Monday, December 12, 2011

Homework for Thursday, December 8, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Family Writing: We’re continuing to work on developing character through physical descriptions, dialogue, and actions.

Write a paragraph describing a character in a story that might be fun to write later at school or home. Try using inference, giving clues about what the character is like, without actually saying the characteristic. See if the reader can figure it out!

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Once a Pie Man, Always a Pie Man” (3rd grade reading level) and “What Is an Art Museum” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Second and third graders do the same worksheet, “Understanding Place Value (to hundreds)” and the backside, “Check What You Know”.

Xtra Math Tips

XtraMath takes only a few minutes each day, but it requires your undivided attention during that time. Stay focused on the problems and do your best every time.
Do not feel hurried by the clock. Accuracy is more important than speed, but once you have the answer you should type it in promptly.
Do not worry about the occasional typo or mistake. You will have many more chances to answer that same problem in the future.
Do not guess. Try to remember the answer first, and if you cannot remember it then calculate it.
Whenever "Mr. C" shows you the correct answer take a second to repeat the problem and answer to yourself. This will help you remember it in the future.
Never, ever enter wrong answers on purpose. If you do your score will drop significantly and it will take you several sessions to prove what you already know and get back where you should be.
It can take two months or more of regular practice to master an operation so be patient and be persistent.

Monday, December 05, 2011

Homework for Thursday, December 1, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Family Writing: We’ve been working on fiction stories. We’ve been working on developing character through physical descriptions, dialogue, and actions. Your child should know about setting (time and place) and plot as well. This might be a fun title to work into one. It is ok to choose a different topic for the fiction story, if this one doesn’t encourage the flow of writing! Choose a character that is having the best time of his/her life. What happens to him/her to make it the best? Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “The Pie Man” (3rd grade reading level) and “Afternoon Art” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Doubles and Halves Problems worksheet

Homework for Thursday, November 17, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Please don’t forget to send back your conference confirmation.
Family Writing: Write about one really fun or interesting thing that you did during your vacation. Really work on zeroing in on ONE thing. Paint the picture, so we can visualize the setting, characters, and what happened. You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Peppers” (3rd grade reading level) and “Paul Bunyan: A New Story” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* 2 math worksheets (Strategies for Addition and Money Problems to Do at Home)

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Homework for Thursday, November 10, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Please don’t forget to send back your conference confirmation.
Family Writing: Write something in which you are thankful for about your family or the world around you. You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Dreaming of the Harvest” (3rd grade reading level) and “San Antonio Today” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only a few students have participated in this. It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Math worksheet

Homework for Thursday, November 3, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2011


Family Writing: Tell about a fun event or holiday that you have participated in. What made it fun? Describe one thing about that event or holiday.

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Planting Dreams” (3rd grade reading level) and “The Texas Story” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!

• Continue playing two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions were sent home last week in the homework packet.
• No worksheet for this week. Do XtraMath and play games instead.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Homework for Thursday, October 20, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Family Speech:
Practice the character speech for Monday, October 31. Say it (Don’t read it!) in front of as many people as you. Mirrors also work, and so do dogs, cats, stuffed animals, tape recorders and many other things! Here is a repeat of the directions for the speech and note cards:
Include (one card for each topic): Who My Character Is (include book and author) in a stunning introduction, A Short Retell of the Book (Think of 8 key points—Main characters, setting, problem, event #1, event #2 (next), event #3 (then), event #4 (finally), Ending ), Other Things (I Want to Share About My Character), What I Like Best About My Character (I’ve provided 4 note cards for the task). You may pretend you’re this character during your speech. Be prepared to share your character and listen to others on Monday, October 31. Your note cards are due. I’ll return them to you for you to practice at home. This will count as the first speech for the year.
*Students will be scored on:
1. Having a beginning (Grab our interest!!), middle, and an ending …the more interesting the better!
2. Using correct grammar.
3. Use descriptive language.
4. Giving the audience eye contact and appropriate body gestures.
5. Speaking loud enough for the audience to hear.
6. Use your voice as a tool in storytelling.
5. Keeping the body from fidgeting.

Writing and working on speeches together encourages your child to see you having fun, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with retelling (8 key points as listed above for the speech for better understanding of the book.) and tuning into interesting words that students might want to use in their writing.
Language arts homework, “Thunder and Lightning” (3rd grade reading level) and “Boxes, Books and More” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

• Students should have turned in their completed array cards that were handed out two Fridays ago. They are to be returned to school in a baggie with their names on them. If your child has returned them, they will be checked off in my grade book and sent back home.
• Continue playing two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions were sent home last week in the homework packet.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Homework for Thursday, October 13, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Family Writing and Speech:
Write notes on cards to tell about what book character you are planning on dressing up as on Monday, October 31. Include (one card for each topic): Who My Character Is (include book and author) in a stunning introduction, A Short Retell of the Book (Think of 8 key points—Main characters, setting, problem, event #1, event #2 (next), event #3 (then), event #4 (finally), Ending ), Other Things (I Want to Share About My Character), What I Like Best About My Character (I’ve provided 4 note cards for the task). You may pretend you’re this character during your speech. Be prepared to share your character and listen to others on Monday, October 31. Your note cards are due. I’ll return them to you for you to practice at home. This will count as the first speech for the year.
*Students will be scored on:
1. Having a beginning (Grab our interest!!), middle, and an ending …the more interesting the better!
2. Using correct grammar.
3. Use descriptive language.
4. Giving the audience eye contact and appropriate body gestures.
5. Speaking loud enough for the audience to hear.
6. Use your voice as a tool in storytelling.
5. Keeping the body from fidgeting.

