What Did They Learn on the Scavenger Hunt?

Today I asked students what they learned on the scavenger hunt. Here are just a few of their answers.

• People are nicer than I thought. 
• How to navigate downtown. 
• The MAX has different lines that go different places. 
• Preplanning where to go will keep people from getting frustrated. 
• Voter registration cards are available at DMV and libraries. 
• People are helpful and kind. 
• 4 eighth graders can do much more than commonly thought. 
• How hard it is if you miss the bus. 
• Be aware of your surroundings, but don't live in fear. 
• Don't expect every bus that passes you to be your bus. 
• Don't pass by Hot Lips pizza while you're hungry. 
• It is very easy and important to ask for help. 
• Carry an umbrella
• In order to lead a group, you have to conquer your own fear first. 
• A 3 minute lag in your schedule can throw off the whole day.
• How to navigate the MAX system.
• How to make decisions as a team. 
• Travelling by bus/MAX is really easy. 
• Pay attention to time, buses wait for no one. 
• If you put a ton of noodles on them, you can eat tomatoes without it being gross. 
•  There are maps on the MAX. 
• It's easier to have fun when you all cooperate and keep an open mind. 
• How to use public transportation. 
• People are awesome. 
• Using active listening when with a group reduces arguments. 
• If you don't know where you're going, you'll most likely get lost. 
• How to manage time and important it is to get on the right bus. 
• Don't get ahead of yourself. 
• Being in a group is easier because everyone knows different things. 
• It's hard for parents to let us manage ourselves. 
• I am more capable than I thought. 
• How you dress and act affect how others react to you. 
• 
  

Portland Scavenger Hunt Photos

What a day! I am so impressed with everyone's poise, problem solving, and perseverance. I will update this post with pictures as they come in! Keep checking back to get a glimpse into their day.

What Are We Doing in History?

Two weeks ago we looked at the underlying causes of the Vietnam War and how the US got involved. Last week and this week, we looked at the Vietnam War through the lens of art. Last week we critiqued protest posters from the 60's and early 70's and then students created their own posters. Student posters reflected the civil rights issue they individually have chosen to work on. These ranged from disability rights to racial profiling to gender equity. This week we are looking at the music, specifically how music drove the anti war protests. Today, students wrote their own music and will be performing it tomorrow. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at the progression of the war and the experience of veterans returning home from the war. 

NON Souvenir Workshop

Believe it or not, we're almost done with Night of the Notables!

Tuesday is the souvenir workshop for Night of the Notables. This is a chance for students to work together in a relaxed atmosphere with snacks, music, and friends. Teachers will be on hand to provide technical assistance and oversight.

Students should bring all of the supplies they need to work and a great attitude. We will begin right after carline and end at 5:00. 

April Field Trip Details

We have 3, yes 3 field trips this month. Here is a run down of what everyone needs to wear and bring for each day.

April 22 - BPA Lab Tour
Dress Code: Regular uniforms but no skirts or sandals. Everyone must have closed toe shoes on.

Lunch: We can not guarantee that we will be back in time for hot lunch, so everyone needs a lunch from home.

Cell Phone/Cameras: No

Chaperones: Mrs. Rathmanner, Mrs. Masterson

Times: 8:30 - 12:30

April 24 - Life Skills Scavenger Hunt

Dress Code: Business Casual. This means slacks, knee length or longer skirts, polo shirt, blouse, or button up shirt. Walking shoes are encouraged. Jacket is a must. No sweats, jeans, sweatshirts, or t shirts.

Lunch: Everyone will need $5.00 for lunch.

Cell Phone/Camera: Yes

Chaperones: Mrs. Grainger, Mrs. Rovang, Mrs. Rathmanner, Mrs. Masterson, Mr. Arifdjanov, Mrs. Arifdjanova

Times: 8:30 - 3:30

April 29 - OCI and Portland Art Museum

Dress Code: Dressy. Slacks, button up shirts, ties, knee length skirts and blouse, nylons, dress shoes. 

Lunch: Provided

Cell Phone/ Cameras: No

Other: Students will be bringing writing and sketching tools. 

