***Midterms are tomorrow -- please turn in any late/missing work by Tuesday morning.***
Anyone who didn't turn in their River Book or 3D project by Tuesday will be receiving a midterm progress report -- just a heads up.

ALL 3D PROJECTS NEED TO BE TAKEN HOME BY WEDNESDAY OR THEY WILL BE MET WITH AN UNDETERMINED FATE...

Mini classes start Tuesday and will continue on Thursday...hooray!

Wednesday is a late start

HOMEWORK:
Due Wednesday: Lone Fir Cemetery field study assignment
- Reader profile handout
- Field Study permission slips -- for those who received one on Monday.

Don't forget.  We have 2 more days of Secret Snowflake, Wednesday and Friday!

***Please bring in playing cards for a project in art class on Friday!*** 

Due Monday:
All illustrations for River Story
Author's page -- final with a picture of you!
Timeline for your river

***Please bring in playing cards for a project in art class on Friday!***

Tomorrow is off-campus!  Don't forget a little cash and let me know if purchasing lunch will be a hardship for you!  
Due Thursday: Illustrations and borders for Growth of Cities/Industries and Problems/Solutions

Due Friday: Epilogue of your river story typed

Please note date change of reading assignment:

Crooked River  Assignment #7                                    Due: FRIDAY, December 5

Read pages 201-236 (Chapters 36-43)

Choose 2 of the following questions to answer and you must answer the Discussion question; this should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.

·          Please include specific evidence from the book in each response.  For example: ‘Ten Claw’s death is suspicious for a number of reasons.  One is that Pa accused him of shooting himself while he was running, which could be very difficult, and as Indian John says, “Even Ten Claws does not run slow enough to shoot himself with his own gun.”…’

·         You may not begin a sentence with ‘because’. J

Questions:

1. Why do all of the settlers come to watch the execution?  What does this show about this time period and about the justice system?
2. How does Rebecca react when Amik is taken away in Chapter 39?  What drastic thing does she do?  What effect could this have on her family?
3. Who are the ‘Thunder Beings’ and what effect does the storm have on the execution?
4. Explain the meaning of the poem on page 227.  What is Amik describing?
5. Why does the message that Reverand Doan bring about Amik cause Rebecca to feel both sweet and bitter at the same time?

Discussion:  Who do you think was really responsible for saving Amik: Rebecca?  The Thunder Beings?  Or someone else?  Give reasons to support your answer.

Due Tuesday: Animal Research for your river animal
Due Wednesday:  Typed introduction for your river story
due Thursday: Illustrations and borders for Growth of Cities/Industries and Problems/Solutions

Crooked River  Assignment #7                                    Due: Thursday, December 5

Read pages 201-236 (Chapters 36-43)

Choose 2 of the following questions to answer and you must answer the Discussion question; this should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.

·          Please include specific evidence from the book in each response.  For example: ‘Ten Claw’s death is suspicious for a number of reasons.  One is that Pa accused him of shooting himself while he was running, which could be very difficult, and as Indian John says, “Even Ten Claws does not run slow enough to shoot himself with his own gun.”…’

·         You may not begin a sentence with ‘because’. J

Questions:

1. Why do all of the settlers come to watch the execution?  What does this show about this time period and about the justice system?
2. How does Rebecca react when Amik is taken away in Chapter 39?  What drastic thing does she do?  What effect could this have on her family?
3. Who are the ‘Thunder Beings’ and what effect does the storm have on the execution?
4. Explain the meaning of the poem on page 227.  What is Amik describing?
5. Why does the message that Reverand Doan bring about Amik cause Rebecca to feel both sweet and bitter at the same time?

Discussion:  Who do you think was really responsible for saving Amik: Rebecca?  The Thunder Beings?  Or someone else?  Give reasons to support your answer.

Happy Thanksgiving Break!

Please check out the links to see some photos from our field studies beneath the picture of the river.  Thanks Marie for taking all those great photos!

HOMEWORK:
Due Monday Dec. 2:
- Illustrations for 4 four sections of the River Story: Geology, Natural History, Native Americans, Settlers
- Typed drafts of  Growth of Cities/Industry and Problem/Solutions sections of River Story
- 3D Project idea for River Festival (assignment posted below)

River Festival 3-D Project

Help bring our rivers to life at the River Festival with a three-dimensional project.

This project should demonstrate some aspect of life on the river you’ve researched. In addition to the 3-D project, a brief write-up will need to go along with it.

Below are some suggestions:

1. 3-D map
2. Model of a building or a boat as it relates to history of a river
3. Diorama of an event with explanation of the significance
4. Focus on a specific topic regarding your river, such as phosphates, substrate types, etc.
5. Create a board game that is educational for those playing it.
6. Write a song. This may be displayed, performed, or recorded.
7. Create a dance, a play, or infomercial. This would be performed the night of the festival or recorded and played.
8. Create a food dish from the region of your river.
9. Other ideas? Check with Sarah.

