The buzz this week is about Jackson Bottom Wetlands and our first survey this year! This Thursday, October 21, we will board the bus by 9:10. We arrive at JB by 9:30 where we will meet up with our Bulldog buddies and begin our fall restoration monitoring. The plan is to be at Jackson Bottom from 9:30 until 1:45. We will have our first data monitoring in small groups at 10:00. We will have a break for lunch at 11:00-11:30 and then complete our data survey rotations from 11:30-1:30 (1 hour each). The Tree Swallows will board the bus at 1:45 and return to school by 2:15.
Swallows will spend most of the day at Jackson Bottom. Please send a water bottle, healthy snack, cold packed lunch and layered clothes.
What's the Story?
The past week held much excitement for our river campers. We found our put in spot, high near the mouth of the Tualitan River and set up camp. Our first morning at camp was really damp, but it had not rained a drop (ask your water explorer why it was wet then). We made the best of it and made the best pancakes! Aside from the syrup on the carpet it was a high-point for all of us.
This week, we began our journey on the river. We discussed what a typically day on the river might look like--what we might do and see -- and then began writing imaginative stories about our adventures.
Last week, we explored the water cycle in an active and more personal way-- each Swallow assumed the role of a water molecule and, with the help of a rolled dice, went on an incredible journey through various stages of the water cycle. A colorful beaded bracelet recorded the water droplet's journey. The Swallows have been writing about their journey during writing time.
In Readers' Workshop we are talking about strategies "good readers" use and then practicing them in our "just right books." Today, we talked about how readers use the punctuation to help in understanding the author's message. This was a good discussion for the Swallow writers too.
We have been sharing our thinking about the books that we are reading -- content and author's craft, with each other through weekly letters.
Our collaboration with Teresa in Art: Over the past several weeks, the Tree Swallows have been learning about and practicing still film shot composition to tell a story. In small groups, they took photographs around FGCS campus. This week, the groups will select shots that tell a story about this school and their interaction with it. Students will create storyboard layouts, add necessary transitions, perhaps music and begin drafting the narration to go with it.
Next week are Goal Setting Conferences. This an opportunity for Swallow, Family and teacher to sit down together as partners and talk about strengths and goals for your Swallow. Sign-up for a time in the office (or call at 503-359-4600).
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