Writing and working on speeches together encourages your child to see you having fun, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with retelling ( 8 key points as listed above for the speech for better understanding of the book.)

Language arts homework, “Night Lights” (3rd grade reading level) and “Moving-In Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

• Students should have turned in their completed array cards that were handed out last Friday. They are to be returned to school in a baggie with their names on them. If your child has returned them, they will be checked off in my grade book and sent back home.
• Play two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions are in the homework packet.

Friday, October 07, 2011

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Homework for October 6

Due Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Be encouraging your child to think about “Character Dress-Up Day” on October 31. Your child needs to choose a favorite book character, and dress up like him/her. Next week’s writing assignment will be about this book character.

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)

Think about an exciting experience or event that you would like to share. Consider creating a mood of suspense, humor, or fantasy. Tell what happened and how you felt.
Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
If your child is writing it on his/her own, look over the story with your child when he/she is finished. See if you and your child can add some details to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve reviewed many strategies. We’ve also been working on recognizing suffixes and retelling stories.)

Language arts homework, “One Tent, What Next?” (3rd grade reading level). and “Moving Out Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Your child should now be reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please sign the card and write in 0 minutes. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

* On Friday I will send “Arrays” packet home. Directions will be with the packet. When they are returned by Wednesday, I will send them back home with games to play with them.
*A math game called “Cover 50” has directions with it. It reinforces multiples. This has been a challenge for many students! Play it a few times each week during the month of October. Keep the game and play once in awhile throughout the year.

In science we are continuing our work sample for our matter unit. Students are testing a substance to see if it is a solid, a liquid, or a gas.

Monday, October 03, 2011

Jog-a-thon Coming Up!!

Don't forget the jog-a-thon is coming up on Friday, October 7. Don't forget to help your child get his/her pledges. Our running time is 10:20. Come support your favorite runner! A good breakfast, a good night sleep and a smile on the face in the morning will really help make a successful day.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Actors' Visit to B1 on Tuesday, September 27

Homework for September 29

Due Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Think of an early memory you have that you could write about. Tell a complete story with beginning, middle and ending—See if some personality can come out in the story!
Show your story to your parent. See if you can add some details with your parent to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with using prior knowledge, visualizing, and retelling for better understanding of the book.)

Language arts homework, “How to Pitch a Tent” (3rd grade reading level) and “Bridges to Remember” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now. Students are creating their own riddles: Example: There are 4 bears. Each bear has 2 eyes. How many eyes in all? Students need to show how they solve the word problem.
* There is a parent sheet and a riddle sheet for students to use to help write 2-5 riddle problems that are due next Wednesday.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are beginning a work sample for our matter unit. Students will be figuring out how to test a substance to see if it is a solid, a liquid, or a gas.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Homework for September 22

Due Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Create a list of story ideas that can be written at school. Fill in ideas on the attached list and return it to school. Choose one of your ideas to write about for 20 minutes. Tell a complete story with beginning, middle and ending—See if some personality can come out in the story!
Show your story to your parent. See if you can add some details with your parent to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Return your list of ideas and your story to school on Wednesday.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with Monitor and Fix Up, Tune into Interesting Words, and Voracious Reading)

Language arts homework, “One Tent, Lots of Stuff” (3rd grade reading level) and “Bridges” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We have begun a new unit, “Things That Come in Groups”. We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, and 5’s right now, but later we’ll be counting by 4’s, and 9’s. Students are creating their own riddles: Example: There are 4 bears. Each bear has 2 eyes. How many eyes in all? Students need to show how they solve the word problem.
Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated. Soon I will be checking to see which facts your child still needs to work on.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are continuing our study of matter. (See last weeks parent note.)
Thank you for your support!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Homework for September 15

Due Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Our goal this year at Forest Ridge is to improve students’ writing. I’d like to encourage you and your child to write together. Write about something you did together. Tell a short story using setting (time and place), characters (example: you and your child—See if some personality can come out in the story!), and plot (simple problem and solution) Next, use details to make the story more clear and vivid. Finally, end with a satisfying conclusion. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. Ask your child about text to text, text to self, slow down for meaning, read the first letter of an unknown word, read the rest of the sentence, and then back up to reread the sentence, back up to reread parts you don’t understand, cross check, and check for understanding.) Students need to be reading books at their INDEPENDENT reading level (only missing 1-3 words/page) while reading on their own. The bookmark has their independent level on it.
Language arts homework, “Two Boys, Big Plans” (3rd grade reading level) and “Dad’s First Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’ve been reviewing place value for 2 and 3 digit numbers, showing the standard form (234) the expanded form (200 + 30 + 4) and the models ( . . . .)
Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. Help with this would be appreciated. Soon I will be checking to see which facts your child still needs to work on.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are studying matter. What is matter? (It is everything around you. It takes up space and has mass.) What are some properties of matter? (size, shape, temperature, how it feels, color, etc.) What are 3 forms of matter? (solid, liquid, gas) How can you tell which form matter is in? solid-has definite (stays the same) shape and volume; liquid-has no definite shape, but has a definite volume; gas-has no definite shape and no definite volume).