DUE DATES:

Detailed plan by Monday, December 2nd.

Project with write-up the morning before the River Festival-- Thursday, Dec. 12^th.

No Field Study tomorrow!

PLEASE BRING IN BOOKS FOR THE BOOK DRIVE BY FRIDAY!!!

Due Friday:
Crooked River Assignment #6 -- posted below

Due Monday Dec. 2:
Illustrations for 4 four sections of the River Story: Geology, Natural History, Native Americans, Settlers

Crooked River  Assignment #6               Due: Friday, November 22

Read pages 161-190 (Chapters 28-33)

Choose 2 of the following questions to answer and you must answer the Discussion question; this should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.

·          Please include specific evidence from the book in each response.  For example: ‘Ten Claw’s death is suspicious for a number of reasons.  One is that Pa accused him of shooting himself while he was running, which could be very difficult, and as Indian John says, “Even Ten Claws does not run slow enough to shoot himself with his own gun.”…’

·         You may not begin a sentence with ‘because’. J

Questions:

1. In Chapter 28, what is Peter Kelley trying to prove about believing physical evidence?
2. According to Amik’s passages, who started the conflict?  What did the trappers do?
3. On page 179, what does Amik mean when he says that watching the jury is like watching a game?
4. How do you feel after reading about the jury’s verdict and sentence in Chapter 32?  Why?
5. What would you have done differently if you were Peter Kelley?
6. Amik says that he understands ‘death’, but he doesn’t understand ‘guilty’.  What do you think he means?

Discussion:  On page 173, Amik says that the river was left to the Indians by their ancestors “many strings of lives ago”.  Who should decide who uses the land and waterways?  Were the trappers right or wrong to trespass?  Were the settlers right or wrong to settle on Indian lands?

Due Tuesday:

-One completed final draft of a section from your river story (either geology, natural history, native american, or settlers).  We will begin the illustrations tomorrow -- so it's a good idea if you bring in some images you might want to base your illustrations off of.

- Jean's Farm field study assignment #2

Crooked River  Assignment #5                                                 Due: Tuesday, November 19

Read pages 136-160 (Chapters 23--27)

Choose 3 of the following questions to answer and this should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.

·         Please include specific evidence from the book in each response.  For example: ‘Ten Claw’s death is suspicious for a number of reasons.  One is that Pa accused him of shooting himself while he was running, which could be very difficult, and as Indian John says, “Even Ten Claws does not run slow enough to shoot himself with his own gun.”…’

·         You may not begin a sentence with ‘because’. J

Questions:

A.      What important evidence is introduced in these chapters?  Why is it important?

B.      Why is the testimony of Nichols important to the trial?  Which side does he seem to be on?

C.      What is Peter Kelley trying to prove about the blacksmith in Chapter 24? In your opinion, does he succeed or not?

D.      On page 146, Amik says that witness Ezra Phelps “speaks from three sides of his mouth at once.” What does this mean?

E.       Why do you think Ezra Phelps is lying to the jury about what he saw?

F.       Why does the snowshoe turn out to be an important piece of evidence?

G.     Should Rebecca have told the crowd what she knew about the trapper?  Why or why not?

Due Monday:

Draft of Settlers portion of River Story

Due Tuesday:

- Jean's Farm field study assignment #2

Crooked River  Assignment #5                                                 Due: Tuesday, November 19

Read pages 136-160 (Chapters 23--27)

Choose 3 of the following questions to answer and this should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.

·         Please include specific evidence from the book in each response.  For example: ‘Ten Claw’s death is suspicious for a number of reasons.  One is that Pa accused him of shooting himself while he was running, which could be very difficult, and as Indian John says, “Even Ten Claws does not run slow enough to shoot himself with his own gun.”…’

·         You may not begin a sentence with ‘because’. J

Questions:

A.      What important evidence is introduced in these chapters?  Why is it important?

B.      Why is the testimony of Nichols important to the trial?  Which side does he seem to be on?

C.      What is Peter Kelley trying to prove about the blacksmith in Chapter 24? In your opinion, does he succeed or not?

D.      On page 146, Amik says that witness Ezra Phelps “speaks from three sides of his mouth at once.” What does this mean?

