Eagle Creek Salmon Spawning and Cascade Fish Hatchery

Last Friday we embarked on a day long journey to visit the spawning salmon at Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge and also visited the Cascade Fish Hatchery. We saw salmon in two different habitats, learned lots and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. Thanks to everyone who joined us. It was an amazing day!

After we arrived we met with our groups to read the Yakima tribe's folktale of Old Man Rattlesnake and the Salmon People. 

Then we made our way to the creek to observe the salmon in their natural habitat.

Next, we visited the Cascade Hatchery and got to learn about how they create a healthy living environment for the salmon eggs and fry before letting them go. We even got to feed the fish.

After lunch we took some data collection of the natural habitat before loading the bus to return to SIA in time for the annual Harvest Festival. :) 

Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Seed Math!

On October 19th the 3rd graders were able to experience the Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch and all it has to offer our community. They learned about the different animals in the barn, the crops in the fields, the pleasure of climbing on the haystacks and most of all picking the perfect pumpkin. Once back in the classroom these experiences transitioned into an applied math project.  Students recorded qualitative (using their senses) and quantitative (circumference, weight and number of creases) data about their pumpkins. They later used this information to make predictions about how many seeds would be in the pumpkin.  Once this was done, an amazing parent volunteer helped them open up the pumpkins so they could estimate the number of seeds each contained and then count them. The students practiced grouping which is a building skill for multiplication, while some of the other pumpkin seeds were roasting in the kitchen.
Once roasted, they all took part in tasting roasted pumpkin seeds, fresh from the oven.  The next day, Chef Brodie was able to use the rest of the carved pumpkins by roasting the pumpkin pieces for the school to enjoy on the salad bar. These are all examples of applied learning that occur when bridging classroom and community. Special thanks to Jessica Jacobsen for leading the field trip and activity, Eve Foster for supporting in the classroom, and all the parent helpers who joined us at the Pumpkin Patch. :) 

Cathlapotle Plankhouse Visit

On a Sunny Tuesday in October, third graders loaded the bus and headed to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge in Washington. We had talked extensively about how to prepare for the potential weather we might face, only to end up with the most gorgeous and sunny fall day. We spent the morning with Ranger Josie, learning about the local habitat and going on a tree walk. 

After lunch we were able to spend some time in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a replica of a Chinookan plankhouse like the ones that used to exist in the plankhouse community a few hundred yards away from where we were standing. This was an amazing experience and gave us great ideas on how to make our in class plankhouse replicas historically accurate. It was a educational and amazing day! 

Oak Island Hike

On Thursday, September 29th, third graders and some very helpful adult chaperones embarked on our first out and about of the school year. We loaded the bus and headed to Oak Island to do some important research. Students and adults split up into small groups and partook in a scavenger hunt for different wildlife, signs of wildlife, as well as native plants and trees. Students and adults worked hard to complete this search (while also completing the 2.5 mile loop). Our research helped us build our forest scene which will be the background for our Chinookan village model in our classroom. It was a lot of fun and we are very thankful for the gorgeous weather and for all of the helpful adults who took time out of their busy schedules to join us.

Native American of PNW Unit

 

 At the end of September, third graders received a trunk full of mysterious artifacts and a letter from Virginia Parks, who works for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. She told us that these artifacts were found in this area (near Sauvie Island) and asked us to do some preliminary research to determine who might have used these artifacts.We studied these objects and wrote her back to say we predicted that they were made and used by Native Americans.

A few days later, Ms. Parks wrote back to say that we were indeed artifacts from a Native American tribe, but did we know there are over 500 Native American tribes in the United States? She asked us to do further research to determine which tribe might have used these artifacts since we knew they were found near Sauvie Island. We used our mapping skills to determine that were most likely from the Chinook tribe.

She wrote us back to say yes, indeed we were correct again (!!!), these artifacts are from the Chinook tribe. She asked us if we would be willing to create a Chinook village in our classroom to spread awareness about their tribe and culture to our school community. We researched how the Chinook lived long ago and set out to build the outsides of our Chinookan longhouses, which we will complete next week. What perfect timing since we are headed to see a plankhouse replica at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge next Tuesday! She asked that our representations be culturally respectful and historically accurate so we are going to wait until after our field trip to complete the insides of our models.

People Glyphs

During our first Math class of third grade we made people glyphs. Our glyphs help us show how we prefer to work and learn during Math time using colors, shapes, and symbols. What do you notice about our glyphs? What would yours look like? 

First Day of School 2016

On the first day of school we learned a lot about our new classroom, new teachers, and each other.

This is Ms. Andie, she will be student teaching in 3rd grade part time through December and we are so happy and lucky to have her!

Luckily we still remember our quiet coyote signals! :) 

Fairy Tale sharing with Kindergarten

As part of 3rd grade's read-a-thon on Friday afternoon we invited the kindergarteners into our extra cozy classroom to share the fairy tales and illustrations they recently finished. We also shared some of the stories we have written or been inspired by during our fairy tale unit. We so enjoyed their visit and were inspired by their creations. It was awesome to see our almost 4th graders take on a leadership role. 

Thanks to Ms. Jamie and the kindergarten class for visiting our class and for being such gracious and respectful guests. 

Scappoose Bay Canoe Trip