Ms. Sarah’s Classroom Notes
We are having such a busy week in Room 3! Love and well wishes abound! We have been so lucky to have Violette’s mom, Suzanne come work with us to create some amazing valentine’s with the kids! We also have made our own valentine holders and cards for our buddy class. On Tuesday, we got to welcome Ms. Julia back and she got to work with our class for gardening. Our worktime focus continues this week on the informational text, Seeds. We learned a new math game, Racing Bears. Tomorrow we are headed on our field trip to see Giggle Giggle Quack at Newmark Theatre. We will be eating part of our lunch early and saving the rest until we return. Try to pack a little extra for your child, so they will have enough to eat. Friday brings the celebration of Valentine’s Day for our class. If your child is bringing valentine’s please make sure they are here by Friday, so they can “deliver” them. Also, if you signed-up to bring snack, please bring that Friday morning, as well. I am looking for one, or two parents who could come to school about 1:30 and quickly set up our room for our celebration. If you are interested and available, please let me know right away. Thanks to everyone for their donations. It is sure to be a fun celebration. I also would like to thank Austin’s family for supplying our class with several bottles of hand sanitizer. It was a generous donation and should be enough to last for the remainder of the year. I am constantly reminded of what a wonderfully supportive group of families I work with. I appreciate each and every one of you! If you are able to help in the classroom this month, please sign-up. There are many days available!
Ms. Sarah’s Classroom Notes
We are having such a busy week in Room 3! Love and well wishes abound! We have been so lucky to have Violette’s mom, Suzanne come work with us to create some amazing valentine’s with the kids! We also have made our own valentine holders and cards for our buddy class. On Tuesday, we got to welcome Ms. Julia back and she got to work with our class for gardening. Our worktime focus continues this week on the informational text, Seeds. We learned a new math game, Racing Bears. Tomorrow we are headed on our field trip to see Giggle Giggle Quack at Newmark Theatre. We will be eating part of our lunch early and saving the rest until we return. Try to pack a little extra for your child, so they will have enough to eat. Friday brings the celebration of Valentine’s Day for our class. If your child is bringing valentine’s please make sure they are here by Friday, so they can “deliver” them. Also, if you signed-up to bring snack, please bring that Friday morning, as well. I am looking for one, or two parents who could come to school about 1:30 and quickly set up our room for our celebration. If you are interested and available, please let me know right away. Thanks to everyone for their donations. It is sure to be a fun celebration. I also would like to thank Austin’s family for supplying our class with several bottles of hand sanitizer. It was a generous donation and should be enough to last for the remainder of the year. I am constantly reminded of what a wonderfully supportive group of families I work with. I appreciate each and every one of you! If you are able to help in the classroom this month, please sign-up. There are many days available!
Notes from Mr. Post’s Class
Last week we concluded our unit on the Five Senses with the walking trip to Cooley Gallery, feeling for items in the Box of Mystery, and Mr. Lee’s See It, Feel It, Smell It, Taste It game with a variety pack of breakfast cereals. We also reviewed examples of things we can experience with each sense. We finished our Valentine mosaic project, and they look terrific. Last week we also played two matches of teachers vs. students hockey, which was a good workout for everyone.
This week we will begin a unit on Folk Tales and Fairy Tales, starting with Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We will use these familiar stories to learn the basic elements of stories– the Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? We are continuing working on money skills, this week adding up the totals of mixed groups of coins. We are also working on writing names on Valentine cards to exchange this Friday.
Room 1 News Teacher Dana’s Class
We have been having lots of fun learning about the great artist Georgia O’Keefe. The students have done a beautiful art piece which I am keeping for family art night. I will display them in the room next week if you want to take a peek. We are also going to be doing a photograph collage. I wanted to take a moment to thank my regular parent helpers. It makes worktime go so smoothly. If you are not a regular helper, and would like to do a special something, we often will have parents come as guest readers. All it entails is reading a story to the class. I am flexible about times. If you are interested, just let me know when you are available. We will have a friendship party on Friday with healthy snacks. We will also be doing an art activity with our buddy class that day emphasizing team work and cooperation. Tomorrow is our field trip to the Newmark Theatre to see Giggle, Giggle, Quack. We will have an early lunch and then a snack when we return. We are all very excited about the play.