E.       Why do you think Ezra Phelps is lying to the jury about what he saw?

F.       Why does the snowshoe turn out to be an important piece of evidence?

G.     Should Rebecca have told the crowd what she knew about the trapper?  Why or why not?

Due Friday:
- Constitutional Convention vocabulary words -- write definitions
- Read your 'role' and answer the 'Questions for Thought'

- Research for your river story:

*Growth of Cities and Industries

*Problems and Solutions

 

- Draft of Native American portion of your river story

 

Due Tuesday:

- Jean's Farm field study assignment #2

Due Thursday:

Crooked River  Assignment #4                                                           Due: Thursday, November 14

Read pages 108-135 (Chapters 18-22)

Choose 2 of the following questions to answer and you must do the discussion question.

***This should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.***

Questions:

A.      Why do you think Pa requires that Laura and Rebecca come to the trial?

B.      Why do you think the men painted Amik’s face for the trial?

C.      How is the jury described on page 116 different than a jury of today?  What groups are missing?  Why are they missing?

D.      In your opinion, was Pa a good witness?  Why or why not?

E.       Why is the death of Ten Claws suspicious?  Why doesn’t anyone seem to care?

Discussion Question:   What do you think makes a fair trial?

Due Friday:
- Constitutional Convention vocabulary words -- write definitions
- Read your 'role' and answer the 'Questions for Thought'

- Research for your river story:

*Growth of Cities and Industries

*Problems and Solutions

Due Tuesday 11/12/13
- Typed drafts of Geology and Natural History portions of the River Story
- Crooked River Assignment #3

Read pages 58-97 (Chapters 10-15)

Choose 2 of the following questions to answer and you must do the visual activity.

***This should be done on a separate sheet of paper or in your reading notebook.  Answers turned in on this slip of paper will not be accepted.***

Questions:

A.      What is a Learned Pig Show? (p. 58) In what ways is Indian John being treated more like an animal than a human being by settlers?

B.      After reading Chapter 11 and the poem on pages 66-68, what do you learn about Peter Kelley and Indian John?  How do they know each other?

C.      How does Peter Kelley’s upbringing affect the way he views John Amik?  How is his upbringing different than Rebecca and Laura’s?

D.      On page 77, Rebecca finds an arrowhead in her family’s fields.  How does this discovery change her views of Native Americans?

Visual Activity:   In the Chippewa culture, “moons” are months.  The “moon of the Big Spirit” is January, the “moon of the crust on snow” is March and so on.  Create a visual calendar with your own names for the “twelve moons” based on today’s modern culture.  (ex: September is “the moon of starting school”, etc.)

 


***Late Work...Missing this from many students!***
- Final Draft of Service Reflection -- we did not discuss the parameters/expectations for an accompanying art piece, so that is not required for this first reflection.  However, we will be doing them for future reflections.

- Stream Scene pages 77-83  Finish the section on stream flow make sure you do parts A and B

November 7 -- Last Day of the Quarter!!!

Thursday Oct. 31
- Last day to turn in work for 6th graders, since they will be leaving for Outdoor School






Due Friday
- Final Draft of Service Reflection -- we did not discuss the parameters/expectations for an accompanying art piece, so that is not required for this first reflection.  However, we will be doing them for future reflections.

- Stream Scene pages 77-83  Finish the section on stream flow make sure you do parts A and B

November 7 -- Last Day of the Quarter!!!

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines
Please at least bring in an outline-- we will be doing some peer review and looking at past examples!

- Read Chapters 1-3 in Crooked River, answer questions on the worksheet

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
- Native American novel project-- You have known about this for a long time!!!! I have pasted the requirements for it below
- Reed Field Study
- River research on Native Americans (first inhabitants) and Settlers

Thursday Oct. 31
- Last day to turn in work for 6th graders, since they will be leaving for Outdoor School

November 7 -- Last Day of the Quarter!!!

Due Wednesday:
- Completed River Map with paragraph about the course of the river -- See bright yellow sheet for specifics about what map needs to include

- Use my feedback for your My Life As A River essay to highlight 3 things you want to focus on for your final draft -- final draft due Wednesday!



Due Friday:
- Type River Fact Page (use the notes you took from the back of yellow sheet for River Assignment)

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines

- Read Chapters 1-3, answer questions on the worksheet

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Due Wednesday:
- Completed River Map with paragraph about the course of the river -- See bright yellow sheet for specifics about what map needs to include

- Use my feedback for your My Life As A River essay to highlight 3 things you want to focus on for your final draft -- final draft due Wednesday!

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Due Monday:
Complete the fact page on the back of the bright yellow sheet about the river you chose today.  If you can't find sufficient information about your river, feel free to choose a different one.

Due Wednesday:
- Use my feedback for your My Life As A River essay to highlight 3 things you want to focus on for your final draft -- final draft due Wednesday!

