Doughnuts for Dads!

Our PTO has changed the date for the first Doughnuts for Dads meeting to Wednesday, Septemeber 17th at 7:45 a.m. I hope that all of our Dads will try and make it to this meeting. Grizzly Guys does a great job getting our fathers involved and making a difference at Gilchrist!

Cheer On Your Favorite Team!

Tomorrow is College Day at Gilchrist! Dr. Grantham has requested that we all dress from head to toe in school spirit. Most of you can guess that I will be decked out in orange and blue! I am a third generation Gator, so our loyalty runs deep! Whether you cheer on the Bulldogs (my husband), the War Eagles, the Tide, or even those crazy Seminoles...I hope that you promote the option of college to your fifth grader! It's never too early to get them thinking about all the great possibilities that lie ahead of them!

Your Own Little Piece of the World

My science students got back to nature today with a trip to our garden. Each student was given a string and instructed to make a circle. Within the circle they were to find a plant to focus on. They journaled about the following observations: What was the color, texture, and scent of the plant? Did this plant provide shelter for an animal? What requirements did this plant need to stay alive? The students also sketched or took a leaf rubbing of the plant. We had a great morning, taking science outdoors!

Box Tops = Money

Going to the grocery store is part of our weekly routine in the Whitaker household. As we stroll the aisles, we make sure to pick up products that have Box Tops For Education labels on them. Over the past five years, Gilchrist has received over $12,000 in "free money". Make clip box tops part of your family's weekly routine!
If you would like to know more about this great program, check out: http://www.boxtops4education.com/EmailNewsletters/?WT.mc_id=paid_search_phase2_08&WT.srch=1&sid=262

Science Fun!

Today with our third grade science buddies we learned about mold. Each team had two
pieces of bread. First,we wiped each piece on the floor to collect mold spores. Then,
we put each in a separate bag we squirted the bread with water.One bag said control[something that stays the same]and the other said variable [something that changes].
The control bags will be taped to the window.The variable bags will be in different places. In a week, we will check to see which bread grew the most mold.We'll then record in our science journal.

BY: CASSIE LAJEUNESSE

Let The Games Begin!

On Thursday we put on our olive leaves like the ancient Olympians did, and got out our measuring tapes for our Mini Metric Olympics. The atheletes competed in the cotton ball shot put, the high jump, the paper plate discus throw, the straw javelin, and the giant step. The competition was fierce, but they all prevaled! What a great way to incorporate fun in a math lesson!

Homework is a Nightly Priority!

Each of my students took home on the first day of school a homework plan to develop and discuss with their family. As a family you discussed great places in your home to get work done, when it is best for you to work, and how much guidance you might need from your family. Today, I sent 12 children to study hall. We are only a week into fifth grade, and it is apparent that homework is not a nightly priority. Homework is each student's responsibility, and enables me to see that they have mastered a topic. Please instill the importance of self-discipline and establish a time and place that allows homework to top the priority list!