Columbia Gorge Studies
Students spent the start of the school year exploring geology. We are currently doing a thorough review of the information covered and are beginning to recreate some scenarios of how the Gorge was formed based on upon the evidence we have discovered.Writing
This month we'll be exploring and recreating our theory of how the Gorge was formed in our own published a graphic novel. Graphic novels are books written and illustrated in the style of a comic book. Graphic novels consist of “sequential art”—a series of illustrations which, when viewed in order, tell a story. Although today’s graphic novels are a recent phenomenon, this basic way of storytelling has been used in various forms for centuries—early cave drawings, hieroglyphics, and medieval tapestries. The term graphic novel is now generally used to describe any book in a comic format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development.
We are fortunate to participate in a workshop led by the author's and producers of Terra Tempo, a graphic novel that explains the Missoula Floods in a fun and factual manner. Please check out their website for more information!
Reading
In January, we'll take time to explore graphic novels through book groups. We'll also work on perfecting Reading Response Journal letters.
Simple Machines and Rube Goldberg
In a world where technology is intended to make our lives easier, Rube Goldberg makes us reconsider this notion with his cartoons that complicate very simple tasks. We'll take time to get to know this man that carved his own path, learn about some simple machines and put that knowledge to use by creating a "Rube Goldberg Machine" for a group challenge. Please help us by collecting and bringing the following items to school by Thursday, January 6th.
-toilet paper rolls
-paper towel rolls
-dixie cups
-pipe cleaners
-ping-pong balls
-Elmer's glue
-masking tape
-3by5 index cards
