Busy Little Bees!

This week, our little Wisconsin Fast Plants flowered.  In order to seed, Wisconsin Fast Plants need to be cross-pollinated.  We learned the role of bees in cross pollination and how the bee and the flower have a symbiotic relationship.  But how are our little plants getting cross-pollinated?  Obviously, we can't release a swarm of bees in our classroom!  Our curriculum supplies dried bees for us which we attached to a toothpick.  The children have been diligently using their bee this week to cross-pollinate their flowers.  They are taking their role as bees VERY SERIOUSLY!

Multiplication tables!

Dear Parents,

Our Multiplication Unit has started!!!  Yesterday, we were introduced to the commutative property of multiplication which we had already learned through addition.  1 x 5 = 5 x 1  We learned this by cutting arrays out of grid paper and seeing that a 5 x 1 and a 1 x 5 are the same shape and have the same answer.  Today, we started working on a gigantic multiplication array table.  We do this before we start learning our facts to solidify the commutative property of multiplication in our minds, and to look for patterns among the multiplication chart.  Also, when we realize that 5 x 1 is the same as 1 x 5, we have half the facts to learn!  Stay tuned for Multiplication Boot Camp (fact memorization with a twist) to come in a few weeks!

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson

Hard at work

There is a lovely, quiet working buzz to the room as the kids are diligently working on their VIP letters to our birthday girl.  Your children are growing in maturity and ability everyday.  I am amazed at the growth they have made since the beginning of the school year.  I feel so blessed to be their teacher and to see and guide this growth every day.  Here are some pictures from our day.

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson

Third grade funnies

We are growing quite fond of our Wisconsin Fast Plants.  Yesterday, one of the students noticed that his plant was QUITE wilted (I was sure there was no hope!) and was really sad that it was dead.  I reminded him that he needed to keep his plant moist and to water it quite thouroughly.  Today, he examined his plant, and lo and behold, it had perked back up!  He said it was just like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  I chuckled and asked him who Jesus was in this scenario.  He humbly replied, "The water is."  The things kids say make me laugh.  (I love my job!)  :)

Don't Zero Out

Dear Parents:

We have been practicing our three digit subtraction with borrowing.  Today we learned a fun game to help us practice this skill.  1.  Start with the number 999 on a piece of paper.  2.  Roll two dice.  3.  Subtract one of the two digit numbers your die make from the total.  4.  Keep a running total each time subtracting your two digit number from your new number.  5.  Slowly whittle down your total to come as close to zero as you can without going negative.  The winner is the person who comes closest to zero without going past it.  (Each time you subtract, your partner must check your work!)

This is a great family game to play to practice subtraction facts with your child!

FYI:  *Multiplication starts next week!*

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson

Busy scientists

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Last day observations before our break.  Our little plants will go through a MAJOR growth spurt while we're on break.  The kids will be so excited next Monday!

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson

Our plants

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Our plants are growing well!  Yesterday, we learned about the importance of thinning.  We thinned our plants to one plant per section of our quad.  After all the excitement of planting, this was hard for some kids.  We are diligently watching and watering and observing all of the changes that are taking place day by day!

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson

Fall Fest Information and Reminders

From Amy Holt:

 

Fall Fest is almost here!  We wanted to pass along some reminders, as well as some "new for this year" information.

First, Fall Fest shirts are going home today (yesterday for AM/PM Preschool and 3PK).  Fall Fest shirts may be worn to school tomorrow with standard of dress bottoms.  If your child did not get their shirt delivered to them in class, they may not have reached their $50 pledge goal and the shirt is being held for them in the school office.

Race bags (including race bibs and chip) will be handed out to students Friday afternoon.  AM/PM Preschool and 3PK students, if you have an older sibling your packet will be sent home with them.  If you do not have an older sibling, you may pick up your packet on Friday 12-7pm or race morning.

This year's race will be chip timed.  The race chip will be attached to the back of the bib.  Please do not modify this chip in any way.  Your official race time will be calculated based on the actual time you cross the starting and finish lines.  If you have any questions, please see someone at the registration table Saturday morning.

ALL pledge packets are due back to the school this Friday.  Please return your child's packet even if they have not collected any money.

Friday night's Fall Fest Pasta Dinner supports the 8^th grade Washington, D.C. trip.  The Pasta Dinner will be held from 5:30-7:00pm in the gym.  If you haven't already, you may purchase tickets in the office or Friday night at the door.  Tickets are $8 per person, $30 for a family of 4 ($5/additional family member).  Fall Fest will be pre-selling tickets for Saturday's games and bounce houses.  Avoid the lines and purchase them at the Pasta Dinner. 

Fall Fest Ticket Pricing:

• Bounce Houses – unlimited wristband $5
• Laser Tag $3
• Video Gaming Truck $3
• Cake walk/game tickets 25¢ a game or you can purchase a $3 punch card (12 games)

The Fall Fest Assembly will be held on Monday, October 14 at 2:20pm.  We will hand out 1-mile Rosettes for the fastest girl and boy in each class, conduct the drawings for the mini-iPad and gift certificates, as well as announce the winners of the school incentives.

Lace up those running shoes and get ready for fun – we look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Note:
If you reply to this email please confirm that it is directed to Amy Holt, amyh@blcbls.org. Your reply cannot be delivered if you use our bulk email address (schoolmail@gradelink.com).

Spelling test info for next week

Dear Parents:

Since we have a short week next week, we will not be taking a spelling test next week.  Our next test will be Wednesday, October 23.  The kids have already pasted these new words into their planner.  I told them even though they will have two weeks with these words to not put off studying until the last minute.  All of the words this week have silent letters, they are tricky!

Also, we will not be having a memory verse for next week.  I will give the kids the reading log and memory verse next week, but our test will not be until Friday, October 25.  Have a great time with your kids next week!

Planting day!

Today was the start of a plant unit we will be working on for the next 40 days. We planted our Wisconsin fast plant seeds!  They should sprout by Thursday, we're so excited!  Look at all of the budding scientists!

Amanda Gustafson 

Fall Fest Quick Finish Weekend is here!

From Amy Holt:

 

Families,

 

This weekend is the last weekend to collect pledges for Fall Fest.  During Quick Finish Weekend, all the funds raised will receive double entries into the prize drawings for the iPad mini, $50 gift card, and $25 gift card.  First $50 = 2 entries, additional $25 = 2 entries.  So, go out and get those pledges and turn your collection envelope into your teacher on Monday, October 7 (5-day Pre-K, K-8) and Tuesday, October 8 (AM and PM Preschool and 3-day Pre-K).  The pledges will be processed, names entered into the drawing, and packets returned back to you during the school week so you can collect more pledges.

FINAL PLEDGE PACKETS DUE

The final deadline for your pledge packet is the end of the school day on Friday, October 11.  All packets need to be accounted for and must be returned back to the office regardless of your student's participation.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

 

Blessings,

Amy

Bottle Rocket Party

Dear Parents:

What an exciting day we've had already and it's only 10:30am!  We were blessed to have Paige Wyatt, and engineering professor from CBC and a parent at BL, volunteer to come in and help our class build and launch bottle rockets.  We learned so much today!  We learned that engineers have pretty cool jobs, and that Mrs. Wyatt is a pretty cool and brave lady!  We learned how to work with our friends, and how to use duct tape.   We also learned what happens when you put water in bottles and build up the pressure!  I took a bunch of pictures (and Taylor acted as photographer when Mrs. G was corralling kids) so that you can see how much fun we had!  

Sincerely,

Amanda Gustafson