Classroom News December 8th

Dear Families,

Happy Monday!  We have a couple of busy weeks left before winter break. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are going on another field trip! This time we are extending our Social Studies lessons with a trip to the Natural History Museum at the University of Oregon.  Please don't forget to pack a lunch for your child if you did not order one on the yellow field trip notification slip. 

In other news, students have started our second Art Block of the year. 4th and 5th grade students selected from the following classes:

GEOART~ Math and art have been integrated for thousands of years.  For this art block we will explore several basic mathematical concepts and apply them in complex ways.  You would be amazed what can be accomplished with a pencil, paper, and ruler once you can recognize and apply a pattern.  We will be sketching, painting, and using colored pencils to create our masterpieces.

Paint It Big! ~ Have you ever dreamed of painting a really big painting????  In this art block you will learn how to take any normal drawing and enlarge it!  You choose… dragons, nature, animals, space ships, cartoon characters, school mascots, and/or anything else you can dream up! When you have your subject you will explore gridding to create a large painting of your subject!  You can work alone or with friends to create your masterpiece. Let’s paint it BIG!

Creativity Unleashed! ~ It comes from the French verb coller, to glue.  Uses a variety of materials from paper, photographs, fabric, or paint….. to name just a few. Anything goes, you are the only one who will know. What is it you ask? Well, collage of course! Join us and explore like never before. Create and design a number of works, exploring color, patterns, line, composition, and flow and be up to your elbows in a creative mess & watch your imagination grow!

Clay Creations ~ Do you like to get your hands dirty? Are you curious about the world of pottery and ceramics?  This project will give you a chance to explore the world of clay through a variety of different formats.  Make a nameplate, form a pinch pot and design a hanging ornament for your favorite holiday.  This art block will challenge your patience and inspire your creative side.

Draw Squad ~ Do you think 3 dimensional drawing looks difficult, are you one of those kids who says I can’t draw. With a few simple tricks  like foreshortening and shading you can  create the illusion of three-dimensional drawing. If you like to draw, then come and join the Draw Squad.

Please ask your child what class they are in and find out how they are liking their current class selection! :)

HOMEWORK 

MATH ~ This week we will have math homework each night, M, Tu, W, and Th.  

READING ~ We have a reading log passed out on Friday, December 5th due Friday December 12th

WRITING ~ Please see the Autobiography assignment. This week your student must write a story about when they were a baby. They will need your help with this story. Our Autobiography assignment will continue each week well into January.

SPELLING ~ You  child can choose to study any of the 4 list choices. Students can practice online at http://spellingcity.com  The test will be in Friday, December 12th.  

If you have questions, feel free to email me at dubois_d@4j.lane.edu

Thanks,

~Donna

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

 Dear Parents and Students,

We are off an running with another exciting school year!  There are so many exciting things happening this year, I can't wait to experience them with all of you.  4th and 5th grade projects have started. Below is a quick explanation of each. Please talk with your child about the project he/she is in, and if you are a student tell your parents what you are doing at school. :)

Rocket Science w/ Matt in room 7

This is elementary school, it’s not rocket science. Oh wait, it is. 

A space exploration company is asking for a new rocket to explore the cosmos.  It your job to research the history behind rocketry, study basic principles of flight, and design, create, and test a variety of rockets before submitting a rocket design for consideration. 

Green Team Investigators w/ Kristi in room 2

Do you think the choices one person makes can change our world? Well, as Kermit the Frog says, "It's Not Easy Being Green" or is it? So c'mon and  put on your detective hat and join us as we explore this question and what does it mean to be "green."  You will get to gather clues about carbon footprints, do experiments, explore products, lifestyle choices, & the cost of going green. You & your team will see your ideas come to life while you create an interactive journey for others to learn about your great ideas!

Outdoor Survival w/ Ben in room 8

Do you love the outdoors? Would you know what to do if you were lost, injured or stranded?  Oregon has an abundance of wonderful outdoor adventures to keep us busy year around.  In this class we will explore how to be prepared for a variety of outdoor activities and what to do if trouble should occur.  From backpacking in the wilderness to floating down the wild and scenic rivers of Oregon, students will create field guides to prepare themselves and others for the unknown adventures that one may face in the rugged outdoors.

READ ALL ABOUT IT! w/ Mrs. DVD in room 6

Continue the Camas Times Tradition! Three years ago we started a student created school newspaper. If you see yourself as a reporter, comic creator, photographer, editor, or publisher this is the project for you! Students in this project will get to do a number of things including... Use Pages Publishing and Comic Life, meet a real newspaper reporter, conduct interviews , take photographs, write about sporting events, Work with others to team write articles , write your own articles, use your humor to create a comic strip, and conduct surveys. If you enjoy learning about people and events, if you want to be a part of the Camas Times tradition, sign up for ‘Read All About It!” 