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Parents May Check Out Library Books

You are welcome to come into the library on Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00am-12:00, and also Thursday from 3:00pm-3:30pm to check out books for your family, up to 5 books per week. If you have not filled out a Patron Account Information form, you will need to do that before you can check out. These small little forms are at Mrs. Morrow's desk in the library.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Read at Home

Each child has been given a Read at Home (RAH) folder to take home. Inside should be a book that he/she has choosen at his/her level. Please help him/her develop good reading habits by helping him/her find a time to read at home each day for 20-30 minutes. Your child needs to bring his/her RAH folder home each day and back to school the next day. Please take the time to ask your child about the book. I put a white handout inside the folder that you may take out to keep at home. It has suggestions for questions and discussion points. The reading log and the number of minutes your child reads needs to be filled out each day and signed. Thank you for your help.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

A Few Things

School is off to a good start. Thank you for all the tennis balls and reams of paper you've sent! We have plenty now, so if you haven't sent any, yet, please don't :)!
If you wish to make a donation in another way, we could always use broad-tipped BLACK dry erase markers. We do a lot of practice work on dry erase boards, and we go through the markers pretty quickly. THANK YOU!!!

Homework September 8, 2011

Dear Parents,
Regular homework will begin next week Thursday. Please do the following things between now and next Wednesday:

1. For math, please practice addition and subtraction flashcards about 10 minutes each day. If you don’t have flashcards, you can download them from the link on my blog site (http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com) or send me an e-mail (ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us), and I’ll be sure your child receives a set.
2. Explore the different websites for math on our blog site (http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com).
3. Practice counting by 2, 3, 5, 10. Then try counting by 2’s beginning with the number 3 or 9. Then try counting by 3’s beginning with 1, 4, or 7. Try counting by 10’s beginning with 11 or 17, etc.
4. Don’t forget to have your child read 20-30 minutes a day. Your child is to return the clear plastic book folder with the filled out reading log (kept inside the folder) each day.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Field Day 2011

Have a happy summer!

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Summer Activities for Kids

Here's a great site for students to learn during the summer. It has quite a variety of activities. One activity a day, so check it out!

Multiplication-Learning those Facts (A Guide for Parents)

I added a new link (suggested by Alyssa's mom) on how to memorize your multiplication facts. It's a very good resource to help you work with your child on the facts.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Homework for Thursday, June 2, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Dear Parents:
Date to Remember:
Friday, June 10 Willamette Heritage Museum (Jason Lee House, Parsonage, and Boon House tours, one-room school house experience, Kalapuya Indian presentation/activities)—More information is on the Blog site.

Writing:
Write a paragraph/essay explaining to me why I should choose you to take care of our worm bin over the summer. Having a supportive parent, as one of your reasons is a positive! I have directions for the care of the animals. Please have your parent sign your paper if he/she can pick up the worm bin and bring it back in the fall. I will let you know if I choose you!

If you’re not interested in taking care of worms, or can’t, there is an alternative writing assignment. Write a paragraph/paper, convincing me to read one of the books that I read to you this year, to my class next year.
Each paragraph needs a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion or a transition to the next paragraph. Always include an introduction and a conclusion in your papers. If you need an outline form, it’s on our Blog site.

Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Caring for a Pet Hamster”. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even with some of the reading, if necessary.

Reading
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress. Print a copy of your child’s post-assessment quiz for him/her to turn in or write down the score and time your child got, if you don’t have a printer.

Willamette Heritage Center Field Trip

Mrs. Barnwell’s, Mrs. Crystal’s, and Mrs. Ryan’s classrooms will be taking a field trip on Friday, June 10. We will be visiting Willamette Heritage Center in Salem. The bus will leave at 9:15. We plan on returning by 2:00.

This field trip is sponsored by the Forest Ridge Parent Club from the money earned at the jog-a-thon. To help pay for the additional cost of this trip students need to bring $5.00. Students will also need to bring sack lunches or purchase a school sack lunch. Students should dress appropriately for the weather.

We will need a total of 8 (1 for Mrs. Crystal, 4 for Mrs. Barnwell, 3 for Mrs. Ryan) chaperones. Chaperones will sit with their group of children on the bus, and then lead their group once we arrive. School district policy requires all chaperones to have a criminal history background check completed and approved (takes 3-4 weeks) before attending. If you are interested and have completed the form please indicate below. If you have not completed a form and would like to go on a future trip please ask at the office for a form and turn it in soon so you will be able to attend our next trip.

