Sat. or Sun. this weekend with Karen Hery.

EARTH DAY event! Saturday, April 16: SOLV IT volunteer work party at Beggar's-tick Wildlife Refuge (Springwater Corridor trail & SE 111th, just north of Foster Rd.). We will be planting and mulching native shrubs. 9:00 a.m. – noon. Partners: SOLV. Sign up through SOLV: http://www.solv.org/programs/event_details.asp?eventID=18741.

EARTH DAY event! Saturday, April 16: SOLV IT volunteer work party at Mt. Tabor Park. We will be removing invasive species. 9:00 a.m. – noon. Partners: SOLV and Friends of Mt. Tabor. Sign up through SOLV: http://www.solv.org/programs/event_details.asp?eventID=18695.

UPDATED EVENTS:

Saturday, April 30: Comcast Cares volunteer work party at Mt. Tabor Park. Partners: Friends of Mt. Tabor, Hands on Greater Portland and Comcast. Sign up through Hands On Portland: http://www.handsonportland.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?startURL=HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page%3FId=a0CA0000008TOzFMAWA@A&id=a0CA0000008TOzFMAW

Saturday, April 30: Comcast Cares volunteer work party: “Planting in the Swamp!” Come plant native rose, spirea, irises and other wildflowers and shrubs along the Springwater Corridor trail, at Alsop-Brownwood wetland (SE 158th & Martins, just north of Foster Rd). 9:00 a.m. – noon. Partners: Hands on Greater Portland and Comcast. Sign up through Hands On Portland: http://www.handsonportland.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?startURL=HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page%3FId=a0CA0000008TP0GMAWA@A&id=a0CA0000008TP0GMAW.