Something to Talk About w/ Chris in room 1

This is a student run television program that formerly aired on public access Comcast channel  29. The show has changed to a Youtube format that will be viewable on the Youtube site or QR codes. You will choose a person to interview, then research that person, write a background piece, then create questions. Finally you will interview your subject and film your background piece. Subjects can be athletes, politicians, musicians etc. Interviews cannot be guaranteed but I will make every effort to secure interviews. All interviews and anchors will be filmed outside of class. In class time is for preparing background pieces and editing scripts.  Editing and camera work will all be done outside of class. Parental consent is required. There are no camera only positions this year. You must be willing to be on camera and ready to write.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY! w/ Frank in the Music Room

Become a composer in this project. You will explore and create individual musical compositions using technology such as Garage Band.  You don’t need to be a Garage Band expert because this project will explore the program.  Students in this project might also choose write a skit and create their own short movie.  Come and see how technology and music integrate. 

January 24, 2014

Dear Parents,

We have a lot happening in room 6!  Every Monday we are hosting Jordan from the University of Oregon.  Jordan is leading the students through a series of philosophy discussions over the next 7 weeks. We will be exploring questions such as, “Is it ever okay to lie?” and “What is Art?”  Also, on Thursday mornings Ben is discussing global change with our class. Students are using graphs and charts to explore population trends, specie extinction, etc…  Additionally, Daniel from the University of Oregon is becoming a valuable member of our classroom community.  He is teaching math lessons, and in the weeks to come he will be teaching science lessons as well! 

New projects started this week.  All students are taking science classes.  4^th/5^th  grade science classes include microworlds, land & water, magnets & motors, motion  & design, and volcanoes & earthquakes.  Although topics vary, science inquiry and exploration will be a thread in all classes.

 Finally, I am happy to announce the 4^th and 5^th grade students are going to Outdoor School the end of April.  Today your child is bringing home very important information about this two night camping adventure. Please read the information carefully and return all pink forms on or before February 6^th.

~Ms. DuBois

HOMEWORK DUE DATES & UPCOMING EVENTS

JAN 24 ~ Biography Report Organizer, (Keep an turn in w/ final report)

JAN 29 ~ Planned Parenthood Parent Preview Rm. 6 @ 5:00pm (5^th grade parents only)

JAN 30 ~ Biography Board Game Due

JAN 30 ~ No School, Camas Staff Development

FEB 3 ~   Biography FINAL Book Report Due

FEB 3, 4, & 5   5^th Grade Human Growth and Development Classes

FEB 6 ~   Outdoor School Forms Due

FEB 7 ~ NO SCHOOL, grading day

FEB 14 ~ Valentine’s Celebration

FEB 17 ~ NO SCHOOL, Presidents’ Day

FEB 18 ~ Report Cards Come Home

Biography Book Organizer and Final Report

Biography Book Organizer Due Friday, January 24th
Biography Game Board Due Thursday, January 30th
Biography Book Report Final Draft Due Monday, February 3rd


ORGANIZER ~ Complete this organizer as you read your book

Early Life (4^th and 5^th) 

Describe the early life of the book's subject.

Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Family members:

Education:

 Important events: (Include dates for your timeline)

Public Life  (4^th and 5^th)  

Describe the subject's adult life or public life.

What work did the person do?

How did he or she become well known?

 

What were that person's most important accomplishments? (include dates for your timeline)

 

What obstacles or problems did this person have to overcome?

In my opinion...  (5^th Only) 

Tell what you think about the book's subject.

Do you think this person is important? Why?

 How is the world different because that person lived?

 

How has this person inspired you?

What have you learned from reading about this character?

I thought this book...  (4^th & 5^th)   

Tell whether you liked or didn't like this book.

Give three reasons for your opinion.

 When your report organizer is complete, you are ready to begin your report! Your report can be typed or handwritten. (5^th grade students use cursive)

COVER PAGE (4^th and 5^th)

Include your title & author of your book, the date, your name, and a printed photo or drawing of your historical person.

PAGE 1           EARLY LIFE (4^th & 5^th)

Write about the early life of your historical person. DO NOT WRITE THE QUESTIONS. Use complete paragraphs.

PAGE 2          PUBLIC LIFE (4^th & 5^th)

Write about the early life of your historical person. DO NOT WRITE THE QUESTIONS. Use complete paragrapahs.