Mrs. Pechette’s First Grade
While working on our family drawings, we have been using the terms line and shape. We watched the DVD, “Getting To Know Shape and Form in Art”. Lines can be short or long, thick or thin. Can your child name five different kinds of lines? We used them in our drawings. Artists use lines to make shapes. How do you know when a line becomes shape? Shapes we can name are known as geometric shapes. What do we call shapes we cannot name? (ask your child?) The latest story we heard was about a notable African American named Ruby Bridges, the little girl who was brave enough to attend first grade all by herself in 1960. Why did she do this? Many of your children thought they could do what Ruby did, but I wonder…
Room 13 Notes by M.L. Amsbury
Just like the rest of the students in Lewis Elementary, room 5 the students are working on statewide assessments. Our assessment is a version of the same state tests the general ed students take. It is called the scaffolded administration of the Elementary Extended Tests for math, reading, writing and science. This assessment focuses on the academic skills presented in the state benchmark goals. The students in room 5 are given extra support to answer questions. If you have any questions, or would like to see examples of these assessments, feel free to come by the classroom at a pre-arranged time. I would be happy to discuss the state testing with you.
Chess Club: Mr. Manger
The Regional Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, February 13th!
Wish the following players good luck as they represent Lewis Elementary School: Terrell Cunningham, Simon Petersen, Sione Ofa, William Burkhart, Harrison Rower, Ezra Diaz, Will Yeigh, Elias Charles, Clifford Rivers, and Zachary Murphy.
Mrs. Wieand’s Homework
- Reading log
- Math packet
- Pixie Pals
- Word Study
Mrs. Wieand’s Class Notes
We have not had technology so far this week so that the third and fifth grade students can complete the OAKS math test online. Our class will take the OAKS math test the week of February 22nd. Most of our students have completed the writing test. Great job, students! It’s a busy time of testing, but we’re almost finished.
Gardening and REED Outreach have begun again. In REED Outreach the students continue to study genetics and have planted seeds that they will observe as a part of the unit. In reading we have been studying the questions that readers ask and different ways that we can answer our questions. We’ve also been finding questions that lead to good discussions! In math we continue our unit on geometry and measurement. In writing we are beginning an imaginative unit, which the students have been looking forward to! Students will also be finishing their projects on a local Native American tribe and presenting them soon.
On Friday our class is having a marble party with a Valentine’s Day theme. I sent a note with a class list if you would like to send cards for each student. We are also doing Pixie Pals, and your child has a small activity to complete each night. Please help make sure these small gifts are completed so that each student has a nice surprise on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.
Reminder: Camp Bank is open every Wednesday.
Classroom Notes From Mrs. Ross, Third Grade
This week I would like to share four pieces of information:
First, some third graders finished the state math test; other third graders are finishing. We give the students as much time as they need to complete the math test.
Next, on Monday I sent home a class list home to help write Valentines’/friendship cards. (I am sorry that it was overlooked on Friday.) We will exchange store bought or student created cards at 11:00a.m. this Friday.
Thirdly, our students once again have the privilege of having Reed College students back in the classroom, teaching a plant scientific process lesson. This class takes place Thursday morning at 9:00a.m.
Finally, don’t forget that this coming Monday is a federal holiday, celebrating two of the most important United States Presidents- George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Mrs. Logue’s Classroom Notes
It’s been another big learning week so far in Room 6! On Monday we kicked off a mini study of many versions of Jack and the Beanstalk . This is the last of the Fairy Tales we have studied together and sure to be one of the most exciting!
As the culminating story in our Fairy Tale Unit we have so far dissected and planted a variety of beans including Asian Long , Soy and Mung Beans and are working on a Reader’s Theater project too. Our literacy and social studies work is revolving around world wide Asian Lunar New Years celebrations happening this month. In math, estimating, graphing, problem solving and counting and doing algorithms with coins and valentine hearts are focuses. Art projects this week are, bead making, painting pussy willows and a special Valentine’s craft for you . We will have our friendship party at 1:45 on February 12, to read our cards to each other and to make and enjoy our friendship salad together:) Next Monday is President’s day, No school for students and staff. Thanks again for all your support and love and time you give your children!
