Reading: This week we read in our anthologies. Our theme is called Nature: Friend and Foe. The last story was a fictional narrative called Skylark. It tells a story about like on a prairie farm during the late 1800’s.

Comprehension skills: inferring, skim and scanning

Reading skills: word roots, silent consonants, parts of speech

Time For Kids reading was about Teachers, the oil spill, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Writing: We continue to write our individual newspapers about the Salmon Summit. I will save them and send them home in their portfolios at the end of the year. Each child wrote Dear Home letters explaining what happened to us on the Oregon Trail.

Spelling: We had our LAST spelling test! No more spelling words to study.

Math: 3rd Trimester math target topics include area and perimeter of rectangles; data and graphs; measurement, time, and temperature; equations; transformations, congruence, symmetry; and probability. We took our final test over measurement and data/graphs. Next week we will begin algebraic equations. Check out the http:/pearsonsuccessnet.com and log in to see what your child could practice to improve his/her understanding. For extra practice on facts go to http://www.multiplication.com At this site your child can take facts tests on line. Also they can play multiplication games while practicing facts.

Social Studies: We are learning about Washington State through our Washington State ABC penmanship books. Trickster Coyote visited Mount Rainier for his R adventure.

We enjoyed the 5th Avenue Theater presentation at Chief Joe about Lewis and Clark. It was fun to compare the play with the history we have learned about the trail.

The Trail:

Dear Home,

Reading: This week we read Stout Hearted 7, a historical fiction based on the Sager Family’s 1844 trail west. Our trip to Whitman Mission applied and extended our knowledge of the 1844 trail.

Comprehension skills: comparing.

Writing: We are writing letters to places on the Oregon Trail. We hope to get some free information back from these historical places before our school year ends. Those letters that are coming home need stamps and sent. Hopefully, every letter receives a response. I will send home a list of addresses at the end of the year for your child to use when writing for more information. Letter writing is fun!

Spelling: No more spelling words to study.

Math: 3rd Trimester math target topics include area and perimeter of rectangles; data and graphs; measurement, time, and temperature; equations; transformations, congruence, symmetry; and probability. We are practicing some algebra, playing with probability and transformations. We had our assessment over Algebra.

Science: Our new district science kit is called Motion and Design. The children experimented with force, inertia, and friction using the protocol car. They recorded their data on a chart to understand how a force of washers hooked to one end of a 1 meter string and their car can force the car to move forward. When the washers on the string stop moving when touching the carpet, the car continues to move (inertia). The car will eventually come to a stop due to a force called friction.

The salmon count at Bonneville Dam is 233,055 adult Chinook salmon.

Social Studies: We are learning about Washington State through our Washington State ABC penmanship books. Trickster Coyote visited Seattle or She Who Watches for his S adventure.

The Trail:

Dear Home,

Everyone has made it to The Dalles. However, individuals have everything taken from them yet with the help of friends and strangers, regroup and are ready to face the journey ahead. The tale of the Applegate’s lose on the Columbia River haunts us because the only way to the Willamette Valley in 1843 was by river through the Cascades. In 1848 another route was available as a choice called Barlow’s Road, which cut an overland trail around the south side of Mount Hood. It had its challenges, too, one of which was a steep hill called Laurel’s Hill where wagons were tethered off to upper trees and lowered down the steep slope. Today you can hike Laurel’s Hill and see the rope burns around the huge Douglas Fir trees. At the end of the trail, just before getting to Oregon City (the end of the trail), there was a toll gate where each wagon paid a toll of $5 and each head of horse, cattle, or mule had a toll of 10 cents. To travel all that way for 6 months then pay tolls at the very end with Oregon City in sight must have seemed strange to the pioneers.

But in 1843 we have only one choice and that is to build log rafts using logs dragged out of the Cascade Mountains and strapped together with rope. Our wagon bed is set in the middle of the raft with the axel, tongue, and wheels lying beside it. We hire people to take our cattle down the narrow edge along the river.

We are floating the river and rapids are approaching. Wagons 2,3,5, and 6 along with Walker, Gavin and Cooper decide to ride them out. Only Wagon 3 and 5 make it through and reach Fort Vancouver. Everyone else sunk and got to the side of the river and need help. Wagons 1 and 4 decide to steer over to land and try to make a trail but only Wagon 1 makes it to Fort Vancouver. Wagon 4 needs help. The individuals walk the side of the river and make it to Fort Vancouver.

Once at the Fort most of the successful pioneers tell Dr. McLaughlin about the plight of their friends and he send help to them. All of those pioneers who needed help accept and get back to the fort. However, Cooper and Gavin refuse his help but make it to the fort on their own.

Dr. McLaughlin was the saint of the Oregon Trail. Though he was British and given orders from England to serve only the British and discourage the Americans, he only saw people………..people who needed help. Eventually, he became an American citizen and moved to Oregon City. His home is available for touring.

Everyone has put in a claim for 640 acres in Oregon City and is ready to build their homes and businesses in the Willamette Valley. Next week this will happen.

Sincerely,

1843 Travelers in Mrs. Stredwick’s room

NO MORE HOMEWORK!

Together we can make a difference in your child’s learning adventure.