PAGE 3          IN MY OPINION (5^th only)

Write your opinion of your historical person.   DO NOT WRITE THE QUESTIONS. Use complete paragrpahs.

PAGE 4          I THOUGHT THIS BOOK (4^th and 5^th)

Write your opinion of your book.   DO NOT WRITE THE QUESTIONS. Use complete sentences.

PAGE 5          TIMELINE

FINAL PAGES ~ Please include your Writing Homework (Due 1/17) and this Organizer

Homework January 13th - 17th

1.  READING LOG ~ Due Friday January 17th
2.  WRITING HOMEWORK: BIOGRAPHY BOOK WRITING ~ Due Friday, January 17th

This month you are reading a biography book.  Please take notes about the person’s life you are reading about.  Make sure to write down any interesting facts you can use when you create your board game.  The more facts you write, the easier it will be to create your game.  Have fun reading!

4^th grade:  Must have at least 5-6 interesting facts.  (I hope you end up with a lot more than that!)

5^th grade: Must have at least four paragraphs with 6-8 interesting facts. (I hope you end up with a lot more than that!)

Note to Parents: This should be the work of your student with minimal help from an adult.

Note to Students: If your parents offer suggestions, please listen to them. Writing coaches are very valuable!

3.  SPELLING ~ Week 8 words Due Friday, January  17th

4.  BIOGRAPHY BOOK SELECTION FORM ~ Parent Signature Form Due ASAP

5.  BIOGRAPHY GAME ~ Creative Game due January 30th

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to our Biography unit!  This week students are picking biography books to read this month.  At the culmination of this unit students will create a board game at home using their biographical character as the theme of their game.  I have sample game boards at school for students to use, OR students can make their own creation! All students MUST have a biography book by MONDAY, January 13^th.  Please sign and return this slip to acknowledge you and your child have agreed on a biography.

Attached is the scoring rubric for the biography game.  As students read the book they are encouraged to use sticky notes to make note of events in the book, which will make interesting game details.  For example, if your child is studying Sacagawea, they might make a board space, which says, “Born in a Shoshone Village. Move forward 2 spaces.”  Have fun with this project.  At school, we will take time to play the games, thus learning a lot about many historical figures!!

Thank you for your support!

~Ms. DuBois

Welcoming a Student Teacher to our Classroom Community

Hello!  My name is Daniel.  I am a student from the University of Oregon studying to become an elementary teacher.  I am thrilled to be working with the students from Room 6 and Ms. D over the next couple months to learn the art of teaching.  I will be teaching math and assisting in the classroom in coming weeks. 

I moved to Eugene two years ago from North Carolina.  I have a special passion for landscaping, mountaineering, and working with kiddos.  I have enjoyed working at a local preschool for the past 16 months as a teaching assistant.  I am thankful for this opportunity to learn from and work with your children.  Thank you!

Where is Ms. DuBois?

Teachers have many responsibilities. This Monday I will be out of the classroom engaging in some very exciting work with OEIB (Oregon Education Investment Board) and ODE (Oregon Department of Education). After my Teacher of the Year Award in 2010, my responsibilities expanded from my own classroom to many statewide expectations. I am excited to announce, through my work with Chalkboard serving on the Distinguished Educators' Council, I have been invited by the Oregon Education Investment Board to serve on an advisory committee which will guide the development of the new Network for Quality Teaching and Learning in Oregon.

This network was established during the 2013 legislative session. HB 3233 created the Network of Quality Teaching & Learning and HB 2506 funded the network at $33 million. An additional one-time investment of $12.8 million brought the total to nearly $46 million. The following Chalkboard priorities are included in the Network:

• School District Collaboration Fund

• Oregon Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentoring Program

• New Models of Teacher Preparation

• Implementation of new performance evaluations systems required by legislation passed in 2011 (SB 290)

• Professional Development Clearinghouse

This means, for example, that instead of advocating every year for a little bit of money to fund mentoring for new teachers and administrators, mentoring will now be funded through the permanent Network. This is a big deal for Oregon and will directly impact educators in every district across the state.

Governor Kitzhaber championed the Network. He stated, “I am proud of the steps taken this session to improve outcomes for Oregon’s students. The creation of the Network of Quality Teaching and Learning demonstrates an important commitment to Oregon’s professional educators. We know that in order to deliver better results for students we have to deliver consistent and meaningful supports for educators. The Network is a significant step in the right direction.”

It is an honor and a privilege to take the Camas Ridge Voice with me as we begin to create a  statewide system that encompasses supports for educators at every stage of their careers. By supporting educators, students are assured a topnotch education in Oregon!

~Ms. DuBois