We are looking forward to this exciting adventure!

Ginny Ryan
Miss LaMarche (student teacher)
Heather Barnwell
Diane Chrystal

________________________________________
Cut here. Return bottom part by Wednesday, June 1.

My child_______________________ has permission to attend the field trip to Willamette Heritage Center on Friday, June 10.

I authorize School District 24J and its employees to secure the services of a physician or hospital, and to incur expenses for necessary services in the event of accident or illness, and I will provide payment for these. Every reasonable effort will be made to reach the parent(s) as soon as possible.

Parent’s signature: ______________________________.

I’d like to attend as a chaperone: _________________________________.
Contact Number: ______________________

 I’ve enclosed/attached $5.00.
 My child will bring a sack lunch recyclable/disposable rather than containers
 My child will buy a lunch from the school lunch program (by checking this box a lunch will be ordered and your child’s account will be charged. We are unable to cancel the order less than 5 days before).

Homework for Thursday, May 25, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you have questions or concerns about the Salem History Project, please phone 503-399-5548 to speak with Miss LaMarche. She’s at Forest Ridge all day Mondays and Thursdays, and in the morning on Fridays.

Date to Remember:
Friday, June 10 Willamette Heritage Museum (Jason Lee House, Parsonage, and Boon House tours, one-room school house experience, Kalapuya Indian presentation/activities)
Permission slip is attached.
Assignments—Regular literacy and writing assignments are canceled for this week.
Instead, spend time finishing up the “Salem History Projects”. They are due Wednesday, June 1. Be prepared to share them and talk about your favorite one.
Reading--Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress. Print a copy of your child’s post-assessment quiz for him/her to turn in.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Homework for Thursday, May 19, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you have questions or concerns about the Salem History Project, please phone 503-399-5548 to speak with Miss LaMarche. She’s at Forest Ridge all day Mondays and Thursdays, and in the morning on Fridays.

Dates to Remember:
Friday, May 20 Down by the Riverside
Friday, June 10 Willamette Heritage Museum (Jason Lee House, Parsonage, and Boon House tours, one-room school house experience, Kalapuya Indian presentation/activities)
Assignments—I can’t emphasize enough how important the weekly writing assignment is! Please be sure your child does it!
Child (with parent assistance) Writing: Tell about ONE of the activities you participated in at Down by the Riverside. It could be the morning hog fuel spreading, “Think Like a Botanist”, “Think Like a Zoologist”, “Think Like an Ornithologist”, or “Think Like an Entomologist”.
Write a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion. If you need an outline form, it’s on our Blog site.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “The Hamster from Room 144” is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even with some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress. Print a copy of your child’s preassessment quiz for him/her to turn in.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Poetry Contest Winners! They Are Published Poets!

The Calm River

A calm river with
fish jumping
over your bumps. A calm
river behind the rocks. The beautiful
plants in the water. Floating
down the river. Me in
the warm water. It is very
shiny. I smell the flowers
around you. River do you
ever slow down then go
fast again? Do your chuckles
impress people? I feel beautiful
because your river
shows my reflection in the water.
Why?
Why?
Why?
You are beautiful.
I cry.

By Alyssa Richardson

River River
River
River
Feel my shiver
In your fog
I walk my dog
In the morning
DEW
Splashing
In the
Water
Woo hoo!
Look in the
Water it’s an
Otter
Up in the sky
Hear a hawk
Cry
River
River
Feel my shiver
Walking by the
Willamette
River.
By Aharon Garcia

A River holds…
life…
memories…
peace…

by Michael May

Life
Life
Runs
Down
Me
Like
Your
Water
Hand
To
Hand
We stand
and say
This is
Our
River.

By Hannah Williams

Contract for Salem History Project

SALEM PROJECT LEARNING CONTRACT

I, ___________________________,

plan to do the following Salem Project activities:
Project number PROJECT
DESCRIPTION Points
Possible Actual Points Earned












I am working for a total of at least 120 points. My project will be completed on or before June 1, 2010. I will do a neat, accurate job using my best effort. I will use correct spelling and complete sentences. I will work on my activities a little each week and I will not wait to do them at the last minute.


