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