December 2014

Mt. Loafer was full of Christmas Spirit during the last school week of 2014!  Students did secret acts of Christmas kindness all week long.  Then they wrote down something nice they did or some kindness someone did for them.  The student council read a few during announcements each morning.  There were literally hundreds of acts of kindness done during the week!!  Friday students enjoyed singing Christmas songs together and a visit from Santa himself!  Merry Christmas to all!!

At Mt. Loafer, one kid can...can give a lifetime of Christmas cards to a dying child.  One kid can...donate food and hygiene items to students and families in Nebo School District.  One kid can...give the shoes that are now too small to someone who can use them.  One kid can...recognize the kindness in others and thank them for it. 

Students have been learning that caring, compassion and kindness really do matter.  In December students have:

Mt. Loafer 4th Grade students study Social Studies the first part of the year and Science for the second part of the year. When teachers announced that science was beginning....the students screamed with joy!!  We LOVE 4th grade science at Mt. Loafer!!

ALEKS stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces.  Mt. Loafer sixth grade teachers use the math program to accurately assess their students' knowledge and the program delivers targeted instruction on the exact topic each student is most ready to learn.  Teachers are noticing an increase in students performance and learning. 

Mr. Bradley, Mrs. Peterson and Mrs. Hancock teamed together and wrote a grant to the Nebo Foundation for a classroom rug.  Teachers know that teaching from the carpet allows for close proximity.  The carpet is a tool to build a classroom community, help with management of groups-whole group, small group and individual.  Rugs can also be used to play games and foster learning in so many ways. Thank you, Nebo Foundation for helping fund the purchase of new rugs!

There area few things as exciting in the eyes of young children as Christmas.  This young Kindergartner is describing to his partner sixth grade friends the wonderful John Deere tractor Santa brought last year.  'Tis the season for fun and excitment!

The teachers in Mrs. Hancock's class want to make play time an educational experience for the students. The teachers wrote a grant and Costco has willing donated ten LeapPads. Take a peek as students explore spelling, reading, and musical games. 

Writing a letter to Santa can be a daunting task for a 5 year old.  Mrs. Peterson paired her students with Mr. Applegate's sixth graders to help the little ones compose a letter to Santa that would be "just right."  Sixth graders helped the Kindergartners ask Santa questions of "Do you have a chimney" and "What name would you like if you were an elf?" and "Tell Mrs. Claus and all the reindeer hello!"

The Kindergarten and First Grade Students began their Thanksgiving Holiday early by having a fun feast!  The children enjoyed dressing up as Pilgrims and Native Americans to celebrate the holiday!