FIELD TRIP TOMORROW

As you are aware, we will be attending the Seattle Children's Theater's production of Hamlet tomorrow. ALL students are to arrive ON TIME at 8:10. After attendance is taken, we will board the bus. We will be LEAVING school at 8:30. We will NOT be able to wait for you if you are late to school. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog entry, the performance starts precisely on time and they will not let us in unless we arrive on time. It's as simple as that. If you do happen to arrive after 8:30, then you will have to make other arrangements for your child for the day. This is a Navigator and Explorer field trip. Mr. G. and I will not be at school. Therefore, your child will not be able to stay at school tomorrow if you are late.

REMEMBER: ONLY a sack lunch and a disposable drink (NOT a soft drink) are required. Please make sure you pack a snack. We will NOT be purchasing food at the Food Court so your child MUST bring a sack lunch. We hope to arrive back at school prior to 3:00.

Please have your child dress appropriately for the weather. A warm layered jacket or a raincoat simply must be worn. We will be walking a short distance to the Seattle Children's Theater and I want to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. That should do it.

I look forward to seeing your child at school tomorrow at 8:10.

I've just finished a faculty meeting at 5:10 and then a parent meeting after that. So for tonight, there will be just a quick entry regarding tonight's homework.

Mrs. Gellert's Math class: Students are to read their Math magazine and to do only the back page with the "Hero fractions". Today I introduced dividing fractions. I taught them some of the magic of math. They loved it! We did half of the page of homework in class and the rest is for tonight. Feel free to check over it with your child.

Navigators: Just 20 minutes on the Social Studies. I realize that tonight is not a "Social Studies" homework night; but with the snow day last Monday, I need to have us stay on track. It is a fun homework project of creating a shield for a guild that the student would need in the Middle Ages. The study sheet has all the information.

EXPLORERS: All Explorers are to work on tonight is their essay for the auction which Mrs. Wollum and Miss Rebecca intorducted today. Their rough draft is due tomorrow. Just 20 minutes tonight is fine. We spent time on it in class today and we will complete it in class tomorrow.

REMEMBER this Friday is a field trip to Hamlet at the Seattle Children's Theater. We have been studying Hamlet in class and I know this presentation will be very meaningful.

ONLY a SACK lunch and a DISPOSABLE drink are to be sent to school with the Explorer on Friday. We will be traveling by bus and it will leave promptly at 8:30. I will have to leave without your child if your child is late. The performance starts promptly on time and we will not be allowed in if we are late. I know you understand.

Speaking of tardiness. I want to say THANK YOU to all the parents who get their child to school ON TIME. As you know I start promptly at 8:15 with the pledge and then the morning work. If your child is late, and there are a chronic few who are, your child misses out on the work's directions and explaination. For those of you who are late, please have your child lay out his clothes the night before, have his lunch ready to go and his coat by the door. This is a life skill to get to school on time. YOU wouldn't want to be chronically late for work now would you? Thank you again to all the parents who get their child to school at 8:10. I GREATLY appreciate it, and I know your child does too.

The Crusades

The Crusades: What an incredible time in the history of the world. Students in both the Navigator and Explorer classrooms learned a great deal about the Crusades today. There was not only a power point presentation but also a UTube excerpt on the Crusades. Please ask your child about today's lesson. I know they will have much to share with you.

Also today, in preparation for Friday's field trip to the Seattle Children's Theater, Explorers learned about William Shakespeare and his timeless play, Hamlet. It was quite thrilling and I know your child will want to tell you all about the plot...especially how many people died !

Due to yesterday's snow day, there will not be a Wordly Wise packet for this week.

Spelling test words were handed out today and, as always, the spelling test will be next Tuesday. Students are to study their words each evening.

Spelling word definitions: Students are to put the part of speech, the first definition and this week, students are to write a sentence for each spelling word. This is due on Monday.

Navigators: Just the Navigators are to write a one or two sentence answer as to why they think the Crusades are called the Crusades. Students may use the computer or books to find the answer.

Ceder and Salmon-Museum Boxes and Thunderbirds

OF CEDAR AND SALMON

Today we were so incredibly fortunate to have the first of a two day Artist in Residence workshop with the acclaimed Longclaw, or as he is known by his English name, Ronn Wilson.

Throughout the entire day today, Longclaw gave an inspiring educational workshop to the students that encompassed learning about his facinating culture, nature, dances and listening. Ask your child about the awesome "Deer's Ears" and wolves activity. The amount of information Longclaw had on display was extremely impressive. His pelt collection was museum quality and absolutely fascinated the classes.

Below are some of the photos that our Explorer photographer took. The first is of our AWESOME volunteers!!! We could not have done it without you today!! Look at ALL those silk screened t-shirts, posters and pillowcases!

PORCUPINE QUILLS !

"SAY CHEESE", I mean, "SAY CEDAR and SALMON"!

The Explorers are looking forward to TOMORROW'S performance at 7:00 at Lakota Junior High with Longclaw. It will be absolutely stunning and an incredible memory for not only your child, but the entire family as well.

Tonight's HOMEWORK:

Only the Explorers have Social Studies Homework tonight. They are to use the Internet and look up the websites I gave them in class today. These websites have information on espionage during the American Revolution. The title is: I Spy Espionage During the American Revolution. Students do not need to write an entire paper tonight. They are, however, to write down some of the following so that they can continue to work on it in class tomorrow. They are to decide if they are a spy full of loyalty to King George III of England, or if they are a spy for the patriots devoted to freedom from taxation without representation and tyranny. They are to write about their life as a spy. They need to include why they decided to become a spy, some of their experiences as a spy, and consequences of their spying both personally and in general to the outcome of the war. I know they will have fun with this. They certainly enjoyed learning in class today the information I gave them on the role of female spies during the American Revolution. I also read them some primary source letters. It all is a fascinating period in American history. The reason I am assigning this tonight is because I will be entering my class in a national contest and I feel that they will do quite well. Last year the title was "Remembering Jamestown" and I had two students who won the local and regional contest by coming in first. Very impressive. I know my class will enjoy writing the essays this year for this contest.

The Black Plague- Memento Mori

It was an exciting day for both the Navigators and the Explorers in Social Studies. Today we learned about the Black Plague. Students were shown the Brainpop video http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/blackdeath/ on the

"Black Death".

Tonight's homework for both the Navigators and Explorers: Students are to write a letter to a Middle Ages friend regarding the Black Plague. Students may create new names for themselves and for the person to whom they are writing. They can be a lord, lady, peasant etc. They must include information regarding the Black Plague and make it relevant to the period, circa 1347. Students need to include if they stayed in the town or if they fled and why. This is due tomorrow.

In addition, Explorers are to bring in their Wordly Wise #14 packet to work on in class tomorrow. This packet is due on Friday.

Great Spelling tests for many of the students today! I baked brownies and all those who made 100 % received a large delicious brownie and those who made 90% to 99% received a smaller brownie, but a brownie none the less! Great going for all who studied hard and reaped the delicious reward!!