Student signature: ________________________________________

Witness signature (parent): __________________________________

RETURN THIS SHEET TO SCHOOL BY: Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

Salem Project Choices

SALEM PROJECT CHOICES

1. Pretend you are a trapper in Oregon around 1835. Write a letter to your family in the East. Describe what you see, where you went, and what you do. (30 points)

2. Create a model of early Salem. Build it how you think it may have looked. (50 points)

3. List 5 facts about the Kalapuya Indians. (10 points)

4. Make a Salem timeline that shows some Salem “firsts”. (30 points)

5. Write and illustrate a story that describes what happened to Salem’s capitol buildings. (30 points)

6. Visit Jason Lee Cemetery near “D” and 17th streets. Draw a sketch of the Jason Lee Memorial if it is available. You may wish to include rubbings of the tombstones. (30 points)

7. Write a poem or song about Salem. It must have at least 12 lines (3 verses). (40 points)

8. Create a game about Salem. The game must include places in Salem now and at least 10 questions about Salem. (50 points)

9. Make a crossword puzzle about Salem. (Teacher will provide graph paper.) Your puzzle must have at least 10 words and clues. You must also turn in a copy of the answers. (30 points)

10. Make a word search about Salem. It must have 15 hidden words. (Teacher will provide graph paper.) You must also turn in a copy with the answers. (20 points)

11. Create a travel poster about things to visit in Salem. You must include at least 5 important places to visit. (40 points)

12. Visit Bush House located at 500 Mission St. There is a small admission fee. Write a one-page report about the things that you saw there. (40 points)

13. Visit the Capitol Building. Write a one-page report describing what you did and what you saw there. (40 points)

14. Visit Gilbert House located between Center and Marion Street bridges, access off Front Street. There is an admission fee. Write a one-page report about what you saw and did there. (30 points)

15. Interview a person 70 years old or older. Find out how life was different when they were young. Write a paper comparing life then with life now.
(70 points)

16. Make a collection of newspaper clippings about Salem. Put them on a poster or in a booklet. Write a sentence to tell what each clipping is about. You need to collect at least 8 clippings. (40 points)

17. Collect information about Salem. Make a display. (Check out the Visitor Association at 1313 Mill St. or the Visitor Center at Mission Mill.) (40 points)

18. Take photographs of important places in Salem. Put them into a notebook or photo album. Write sentences telling what each one is and why it is important. You need to include at least 8 different places. (70 points)

19. Create an ABC book about Salem. Each page should have the letter, a sentence about that place, and a drawing or photo. (70 points)

20. Create a comic book about the history of Salem. It needs to have at least ten cells. All ten cells need to have dialogue. (50 points)

21. Suggest a project of your own! (Points to be determined.)

22. Put one of your completed projects (take pictures of it or make a PowerPoint) from above on Voicethread.com . Our username is: ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us . Our password: student. Or create your own voicethread and send me the address. (30 points)

Websites (They are posted under “Links” our Blog):
http://www.salemhistory.net/
http://www.oregonlink.com/about_salem.html
http://www.salempioneercemetery.org/history.php
http://www.el.com/to/salem/
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/home.aspx
http://www.google.com/search?q=salem+oregon+history&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GGLD_en&prmd=b&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=yvfqS8DwJ4LWsgPQoOH1Bw&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CFgQ5wIwCg


** PLEASE REMEMBER **
The actual number of points earned on each activity
is based upon the quality of the work!

Salem Unit Information Sheet

May 5, 2011



Dear Third Grade Parents,

We will begin our Salem-at-Home-Project this week. This project is to be a fun-filled learning activity for both you and your child. We will be learning about our community and the history of the Salem-Keizer area. This part of the project is to be done at home. All projects are to be completed by June 1. All third graders will be going to the Mission Mill Museum for an all-day field trip on June 10. This will give the students a first hand look at the Jason Lee House, the Boone House, the Parsonage and learn about the Kalapuyans and what school was like in the mid 1800’s.

Please help your child select several activities from the attached packet. His/Her goal is to earn a minimum of 120 points in order to receive a “4” grade. Consider turning in completed projects as you go instead of waiting until the June 1 deadline to turn them all in at once. Remember, the actual number of points earned will be based on the quality of the work. Students will be sharing finished projects with their classmates.

If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail me at school.
(503) 399-5548.

Please return the first page of the attached project entitled Salem Project Learning Contract by Wednesday, May 11.


Sincerely,
Kaila LaMarche


Have fun!

Homework for Thursday, May 5, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dear Parents:
Miss LaMarche will be teaching the entire week next week. If you have questions or concerns, please phone 503-399-5548 to speak with her. She has assigned Salem projects for the students. The information sheets are attached.
Assignments—I can’t emphasize enough how important the weekly writing assignment is! Please be sure your child does it!
Child (with parent assistance) Writing: Which of the Salem projects do you plan to do? Why did you choose the ones you did?
Write a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion. If you need an outline form, it’s on our Blog site.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “Snakes: Love Them or Leave Them” is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even with some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress.