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Due Thursday:
- PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR STREAM SCENE PACKET AT SCHOOL
- Fish Hatcheries field study assignment

Due Friday:
- Service Journal pages 17, 19, 26

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Due Tuesday:
- Eagle Fern reflection
- Write 5 questions you want to ask at the hatcheries...base this off the article we read in class and any lingering questions from our discussion today.  These should be written in your ECore notebook.

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)
See page 7 in your service journal for the reflection guidelines

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Upcoming Service Projects!!!
Saturday, October 19, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Errol Heights Volunteer Event

Saturday, October 19, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join PP&R, the Friends of Errol Heights, and other community members for our regular work party! We will maintain trails, mulch or remove invasive species. Please wear long pants and sturdy walking shoes, and bring warm clothes, a hat, and a water bottle. Tools, gloves, water, and treats provided. Meet at SE 45 & Tenino Dr. TriMet bus #75. For more info or to RSVP, contact Susan at susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5937.

·         November 9, 9:30 AM-noon Adams Community Gardens

Join PP&R’s Community Gardens and City Nature West for a fall cleanup of the garden and natural area including the removal of invasive species and sheet mulching. The community garden is located at 4300 NW Cornell Rd. Wear weather-appropriate, grubby clothing and bring a water bottle. We'll provide gloves and tools. For more info, contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-9423.

·         Saturday, November 16, 9:00AM-Noon Willamette Park

Join Portland Parks & Recreation and the South Portland Riverbank Partners for the morning of planting native plants and removing invasive weeds along the Willamette River!  Tools, gloves, training, and snacks will be provided. Please come dressed for the weather, wear close-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Meet the group at the picnic shelter at the southernmost end of the park.

For more information, please contact Marissa Dorais, Stewardship Coordinator, at (503) 823-7016 or marissa.dorais@portlandoregon.gov.

Due Monday
- 3 Thank You notes for Eagle Fern (started in class)

Due Tuesday:
- Eagle Fern reflection

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)

Due Tuesday Oct. 29:
Native American novel project

Packing List

Packing list:

•  
  o   Clothing for all weather – layers, warm, cold and rainy
  (rain coat,boots or sneakers, change of socks and undergarments, hat for campfire, pajamas, etc)
  o   Sleeping bag and pillow ( (if they are not in stuff sack, please place in garbage bag labeled with student name; sleeping pad if you have it)
  o   Hygiene items (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.)
  o   Water bottle
  o   E-core journal and pencils
  o   Flashlight
  o   Sack lunch for first day
• o   Daypack
  
• o   Optional:  Musical instruments for campfire, sports equipment, deck of cards

DO NOT bring any valuables such as electronics  (there is no cell phone reception at the camp).
DO NOT bring any personal snacks as food is not allowed in cabins (but do bring your own lunch for day #1).

A note about CAMERAS:
No camera phones or ipod cameras allowed.  If you bring a camera, you are bringing it at your own risk.  If any teacher or adult asks you to put it away (because of distraction, etc.) -- you must abide immediately!

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEKEND!
Reed Canyon Day is Saturday, October 5 9am-3pm
Meet at the NW corner of the canyon, below the Grove dorm - and behind the Canyon house
Food is provided!  Bring gloves if you have them

Due Friday 10/4
Jean's Farm field study assignment

Due Thursday 10/10
Stream Scene
- Page 115-117 on Dissolved Oxygen
- Pages 127-129 on pH

Due Thursday 10/10:
- Read the final chunk of your Native American novel.  Complete 2 last culture log entries. 
MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR NOVEL TO TURN IN!

Due Monday Oct. 28:
- Rough Draft of Service Reflection for the 1st Quarter (this can be a community or school-based project)

Due Tuesday October 1:
- Willamette River Walk Field Study -- make sure your worksheet is secured in your ECore notebook and use your itinerary to finish all the steps of the assignment. ON THE ITINERARY IT SAYS TO DO A STORYBOARD---WE WILL DO THIS IN CLASS NEXT WEEK!!!!!
- Make sure you have your pencil for the pencil challenge! Prizes will be awarded to those who kept their original pencil from the beginning of the year.  We'll start another round of the challenge on Tuesday and everyone will get another brand, new, freshly sharpened Dixon Ticonderoga -- the King of pencils!
- Stream Scene Pages 37-40 on watersheds






Due Wednesday:
- Be prepared to work on first draft of My Life as a River vignette -- if you have already begun typing it -- please make sure you can access it electronically on Wednesday morning (through email, googledocs, thumb drive, etc.)  We will be working on typing it up and our conclusions in the computer lab
Due Wednesday:
- Sees Behind Trees Journal Questions #5 (we skipped #3 and 4)  If you were absent, make sure you get a copy of them from Sarah!

Due Friday October 4:
- Read the next 1/4 chunk of your Native American novel.  Complete 2 more culture log entries.

