It’s Gonna Be May!

Dear Families,

With a mere three weeks of school left, we’re jamming in some fun trips while wrapping us some units and preparing for Portfolio Night.

Writing and reading have blended together as of late. We’re improving our ability to write about what we’re reading. Writing about what we read is important, and we’re using a variety of examples in the classroom to strengthen or written language skills. We watched a five-minute video about a soccer club in Southern Thailand and read a short story titled “Shells” by Cynthia Rylant as foundations. For each, students practiced writing their thoughts and ideas in a cohesive and organized manner using evidence and personal opinions for support.

I know I’ve used the word engrossed before, but it’s perfect to describe our infatuation with the book The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. It’s a beautiful book that has us fully engaged, and constantly pleading to read more. These types of books are my favorite.

We’ll be hosting our Portfolio Night on Wednesday 5/30 after school from 4pm to 7pm in our classroom. This will be a wonderful opportunity for your child to share with you not only the work they’ve produced this year, but highlight their growth this school year, especially in writing. You are more than welcome to come anytime between 4pm and 7pm.

Our overnight field trip to the greater Astoria area was a lot of fun! We participated in a program at Ft. Clatsop where students learned about life at fort for members of the Corps of Discovery during the winter of 1805, visited Indian Beach at Ecola State Park where the Corps sought out food and oil from a beached whale, learned about the history how people have lived on and relied on the Columbia River at the Columbia River Maritime Museum (AMAZING MUSEUM!), climbed the Astoria Column, and watched the sunset over the wreck of the Peter Iredale. A big thanks goes out to the following rock stars for chaperoning our trip: Stephanie Cress, Aman Davidovici, Katey and Craig Kinnear, Aleksandra Anishchenko, Shirley Baxter, Gabriel Abac, Flip Anderson, Ashley Brooks, Toni Robinson, and Liz Gomez.

There are two exciting events happening next week that you and your families are invited to attend. On Tuesday May 15th, we’re teaming up with E.C.O. to perform some yard work on the outdoor classroom. Food will be provided! If you’re interested in attending, shoot Mrs. Hanes an email and let her know. On Wednesday night May 16th, Ms. Collins has organized an amazing geography night from 5pm to 6:30pm. There will be games, prizes, and food. She’s also looking for volunteers if you’re able to help out.

As we approach the end of the year, I have to start begging and pleading for students, with the help from their families, to return books that belong in my classroom library. These books can be identified by a letter B with a circle around it, written on the cover in black permanent marker. Over my 12 years of teaching, I’ve invested a boatload of money into my classroom library to make sure it consists of a varied mix of meaningful, engaging, and authentic books. However, this year, much more than previous school years, has left my bookshelves decimated. Simply put, many books have not been returned, series are incompletes, and future students cannot enjoy our favorites. Please encourage your child to bring back any and all books they have that belong in my classroom library. You can help by keeping your eyes peeled around the house. Who knows, maybe you’ll find that missing sock as well.

Important Upcoming Dates and Reminders:

  • E.C.O. will be coming on Monday and Tuesday of next week. We’ll be heading outside so please make sure your child is dressed accordingly.
  • We’re headed to the World Forestry Center on Monday afternoon. We are requesting a financial contribution of $5 per child for this trip. Please send in your contribution next week. All students will be able to go regardless of a family’s ability to contribute.
  • Thanks to those of you that have filled out the survey regarding the Multnomah County Library and summer reading. For those of you that haven’t completed the survey yet, please do so here.
  • Come one, come all to our portfolio night on Wednesday, May 30th between 4pm and 7pm.
  • There is no school Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.
  • The last day of school will be Friday, June 1st. The school day will end at 12:30pm.

Enjoy the beautiful Mother’s Day Weekend,

Mr. B

Idiom of the Week: Lock Horns