Dynamite Division!

Dear Parents and Students,

Congratulations to our mighty mathematicians! This past week, students "celebrated" their learning of division. It was neat to see their confidence grow over the past few weeks. When I first introduced long division, many of the students were terrified! Now I hear their whispers and see their smiles of confidence. I am proud of their hard work, courage, and determination. Dynamite!

Students were excited to get "down and dirty" this week in science. We began investigating soil - not dirt! In was exciting to make and even taste soil together. Together we made a cake to represent the parts of soil:

cake mix= parent material of rocks and minerals (45%)

water = water (25%)

air creating by stirring = air (25%)

eggs & oil = organic material (5%)

Additionally, we compared the 3 types of soils: sand, silt, and clay. By spring, your students will be expect gardeners to take care of the yard! :D

Our class reading groups finished our science investigation nonfiction books this week. Students exemplified awesome connections as we reviewed science topics. Coming up this week, our class will be reading and learning about how the pioneers celebrated Christmas many years ago. The spirit of the season is glowing in our classroom as we share stories together.

In writing, students are practicing using transition words in their writing in an "If you give/take . . ." story. Their imaginations are quite fun! I hope you will ask them to share with you soon!

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Pioneer Christmas
Spelling: Christmas Words
Writing: Organization Trait of Writing
Math: Multiplication & Division Problem Solving
Science: Soils
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

Dashing into December

Dear Parents and Students,

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

Bells on bob tails ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to laugh and sing

A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

December's adventures ring with cheer in our classroom. Students imaginations and fantasies sparkle and glow with delight at this special time of year. The magic of learning is found in glimpses of growth.

This week we shared holiday stories together, including my story of my Grandpa's great capture of Santa's boot. Whenever my Grandpa shared this story with me, I remember the magic of this holiday season is found in giving and sharing gifts of love. One of my favorite gifts of love is the love my students share of learning and growing. Thank you for sharing your students with me!

Our class reading groups began new reading books this week, focusing on the nonfiction genre. The students are investigating different science topics including, rocks, minerals, ecosystems, and chemical changes. It is neat to see their twinkling smiles as they create science and reading connections. Way to go Bobcats!!

On Friday, students enjoyed our school "Story Telling Festival." Lauren did a fantastic job in sharing a story. Wow! What courage to present in front of the school! We were very proud of her.

Our weathering and erosion unit draws to a close at the beginning of this next week. We explored erosion with the forces of wind, water, ice and gravity. It is so fun to do experiments with them. They are truly super scientists!!

This week students will continue to explore long division. Although division is a scary word, it becomes friendly with the knowledge that it is "backwards multiplication." Please continue to support your student in practicing multiplication and division facts at home.

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Nonfiction Features & Fairy Tales
Spelling: Word Patterns, Accents, Prefixes
Writing: Organization Trait of Writing
Math: Division
Science: Soils
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

Ready Set Action

Parents and Students,

Ready, Set, Action! Students were amazing actors this week in creating scene skits of their guided reading group mystery books. Groups used their imaginations to transform their mental images of their reading into real life. It was fun to see all their costumes, facial expressions, and set props. They were thrilled to share some of their books with the other students. As each group was finished with their books, many students said, "Is there another book?" My response was, "Of course!" I hope you will discuss what your students are reading in and out of school to encourage their love for reading to grow.

On Wednesday, students celebrated "Grandparents' Day." What joy it was to see students sharing some school moments with their grandparents. I believe grandparents have a magic spell of making all their grandchildren feel so special- like no one else. They are "spoiling" experts of love and laughter. Whether students had their own grandparents there or not, they were adopted by those their. Thank you for sharing your grandparents with us.

This week students will continue to explore long division. Although division is a scary word, it becomes friendly with the knowledge that it is "backwards multiplication." Please continue to support your student in practicing multiplication and division facts at home.