Due Monday September 30:
- Use Graphic Organizer to complete outline for your 3 body paragraphs for the River memoir Vignette Essay.
Due Tuesday October 1:
- Willamette River Walk Field Study -- make sure your worksheet is secured in your ECore notebook and use your itinerary to finish all the steps of the assignment. ON THE ITINERARY IT SAYS TO DO A STORYBOARD---WE WILL DO THIS IN CLASS NEXT WEEK!!!!!
- Make sure you have your pencil for the pencil challenge! Prizes will be awarded to those who kept their original pencil from the beginning of the year.  We'll start another round of the challenge on Tuesday and everyone will get another brand, new, freshly sharpened Dixon Ticonderoga -- the King of pencils!
- Stream Scene Pages 37-40 on watersheds

Due Friday October 4:
- Read the next 1/4 chunk of your Native American novel.  Complete 2 more culture log entries.

Due Friday:
Come to Writer's Workshop with 2 working rough drafts of your life stories related to River Features.  For example: my life was like a waterfall when... and my life was like a riffle when...

Due Friday 9/27:
Native American Novels:  Read the first 1/2 of your book.
-- Choose 2 discussion questions to focus on (assignment should be glued into your Reading journal) -- you do not need to write the answers but you should be ready to discuss them by Friday.
-- Complete 2 entries in the culture awareness log -- use the 'culture iceberg' that is glued into your reading journal.

Due Tuesday October 1:
- Willamette River Walk Field Study -- make sure your worksheet is secured in your ECore notebook and use your itinerary to finish all the steps of the assignment.
- Make sure you have your pencil for the pencil challenge! Prizes will be awarded to those who kept their original pencil from the beginning of the year.  We'll start another round of the challenge on Tuesday and everyone will get another brand, new, freshly sharpened Dixon Ticonderoga -- the King of pencils!

PLEASE HAVE A BOOK TO READ FOR TUESDAY MORNING!
Due Tuesday 9/24:
- Balch Creek field study assignment -- finish up essential questions and complete assignment listed on the itinerary

Due Tuesday 9/24:
- Journal entry #2 for the read aloud Sees Behind Trees -- these questions are glued in your reading journal

Due Tuesday 9/24:
- Share your list of 7 'river moments' from your life with a family member or good friend.  Use their input to choose 3 life moments that you want to spend some more time writing about -- you might choose some things that weren't originally on your list from the worksheet.

Due Wednesday:
- finish Stream Scene pages 19, 20 on the water cycle




Due Friday 9/27:
Native American Novels:  Read the first 1/2 of your book.
-- Choose 2 discussion questions to focus on (assignment should be glued into your Reading journal) -- you do not need to write the answers but you should be ready to discuss them by Friday.
-- Complete 2 entries in the culture awareness log -- use the 'culture iceberg' that is glued into your reading journal.

Homework:
Due Monday 9/23:
****We didn't end up using these today, so I am officially collecting them Monday!
- US History 'square': research your assigned event.  Create a square (handed out in class)for our timeline that includes a 2-3 sentence summary, clearly labeled title and dates, and an image.

Due Tuesday 9/24:
- Balch Creek field study assignment -- finish up essential questions and complete assignment listed on the itinerary

Due Tuesday 9/24:
- Journal entry #2 for the read aloud Sees Behind Trees -- these questions are glued in your reading journal






Due Friday 9/27:
Native American Novels:  Read the first 1/2 of your book.
-- Choose 2 discussion questions to focus on (assignment should be glued into your Reading journal) -- you do not need to write the answers but you should be ready to discuss them by Friday.
-- Complete 2 entries in the culture awareness log -- use the 'culture iceberg' that is glued into your reading journal.

We travel to Balch Creek at Forest Park tomorrow!  Please be at school on time, ready with a lunch, water bottle, and ecore.  It's going to be a great day!

Homework:
Due Friday 9/18:
Native American Novels:  Read the first 1/4 of your book.  (find the total number of pages and divide by 4 -- then stop at the chapter nearest to that number)
Choose 2 discussion questions to focus on (assignment should be glued into your Reading journal) -- you do not need to write the answers but you should be ready to discuss them by Friday.

Due Friday 9/18:
- US History 'square': research your assigned event.  Create a square (handed out in class)for our timeline that includes a 2-3 sentence summary, clearly labeled title and dates, and an image.

Picture day!  Tuesday at 10am

A few students still need to supply a printed version of their vignette or email me a copy:
Adeline, Lilly, Chloe, Damon, Mountain, Andreas, Indy

Due Monday:
- 'What I'm For' symbol.  Choose an issue that you are concerned about.  Use the blank circle handed out in class today and create a symbol that represents what you are FOR as opposed to what you are against.

