Thursday, December 17, 2009

WINTER BREAK

We are off to celebrate Winter break. Remember that there will be no school from December 19th through January 3rd. We start classes again on January 4th. Have a fantastic holiday and happy new year. Feel free to send me an email or call me with questions, leave a message and I'll get back to you in January.

See you all in 2010!

Mrs. Colae Couch

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

NEW COURSE OFFERING

GRADES 3-12:Interested in conversational Spanish? Want to read popular Spanish magazines and write your own reviews? Does listening to Spanish music sound good to you, or learning to Tango, Salsa or Merengue?

Contact Miss Belcher in the Eugene office. She would like to start up a Conversational Spanish class, with lots of fun activities and guest speakers. Please contact Miss Belcher if you are interested or would like more information regarding this course. Her contact information is:

Email: cbelcher@allprep.us

Phone: (541) 852-0811



NEW COURSE OFFERINGfor Grades 3-12: Miss Belcher will be teaching a Spanish grammar class beginning Winter term at the Eugene AllPrep office. Curriculum includes verb conjugation (present tense, preterite, conditional, future and present progressive), as well as learning more about the structure of the Spanish language. This will be of great assistance to students already taking Rosetta Stone and would serve as a suppliment. Students who are not taking Rosetta Stone may take this course as an elective credit. Please contact Miss Belcher is you are interested or would like more information regarding this course. Her contact info. is:

Email: cbelcher@allprep.us

Phone: (541) 852-0811

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Reminder: We do not have school the week of November 23rd through November 27th. Leave me a phone message or email and I will get back to you on Monday, November 30th.

Have a great, relaxing break!

Ms. Couch

OMSI Flight School

We have the OMSI Flight School physics of flight class and a Sub tour reserved for December 10th. The Flight Class is from 1:00-2:00 and the Submarine Tour starts at 2:20. The total cost is $8.00 for students and it is open to 6th-12th graders. There is a limit of 24 students. The cost is $3.00 for adults.

Teachers will be meeting everyone just inside the main entrance at 12:40 with nametags. Please be sure to send in checks in advance. Due to limited space and time requirements, we cannot accept last minute registrations at the door.

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Sassen at lsassen@allprep.us.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Module 8 Lesson Plan: Habitat Discussion




Description of lesson plan:
Students will observe their surrounding environments and make observations on what contributes to a healthy habitat vs. an unhealthy habitat in their local area. Students will be asked to become naturalists and make detailed observations regarding such things as the types of plants, the water supply, proximity to a metro area and light exposure.
This course would be a hybrid between online and in person, where the observations should be at the actual location then discussion and assessment would be online.


Learning Objectives
:
Students will identify insect, animal and plant species in the field.
Students will record and interpret data in a science lab notebook.
Students will apply classroom knowledge to real world data.
Students will learn about environmental health and water supply.
Students will post or present their findings to other classmates.
Students will learn the difference between native and invasive species.

Learner Centered Outcomes:
1. Learners will discover how plants and animals are important to a healthy habitat.
2. Learners will identify the five elements of habitat: clean air, water, food, shelter, place to raise young.
3. Learners will identify what needs to be done to contribute to a more balanced ecosystem.

Assessment Methods:

1. Online discussion of all students’ findings.
2. Written evaluation of the habitat they observed.
3. Participation in the observation process.
4. Quiz pertaining to the elements of what makes a healthy habitat.

Alternative Instructional Strategies:
1. Powerpoint presentation on wimba.
2. Video of different habitats and dangers.

Example Resources:

• http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html
• http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/about/habitat_type/habitats/
• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geography-action/habitats.html
• Access to a blog to post written evaluations of their habitat
• Wimba
• Computer and access to the internet
• Notebook
• Habitat for observation

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

REMINDER!

Wednesday, November 11th is Veterans Day, we do not have school.

Also, we have the entire week of November 23rd-27th off for Thanksgiving break.

*Feel free to do school work on these days if you would like but teachers will not be available*

WIMBA Geometry Class

Hello teachers and students!

There will be a live WIMBA Geometry class beginning next Monday, November 16. It will be taught by Mr. Orlinski. The class will meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-2 pm in Mr. Orlinski’s online WIMBA classroom. The class will begin in unit 4 of the Odyssey Ware curriculum and will cover the same material in the same order. Students that sign up for the class will be given attendance and participation points that will be factored into their overall Geometry grade. Please notify your teacher if you would like to participate. Space is limited, so act fast.

You can also email Mr. Orlinski directly at eorlinski@allprep.us if you have any questions. Thanks and have a great week!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

OMSI Lab Day

November OMSI Lab Day for Elementary and Middle School

WHO: Students grades 3-8
WHAT: 2 science lab opportunities at OMSI
WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Fear Factor Lab – Explore science behind emotions. Students will discover the complex reaction s our bodies have to different stimuli through small group experimentation where they become the neuroscientist and also test their own reactions. Students explore themes in psychology, anatomy, inquiry and experimental design.
Grades 3-5 at 12:00-1:00
Grades 6-8 at 1:00-2:00

The Physics of Music - What is the science behind sound? Experience how musical sounds are produced and try some unusual musical instruments.
Grades 6-8at 12:00-1:00
Grades 3-5 at 1:00-2:00

WHERE: OMSI; we will meet in the lobby
1945 SE Water Ave
Portland, OR 97214
503.797.4000

WHY: each lab can replace a lab or project in Odysseyware science; and it is fun!
COST: $5 per child per lab
CONTACT: To register, please email Linda Sassen at lsassen@allprep.us .