News From Room 4 Kindergarten-Miss Cindy and Miss Morgan
We have been having a wonderful time making valentines for our 3rd grade buddies, family and friends. Children used their own homemade paper to write a valentine rebus, as well as writing valentine letters. This week, we will be estimating, graphing and counting various valentine items, continue probability activities, and work on individual number facts. Each kindergartner has been playing the math game “Shake Those Beans” to work on their own number; I am sending home beans and number fact sheets so that they can play it at home. Tomorrow we will be going to the play, Giggle, Giggle, Quack. We ill be eating some parts of our lunches at 10:30 and then boarding the school bus at 11:00. When we return to school at 1:30, everyone can finish their lunch; please make sure to pack a big lunch! On Friday morning, we will be starting new work time centers, based on the book, Hide, Clyde. In the afternoon, we will celebrate Valentines Day with our friendship party. At 1:15, children will open their classmates valentines and at 1:45 we will be getting together with our buddies to finish the celebration. Please feel free to come! Next Monday is Presidents’ Day and their is no school.
Mrs. Pechette’s First Grade Homework
Homework for the week of February 2nd-8th
1. February Calendar of Activities
2. Reading Log
3. Literacy: ending es, or, theme of a story
4. Math: addition to 14
Music and Technology Notes from Mr. Jamesbarry
This week the primary classes are woking on movement, both locomotor and non-locomotor. This comes in the form of both creative movement and set pieces, like the traditional circle dance Braydon Races, which the 2nd graders learned. 3rd – 5th grade are all working on instrumental pieces. The 3rd grade piece emphasizes melody creation using the limerick “Words of Advice” and the pentatonic scale. 4th Graders are working on a well loved piece that has them learning to play sixteenth notes. And the 5th graders are playing a modal piece in the dorian, that has a A/B form. Both the 4th & 5th Grade pieces are featured in this weeks play.
As for before and after school groups, 4th grade strings students are learning (and should be practicing at home) a new piece “Lightly Row”. Band students are finishing up page 9 with #27 “Song of the Fjords” and #29 “Go for Excellence”.
I’m still collecting money for String and Band books. Books cost $10.00. You can make checks out to Lewis Elementary.
Mrs. Logue’s Classroom Notes.
There are many special events and wonderful things for our curious First Graders to learn about during the month of February! Asian Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day on the 14th day, It is African American History and National Dental Health Care Month, Ground Hog, Flag and President’s Day. On Tuesday we learned about the Ground Hog, today we enjoyed a play put on by the 4th graders, and tomorrow we will learn about tooth health through a presentation from an amazing Dentist. The children will also make handmade paper with an Environmental Educator. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED, (TOMORROW), Thursday at 12:30 for the paper making project. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to help tomorrow 
abuckley@pps.k12or.us.
We will be having a Friendship Party on February 12th to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th. I will be sending home a list of classmate’s names for your child to put on their cards if you think that is a task they can undertake. Most important is your child signing their names on cards/envelopes and making enough cards for all 25 students. I have a lot of paper etc. if your child needs some materials for making their cards so let me know after school or email me please:) In the class, we will be concocting a “Friendship Salad” out of unsweetened fruit, coconut, yogurt and nut free granola. Let me know if you are able to contribute any ingredients/paper cups, this would be much appreciated!
Our over all theme has been Fairy Tales for the past couple of weeks and how many of these Tales have the same characteristics to their story lines. We have also been reading different versions of the same Tale. Please come by the glass case near the cafeteria to check out the Three Little Pig’s Houses display. Our kids had a blast doing it with you and learned a lot about what makes a “huff and a puff” worthy structure! Thanks to you for the love and support you give your children each day.