If your child hasn’t met the state standard in math (If your child can’t tell you, please give me a call!), please go over the list of vocabulary words (on our classroom Blog.). There are two websites that have most of the word definitions. Click on the link “Math Definitions” and “Math Definitions (Harcourt)” on our classroom blog. Students should look up the words they don’t know. Writing definitions and/or pictures will help them to remember.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Paragraph Outline


Paragraph Outline -

Math Vocabulary


Math Vocabulary List -

Homework for Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I’m sending this home early this week because of “Bring Your Child to Work Day” and no school on Friday.
Due Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Dear Parents:
This week, Miss LaMarche began teaching the Salem history unit. There will be a list of home projects, for students to choose from, that will be coming home next week.
Assignments—I can’t emphasize enough how important the weekly writing assignment is! Please be sure your child does it!
Child (with parent assistance) Writing: If you could change places with another person for a whole day, who would you change places with and why would you choose that person?
Write a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “Forest Mammals” is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: All students will be retaking the math state assessment next week. (It was postponed from this week, due to students participating in “Take Your Child to Work Day” on the day we were scheduled to take it!) Please use the list of vocabulary words, that I sent home last week, that may be on the state assessment (I will put the words on our classroom Blog.). We’ve been reviewing the words at school. Please go over the list with your child. There is a website that has most of the word definitions on it. Click on the link “Math Definitions” and “Math Definitions (Harcourt)” on our classroom blog. Students should look up the words they don’t know. Writing definitions and/or pictures will help them to remember.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Homework for Thursday, April 21, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you haven’t received a flyer about bringing an item for our class basket (sports theme), please ask your child about it. Our classroom contact person is Darcy May at Woodburnbowl@yahoo.com. Thank you to the families who have donated! Donations need to be in by tomorrow, April 22!
Assignments:
Think about your favorite year of school. Explain why it was your favorite year. Write a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “Too Many Ideas” is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: All students will be retaking the math state assessment next week. Attached is a list of vocabulary words that may be on the state assessment. We’ve been reviewing the words at school. Please go over the list with your child. There is a website that has most of the word definitions on it. Click on the link “Math Definitions” on our classroom blog. Students should look up the words they don’t know and look them up. Writing definitions and/or pictures will help them to remember.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Homework for Thursday, April 14, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you haven’t received a flyer about bringing an item for our class basket (sports theme), please ask your child about it. Our classroom contact person is Darcy May at Woodburnbowl@yahoo.com. Thank you to the family who donated a tennis racket! Donations need to be in by April 22!
Assignments:
Your brother or sister (IF you are an only child, you may write it for your mom or dad) is having a birthday. Your grandparents have asked for ideas for a present. Write a letter to your grandparents suggesting a gift your brother or sister might like. Before you start writing, think about what the gift could be. Think about why your younger brother or sister would like the gift. Think about how your grandparents can locate this gift. Now write a letter to your grandparents suggesting a birthday gift for your younger brother or sister.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “So Many Ideas” is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The homework packet has a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Homework for Thursday, April 7, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you haven’t received a flyer about bringing an item for our class basket (sports theme), please ask your child about it. Our classroom contact person is Darcy May at Woodburnbowl@yahoo.com. She’ll let you know what she still needs.
Assignments:
Imagine that time travel to the past was possible. Think of where and when you would like to go for a visit. Write an essay telling where and when you would go in the past and explain why you choose to go there.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “And the Next Unit Is…” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The homework packet has a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Homework for Thursday, March 31, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Dear Parents:
Please make sure your child completes ALL the assignments and returns them by Wednesday, April 6. Thank you!
Assignments:
Write a fiction story. Decide a setting (time, place), 2-3 characters (personalities, and what they want), a plot (problem/solution), and a resolution. Also include the climax of the story (the high point of the story, where the problem is FINALLY solved!) Do not write about cartoon or video characters!
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “Volcanoes” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The homework packet has a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Online Help with Math

One of our parents purchased a membership to and incredible mth website, and I've seen remarkable improvement in their child's math understanding. The site uses Oregon state math standards. The student who is using it, says it's fun, too! I'll add it to our links.
http://www.ixl.com/math/standards/

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Homework for Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dear Parents:
Please make sure your child completes ALL the assignments and returns them by Wednesday, March 30. Thank you!
Assignments:
Family Writing: We all have things we like to do with our friends or family. Think about something you really like to do with your friends or family. Why do you really like to do this thing? Explain what you like to do and why you like to do it.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “The End of a Volcano Tale” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The homework packet has a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Homework for Thursday, March 10, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Dear Parents:
Please make sure your child completes ALL the assignments and returns them by Wednesday, March 16. Thank you!
Assignments:
Family Writing: Read one short story or finish up a chapter book at your reading level. Retell the story to your parent. Fill in the summary sheet that’s attached. Proofread your paper carefully.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “The Great Volcano Debate” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The homework packet has a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Homework for Thursday, March 3, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Dear Parents:
Please make sure your child completes ALL the assignments and returns them by Wednesday, March 9. Thank you!
Assignments:
Family Writing: Everyone has jobs or chores. Tell the importance of one of these jobs or chores. First, brainstorm the importance of one of these chores. Then, go through your list and choose three really strong reasons why this chore is important. Next, think what your topic is, and write a topic sentence. Write a detail sentence about one of your brainstormed reasons. Write another sentence about that same reason, backing up your answer with a specific example. Do the same with the next two reasons. Finally, write a concluding sentence. You should have a total of 8 strong sentences. Proofread your paper carefully.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “A Student’s Journal” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: The packet includes a quilt pattern for multiplication practice and a practice sheet that has similar questions to the math state assessment.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Homework for Thursday, February 24, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Dear Parents:
Please make sure your child completes ALL the assignments and returns them by Wednesday, March 2. Thank you!
Assignments:
Family Writing: Think of the ideal job for you when you grow up. Brainstorm all the reasons you can think of that explains why this is the ideal job for you. Go through your list and choose three really strong reasons. Think what your topic is, and write a topic sentence. Write a detail sentence about one of your brainstormed reasons. Write another sentence about that same reason, backing up your answer with a specific example. Do the same with the next two reasons. Write a concluding sentence. You should have a total of 8 strong sentences. Proofread your paper carefully.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy: Language arts homework, “A Teacher’s Journal” format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math: There is a practice sheet for fractions in the packet.

