Week of February 17

The students went on a field trip to the Tacoma Art Museum last Thursday to see their new wing dedicated to the Haub Family Collection of Western Art.  We studied some famous western artists before the museum trip and saw works from many artists, including Remington, Proctor, and Bierstadt. The students also had the opportunity to walk over the Bridge of Glass and have lunch with the middle school.  Here is what the students had to say about the trip.   

     "I loved the art museum.  My favorite painting was a canyon painting.  I thought it was a picture at first!  My favorite part of the tour was where you could make your own art.  I simulated a painting that had a Native American.  That's why I loved the art museum."

     "I learned about a Mexican artist.  He painted a beautiful painting of the Grand Canyon.  I loved it because it was so realistic. The sun was setting and there was stunning shading.  Although he used dull colors he made it look pretty. I had so much fun."

     "My favorite sculpture was the one of a puma by Alexander Proctor.  I learned that bronze sculptures were made by the sculptor making a mold and then they pour the bronze into it.  I enjoyed having the person telling us about a picture that was of the Grand Canyon.  I likes the sculpture of the dog.  I liked going to TAM."

     "I liked the Tacoma Art Museum.  I learned that back then people would get a canvas and paints, and go to a sight and paint it. My favorite part was when I went to Infinite Soups."

    "These are my favorite parts of the TAM.  First, my favorite painting was Clyde Aspevig's "On the Way to Heaven" because of the landscape.  I also liked when we drew in the draw your own picture section of the TAM.  Last, the bronze sculptures section of the Wild West exhibit was cool too.  Those are my favorite parts of the TAM."

     "We went to the Tacoma Art Museum.  I learned about the old American West.  My favorite part was the sculptures in the art exhibit.  I had a good time at the Tacoma Art Museum.  My class went to the Tacoma Art Museum."

     "I loved the museum trip.  I loved the trip because we got to see a lot of western art.  My favorite was one with a neon wolf.  Mr. Adam took a picture with the painting and me.  I learned about how to use conception with the background.  I also liked when we got to draw.  That is why I loved the museum."

     "I chose the statue Panther for this paragraph, here are some things about it.  It was made by Mr. Proctor.  It was made in 1944-1945.  It is made of copper.  It is made ready to pounce on an unfortunate deer.  That is all I know about Panther."

     "Before I went to the TAM, I went through the bridge with Chihuly glass and saw the highway.  I learned about the method of art some western painters used. I saw President George Washington's portrait.  I drew a picture of figures in different poses.  The Tacoma Art Museum was awesome!"

Week of February 9

In such a short week, we had 2 fabulous guest speakers.  On Monday, we had one of the 5th grade parents, Dr. Sprenger, visit. She is a cellular biologist with the UW, and she explained to the students about her work in looking for cancer treatments.  She led the students in an experiment that tested for a virus, just as she does in her lab.  The students spent time prepping, taking samples, measuring liquids, washing the samples, and discovering whether they had the virus, in this case, the Zombie virus.  The students loved the experiment, and luckily, were able to get the zombie cure in the end!

We were also fortunate to have the grandfather of one of the students visit us.  He does presentations as Toussaint Charbonneau from the Lewis and Clark expeditions, as well as ghost tours in Idaho.  He gave the students lots of information about Native American sign language, the trading of goods and furs, as well as information about the journey of the Lewis and Clark party.  

Week of February 2

We had a fabulous field trip to the Washington State Capitol on Monday.  The students took part in a mock trial, got to go down on the Senate floor, heard from the legislator from Tacoma, and got to see the governor's office.  

Here are some thoughts about our field trip from the students:

"I liked visiting the Supreme Court and learning all about the cases they take.  It was awesome that we got to visit the Senator's floor.  I learned that representatives start laws, make bills, and whole bunch of other things.  The buildings' architecture was amazing."

"I think the capitol trip was fun because it was very pretty.  I also liked it because I learned a lot.  Another reason is that it was awesome."

"I think going to the capitol was fun because we got to see the Senate room.  It was even cooler that we got to go on the floor. The representative room was cool too."

"I thought it was very cool that we had 1 of our reps come and talk to us about bills and other political business.  Our tour guide was very informational.  He even told us about the 4 different types of marble the capitol is built of."  

"At first, I though driving to the capitol was boring.  But I learned about Washington government and how it works.  The capitol tour had a very nice guide, but that's all I can fit."

"I was really excited when we were going to the capitol.  We got to go on the House and Senate floor.  I also got to see my cousin."

"The capitol building was awesome!  I learned a lot about government I didn't know already, like everyone talks like they are in the 1800s.  I can't believe there are 5 types of marble in the capitol building.  I learned being a judge is a big responsibility.  Best field trip ever!"

"I think that it was really cool when we got to go down to the ground floor and get the picture.  It was hard though to walk around so much.  Once I got home I felt like I wanted to sleep.  I learned a lot.  It was really fun."

"I liked going to the capitol.  I was glad to see one of the dads.  Our tour guide was nice.  I felt privileged.  The capitol was fun."

"What we did at the capitol are these things.  First, we went to the ballroom where they celebrate the new governor.  Also, we went to see the Supreme Court and do a fake trial.  Last, we took a picture at the floor of the Senate.  That is what we did at the capitol."

Today we said good-bye to the Korean exchange students.  They were here visiting for 4 weeks.  We had a Korean feast to celebrate their time here.