Connor'a A-Maize-Ing Acres

On Thursday, October 27th, we went on a field trip to the farm.  Students enjoyed riding the "Cow Train", taking a hay ride out to feed the cattle in the field, eating a picnic lunch, winding their way through the corn maize, and playing on the playground.  Thank you to Mr. Cobb, Mrs. Cobb, Mr. Fick, Mrs. King, and Mrs. Watson, who served as chaperones.  We were also happy to have Ms. Pesce, an intern from the University of North Florida with us, too.  Students saw eight different kinds of animals: cattle, horses, a donkey, a sheep, a pig, chickens, a goat, and ducks.  We had beautiful weather and a great time.

The Gingerbread Man

Our STAR Book for October 17-21, 2011, was The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt.  Each day the children listened as Mrs. Doiron read the story.  They also listened to The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone, as well as The Gingerbread Man by Richard Scarry and The Gingerbread Man by Elfreida.  They also watched two different versions of the story on YouTube!  We talked about fantasy vs. reality, the setting, the characters, and sequence of events.  Students used six laminated picture cards to retell the story.  They placed the pictures in order and told the story to each other.  On Thursday evening, Mrs. Doiron made gingerbread men at home and brought them to school on Friday.  (Mrs. Doiron said that she had to watch the oven to make sure that those little gingerbread men didn't jump out of her oven ~ LOL.)  On Friday, each student received a gingerbread man.  They frosted him, decorated him with sprinkles, and finally ate him.  Now we know why all those people and animals chase the gingerbread man.  He tastes so good!

"I Say NO by Wearing Red"

On Friday, October 21st, most of the students in our class wore red clothing to show that we say "No" to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.  Thanks to the parents who helped their children wear the appropriate things each day this week!

We CAN Live a Healthy Drug-Free Life!

THANK YOU to Bryan, Jack, Burlin, Emily, Mary, and Kayla, and their families, for sending in canned foods for our canned food drive!  CAN you help, too?

Navy TGIF Dixieland Jazz Band

As a part of Red Ribbon Week, we had a visit from the Navy TGIF Dixieland Jazz Band on Thursday, October 20th.  We had a toe-tapping, clapping good time.  One of the children said, "That band was awesome!"

SOCK Drugs Out!

On Thursday, October 20th, we wore crazy or mismatched socks to "SOCK Drugs Out!"  Don't you just love these socks?

Go for the Goal, Be Drug Free!

On Wednesday, October 19th, students and teachers wore sports gear from their favorite teams to "Go for the Goal, Be Drug Free!"

Give Drugs the SLIP!

On Tuesday, October 18th, we "Gave Drugs the SLIP" by wearing our slippers to school.  It sure was comfortable wearing slippers all day!

Put a CAP on Drugs!

On Monday, October 17th, students at Merrill Road Elementary School "Put a CAP on Drugs".  Red Ribbon Week is October 17-21.

THE LITTLE RED HEN

Our STAR Book for October 10-14 was The Little Red Hen by Lucinda McQueen.  On Friday, October 14th, students practiced retelling the story using pictures of the characters and main events in the story.  The children also enjoyed eating bread with butter, just as the little red hen ate at the end of the story.

Visit from Firefighters

Did you know that October 9-15 was Fire Prevention Week?  On Tuesday, October 11th, we had a visit from firefighters with their fire truck.  We hope you enjoy these photos.

Author's Chair

At the end of Writer's Workshop each day, several students share their work.  We have been working on Narrative Writing (telling stories).  A student sits in the "Share Chair" and reads his/her work to the rest of the class.  The listeners get to compliment the student in the Author's Chair, telling him/her what we liked about the piece.  Students often are comlimented on their pictures, details, or words.  Beginning on Monday, October 10th, our students will begin learning how to do Informational or Report Writing.

Winner

Congratulations to Skylar.  She (and her family) sold the most Entertainment Books in the entire school !!  She won a movie and popcorn bucket to share with her family.