Due Tuesday:
- Finish Reed Canyon assignment from our field study.


Due Friday 9/18:
Native American Novels:  Read the first 1/4 of your book.  (find the total number of pages and divide by 4 -- then stop at the chapter nearest to that number)
Choose 2 discussion questions to focus on (assignment should be glued into your Reading journal) -- you do not need to write the answers but you should be ready to discuss them by Friday.

Back to School Night tonight!!!! Please meet in the auditorium at 6:30.

We had an awesome first trip to Reed Canyon today.  A HUGE thanks to Marie Petrasy and Meagan Flynn for coming with us today!!!

Due Friday:
- Journal response #1 for Sees Behind Trees.  The questions were glued into our reading journals.
 - Final Draft of you Name Vignette

Due Monday:
- 'What I'm For' symbol.  Choose an issue that you are concerned about.  Use the blank circle handed out in class today and create a symbol that represents what you are FOR as opposed to what you are against.

Due Tuesday:
- Finish Reed Canyon assignment from our field study.

Tomorrow night is Back to School Night!  Please meet in the auditorium at 6:30, we will then move up to the classrooms until 7:30.  Please be aware...the classrooms are going to be hot!

Due Thursday:
- Definition and 2 images of your assigned river word.  This is a short definition -- make sure the definition relates to rivers!  (like we talked about in class:  You could find a definition for 'bank' referring to institution dealing with money...but we want to know what a 'river bank' is!)

Due Friday:
- Journal response #1 for Sees Behind Trees.  The questions were glued into our reading journals.
 - Final Draft of you Name Vignette

Due Monday:
- 'What I'm For' symbol.  Choose an issue that you are concerned about.  Use the blank circle handed out in class today and create a symbol that represents what you are FOR as opposed to what you are against.
  

Great Service Opportunity This Saturday!

Belmont Street Fair this Sat 9/14 - sign up to volunteer
Be a part of your community! Come participate at the Belmont Street Fair on Saturday September 14, 2013. Great music on two stages, kid's area, vendors, trolley rides and a "Central Park."

Time of the fair is noon - 7PM

Volunteerism is the heart of our community and we couldn't make the fair happen without your helping hands. Set up, wrap up, trolley ride conductor (free trolley), fair host...Volunteer with a friend or a neighbor or a parent. Middle schoolers over 14 can volunteer on their own for set up.

Most shifts are 2 hours long --feel free to sign up for more than one shift. Each volunteer will receive a coupon to a local food vendor for the day of the street fair.

Sign up easily on line at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849ADA82CA13-2013

Homework:

Due Wednesday:
- 1st draft of Name Vignette.  This is finishing up what we worked on in class today. 

Due Thursday:
- Definition and 2 images of your assigned river word.  This is a short definition -- make sure the definition relates to rivers!  (like we talked about in class:  You could find a definition for 'bank' referring to institution dealing with money...but we want to know what a 'river bank' is!)

Due Friday:
- Journal response #1 for Sees Behind Trees.  The questions were glued into our reading journals. 

See you Tomorrow!!!

My Name...

It's been really fun sharing the stories associated with our names.  Today we did some fanciful exploration with imagery associated with our name.  And tonight students are doing a bit more reasearch developing factual evidence and some personal stories.  Tomorrow we will begin writing the first draft of the vignettes about our names!

HOMEWORK:
Due Tuesday:  Choose 5 questions to research related to your name.  Choose from the option listed on the back of the worksheet we used in class today.

Day Two...check!

We have begun to build such a beautiful and respectful community in our classroom. This group of students makes teaching so much fun!

Tomorrow we embark on our first field study.  On this field study we are emphasizing bus safety, how we maneuver as a large group out in the world with respect and purpose, and learning the format and procedures of what is expected during field study and after.  Hopefully we'll be returning soaked from fun fountain play and not solely from rain!

HOMEWORK:
Due Friday: The field trip permission slip, medical form, walking field trip permission for the following students:
- Chloe
- Wren
- Mountain
- Maggie
- Cole
- Hunter
- Zora
- Celia
- Ehman

Due Friday: Finish parts 1 and 3 from the 'My Name' assignment.  Basically, find out the story behind your name, the meaning, etc.
Due Friday: Be prepared for field study...
- Lunch
- Water bottle
- Ecore and pencil
- fountain supports (towel, extra shirt, etc.)
- rain layer

Day 1...check!

Hi students! We did it!  We made it through the first day of school and only I ended up bloodied and battered...good start!