Homework for Thursday, February 17, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Dear Parents:
Assignments:
Family Writing: Brainstorm all the reasons you can think of that explains why Forest Ridge is the best school to attend. Go through your list and choose three really strong reasons. Think what your topic is, and write a topic sentence. Write a detail sentence about one of your brainstormed reasons. Write another sentence about that same reason, backing up your answer with a specific example. Do the same with the next two reasons. Write a concluding sentence. You should have a total of 8 strong sentences. Proofread your paper carefully.
Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Literacy and Math:
We’re skipping the regular reading and math assignments this week. Instead I would like for you and your child to spend some time going over the math vocabulary on our website (http://forestridge.salkeiz.k12.or.us/). There is a game posted for you to play with your child. Students do not need to know the averages, mean, mode, and median.

Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Homework for Thursday, February 10, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Dear Parents:
Check out our Blog site! There’s a vocabulary entry to help with the math state assessment. At the bottom of our classroom Blog page, you can subscribe to our Blog, so new postings will show up on your Google homepage.
http://forestridge.salkeiz.k12.or.us/

Assignments:
Family Writing: Write a summary (about one notebook page) of a favorite book. Tell about the setting, characters, main events (including the plot--problem and solution), and conclusion. Give a person who is unfamiliar with the book an idea of what it is about. Include a beginning, middle, and ending.

Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Why Soccer”, is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
* Check out the “Math Vocabulary for State Assessment” on our Blog site. Learning these vocabulary words will help your child do better on the state math assessment! Some of the words will be new to your child. Remember they are a list for grades 3-5. Use the vocabulary words in a game. Pause after each question for thinking or discussion time. With the right answer, your child can roll the dice and advance on any game board.
*Multiplication practice sheet is attached.
* Math problems—Calculators may be used for the math problem sheet, especially for # 9 and #10. The sheet is attached.
*Continue playing the games, Capture the Fraction and Fraction Fish. The directions and game cards are attached to the packet.
*Continue playing the game “Fraction Card Game” that I sent home awhile back.
*Continue playing the 2 math games that I sent home earlier this year, “Multiplication Pairs” and “Count and Compare”. Please play these often at home. It will take a lot of practice!
*Continue playing the math game I sent home earlier, “Cover 50”.

Valentines:
*Students are to make a valentines holder out of recycled materials at home. It needs to stay at home until Monday, February 14. Valentines for every child (attached is a student list) may be brought to school on Monday, February 14.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Japanese Guests Visit B1!

Current Moon Phases

I've added a new 'link' to the current moon phase.

Homework for Thursday, February 3, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dear Parents:
The first state reading assessment is next week! At this time, we’re scheduled for Thursday.
Check out our Blog site! There’s a vocabulary entry to help with the math state assessment. At the bottom of our classroom Blog page, you can subscribe to our Blog, so new postings will show up on your Google homepage.
http://forestridge.salkeiz.k12.or.us/

Assignments:
Family Writing: Write about the Heifer Project. Explain the importance of the project and how it will help people. Tell about what you are doing to help support our school effort in helping others in the world. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Websites: http://www.heifer.org/ (Explore this site. The other links I added are from this website.
http://www.youtube.com/HeiferInternational
http://www.heiferinvite.org/heifercards/interactiveposter/index.html

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “History of Soccer”, is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
* Check out the “Math Vocabulary for State Assessment” on our Blog site. Learning these vocabulary words will help your child do better on the state math assessment! Some of the words will be new to your child. Remember they are a list for grades 3-5. Use the vocabulary words in a game. Pause after each question for thinking or discussion time. With the right answer, your child can roll the dice and advance on any game board.
* Math problems—These are mostly area and perimeter questions. Encourage use of a table for #1. It’s OK to use a calculator on #3, if needed. Review: perimeter—distance around a figure
Area- how many square units are inside the shape (the amount of space a figure or shape occupies)
*I’m sending home 2 new games, Capture the Fraction and Fraction Fish. The directions and game cards are attached to the packet.
*Continue playing the game “Fraction Card Game” that I sent home awhile back.
*Continue playing the 2 math games that I sent home earlier this year, “Multiplication Pairs” and “Count and Compare”. Please play these often at home. It will take a lot of practice!
*Continue playing the math game I sent home earlier, “Cover 50”.

