Science Project Links

Here is a reminder of what is included in the science research paper and how the engineering project differs from the research project:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/18L0vpRw6BLLKvK-PXHqyWcSeS0AdCgiB3Gwijf3OIdE/edit

Go here for a sample science research paper:  http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_sample_final_report.pdf

Calling all Drivers!

Good Afternoon, all you wonderful chaperones!

As you know, this Friday is Student-Led Conference Day, but NEXT Friday is our Field Trip Friday!!  The 8th Grade is lucky enough to go to the Oregon Culinary Institute for a lesson on manners, etiquette, and the civilized consumption of food.  (And since we are a sensory-immersion school, it only makes sense to try out our skills by eating a multiple-course lunch!)

We will be getting dressed up and heading downtown, so I wanted to comment on what the dress code expectations will be for that day.  I am hoping that we can get a bit gussied; I imagine nice pairs of pants, perhaps some dresses, and maybe even some nice shoes.  I would ask that we shy away from denim, and instead opt for outfits that have collars, creases, and cuffs.

Since we'll be looking good finding ourselves downtown, I thought that we would also take in some of the other finer things life has to offer.  I have scheduled a reservation for a self-guided tour at the Portland Art Museum for the morning block of time, so please have your student arrive in fancy duds first thing in the morning.  School will begin at 8:00am, as usual, and will end at 3:30pm.  We will simply remain dressed up all day, even after returning to school after lunch.  (For that reason, please do not send your student in uncomfortable shoes.  It will make for a very uncomfortable day of being on his/her feet.)

IN ORDER FOR THIS PLAN TO BE CARRIED OUT, WE WILL NEED A FEW PARENT DRIVERS.  I am paying for our students' lunches with our Field Trip Fund, but my hope is that parents might pay their own way at the Oregon Culinary Institute.  Last year, our meals were $7 each. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DRIVE US ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  (IN PAST YEARS, WE HAVE HAD PLENTY OF PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS ONE, SO WE WILL ACCEPT DRIVERS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVED BASIS.)

Thanks so much!

Caged Bird

In the month of February, our class will read excerpts from the third text in our Core Knowledge sequence, entitled I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou.  It is a heartbreakingly beautiful depiction of her experience growing up in the American South during a period of extreme racism.  Angelou poetically highlights race relations, notions of identity and literacy, as well as sexism in American society.  But because she approaches these topics head on, some of the content found in the book contains very adult themes.  For this reason, students will not read the entirety of the novel.

I consider this to be a special opportunity for our eighth graders.  In her book, Angelou paints a very specific and clear picture of a perspective and experience quite different from most of our own.  It is this very reason that Core Knowledge has included it in its curriculum, and why it is the introduction to our unit on the Civil Rights Movement.  We will be reading selected chapters that highlight the strengths of both the content and style, and will not include the more "difficult" chapters in our studies. 

I will certainly be approaching these subjects with respect and maturity, which I will also expect out of our students. 

Please feel free, as always, to contact me with any questions you may have.

A Note from the Room Parent Coordinator!

Hello 8th graders and Families,

Next Thurs Jan 17th at 3:45 in our classroom is our first meeting to get started with our graduation plans and t-shirt decisions.  I know a lot of 8th graders are interested in being a part of this process so this time works best for them.  If you would like to help and CANNOT be at the meeting please let me know.  If you have suggestions or ideas send them to me prior and I will share them with everyone. 

Thank you to everybody who pitched in for Mr. Harvey's holiday gift.  We were able to give him a $85 gift card to Freddy's!  Don't worry to those who didn't there will be other opportunities in the future.

If you 8th grader want to attend mttg and you are unable please let me know, I can be their school "adult" and help with carpool.

Happy New Year,
Mandi

Spelling Bee!

Scripps Spelling Bee 2013!  CHPCS will be participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee again this year!  Classroom bees are the week of January 28-31 and the all-school bee will be on February 4.  Students in grades 1-8 will participate.  What to do now?

• Help your Falcon study the list of 100 words brought home; these are the words the in-class bees will start with.
• Visit www.spellingbee.com or stop by Mr. C's classroom for more study tools, hints, a look at the official rules, etc.

How do you spell excellence? C-H-P-C-S!

FACTS Class Postponed

I just received word a few minutes ago that FACTS class, scheduled for this coming Saturday, has been postponed until a later, undetermined date.  (If you did not hear about FACTS class from your student, pick that bone with your student! We wrote about it in our Planners in December.)  I will keep you posted on the date chosen as an alternate when I hear about it.  Thanks for your cooperation!

Field Trip Friday!!

Calling all Volunteers!!

This coming Friday, the 11th of January, marks our first field trip of 2013!!  Please consider joining us, if possible, as we take a trip on the Bonneville Dam!  (I know what you're thinking, but this time it'll be different!)

This Friday's excursion will kick off our unit on Electricity and Magnetism.  I have heard grumbles and rumbles of repeated trips to the Dam from some veteran Cascade families, but I can assure you that the content we'll be exposed to is much different than on past trips.  We will be traveling to the Washington side of the Dam, where we will be able to tour the floor of the hydroelectric power plant.  It is a fascinating (and loud) experience that is worth the trip on the bus!!

We will also be enjoying a short hike very close to the power plant, on the Fort Cascades Trail.  If you join us, please plan for a bit of mud and a bit (or more) of rain.