Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

We had a fabulous time at Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard.  The students were able to participate in many fun activities that enriched our learning about pumpkins, their life cycles, and the uses of pumpkins and apples.

We started off with a ride on the yellow school bus.  For some, it was the first time they had been on a bus!  When we arrived at the farm, we took a hayride to the pumpkin patch.  We passed apple trees, a pond, and beautiful mountain views.  Once in the pumpkin patch, each student was able to pick out a pumpkin.  (We are saving these pumpkins for experiments next week!  Your child will bring them home Wednesday or Thursday.)  After the hayride, we enjoyed a corn maze that involved solving trivia to find the right way out.  Mrs. Stepp taught us about the life cycle of a pumpkin, took us on a tour of a pumpkin patch where we looked for green pumpkins, yellow flowers, orange pumpkins, and rotten pumpkins, and then did an apple demonstration where students tasted different types of apples.  We wrapped our trip up with a fun ride down the slide.

It was a perfect fall day spent at Stepp's Hillcrest Farm.  Thank you to everyone who made it an engaging field trip full of learning!  Enjoy the pictures!

Fire Safety

Friday we had the opportunity to learn about fire safety from the Dana Fire Department.  We had an assembly where we were able to see a firefighter dress up in all of his gear and hear what it sounds like when he talked and breathed.  We also toured a fire truck and a rescue vehicle.  The smokehouse was here and inside we learned about safety inside our house, especially in the kitchen.  We practiced exiting a house when there is smoke.  Everyone's homework is to go home and practice a fire drill in their home.  What do you do?  Where are the exits? Where do you meet? Don't forget to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries!

Thank you Dana Firefighters for an awesome day!

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

This week we are focusing on Habit 4: Think Win-Win.  The first three habits have to do with individuals and being a happy, balanced person.  Habits 3, 4, and 5 have to do with relationships with other people.  When we think win-win, we balance courage for getting what we want with consideration for what others want.  When conflicts arise, we look for a win-win solution. 

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Last week we focused on Habit 3 during Wildcat Team Time.  Habit 3 is Put First Things First.  In other words, work before play.  We need to do what's important before we do things that are not as important.  We set priorities, make a schedule and follow a plan.  Talk to your child about the single most important thing he or she could do to help in the morning (get dressed, brush teeth, pack a lunch).  Have him or her draw a picture doing that important thing.  Display this page where you and your child will see it.  The same activity could be done for another part of the day.  For example, doing homework before playing outside or taking a bath before watching a movie.