We had a wonderful day! We began our trip at Bonneville Dam at the visitor's center on the Washington side. We learned about how the dam had been added onto back in the 80s and we had to figure out the steps it takes to go from water to lighting up a light bulb. We then took a very long stairway down to a catwalk over a hydro-electrical turbine. It was clear on top so that you could see it working...very cool! We then walked over to where the fish ladder was and talked salmon.
We ate lunch at Fort Cascade and then drove to Beacon Rock for our ascent! We had just a little rain on the way up. The kids did a great job being safe and making their way to the top. We then rewarded ourselves with some ice cream at the East Wind Drive-in in Cascade Locks. Enjoy the pictures!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Field Trip
On Wednesday, May 18, we will be loading up a school bus and heading to downtown Portland to see A Wrinkle in Time. Thanks to Ticia Evans, a Corbett parent, we are able to watch this Oregon Children's Theater production with free tickets. Permission slips went home on Thursday and should be returned by Tuesday, 5/10. Students will need to bring a lunch (we will leave school at 10:30 and return about 2:00). We have room for three chaperones. Please let me know if you are able to attend.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Aboriginal Art
This week we took a trip down under to Australia to learn about Aboriginal art. We first found the word "original" in Aboriginal. That was a huge clue that "aboriginal" people were the first people of Australia. Australia Aborigines created stories to teach each other about the Dreamtime, these stories taught about life, including birth, love, food gathering, hunting, warfare, marriage and death. Aboriginal people reminded many of use of the Native Americans that we have learned about in our own exploration of the Gorge.
Here are a few pictures taken while we were painting while listening to Aboriginal music.
Here are a few pictures taken while we were painting while listening to Aboriginal music.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Area of Study - April 7th
Another amazing celebration of learning! I am always so impressed by these researchers and their variety of interests. We had monkeys, polar bears, deer, koala bears, bearded dragons, and giraffes to learn about. There were clarinets, Bermuda Triangles, Vikings, teeth, Origami, renewable energy, and many more subjects. Many books were written, interviews conducted, posters made, pictures painted, and models built. My favorite part is watching the pride and pure joy of children that love to learn about things that are special and interesting to them. Our celebration is a great time to share their new found knowledge with so many people. Thanks for coming!
I am attaching a slide show of the event!
I am attaching a slide show of the event!
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Visit with Craigmore Creations
On Wednesday, January 26th, we had the pleasure of hosting some wonderful people from Craigmore Creations. These folks were responsible for researching, writing, illustrating, and coloring the graphic novel that we just read called: Terra Tempo: Ice Age Cataclysm!. The story begins in Portland, Oregon and then travels back in time to the Missoula Floods.
Christopher Herndon showing us how he illustrates a graphic novel.
Erica Melville explaining how she uses a computer to color the illustrations that Chris draws.
David Shapiro explains how good writers develop a story filled with characters, a great setting, and an interesting plot.
David takes time to sign a few autographs...Faith just happened to a cast that needed signing!
Christopher Herndon showing us how he illustrates a graphic novel.
Erica Melville explaining how she uses a computer to color the illustrations that Chris draws.
David Shapiro explains how good writers develop a story filled with characters, a great setting, and an interesting plot.
David takes time to sign a few autographs...Faith just happened to a cast that needed signing!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg Challenge!
During the past few weeks we have been exploring simple machines. We have learned about levers, incline planes, pulleys, screws, wheels/axles, and a wedge. Each student had to figure out how force multiplied by distance equals work (W = F X D). This required putting our math skills to work!
We are also putting finishing touches on our Rube Goldberg Art Challenge. We had to take a simple task and make it complicated. The completed art will be displayed in the hallways. Each machine to have 10-12 steps that were drawn to show exactly how the machine would work. Each step also had to be written out and labeled.
For the next two weeks we will be working in teams of four to take on the Rube Goldberg Science Challenge. Each team will be given a bag of supplies to build a machine that is capable of moving a ping pong ball through at least ten steps and three simple machines to land into a Dixie cup. Each team will have a limited amount of time to plan and build (two 45 planning sessions and six 45 minute building sessions). The machine will be scored in four areas: Does the ball land in the cup? How long did the ball stay moving? How many simple machines were used? Was it appealing to look at? The winner of our classroom competition will represent our class in the school challenge on Monday, February 14th.