Ms. Sarah’s Classroom Notes
Students have just finished up their work with See How We Grow and we’re shifting gears and beginning to focus on all things seeds! We have read the informational text, Seeds and have had a great time learning and sharing what we know about how seeds grow! We will continue to explore this topic in worktime. Yesterday we learned all about Groundhog Day and had fun making our own groundhog. We went outside and played a little “shadow tag” to finish off the day! Today we had the pleasure of watching two different plays performed by our very own Lewis student actors. I have collected almost all the permission slips from all of you. Thank you for responding so quickly. If you haven’t yet turned yours in, please try to get those in by the end of the week. I need both forms, as well as money. As soon as they are all collected, I will let those of you who would like to chaperone know who will be joining us. Unfortunately, with only 3 spaces available, not everyone may be able to go. I want to thank you also, for getting to school on time to pick up your child. I have noticed a difference and I appreciate it! Next week we will be celebrating Valentine’s week. I will be sending a note home at the end of the week with more information about that fun celebration. We could use a few bottles of hand sanitizer, if any of you would like to donate. We use it all the time. Thank you Monica Franke for our last donation, which has kept us going until now.
News From Ms. Vasquez
The children will bring a Scavenger Hunt today! They will be expected to measure 8 items at home using their rulers. The children will record the length and width of the item in inches. Next week, we will move on to centimeters and meters.
This week the children are using colored pencils to create a 5×5 drawing of a sunflower “a la Van Gogh.” Their masterpieces will be displayed at the end of this week.
We will be attending the play The True Story of The Three Little Pigs on March 18th. Permission slips and money need to be turned in by Tuesday, February 9th.
A special “Thank You” to Stacey (Davis’s mom) for coming every Friday and disinfecting our tables. If you would like to help there’s a Sign-Up sheet posted outside our classroom door.
Mrs. Pechette’s First Grade
The painter we heard a story about was Jacob Lawrence, and as we continue story telling, we’ve also heard about Langston Hughes, the poet and writer. His poem The Dream Keeper, went into our I Can Read Notebook. Each Wednesday this notebook comes home for you to read and enjoy together. Ask your child their interpretation of The Dream Keeper. Each of us is working on a drawing of our own family which tells a story about something fun we do together. Emily likes to ride bikes to the park with her dad and sister Michelle. Angela recalls a family vacation to the beach when everyone had fun playing in the ocean. Our drawing will be finished with oil pastels. During the month of February we will take time to reflect on the qualities we admire in each other. Mariah was the first Heart of Friendship made. Look for these along the window wire.
HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK OF 2/1/10, ROOM 17
MONDAY: Spelling- pattern of the “er” sound
TUESDAY- Math review
WEDNESDAY- ABC HOMEWORK- “N’ Focus newspapers.
THURSDAY- Math review
Keefer Homework
HOMEWORK
READING
Read a minimum of 20 minutes and complete your reading log
due daily
Book Review #5 —Due 2/1
Book Review #6—Due 3/1
MATH
Math Packet—Due 2/5
IMPORTANT PAPERS
DonorsChoose.org permission slip
Keefer Notes
Our class is performing this week! There are two performances. The evening performance is on Tuesday night at 6:30 pm. Students need to be there at 6 pm. Then the students will perform for Lewis school on Wednesday. After our performances are over, we will start our state writing test on Thursday. In preparation, please make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and is on time to school. Thank you for your support!
The students are working on their tribe posters this week. In math, we are working on perimeter and the “art” of measurement. Keep working on www.raz-kids.com
Top 3 RAZ-KIDS Kids= Darby- 6,440 stars, Hayden- 5,030 stars, Martha- 3,530 stars
Notes from Mr. Post’s Class
Last week for our Five Senses unit, we focussed on sight and our eyes. We read books about the eyes, and looked through I Spy and optical illusion books. On Monday we went to the Cooley Gallery to see the Terry Winters exhibit. After looking at his prints and discussing them, Gregory led us in a printmaking activity of our own.
This week we will do some activities based on the sense of touch, including Brain Operation, the Mystery Box, and the sensory tub. Mr. Lee led an activity called See It, Feel It, Touch It, Taste It, sampling and guessing the names of ten kinds of breakfast cereal. The letter of the week is S, and words include see, saw, sat, soon, and sound. We are also continuing working with coin names and values.
