Hello and welcome to the second blog post of the year! I'm sorry for the delay (again), but things have been wicked crazy at FMLCS these past few weeks. If you're a fan of our Facebook page, you've seen some of the nifty things we've been up to. If you're not, be prepared for a whole 'lotta update!
First thing first, we went on a field trip to Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth. We're studying the United States this year, and this capped off a study on the state of Maine.
Before the trip, we brushed up on our knowledge of Portland Headlight itself - who commissioned it, when it was commissioned, what sound it makes, the works. When we visited the small museum inside the lighthouse, the kids recognized various facts we read about, and it was fun to watch them run around and connect that knowledge.
We took about fifteen billion group shots, much to the explorers' collective chagrin. Luckily they're used to this particular form of torture, and kept the protesting to a minimum and posing to a maximum.
We had a wonderful day immersed in nature, friendship, and rock .
Finally, we took a few more group shots - this time with hats and props! Let me tell you what. This was rough. It's mega windy seaside, and that did not do us any favors as far as the plastic hats were concerned. One of our parents caught a hilarious video of us trying to get the bottom shot, and all the hats flying off right as everyone is finally posed. Look for it in the next Month in Review video, because it is as hysterical as it was tragic.
Things calmed down for a week or so, and we got a lot done! Preschool music started up, and we got to show them around the classroom and introduce them to the pets. We cooked, we walked Todd, we did homework, we recorded our reading progress, we got a new Oklahoma R.-sized ukulele, and we received some super cool news...
We have a new student! Please welcome Louisiana K. to our ranks, ladies and gentlemen.
She's a 3rd grader, and that's spectacular for two reasons. One, our veteran 3rd grader Minnesota M. hasn't had a 'teammate' of her own and now she does.
Two, our class is now perfectly symmetrical! Four boys, four girls, and in each grade the same gender (two boys, two girls, two boys, two girls). Is that fantastic, or that fantastic?
Answer: It's fantastic.
Louisiana K. has melted seamlessly into our troupe, and we are extremely lucky to have her!
Later that same week, we had a visit from our esteemed superintendent, Mr. Trevor Schlisner. The explorers adore when he comes around, which is fair, because he's a pretty cool guy to have around. Not only did he do puzzles and math with the explorers, but he showed up in a safari hat and taught them how to start fires when out in nature - a safari themed demonstration!
That same day, we had a visit from the Saco Fire Department (see, told you things have been wicked crazy)
The explorers colored pictures and wrote letters to the firemen, and we made a special helmet with a message and each explorer's face and signature.
They loved it! So much, in fact, that one of them was wearing it as they drove off.
October has been a great - if busy - month, and it's hard to believe the month is almost over. We had a fundraiser yesterday that made almost $400 (big shoutout to school board member Karen and FMLCS parent Catie for organizing and running the event, as well as to everyone who donated craft goods for sale!). We went on a field trip today (see Facebook for the photos soon!). We have a fall party on Friday. And folks, November will prove to be even busier.
So strap in and stay tuned, because you'll be hearing a lot more outta us in the coming weeks! Check our Facebook page next Sunday (fingers crossed) for our October Month in Review video, and keep your eyes on the skies (or the screens) for other intermittent updates. I leave you now with Todd being a huge ham.
God bless,
Mia