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Nonfiction Features & Fairy Tales
Spelling: Word Patterns, Accents, Prefixes
Writing: Organization Trait of Writing
Math: Division
Science: Weathering and Erosion
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

Rockin' Rockhounds

Parents and Students,

Rockhound scientists were twisting and shouting with a shake, rattle, and roll. The magic of earth formations brought awestruck eyes as we experimented and learned about weathering and erosion. Students explored wind abrasion weathering by stirring chalk in salt, making the chalk change color as pieces of sediment mixed in. It was also amazing to see their anticipation to observe heat expansion as we heated glass rocks and cooled them quickly. The magic of experiments made great moments of learning. I hope they will continue to have a magical eye for shaping of the many rocks surrounding them. We will continue our rock investigations with weathering and erosion. Nature's forces have sure created magnificent wonders in Utah.

On Thursday and Friday, our classroom was filled with County brochures, posters, and floats. Wow! They were dazzling, demonstrations of their hard work. It was fun to see the variety of posters, floats, and brochures - each reflecting their individual personalities. Thank you for helping your students in this learning adventure. I hope you learned some things too about our amazing state.

This week students will continue to explore long division. Although division is a scary word, it becomes friendly with the knowledge that it is "backwards multiplication." Please continue to support your student in practicing multiplication and division facts at home.

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Mysteries and Context Clues - Group Project
Spelling: Making words with common chunks
Writing: Word Choice Trait of Writing
Math: Division
Science: Weathering and Erosion
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

Milestones to Freedom

Parents and Students,

What a memorable week we have had together. Throughout the week in enrichment, students practiced and applied ways to prevent bullying. I hope they were able to share some of their learning and experiences with you.

On Thursday, Butterfield Canyon Elementary had the privilege to participate in the "Milestones to Freedom" assembly and activities. Students discovered the process of obtaining citizenship in America and the great opportunities we have here. It was delightful to hear their expressions of gratitude, thoughtful questions, and praises for our wonderful county. Let Freedom Ring!

It is finally here, our Utah County Fair. Mark your calendars if you haven't already for the due date on Thursday, November 18th. The "County Fair" will be Friday, November 19th at 12:45-1:45 pm. I know the students have worked hard to complete this project and are excited to share. For a complete report, students need a county brochure, poster/float presentation, and 2 minute oral report. For the oral report, students should be able to share 5-10 facts about their county to the fair participants. We hope to see you there!

For the past several weeks, students have transformed into great geologists. Each day a new student would bring a rock to share with us. It was fun to see their delight in sharing a learning connection with us. I hope they will continue to have a magical eye for the many rocks surrounding them. We continue our rock investigations with weathering and erosion. Nature's forces have sure created magnificent wonders in Utah.

Opposite to multiplication, students will begin to explore long division. Although division is a scary word, it becomes friendly with the knowledge that it is "backwards multiplication." Please continue to support your student in practicing multiplication and division facts at home.

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Mysteries and Context Clues
Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables
Writing: Word Choice Trait of Writing
Math: Division
Science: Weathering and Erosion
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

Rockin' Rockhounds

Dear Parents and Students,

Thank you for coming to Parent Teacher Conferences this week. It was a pleasure to visit with you and celebrate your student's progress. Each day I am amazed at their learning connections and growth. It is tickling to see their bright smiles as we explore and discover. I am grateful for the opportunity to discover earth's wonders.

I hope you will remember and review the SEP goals we made together. Find a visiable spot to post their goals: on the fridge, bulletin board, mirror, or somewhere that is seen often. Most of all seek opportunities to share your students' learning experiences each day. This can be in the car, at dinner, and/or reading our blog:). Thank you for your constant support and encouragement. It truly makes a difference!

Our multiplication journey continues this week as we review 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication. We will also use the strategies we have learned to take the challenge of 3-digit by 2 digit multiplication. It is exciting to hear their multiplication stories of "Super Zero" as they solve the pproblems. Hooray for Super Zero mathematicians!

Students are really becoming expert "Rockhounds." Each day a new student brings in a rock to share with the class. It is contagious to feel their energy to learn and discover about the rocks around them. Utah is definitely famous for their many rock formations throughout the state.

A funny story for the week happened during science. One student raised their hand to tell me a bug was on their desk. I walked over their thinking it would be a big bug, but there crawling on the paper was a tiny knat. I squashed it. The students were scared, so I explained that we had learned about insects being the biggest population of bugs and to keep the environment in check it was okay to kill bugs sometimes. Another students sitting by me, raised his eyebrows sighing, "Thank goodness for frogs!" What a fun animal connection!!