Here's a story about the first day of school.  I'll ask you about it tomorrow ;)

Franny the flamingo and Peter the cow were super nervous for their first day of middle school....new teacher, new friends, new schedule, new locker, new room.  How was one supposed to handle so much newness in one day?!  Luckily, their new teacher had a magical teaching staff and the staff whispered into everyone's ears, "Zicomo."  Zi-what?  "Zicomo."  Thank you, welcome, good bye, sorry, I like your shirt...the word had an infinite number of meanings.  Throughout the day whenever Peter just couldn't 'moo' anymore, he uttered, 'Zicomo' and a calmness came over him.  Well, while everyone was having conversations with each other using only one word over and over again, the teacher (who also was super nervous for the first day of school) somehow tripped on a patch of air and went tumbling to the ground!  Franny and Peter looked on with concern as the teacher, seemingly in slow motion, fell onto both knees and threw her hands out to avoid bashing her head into the back of a parked bike.  Concern and worry quickly turned into an effort to control the bursts of laughter trying to bubble from their lips.  The teacher limped off to the nurse (who was there since it was a Wednesday--students learned only to get hurt on Wednesdays)-- and the class valiantly marched to their room with their new Dixon Ticonderogas held high.  It was going to be a good year!

HOMEWORK:
Due Thursday:  'All About Me' worksheet -- Remember: this is on the back of the 'find someone who' activity we did today
Due Thursday:  Check out the BLOG...good job doing your homework, by the way!
Due Friday, at the latest!: The field trip permission slip, medical form, walking field trip permission

Welcome Back to School!

The time has finally come...let school begin!
 I can't wait to meet all the students who will be joining my class this year!

Important note: As you become bombarded with paperwork, please be on the lookout for a field trip permission slip.  We need this signed and returned before we leave for our first field study this Friday.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Sarah

Final Countdown...

Today we were busy admiring the 8th graders amazing portfolios and handing out compliments to everyone in the class. 

8th Graders -- please turn in your portfolios so Sarah and Kim can look at them before graduation on Thursday, when they will be on display for everyone to see. 

Don't forget, the Native Plant Test is tomorrow! 

Homework:

Due 6-11 Study for Native Plant test! 
Due 6-12 Quotation Practice

Iron Chef was AWESOME

Our amazing class came in third at the Iron Chef competition today -- second if you want to be technical since Jan's and Karen's classes tied for first! Our class really came together and created a wonderful pea shoot dish. Thank you to all of the parents who came in to help! We really appreciated it! 

There's only one week left and it's going to be a busy one! Permission slips were sent home for our trip to Salmon Springs next Thursday. Those need to be signed and returned. Money for the Move-A-Thon needs to be in by Monday and Middle School yearbooks are still for sale for $22 and we will be going to the park on Friday to sign them.  And let's not forget 8th grade promotion on Thursday at 6 p.m. and a dance on Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.


Homework:
Due 6-10: 8TH GRADE PORTFOLIOS IN ALL THEIR SPLENDOR AND GLORY!!!
Due 6-10 Class compliments
Due 6-11 Study for Native Plant test!

Iron Chef

Exciting things will be happening at school tomorrow!  We are going to be preparing our submission to the Iron Chef competition. Our featured ingredient is pea shoots.  In addition to a pea shoot salad, we are pushing our culinary skills by baking a crisp flatbread cracker, homemade ricotta cheese, and a pea shooter mocktail.  If you are available Thursday between 10:30-12:30 or Friday from 11:30 on...we would love some more parent help!  Managing all these wonderful chefs is an iron challenge within itself :)

We are also going to be doing an initial locker clean-out tomorrow.  If you student takes the bus/walk/bikes to school -- it would be nice to discuss a time with your student that they might have some support of transporting excess items home.  We should know tomorrow what our loads are going to look like!

Permission slips were sent home for our trip to Salmon Springs next Thursday. Those need to be signed and returned soon. Thanks!

Homework:
Due 6-10: 8TH GRADE PORTFOLIOS IN ALL THEIR SPLENDOR AND GLORY!!!
Due 6-10 Class compliments
Due 6-10 Money collected from Move-A-Thon
Due 6-11 Study for Native Plant test!

It was super fun to share and hear stories of everyone's marine biology trips.  Many adventures were had by all!

Important things to know:
May 29th - Bill Bradbury is coming to speak to the students about climate change at 11:30 (we looked at some of the links between climate change and oceans today) 
May 29th - Middle School panoramic photo at 1:10pm
May 30th - Trip to Reed Canyon -- we need chaperones!!!
May 31st - Move A Thon!!!
June 6th - preparation for Iron Chef 
June 7th - Iron chef and Sunnystock 
June 13th - Final trip to Salmon Springs Fountain


Homework:
Due May 28: Native Plant study guide (we will share on Wednesday the 29th!)
Due May 29: Full Tilt Part II
May 30: 8th grade only: Remember Me poem rough draft
June 4: Final Service Reflection

We Walked A LOT Today!

