Class Project - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Stream Model

As part of our Columbia River Gorge studies, students have been working on visual models of healthy and unhealthy streams.  We have been discussing categories of streams that involve levels of toxic chemicals, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria.  In the photos below, students are creating elements of healthy and unhealthy streams such as the Riparian Corridor, riffles, dissolved oxygen, pipes, dams, factories, and roads.  Ask your child for more details on how these elements affect the stream!

Classroom Events

October 19 - Our salmon eggs arrived from the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife!  This is an exciting chance to experience the salmon life cycle in our own classroom and our entire class is enthralled with the project.  More updates will follow.

October 21 - Five volunteer students from our classroom presented their Salmon Life Cycle Banners and Salmon Song to the Board of Directors.  It took an amazing amount of courage to speak in front of approximately 30 people.  They did an amazing job!  

October 27 and 28  - Conferences are an opportunity for your child to share what they have accomplished so far and their goals for the school year.  Please contact me if you need to schedule/re-schedule a conference time.  Otherwise, I'll see you in a few days!

October 28 - An expert from the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership will be visiting our classroom.  The purpose of the visit is to further delve into issues relating to healthy streams and stream tables.  Check out www.lcrep.org for more info on LCREP's mission statement and philosophies.

November 2 - Picture Re-take Day for Charter Classrooms

November 3 - Wild Salmon vs. Hatchery Salmon Field Study.  Our class will join our buddies  (Mrs. Dunton's class) on a study of the differences and similarities between native, wild salmon and salmon raised in a fish hatchery.  This will be a 1/2 day trip (8 am - 12:30 pm) as we visit Bonneville Hatchery and a nearby stream.  Permission Slip forms will be coming home soon.  Let me know if you are interested in being a chaperone.  However, only four (4) adults will be selected, so please do not make permanent plans until you hear from me.  Thanks!

Salmon Watch Field Study - 10/20

Our field study today was a tremendous opportunity to extend our classroom into our own backyard --- Eagle Creek. The Freshwater Trust provided all the equipment and four expert scientists to help us  investigate whether Eagle Creek is a healthy or unhealthy stream. We tested the water quality, identified macroinvertebrates, viewed spawning salmon and explored the Riparian Corridor of the stream. Our investigations showed that Eagle Creek is indeed healthy...and we had a tremendous amount of fun proving it!

Searching for macroinvertebrates in the stream.

Angelo and Brandon testing the amount of dissolved oxygen.

 

Alexia found an encased caddis!

Salmon eggs we discovered along the Riparian Corridor.

 

Passing time as we waited for the last group to join us.

"Really? I have to take my boots off and go home already?!"

Field Trip - 10/8

We will visit Wahkeena Creek on Thursday, October 8th. We leave the school at 10:00 am and return for lunch at 12:30. The purpose of this field trip is to observe the characteristics of a local stream and identify native plants. Your child should wear clothing that is suitable for inclement weather. If possible, please send waterproof boots/shoes.

Three chaperones will be needed for this trip. Adults who are knowledgeable about plant identification and the attributes of a healthy stream would be especially appreciated! Just fill out the field trip permission slip form and return it with your child.

Thanks!

Scholastic Book Orders

A Scholastic Book Order went home with your child this afternoon. If you would like to order any books through Scholastic, please order by Thursday, October 1. You can place your orders on-line or by using the paper order form and paying with a check made payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. Since our classroom will receive a free book for every on-line order placed, that is my preferred order method. :) However, feel free to utilize the best option for your family. Here's how the on-line ordering process works:

1.Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs to access the Scholastic On-line Ordering site. Click on "Parent" and "Continue," then enter the below user name and password. Then you may select books from the "Arrow" or "Tab" catalogs.


User Name: mrsloeungsclass
Password: bookorders

2.Browse the titles with your child, and place your order with your credit card. Placing your on-line credit card order is completely safe and secure.

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 order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.


If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 503-695-3636 x275 or dloeung@corbettcharter.k12.or.us.

Happy Book Browsing!!!

Up-Coming Events

Open House - Monday, 9/21 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Salmon Life Cycle Project - We still need more wax paper, spray starch, 6 dowels (1/8" x 14") and yarn (20") for our project next week. If you would like to contribute, please send the items to school with your child next week.

Permission Slips - Fluoride slips and Health Data forms should be returned as soon as possible. Once I have permission slips from all students, we will be able to start the fluoride program. Thanks!

Picture Day - The Charter School's picture day will be on Wednesday, September 30th. Lifetouch packets will be coming home in your child's backpack sometime next week.

Open House - Monday, 9/21

This is just a reminder that the Charter Open House is next Monday, 9/21 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. This will be an opportunity for you to visit our classroom, sign up for October Conferences, and meet me, among other things. If you would like to discuss any issues surrounding your specific child, I welcome you to contact me via e-mail or telephone. I look forward to seeing you next Monday!

~Mrs. Loeung