Chaperones: NONE so far, I need at least 2

Times: 8:30 - 1:30

Promotion Planning Meeting Minutes

Last Friday Mrs. Fajardo, Mrs. Schroedl, Mrs. Grainger, and Mrs. Bradburry joined me to get plans in place and the ball rolling. 

We discussed the many aspects of promotion.

 

STAGE:

1. Backdrop. We liked the backdrop that was done last year. This was a simple black backdrop with the student names cut out with a cricut in bright contrasting colors. We need someone(s) to volunteer to make these. 

2. Chairs - Mrs. Bradburry has white chair covers for the student chairs on stage. 

3. Bunting - I believe we have bunting and lights that can be used to decorate the front of the stage. 

4. Flowers - Mrs. Bradburry has flower arrangements in red, white, and blue for the stage. 

ROOM DECORATIONS:

1. Balloons - Shonna volunteered to look into getting a helium tank so we can put up balloons. 

2. Posters - Mrs. Adams will work on the posters about each student. These will go up behind the dessert table. 

3. Arch - We have an arch to put up by the door for the students to walk through. This can be decorated with streamers or balloons. 

4. Photo Booth - Mrs. Marlatt will be taking pictures of families and anyone else that would like to get their picture done. We need someone to volunteer to put it up and get props, etc. 

Food:

We decided on dessert and punch. 

1. Cake - Mrs. Grainger volunteered to handle the dessert portion of the evening. She will be getting one cake and asking parents to bring their favorite dessert. 

2. Punch - Mrs. Fajardo volunteered to get punch and cups and try to arrange a fountain for the punch. 

3. Table decorations - Mrs. Grainger volunteered to pick up table cloths, napkins, plates, and forks. 

Ceremony:

1. Program - We need a program. If someone is excited about making one, great! We'd love to have the help. If not, I've got one from last year that I can modify. 

2. Speakers - Students that wanted to speak were asked to have a paragraph in to me by today. From those, several will be chosen. Mrs. Denman and Mrs. Adams will also speak. 

3. Slideshow - At the beginning of the year Mrs. Goldstein volunteered to do the slideshow. I'll be checking with her to make sure she's still on board. If so, we'll need everyone to send pictures to her. We want to make sure we have a baby picture and an 8th grade picture of every student. We also want to make sure we have pictures from all the big events including field trips from all grades, Greek Festival, Viking Festival, Hancock Field Station, Outdoor School, field days, Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, etc. Mrs. Fajardo volunteered to help with this if Mrs. Goldstein needed it. 

4. Certificates - Mrs. Adams prints the certificates. 

Set Up and Clean Up:

There will be two phases of set up, the decorations and the food set up. 

1. Decorations set up can be done right after school. We get out at 11:30 that day so Mrs. Schroedl suggested and offered to coordinate an 8th grade BBQ that afternoon at school. We will have a potluck BBQ and then everyone can help set up the chairs, get the decorations up, etc before going home to get dressed and ready for promotion. Further details will be coming out. 

2. Phase 2 is the food table. Mrs. Grainger is in charge of the food table, so just before the ceremony that table will need to be set up. 

3. Clean Up - We have traditionally had the 7th graders come to do clean up so that 8th grade families can go home and enjoy each other. Mrs. Adams will reach out to 7th grade to do this for us this year. 

I believe that's it! 

If you can think of anything else you'd like to see, please let me know or if you'd like to volunteer for one of the needed jobs, please let me know that as well! 

Culinary Field Trip

Our Oregon Culinary Institute field trip has been confirmed. We will be visiting on April 29th, 2015. We are due to arrive at 11:00, but I have requested a tour and writing workshop at the Portland Art Museum before lunch. 

This will be the sixth year that Oregon Culinary Institute has hosted our eighth graders for lunch. It provides a chance for students to learn formal meal etiquette from professionals as well as tour yet another type of higher education. The opportunity to not only eat delicious food in a beautiful setting, but also learn how to handle yourself at a formal meal allows students to gain confidence. 

I will need 2 parent volunteers for this trip. If you are available, I would appreciate your help.