Out with the old; in with the new....

After a nail-biting experience at the Final Battle of the Books between Team Leone and Team Loeung, our class is the proud, joint winner of a tied battle! Check out the action...


Oh please get it right...


Yes!


Savoring the victory. :)


Now Team Loeung is moving on to a different, though equally enthralling, challenge.... the Battle of the Bridges!

Yes, we are embarking on a new unit of scientific discovery revolving around the world of bridges. We are surrounded by the beauty and functionality of bridges all the way through the gorge into downtown Portland. Why not celebrate these scientific feats of innovation by creating our own bridges?! That is exactly the plan over the next month as we study the structural components of bridges such as roadbeds, trusses, and arches. Later, we will construct our own bridges using the knowledge gained from these structural lessons.

Meanwhile, we have shifted our Gorge focus onto the developments of the last 100 years - as is was "then" and as it is "now". Traveling back in time to remember, collect and record the impacts of the Scenic Highway, Vista House, Bonneville Dam and the loss of Celilo Falls into our "Memory Books." Check out the pictures below of us drawing the majestic landscapes visible from the Vista House....

Rube Goldberg Construction begins...

Engineering an incline plane...


Pulleys, wheels, and gears....oh my!


The beginning stages of greatness...


Striving towards that Purdue scholarship...


Working on their incline planes...



Teamwork in action...

Rube Goldberg Websites & Project Deadlines

Rube Goldberg - Your child is in the planning stages of creating his/her group's demonstration for our Rube Goldberg Challenge. Still wondering what a Rube Goldberg demonstration actually is? Check out this great website! It shows video clips of other Rube Goldberg demonstrations created around the world.

http://www.oobject.com/category/best-rube-goldberg-machines-videos/

For more background information about Rube Goldberg and his "inventions," check out this website. Rube Goldberg Construction begins - Monday, 2/9. Enjoy!

http://www.rubegoldberg.com/


Project Deadlines - Past and Present

New Year's Resolutions - due Tuesday, 2/3 (only 6 missing)

Research Note cards - due Monday, 2/9 (15 total)

Literature Circle packets (4th week) - due week of 2/9 at group meeting

January Update

Our classroom is hopping with activity and I want to invite you to join us as we embark on our journey...

Columbia River Gorge - Our continued study of the Gorge is focusing on the Western Exploration of the Northwest. Students will perform skits that re-enact the first encounters between Natives and Non-Natives, experience the benefits of these encounters through a trade simulation and the negative impact of disease through their character journals.

Writing - As a continuation of our Gorge Studies, the students selected an important person who impacted the Gorge/Oregon through history. Their research will take them through the entire writing process. The finished product will showcase the life and accomplishments of their historical figure.

Science - Our up-coming Rube Goldberg Science Challenge is sure to spark creativity in your child! Based on the artwork of Rube Goldberg, Purdue University has asked its students to complicate a simple task by using a variety of steps. We are asking our future Purdue students to do the same! The students will use the knowledge they have gained in our simple machines unit to complicate a simple task by using at least 10 steps and two to three simple machines. Feel free to collect some of the materials listed below that are needed for the challenge. Ideally, please bring in any toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, dixie cups, pipe cleaners, ping-pong balls, rubber bands or 3x5 index cards by THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th.

Thanks so much for your help!

Mrs. Loeung

Online Book Orders

I sent a January book order form with each student this afternoon. If you're interested in ordering books for your child you may submit the order form and a check (made payable to Scholastic Book Clubs) by Thursday, January, 15th or.... you may order online! Here's how:

1. Access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site using the link, class user name and password provided below.
   

2. Browse the titles with your child, and place your order with your credit card.

3. Your order will come to me, and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic's secure server. There's no need to send money to school.

4. After I submit the entire class's order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.
   

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: mrsloeungsclass

Password: bookorders

I hope that this new option is convenient and efficient for you!

~Mrs. Loeung

Winter Break

I hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful winter wonderland! I can only imagine the gloves, jackets, shovels and snow toys have come out in full force. It is amazing to see so much snow in our area for such long period of time. I have so many stories to tell about my winter break and can't wait to hear yours too!

Stay safe,

Mrs. Loeung


My husband, Sam, and I in front of our snow-covered home.



My nephew, Myles, and I 0n the slopes of Mt. Hood.