understanding of whether the Merwin is a healthy ecosystems.  As always, our data will be available online.

These are exciting field trips, and unlike any your student has been on before.  They are not observers, but active participants.  They will come home excited, but best of all, they will come home exhausted! 

Within the next week, your student will begin studying in our outdoor field science laboratory.    Due to a grant our class received several years ago, we have the opportunity to conduct field-based science at this Parklands site located near Lake Bloomington. 

One of my firm beliefs is that , whenever possible, we should try to tie school knowledge to

real-world experiences.  The Merwin allows us to put that belief into practice.  To prepare for our first visit, we have been studying how scientist structure our natural world by classifying items.  To better understand this concept, we have been training as scientists to conduct field science and data collection when we travel to the Merwin.  The end result will add to the

The Merwin Preserve

October 5, 2007

News of 5F

oCTOBER 2007

5F Insight—The Writing Workshop

· To put grammar, spelling, writing and public speaking into a meaningful experience, we have a writing workshop for over an hour per day

· Grammar skills are taught with emphasis on how to improve sentence detail and avoid repetition

· Spelling stresses enhanced vocabulary for written expression and communication

· Writing is focused on genres, which helps the connection between reading and writing

· Everyone, once a month, must share a story.  We work on one public speaking skill per month

Email: fergusonjoe@district87.org             Class website: www.district87.org/staff/fergusonjoseph

Contact    information

Irving elementary

604 W. Jackson

Bloomington, Il 61701

 

(309) 827-8091

 

 

General    Reminders

· Bring back homework folder daily

· Previous week’s homework will be given back on Friday

· All notes, school information and handouts go home on Friday