A County Report Countdown begins this week, with just over one week until the "County Fair." Mark your calendars if you haven't already for the due date on Thursday, November 18th. The "County Fair" will be Friday, November 19th at 12:45-1:45 pm. We hope to see you there!

This week our learning adventures include the following curriculum goals:
Reading: Mysteries and Context Clues
Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables
Writing: Word Choice Trait of Writing
Math: 3 x 2-Digit Multiplication
Science: Rocks and Minerals
Social Studies: Native Americans

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning with them. They are amazing!!!

Mrs. Yates

A Spooktacular Halloween

Dear Parents and Students,

Tricks and treats of learning filled our classroom last week. It was thrilling to see students engaged in science tricks of exploring igneous and sedimentary rocks. They are so fascinated with investigating the world around them. Throughout the week many students have shared their learning connections with me, even those experiences when they proved their parents wrong with floating rocks!

Students continue to be engaged in our mystery book adventures. We continue to look for clues and evidence to find answers to puzzling questions. I love watching them sneak peek further in their reading assignments to find more information. Their excitement is contagious!! I hope you will check in with them often while they read their mystery book report books.

Along with Halloween celebrations on Friday, students honored Red Ribbon Week throughout the week. We were lucky to have an assembly with Mr. Bagley, a local cartoonists. His cartoon drawings were fascinating to watch and helpful in reminding students the importance of staying drug free. Students even had the opportunity to learn to draw with him.

Students will continue to learn the tricks of 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication this week. They are excited to see their eyes glow as they learn and grow. Please help them review multiplication facts at home to make this challenging adventure easier.

This week we will continue our learning adventures. Our curriculum goals for the week are:

Reading: Mysteries and Predictions
Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables
Writing: Ideas Trait of Writing
Math: 2 Digit Multiplication
Science: Rocks & Minerals
Social Studies: Native Americans

Parent Teacher Conferences are Wednesday and Thursday of this week. I am excited to share their progress with you. Please bring any questions or concerns you may have. Your students are wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning from them. They are brilliant!

Mrs. Yates

Super Sleuths & Scientists

Dear Parents and Students,

We have been falling into some great learning adventures this week. Each of the students have brought back a magnetic energy to learn. Their excitement and enthusiasm is contagious! I am proud of their hard work and determination to succeed in their own ways.

Watch out Sherlock Homes, our students have been super sleuths this week in their new mystery reading books. Many students have a hard time putting their books down, which is exciting to see. Some of the books students are reading are: The Westing Game; The Mummy, the Will, and the Crypt; The Ghost, the White House, and Me; The Witches; A to Z Mysteries: The Deadly Dungeon. Looking for clues and evidence to solve their mysteries, we will continue to learn about mystery vocabulary words and predictions.

Using their detective skills, students have been investigating rocks and minerals. We discovered how rocks are each made differently, creating different crystal structures by sorting and talking about how pasta is made differently. Using Mohl's scale and magnifying glasses, students discovered the name of many everyday minerals. They were surprised to learn how many things and ways we use rocks and minerals everyday!

This week we will continue our learning adventures. Our curriculum goals for the week are:

Reading: Mysteries and Predictions
Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables
Writing: Ideas Trait of Writing
Math: Division & Multiplication
Science: Rocks & Minerals
Social Studies: Utah State Symbols

During the week, students will be involved in a variety of Red Ribbon Week activities to celebrate living a life "Drug Free." Look for a note on Monday outlining the activities for the week, including dress up days, assemblies, and other activities.

It is also important to note your calendars for Friday Halloween celebration. The parade will begin at 9:30. Our class Halloween party will be after lunch at 12:45. Please contact our learning links representative, Didi Weaver if you would like to help in any way. I look forward to see everyone dressed up!

Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I love teaching and learning from them. They are brilliant!

Mrs. Yates

Spooky, Rocky Thrills

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back Bobcats! I hope you had a wonderful off-track filled with autumn activities: pumpkin hunting, corn mazes, raking leaves, and more. It is exciting to capture the fall leaf changes each day. I am looking forward to seeing you soon at school. I can't wait to explore our world with you! I have missed your glowing faces and bright smiles.