Valentines:
*Students are to make a valentines holder out of recycled materials at home. It needs to stay at home until Monday, February 14. Valentines for every child (attached is a student list) may be brought to school on Monday, February 14.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Homework for Thursday, January 20, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Dear Parents:
There’s a new entry just below this one that will help with the math state assessment. At the bottom of our classroom Blog page, you can subscribe to our Blog, so new postings will show up on your Google homepage.

Assignments:
Family Activity and Writing: Write one paragraph about Martin Luther King. Include a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences to support the topic sentence, and a concluding sentence. I’ve been reading a story about Martin Luther King to the class. Last Friday we will saw a movie about him. Here is a link to Discovery (United Streaming) that has several movies about him: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ . Once you are on the site, sign in with your username and password (It's on the paper copy I sent home with students on Thursday, 1/20/11) Under “search”, key in “Martin Luther King”. The internet is another source of information. Students can also learn about him from you. Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Power Snack”, is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
* Check out the “Math Vocabulary for State Assessment” on our Blog site. Learning these vocabulary words will help your child do better on the state math assessment! Some of the words will be new to your child. Remember they are a list for grades 3-5. Use the vocabulary words in a game. Pause after each question for thinking or discussion time. With the right answer, your child can roll the dice and advance on any game board.
* Math problems—These problems are a bit different than the previous ones I’ve sent home. A calculator may be used to solve these problems. They are larger digit problems than what we’ve worked with in the classroom.

*Math quilt for extra practice in multiplication is in the packet this week.

*Continue playing the game “Fraction Card Game” that I sent home last week.

*Continue playing the 2 math games that I’ve sent home, “Multiplication Pairs” and “Count and Compare”. Please play these often at home. It will take a lot of practice!

*Continue playing the math game I sent home earlier, “Cover 50” at least once a week.

Thank you!
Ginny Ryan

Math Vocabulary for State Assessment

Math Vocabulary from Ginny Ryan on Vimeo.


Learning these vocabulary words will help your child do better on the state math assessment! Some of the words will be new to your child. Remember they are a list for grades 3-5. Use the vocabulary words in a game. Pause after each question for thinking or discussion time. With the right answer, your child can roll the dice and advance on any gameboard.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Homework for Thursday, January 13, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Assignments:
Family Activity and Writing: Reuse something that you’d normally put into the trash or recycling bin. Write a paragraph telling what the object is and how you reused it. Be sure the paragraph has a topic sentence, 3-5 supporting detail sentences and a conclusion. Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Mom to the Rescue”, is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
* Math problems, similar to OAKS (state assessment), are in this packet to help students practice for the state math assessment.

*Math quilt for extra practice in multiplication is in the packet this week.

*Before vacation, I sent home instructions for making fraction cards at home. Do the suggested activities at home, “Ideas to Try at Home”.

*On the backside of this letter are directions for a game, using the fraction cards. The direction sheet is called “How to Play the Fraction Card Game.”

*Continue playing the 2 math games that I’ve sent home, “Multiplication Pairs” and “Count and Compare”. Please play these often at home. It will take a lot of practice!

*Continue playing the math game I sent home earlier, “Cover 50” at least once a week.

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Homework for Thursday, January 6, 2010

Due Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2010

Assignments:
Family Writing: Write a letter to someone. It could be a thank you note for a gift, or just a friendly letter. There are 5 parts to a friendly letter (Heading—date, Greeting—Dear ________, Body—what you want to say-indenting paragraphs, Closing—Sincerely, Yours truly, Your friend, Love, and the Signature—your name. Be sure you use “Friendly Letter” format! I will return it with no marks on it, so it can be mailed or given to the person. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Soccer Blues”, is similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
* Math problems, similar to OAKS (state assessment), are in this packet to help students practice for the state math assessment.

*Math quilt for extra practice in multiplication is in the packet this week.

*Before vacation, I sent home instructions for making fraction cards at home. Do the suggested activities at home, “Ideas to Try at Home”. Keep the cards in a safe place at home because later during our fraction unit I will send home some games to play. The games will be sent home after vacation!

*Continue playing the 2 math games that I’ve sent home, “Multiplication Pairs” and “Count and Compare”. Please play these often at home. It will take a lot of practice!

*Continue playing the math game I sent home earlier, “Cover 50” at least once a week.

Monday, January 03, 2011

Free Nature Kids' Class

Second through fifth graders can learn about the industrious little pika that lives high in Oregon’s mountains, and how it is being affected by our changing climate in a FREE after-school class offered by the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center. Children will learn about how pikas survive in their rocky homes during harsh winter conditions, what they eat, and their role in the food chain. The class is taught by Bobbie Snead.

The class for second and third graders is on Thursday, January 13, 2011.
The class for fourth and fifth graders is on Thursday, January 20, 2011.

The classes run from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Straub Environmental Learning Center, 1320 A St. NE, next to Olinger Pool, near North Salem High School.

The class is free but registration is required. To register, call Alexandra at 503-391-4145 or register at alexandra@fselc.org.

The class is part of the Nature Kids series sponsored by the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center.