We headed out on our last field study for the Urban Planning Unit today. We walked down Division, checking out some of the new developments along the way, then stopped at 7 Corners before heading into Ladd's Addition. We walked around the park in the center, down some of the alley ways and to one of the beautiful rose gardens. Then on our way home we did a trash pick up along Hawthorne! Thanks to the parents who accompanied us today!

We also spent some time in class working on the essential questions from our trip as well as our gardening reflection, but for those who didn't finish in class it will be homework. It should be turned in tomorrow before we take a break for the Marine Biology Trips!

Homework
Due May 17: Division/Ladd's Addition Essential Questions (for those not finished in class)
Due May 17: Garden Reflection (for those not finished in class)
Due May 17: Science Fiction book final project
Due May 28: Native Plant study guide 
Due May 29: Full Tilt Part II

Homework
Due May 15: ABC Story and comma practice
Due May 17: Science Fiction book final project
Due May 28: Native Plant study guide (we will also be working on this in class again this week)
Due May 29: Full Tilt Part II

Final Stretch...

We are down to the wire on the Invention Convention and Brownsfield Neighborhood improvements. 

EVERY student should be coming to school on Monday morning with an individual project that improves something in Brownsfield and also utilizes biomimicry. In addition to the actual model, they should also have a gray booklet that explains about their project. Several (21) students have already turned it in and it will be waiting for them in the gym on Monday morning when they deliver their models. If they haven't finished it please make sure they get it completed over the weekend. 

Projects should be dropped off in the gym before morning meeting between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. Students should find the tri-fold board created by their Design Team and leave their project and booklet there. 

Students also have a chance to earn service hours by volunteering during the Invention Convention from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday night.

HOMEWORK
Due 5/8: 800 word story -- An adventure in your Utopian neighborhood with at least 2 characters (I've only received a handful of these so please keep turning them in)

Due 5/13 -- Cover illustration for your Utopian neighborhood story

Due 5/13: Biomimicry MODEL!  This must be brought to school Monday morning...

Due 5/13: Week 5 of the Sci-Fi book project

Due 5/17: Sci-Fi Book Final Project -- Students have a choice of what project to complete 

The rest of the week we will be focusing on our individual projects that will need to be finished for the Invention Convention next Monday, May 13. 


Due 5/8: Full Tilt -- Description and sketches for your 7 rides
Due 5/8: 800 word story -- An adventure in your Utopian neighborhood with at least 2 characters
5/10: Biomimicry booklet is due Friday!  Please include 'acknowledgements' on the blank page on the back...people who helped you, websites you used ect.  You may not be allowed to leave school on Friday if this in not complete!!!! :)
5/13: Biomimicry MODEL!  This must be brought to school Monday morning...If it is compelted before that it can be brought to school early.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WORK ON IT AFTERSCHOOL ON THURSDAY MAY DO SO IN OUR CLASSROOM!Due 5/17: Sci-Fi Book Final Project -- Students have a choice of what project to complete

Urban Planning Finale!

Students are busy working on their final projects for the Urban Planning Unit! Today and Friday we worked in our Design Teams on presentations about how we would improve the Brownsfield Neighborhood. 

The rest of the week we will be focusing on our individual projects that will need to be finished for the Invention Convention next Monday, May 13. 

If you have any materials at home that might help in creating the individual projects, please send it in to school as soon as possible. We have a bunch of cardboard and a few things from SCRAP already. 

Due 5/7 Widlife Tour Reflection -- complete pages 65-68 in your service journal and use questions from pink paper to write your 1-2 page reflection
Due 5/8: Full Tilt -- Description and sketches for your 7 rides
Due 5/8: 800 word story -- An adventure in your Utopian neighborhood with at least 2 characters
Due 5/17: Sci-Fi Book Final Project -- Students have a choice of what project to complete

Due 5/3 Utopian Neighborhood Description
Due 5/7 Widlife Tour Reflection -- complete pages 65-68 in your service journal and use questions from pink paper to write your 1-2 page reflection
Due 5/8: Full Tilt -- Description and sketches for your 7 rides

Please turn in permission slip for our Wildlife Tour field trip on Thursday!

Due 5/1: Utopian Neighborhood Map Drawing -- neat and colorful

Due 5/2: Idea for your individual project piece of Brownfields challenge based on biomimicry.
You need to know:
1. What is the animal/plant you are taking your design inspiration from
2. What adaptation will you be mimicing
3. What problem are you addressing with your design
Due 5/3: Utopian Neighborhood Description-- 300-500 words about your neighborhood


Due 5/8: Full Tilt -- Description and sketches for your 7 rides

8th Grade portfolios: Hopes and Dreams assignment due April 29