Spooky thrills and mysteries seem to capture our attention this time of year. In reading we are going to read and study the mystery genre. Mysteries are some of my favorite books to read because of the anticipation of the unexpected. Just when you think you have solved the mystery, you find you are wrong. I know you will become great detectives of your books!

Another exciting adventure we are about to begin is investigating Utah's rocks and minerals. Utah is famous for its variety of spectacular rock formations, including arches, spindles, mountain cliffs, canyons, and limestone with fossil treasures. We are going to learn about the many types of rocks and minerals found in Utah and are important resources.

As we return to school on Monday, I am looking to do a science experiment with pasta. I am hoping some of you would be willing to contribute to our experiment by bringing a box of pasta of all shapes and sizes, except long and skinny. Please email me if you are willing to help in our science exploration. Thank you for your support!!

Our curriculum goals for the week include:

Reading: Mystery Genre

Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables

Writing: Traits of Writing - Ideas

Math: Factors, Multiplication, Division

Science: Rocks & Minerals

Social Studies: Utah State Symbols

I love learning and growing with your students each day. Thank you for all your support through emails, phone calls, donations, and bright smiles.

Mrs. Yates

Off-Track Homework Overview

September 20, 2010

Dear Students and Parents-

Wow! I cannot believe it is already our first off-track break. I am proud of the hard work and growth students have demonstrated. It has been fun to get to know the students individually. I have been amazed at the progress they each have made in their learning adventures.

Seeing this growth leads me to encourage the students and you to continue to use skills we have learned to keep their academic skills sharp and enhance their learning when they return. I appreciate that many families have things planned besides schoolwork during this time, which is needful. I hope you can find time in your fun off-track activities to take time for these suggested activities and even them include them in the fun!

If you have any questions about the assignments during the off-track time, please feel free to contact me at my email address below. I will be checking email whenever it is possible.

Off-track Suggested Continued Learning Activities:

1. READING

· Independent Reading: Please read at least 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes a day and record your reading in your school planners as you usually do, including parent initials. I will be entering these reading minutes for a grade when we return as usual. Reading is an essential practice of a lifelong skill.

2. MATH

· Multiplication time tables learning and practice: It is critical that students keep practicing their Times Tables. This can be done with flash cards, using the internet game “Times Attack”, or timed tests.

3. SCIENCE

· Plant and Animal Photo Scavenger Hunt: While exploring the neighborhood or on travel adventures, look for plants and animals we have studied. Take a picture and bring it to share with the class.

4. SOCIAL STUDIES:

· County Report: Take time on your break to read, research, and complete your county report. You may even choose to visit if it is nearby – a family field trip! J The detailed instructions for the report are attached below. The time students take to read about their county may count towards their reading minutes.

5. TECHNOLOGY

· Keyboarding: Students may use their off-track time to practice their keyboarding skills using the school’s KBK program that all students are familiar with. The link to the website is:

· http://www.keyboardingonline.com/epco/schoolInfo.do

· Entry Login and password: butterfield and butterfield.

· Personal Password: student lunch number

Have a great break and keep learning!

Mrs. Yates

Wonderful Walkers

Dear Parents and Students,

Way to go Bobcats! Students were amazing super heros during our BCE Spirit Week. It was fun to see the students celebrate our school with pride. Thank you for supporting your students during the week's events at school, restaurants, and the Walk-a-thon. Our Bobcat spirit will carry us to success!

Last Wednesday, the 4th grade had the privildge to see the Utah Symphony at Hillcrest High School. All dresssed up, the boys and girls looked so handsome and pretty. They enjoyed the concert's "Magic of Music" performances, including "Harry Potter," "Midsummer's Night Dream," and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." During the field trip students explored visualizing images through the movement of the music.

This week BCE will be participating in a wonderful hands-on social studies investigation on Wednesday. Students will join the upper grade students in an assembly, interactive activity, and follow-up assembly presentation. During this activity, students will learn about American immigrants. It will be a great learning experience for all!

Our curriculum goals for the week include:

Reading: Story Elements- Plot and Conflict

Spelling: Long/Short Vowels & Accented Syllables

Writing: County Report Brochure

Math: Multiplication

Science: Classification

Social Studies: Utah Rivers and Lakes

I love learning and growing with your students each day. Thank you for all your support through emails, phone calls, donations, and bright smiles.

Mrs. Yates