Wednesday, November 13, 2013


Welcome back to the 21st Century!

What a wonderful trip to Ross, followed by a tired yet energetic day in the classroom where we reflected on the trip, read and began our new read aloud, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.  We showed some of the photos from the trip this morning, and will post a select few in the coming days.

Home Assignments:
1.  No math

2.  Bring Fort Ross Journal to school.

3.   Reading (20 min. every night)– Students should read from their assigned Book Group books if they are not at their goal.


Friday, November 8, 2013

7:00 AM - MONDAY!

Wow, we are almost there.  All of the anticipation, planning and determination by teachers, students and adults comes down to one moment in time:  7:00am on Monday morning!  Please do all you can do to help your family members going on the trip to be ready for our day and to arrive at TBS by 7:00am.  Some possibly obvious tips can make a big difference:
  • Pack your overnight gear before Sunday night so you don't stay up late: Packing List
  • Get to sleep on the early side Sunday night.
  • Plan a simple breakfast but definitely a healthy snack and lunch.
  • Pre-pack lunch, snack & water bottle (Remember: students need a day pack with these items - see the Packing List.   The day pack goes with them in the car they travel in.)
  • Coffee or tea in a thermos (Please, no coffee stops after we depart TBS until Bodega Bay or Jenner - when a pit stop is a good idea for the kids too.)
  • Fill the gas tank before Sunday night if you are a driver.
  • Wear your costume Monday morning.
Drivers: Please familiarize yourself with the driving route we will be taking (take a peek at a map to see how it works).  The route is described in your packet, also at this link: Driving Directions  Basic idea:  Drive to Bodega Bay, then up the coast on Highway 1 across Russian River, then continue 10 miles north of Jenner to the Reef Campground entrance.

Also - if you did not get the copy of your Insurance Policy Page and CDL in today, please confirm with Jeff that you have it ready for Monday morning.  

Chaperones:  Double check that you have all of the items you need for your activities. If you are expecting Jeff or Iris to bring something for you, be explicit and tell us. Review and bring your role group packet.  Monday morning each chaperone will be given a supplemental packet with the following contents:

  • Trip schedule (Chaperone version )
  • Driving instructions (Driving Directions)
  • List of all students and adults by group and Fort Ross name
  • Night watch expectations and other helpful information from Fort Ross
Weather:  As of today - 20% chance of rain on Monday, 40% chance on Tuesday.  Mild conditions otherwise, with lows in mid 40s, high in mid 60s.  In the event of rain, we also bring simple rain ponchos - enough for each person to use one as needed.  Rain coats are still recommended, as are rubber boots.
 Interviews by our buddies.





 Practicing the Troika dance.

 Carrying our gear to Ivan Kuskov's sailing vessel.


 We are ready to go!


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Sleeping Bags, Pads and Pillows Tomorrow, Oh My!

Please bring in your child's sleeping bag, sleeping pad or mat, and pillow tomorrow!  
We are trying to save space in the vehicles and will pre-pack them.  

Home Assignments:
1. 
5th Grade Math: Packet due Friday
4th Grade Math: Mental multiplication Option 1 or Option 2  

2.  Friendship Survey

3.   Reading (20 min. every night)– Students may read from their assigned Book Group books.

FORT ROSS PREPARATION
  • New:  Student version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • New: Chaperone version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • Packing List
  • Reminders (important dates and events leading up to Nov. 11)
  • Letter samples:  The letter to your child is due to me TOMORROW.  Remember this is a special surprise for the kids to receive on our trip.  The letter can be as creative as you like.  Scrolls, parchment paper, wax seal, quill pen writing, written on wood, leather, tree bark,  a clam shell or bone . . .
  • Costume Reminder and links to Fort Ross website information
Other Upcoming Events:

Friday, November 8:  Sleeping bags, pads and pillows due to be packed in cars.

November 11-12 (Monday-Tuesday), Fort Ross trip.  
Arrive at TBS by 7am on November 11 for our early departure!!!

Today in Strawberry:  Along with finishing our Fort Ross preparations, today we were visited by Kate Klaire to discuss friendship issues.  The survey tonight is the result of that discussion - the ideas about friendship are the kids.  They are being asked to reflect on how they see themselves as a friend to others.

The Dress Rehearsal Photos!

























Answering questions from the audience.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The dress rehearsal was amazing!  The kids were prepared and their costumes were terrific.  Photos to come later.

Home Assignments:
1. 
5th Grade Math: Packet due Friday
4th Grade Math: Option 1: Expanded Notation page, Option 2: Multiplication choices & some students have their 6s facts to practice.

2. Dress Rehearsal Practice:  The students have note cards and planning sheets with them to use as reference as they rehearse.  Please see the planning sheet for guidance.  We discussed strategies for rehearsing too.  Here is reference for Russian phrases.

3. Finish Fort Ross Historic questions in spiral notebook:  Students who did not finish what we started today are bringing them home to complete.

4.   Reading (20 min. every night)– Students may read from their assigned Book Group books.

FORT ROSS PREPARATION
  • New:  Student version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • New: Chaperone version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • Packing List
  • Reminders (important dates and events leading up to Nov. 11)
  • Letter samples:  The letter to your child is due to me TOMORROW.  Remember this is a special surprise for the kids to receive on our trip.  The letter can be as creative as you like.  Scrolls, parchment paper, wax seal, quill pen writing, written on wood, leather, tree bark,  a clam shell or bone . . .
  • Costume Reminder and links to Fort Ross website information
Other Upcoming Events:

Friday, November 8:  Sleeping bags, pads and pillows due to be packed in cars.

November 11-12 (Monday-Tuesday), Fort Ross trip.  Arrive at TBS by 7am on November 11 for our early departure!!!


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Dress Rehearsal & Presentations Tomorrow!

Fort Ross Dress Rehearsal, tomorrow, 8:45-9:30am:  The students wear their Fort Ross costume and give a 1-3 minute presentation about their Fort Ross person.  Family are welcome to attend.  We should be done by 9:30.

Secret Fort Ross Letter Due Tomorrow:  Please send your letter in tomorrow.  If you cannot deliver it yourself, you can place it in a plain envelope/package with my name on it and ask your child to bring it right to me.

Home Assignments:
1. 
5th Grade Math: Packet due Friday
4th Grade Math: Option 1: Expanded Notation page, Option 2: Multiplication choices & some students have their 6s facts to practice.

2. Dress Rehearsal Practice:  The students have note cards and planning sheets with them to use as reference as they rehearse.  Please see the planning sheet for guidance.  We discussed strategies for rehearsing too.  Here is reference for Russian phrases.

3.   Reading (20 min. every night)– Students may read from their assigned Book Group books.

FORT ROSS PREPARATION
  • New:  Student version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • New: Chaperone version of the Fort Ross schedule
  • Packing List
  • Reminders (important dates and events leading up to Nov. 11)
  • Letter samples:  The letter to your child is due to me TOMORROW.  Remember this is a special surprise for the kids to receive on our trip.  The letter can be as creative as you like.  Scrolls, parchment paper, wax seal, quill pen writing, written on wood, leather, tree bark,  a clam shell or bone . . .
  • Costume Reminder and links to Fort Ross website information
Other Upcoming Events:

Friday, November 8:  Sleeping bags, pads and pillows due to be packed in cars.

November 11-12 (Monday-Tuesday), Fort Ross trip.  Arrive at TBS by 7am on November 11 for our early departure!!!


Today in Strawberry Creek: Much thanks to Ann Klein for spending time with us today sharing about the Russian language.  She helped with pronunciation and added new phrases to our array of Russian.