TO REGISTER: Space is limited. People who mail the complete information will be registered first-email, first-served.

She needs the following information in order to register you:

Student’s name: _________________________
Teacher’s name: _________________________
Student’s grade: _________________________
Which labs your student would like to attend:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

*Please notice, if Linda does not have all the above information, she will not be able to add your student to the list, so please be complete.

BRING:
- Money for the lab. Checks made out to Estacada Web Academy are preferred. Exact change will be accepted.
- Students need to either write on worksheets given by OMSI or record 5 things they learned. These will provide the teacher information they need to give the student credit for their lab experience.
- There is not time for lunch between labs so please fulfill food needs before or after the labs.
- Student ID if you have one
- Copy of field trip permission slip if parent is not present

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Sassen.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Holidays are Coming...

Please help! We are collecting canned food for our holiday baskets. If you would like to donate food or other items, please contact me at ccouch@allprep.us

Thank you for your help in helping others.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Kids' Science Challenge!

Website: http://kidsciencechallenge.com/

In a nutshell, kids' science challenge is asking kids to come up with an original idea or design that relates to three fields of scientific inquiry or engineering: Sports on Mars, Detective (forensic) Science, and Bio-Inspired Designs. The Entry that is judged in each field to be the most original will win the Grand Prize for that field – a visit with the scientist or engineer to collaborate with him or her on the winning idea, along with possible appearances in Kids’ Science Challenge videos and Pulse of the Planet radio programs and other media. But many entrants will win prizes. See their prizes page for a complete list.

To prepare kids for the process of completing the Entry Application, they've created a wealth of educational resources and activities related to the three Scientific Fields. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with all of the following instructions and resource guides. Many of the online activities are also appropriate for after-school or classroom use. You may be asked by your students to assist in the formation of a Kids’ Science Challenge Team. Teams may be formed in After-School Groups, in classrooms, or other communities.

Earth Science Road Tour

WE ARE FULL

There has been a wonderful reception for this trip. Thank you for your interest.

There is no more space for the Earth Science Road Tour. A confirmation email will be going out on Monday, Oct 26. If you do not receive it, then you are not confirmed to attend. My apologies.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Coasta Rica Study Abroad

Buenas Dias Prospective Traveling Students, Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

Next summer we will embark on a study abroad to Costa Rica. Travel dates will be 8-11 days that fall between July 29th and August 16th 2010. I would like to provide you as much information as possible about this experience of a lifetime.

By participating in this study abroad, students will earn 1.0 elective science credit with the bonus of Spanish conversation practice, immense learning, and rich life experience. EF Tours has a great reputation and has been used repeatedly with great success by several of my colleagues and students.

This opportunity is open to Allprep & Early College high school students (including this year’s 8th graders), and any middle school student traveling with a parent or other adult.

Go ahead and enroll if you are ready, using the information below. There is a $100 discount for those that enroll by October 23th!!

You can also contact Jennifer Fullilove at either jfullilove@allprep.us, especially if you want to enroll but cannot attend a meeting.

Fund-raising will be organized by all involved parties; there will be numerous opportunities. I will have Chinook Books available for those that would like to use them in fund-raising at our meeting on the 20th. Other fund-raising options will be presented. A monthly payment plan makes the class more affordable, and the earlier you enroll the better.

Enrollment ends November 1st.

Join the Allprep Algebra online class with Mr. Klos!

You will have access to the following resources:

Learning forum where you can post questions to math teachers

Live Algebra classes via Wimba Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3pm covering lessons in Odysseyware

Office Hours for math help online in Wimba Fridays from 2pm to 3pm

Supplemental readings, projects and videos available to view and download

Visit the website http://estacadaalternativehigh.estacada.orvsd.org to create an account and look for Jon Klos’ classroom and Allprep Algebra 1, or contact your teacher for help. Participating in this class can help earn you extra credit towards your Odysseyware Algebra course. You can also email Jon with questions at jklos@allprep.us.

Earth Science Road Tour

The Earth Science Road Tour is a fantastic opportunity to cover 2 units of science in 2 days!

As a certified Earth Science teacher, Ms. Seretan is setting up a 2-day Earth Science road tour. This would be an opportunity to drive around Oregon, studying, first-hand, geologic formations. There are some wonderful examples of volcanic, glacial, coastal and catastrophic features in our beautiful state. We always think it is better to see science in person than see it in a book or on a computer screen.

This trip replaces units 2 and 4 in Earth Science or units 4 and 5 in Science 800.

The trips are scheduled for November 2 and December 7. They will be all-day trips.

The cost of both field trips (Yes, they need to be at both or neither), is $15. If this is a hardship, please let me know. We will likely have room for family or friends that want to join you. They will need to pay as well. So, we need to know how many people would like to come with you.

Students attending the field trips need to be at the 3rd floor Edchoices offices by 9:00 on Monday, November 2nd. Buses will leave by after our intro workshop.

Wear outdoor clothing and boots; layer of course, as we are in Oregon. And bring a notebook and pencil to record data as well as lunch and a something to drink. There is likely no food facilities where we will be stopping. We may stop for a treat at the end.

Please email Jennifer Seretan at jseretan@allprep.us so she can send you preparation information.