Upcoming Events and Happenings:
Jan. 31st - Feb. 3rd Fourth Grade State Writing Assessment
Jan. 31st - Feb. 9th Planning and building Rube Goldberg Machines
Feb. 9th Field Trip to Tears of Joy Theater (Bridge of the Gods)
Feb. 10th Classroom Rube Goldberg Challenge
Feb. 14th Winner of the Classroom Challenge competes
Feb. 21st Monday - No school President's Day
Feb. 25th Friday - School
We are also putting finishing touches on our Rube Goldberg Art Challenge. We had to take a simple task and make it complicated. The completed art will be displayed in the hallways. Each machine to have 10-12 steps that were drawn to show exactly how the machine would work. Each step also had to be written out and labeled.
For the next two weeks we will be working in teams of four to take on the Rube Goldberg Science Challenge. Each team will be given a bag of supplies to build a machine that is capable of moving a ping pong ball through at least ten steps and three simple machines to land into a Dixie cup. Each team will have a limited amount of time to plan and build (two 45 planning sessions and six 45 minute building sessions). The machine will be scored in four areas: Does the ball land in the cup? How long did the ball stay moving? How many simple machines were used? Was it appealing to look at? The winner of our classroom competition will represent our class in the school challenge on Monday, February 14th.
Upcoming Events and Happenings:
Jan. 31st - Feb. 3rd Fourth Grade State Writing Assessment
Jan. 31st - Feb. 9th Planning and building Rube Goldberg Machines
Feb. 9th Field Trip to Tears of Joy Theater (Bridge of the Gods)
Feb. 10th Classroom Rube Goldberg Challenge
Feb. 14th Winner of the Classroom Challenge competes
Feb. 21st Monday - No school President's Day
Feb. 25th Friday - School
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome Back!
Our first week back was very busy! We have been working on updating our Artist's Profile books, completing our own stories about what we LOVE about winter, and beginning a new science unit on simple machines.
For the next few weeks we be learning about simple machines and a man named Rube Goldberg. We will be exploring the six simple machines and how they will help us with a science challenge - to make a Rube Goldberg device!
Rube Goldberg devices are, in the words of the inventor, “symbol of man’s capacity for exerting maximum effort to achieve minimal results.” Generally, machines are used to exert a minimum effort for maximum results. Goldberg’s inventions became so widely known that Webster Dictionary added the term “Rube Goldberg” to its listings, defining it as “accomplishing by extremely complex, roundabout means what seemingly could be done simply.”
You can check out some examples on the web - http://www.rube-goldberg.com.
To help with the challenge we are asking for donations of the following:
toilet paper rolls
paper towel rolls
wrapping paper rolls
Dixie cups
pipe cleaners
ping-pong balls
rubber bands
3 x 5 index cards
old game pieces that might be helpful
other items - use your imagination!
In addition to all of this - we will be meeting with our buddies from Mrs. Wold's class to learn about the Lunar New Year.
While I enjoyed my time with my own family - I really missed the kids!! It is nice to be back.
For the next few weeks we be learning about simple machines and a man named Rube Goldberg. We will be exploring the six simple machines and how they will help us with a science challenge - to make a Rube Goldberg device!
Rube Goldberg devices are, in the words of the inventor, “symbol of man’s capacity for exerting maximum effort to achieve minimal results.” Generally, machines are used to exert a minimum effort for maximum results. Goldberg’s inventions became so widely known that Webster Dictionary added the term “Rube Goldberg” to its listings, defining it as “accomplishing by extremely complex, roundabout means what seemingly could be done simply.”
You can check out some examples on the web - http://www.rube-goldberg.com.
To help with the challenge we are asking for donations of the following:
toilet paper rolls
paper towel rolls
wrapping paper rolls
Dixie cups
pipe cleaners
ping-pong balls
rubber bands
3 x 5 index cards
old game pieces that might be helpful
other items - use your imagination!
In addition to all of this - we will be meeting with our buddies from Mrs. Wold's class to learn about the Lunar New Year.
While I enjoyed my time with my own family - I really missed the kids!! It is nice to be back.
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