What is your favorite book now and why?

My favorite book is called Eleventh Birthdays, because it's about a girl my age and I can relate to her.
-Amara Zabback

Nature Vision Summer Camps

Time
10:00 am - 2:30 pm Monday-Friday Date
June 27 - August 5 Weekly Place Farrel-McWhirter Park Redmond Watershed Cost
Redmond residents, $180 for non-residents
($120/150 for Week 2) $150 per week for Age Camps are for ages 7-12
To register visit http://www.redmond.gov/ParksRecreation/RecreationGuide/
Please call 425-836-2697 or email
info@naturevision.org with questions. Weekly Themes 6/27 - 7/1 Wild about Insects Camp 7/5 - 7/8 Northwest Animals Nature Camp (no camp July 4) 7/11 - 7/15 Pioneer Camp 7/18 - 7/22 Into the Wild Nature Camp 7/25 - 7/29 Water Connections Camp 8/1 - 8/5
Camp Native Plants and People Weekly activities include hands-on, minds nature exploration and discovery, themed games and activities, art projects, and more.
Lake Washington School District does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend any of the organizations, services, or activities de-scribed in these materials. In consideration for the privilege to distribute these materials, Lake Washington School District shall be held harmless from any causes of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materi-als, including all costs, attorney's fees, judgments, or awards.

Biome Reserach Report

Students are now independent in their abilities to finish writing their research report on the biome they have been studying.  They will be heading home today 4/29 with everything they need to finish publishing their report.  They will have the first few paragraphs typed and saved on their jump drives, they will have written directions that go over all the skills I have taught in class  (how to write and introduction, how to write the body of the report and how to write a conclusion).   They will also have a example of an at standard  biome report on a  biomeI made up. They will be finishing the report for homework this next week.  The final report is due Monday May 9th.   

We are on the Oregon Trail

NW Native Family Clans

Northwest Coastal Native American scene

Reading Comprehension Challenge

In fourth grade we work on metacognition (thinking about our own thinking).  In reading students record what they think about while they read.  Examples could be questions they have, inferences like predictions or conclusions, connections that they make with the book, or thoughts about checking yourself for understanding.  Last September, the class was able to come up with 31 sticky note thoughts, but this week in January they were able to produce 116 thoughts about what they were reading in 15 minutes.   Here is a picture comparing September to January.

Water Cycle Art

Student School E-mail

         Students have an e-mail account here at school.  The account is to be used for school purposes only to communicate with each other about school work and to send computer work to their account that can be accessed at home.  We have practiced this at school so the kids should be familar with it. Below are directions to get onto the account from school or home.

Steps for accessing your E-mail account at school and home

1)     Get onto the internet

2)     Type in  https://mail.lwsd.org/exchange/ or go to our class web site and clink on the link.

3)     Type in your student username  (lwsd\s-dbaxter)

4)     Type in your password 

5)     Click on “New Mail”  box in the top left corner

6)     In the “To” field, type your own username followed by @lwsd.org   (i.e. s-dbaxter@lwsd.org)

7)     In the “subject” field, type a title for your e-mail (i.e. wolf research)

8)     Type a message in the big white field

9)     To send your work home, click on the “attachments” button.

10)                  Click on “Browse”.  This will allow you to find your document inside your computer.  Use the drop arrow in the “look in” field to find it.  It will most likely be inside “My computer” then inside the file with your name.  Double click on the document you want to attach to your e-mail.

11)                  Now you’re all ready.  Click on “SEND” and it is on it’s way to the same web page and to your e-mail in box.

12)                  At home, go through the exact same procedure.  The web page address will take you to the exact same location.  When you see an e-mail in your “In Box”, click on it to open.  Then click on the attached file to open it.  You can then work on your document at home save it on your home computer then e-mail it back to school the same way.

Parent Education Opportunity

Thursday, December 2^nd from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location:  Redmond High School Performing Arts Theater (17272 N.E. 104^th Avenue, Redmond)

Laura Kastner, Ph.D. presents A to Z Toolbox for Successful Parenting

With all of the parenting advice available, don’t you wonder about which skills and qualities you should really focus on the most? Dr. Kastner has reviewed the research and distilled mountains of data for parents who want to concentrate their efforts on what are called “evidence based” practices. Her list of 26 core (A-Z) strengths allows parents to review their own profiles and be inspired to both enjoy their strengths and be motivated to shore up their weaknesses. All parents hope that their children to become healthy, successful and virtuous adults, but this lecture gives you parenting tools that can help you and your children achieve that goal.

Laura Kastner, Ph.D. writes and lectures widely on adolescent development & family relationships. She is a clinical professor of psychology and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington, a practicing psychologist and mother of two. Dr. Kastner’s three books, all co-authored with Jennifer Wyatt include:

·         Getting to CALM: Cool-headed Strategies for Parenting Tweens + Teens.

·         The Seven Year Stretch: How Families Work Together to Grow through Adolescence

·         The Launching Years: Strategies for Parenting from Senior Year to College Life

To follow Laura Kastner’s latest discussions for parents, go to her blog at:  http://blog.parentmap.com/?author=15

Sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council

Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education at lwsdparented@gmail.com

Since we are writing about small moments, what has been your favorite moment that has happened to you? asks Jenna

What do you want to be when you grow up? Asks Amara

What is your favorite children's book and why?

Welcome!

Welcome to the new Armstrong class website.  Our new site encourages questions and comments about our children's education.  The site will be updated on a regular basis and will keep you informed in what you need to know to have a successful year.  Feel free to give suggestions to  ways to improve or add to our class blog.