Toothpaste is Louder Than Words

As part of our "Be Nice" program in our district, we had two high school PALS students come to our classroom today to lead us through a "Be Nice" activity. 

The high schoolers, Jake and Hailey, asked the students to divide into three groups and then squeeze an entire tube of toothpaste out onto a paper plate.

The students particularly liked this part of the activity!!

After all the toothpaste was on the plate, the students were instructed to now use toothPICKS to put all the toothpaste back into the tube!

This proved to be a bit less fun and a LOT more frustrating!!

The students tried and tried, but they were not able to get very much toothpaste to go back into the tube.  

Jake and Hailey talked with the kids about how this is like mean or hurtful words that we blurt out of our mouths.  They come out so very easily... 

...but they are impossible to get back in.

This was a great example that we can remember when we are tempted to say something hurtful to someone else.  We can remember the toothpaste and how it was impossible to get it back into the tube once it was out.  Hopefully, this reminder will help us keep hateful words from ever coming out of our mouths in the first place.

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Smarties!

I've noticed many students are struggling with their basic multiplication facts.  We resurrected an activity that I did in second grade (with addition and subtraction) to help motivate the kids to learn their facts - Smartie Cards!! 

 The students have to know their facts lightning fast to pass, but once they do, they earn a punch on their card and a roll of Smarties!!  We set a goal as a whole class - if everyone can get their card totally punched by the end of the year, Mrs. Koehn will buy the class pizza!!  This is not only encouraging each student to learn his/her facts, but to also work together as  a family to help others study and learn the facts, too!!  

(If you're at the dollar store and you see a pack of multiplication cards, you might want to grab them for your student - they are REALLY pumped up about learning these facts now!)

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Bug Bites Monthly Newsletter

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Happy Halloween!

A few pictures from our party today!

(Special thanks to our "videographer", Mia for taking many of these candids!)

A HUGE thank-you to everyone who sent in supplies and goodies for our party!!

They were delish and the kids gobbled them right up!

Happy Halloween everyone!

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"The Pinball Mishap" by Sophia (a Personal Narrative)

I was at the Classic Arcade (it had like 50 games) for my grandma's birthday.  When I was done playing Mario bros. (Mario is a guy that breaks bricks.) I went to find my dad.  I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find him.  In my head I said, "Where is he?" I said panicly.  I want to play the Sims.  Finally I found him playing pinball.  I thought that was strange because he usually doesn't play pinball.  I didn't know I made a mistake.

So I went over to him and said, "Hi dad! Do you want to play the Sims with me?"  hugging his arm.  He said, "What?!?!" Then I said again, "Do you want to - " then I paused.  "Sorry!" I had the wrong dad.  He said, "Whoops! You have the wrong dad." Then I walked off embarrassed.  I did not tell anyone.  Also, my dad was in the bathroom.

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"My Most Exciting Moment" by Christian (a Personal Narrative)

I was with my mom and dad n our way to ComicCon.  ComicCon is where people dress up and take pictures.  I was dressed up at Captain America.  It took forever to get there.  In the car I played on my phone.  I also read a book.

When we got there, we had to wait in a line to go look around.  Then I saw an R2-D2.  He was moving forward and backward.  Left and right.  But then we saw a man with a remote control and realize that it was a robot.  After that I started to play with my phone.

When we got in a bunch of things.  I saw people dressed up.  I saw figurines.  I saw black and white superhero photos.  Everything was so cool. 

I went to take pictures with a bunch of people.  I took pictures with the Penguin and Wonder Woman.  I took one with Chewbacca and Darth Vadar.  I also took one with the Minions.

When I was done taking pictures I went to look at figurines.  There were Star Wars figurines and Marvel figurines.  There were also DC Comics figurines.  So many choices.  I finally chose an Iron Man figurine, a Thor figurine, a Captain American figurine.  I also got a Hulk figurine.

When I was done getting figurines, I looked at pictures.  I saw a bunch of pictures.  There was a Joker picture and a Venom picture.  I finally chose I got a huge Spiderman and Joker posters.  I also got a Spiderman fighting Venom picture. But I really liked the Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Spiderman and Batman black and white pictures.

When we were done, I took one last look around and said let's go home.  I gave my mom and dad a hug and we left the building.  I gave them another hug then I said thank you for bringing me here.  Then we left.

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"A First Time for Everything" by Bella (a Personal Narrative)

December 22, 7:00pm

It was silent but my heart still felt like it would explode.  We were eating.  I was seven and it was a late winter evening. In exactly 48 hours I would meet my grandma for the first time.

December 23, 8:30am

It was very early and my family had just passed through security.  It was my first time but my mom explained everything and I made it out alive.  We were all hungry so we headed to the food court.  Immediately my senses filled with the smell of fresh baked bread and hot pizza.  The chatter of people filled my ears.  Eventually, I chose a sandwich and we ate.

December 23, 9:00am

Me and my family were in line to board the plane.  It was my first time boarding and personally I thought it was pretty cool.  Then we boarded the plane.

December 23, 12:40pm

Everybody got off to the airport.  We gathered our luggage and we headed to the door.  The minute she opened them I was amazed.  The air was filled with warmth, there were palm trees and sun lit up every corner!  People were happily talking.

December 23, 1:13pm

We had just arrived at the car rental and it was time to start the trip.

December 23, 3:25

We finally arrived at the hotel and it had everything from vending machines to pull-out couches.  Soon we settled in our room and took some much needed sleep.  Best first day in Arizona.

December 24, 1:15pm

We were now on our final part of the trip to meet my grandma!

December 24, 3:37pm

I couldn't wait!!  With all the things that happened this by far was the most exciting!  We go out of the car and there she was, standing arms wide open, my grandma with dark grey hair and a smile that could light up the whole town!  I gave her a big hug along with everyone else.  The minute I stepped in her door, I was greeted by the biggest, friendliest dog ever.

December 24, 5:30pm

We met up with all my relatives and had dinner.  My grandma and set up quite the menu that consisted of chicken, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.  It looked like dinner you could serve to a king!

December 28, 1:00

I have been in Arizona for only two days and I was having the best time!!  Sadly, I had to leave tomorrow.  I was going to miss Arizona but I had to go home sometime.  My family had all enjoyed the scorching heat and lovely view and everything in Arizona.

December 29, 1:00

My flight was in two hours and we were planning to spend all the time we could with grandma and grandpa.  me and my brother spent at least twenty minutes doing magic with an invisible ball.  We spent another thirty playing board games and spent the last hour walking the dog, talking and watching TV.  When it was time to go it was like a fawn parting from its mother.  I had rode a plane for the first time, had my day in Arizona, met my grandma for the first time.  It was hard to leave, but I had to.  I love my grandma with all my heart.

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