Brockbank first-graders recently finished reading the book, "Turkey Trouble" written by Wendi J. Silvano. In the story a turkey is in trouble, bad trouble, it is almost Thanksgiving and he is the main course. Farmer Jake is looking for him. Turkey has an idea what if he doesn't look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead? First-graders then got to use their imaginations and pick a disguise for Turkey so Farmer Jake won't recognize him.

Brockbank Elementary is happy to share some fun ways on "How to Cook a Turkey" according to second graders. Students had a creative writing assignment which lets the students use their imagination with no prompting from the teacher as far as content, they are able to write their own ideas. Below is some ideas of "How to Cook a Turkey" by Brockbank second grade students in their writing:

Brockbank's staff spotlight is Mrs. Sheri Gappmayer. Sheri is new to Brockbank's staff this year, she is a classroom aide for first, fourth, and fifth grades. She and her husband live in Lake Shore and have three sons and two daughters, all of which attend or have attended elementary school at Brockbank. Sheri likes gardening, camping, reading, and cooking. Some of her favorites are the color- blue, Twix candy bars, taco salad, and fresh lime drinks, listening to "Lady Antebellum", books, "The Great and Terrible Series", the movie, "The Cutting Edge", and eating at Dalton's.

Brockbank third graders were thrilled to receive dictionaries donated by Central Bank this week. Mr. Glen Roach is a part of the Spanish Fork Rotary Club who has a goal of placing a dictionary in the hands of every third grade student. Each student put his/her name in the dictionary and is encouraged to use it during classwork and also at home. Mr. Roach has sponsored Brockbank Elementary for several years and we appreciate his continued support of our students. Third graders look forward every year to Mr. Glen Roach's visit and the dictionaries he brings.

November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the 272 word Gettysburg Address on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the battle at Gettysburg over ten thousand Americans lost their lives. This famous speech was given at the dedication of the cemetery for Union soldiers who fought and died in the battle. In the address President Lincoln expressed the importance for Americans to remember the sacrifice made by these soldiers. Even though the speech was barely 3 minutes it has become one of American's most famous speeches of all time.

Recently Brockbank sixth-graders learned about ancient pyramids.   They learned about who, what, and why the pyramids exist. They also learned all about the mysterious King Tut. One fun activity they got to do was to create their own sarcophagus out of paper. They laid on the floor while someone traced them and then they used metallic paints and oil pastells to make them dazzling and bright. Another activity they had fun with was mummifying stuffed animals. They took out all the stuffing out and then put them in a box (sarcophagus) wrapped it in toilet paper.

In honor of Veteran's Day this week, Wyatt Rindlisbacher asked his neighbor and friend, Mr. Keith Gordon, to come and talk to his class about being a veteran. Mr. Gordon, a World War II Veteran, came to Mrs. RaDawn Anderson's fourth-grade class where Wyatt is a student and spoke to the students about some of his experiences in the war. Mr. Gordon told the students about his job being on the amphibious crew and that his missions didn't always end up with happy endings. Lots of men lost their lives protecting our country.

Thursday, November 14, Brockbank fourth-grade students had a presentation from a representative from the Utah County Storm Water Coalition. The primary purpose of this presentation is to briefly review the water cycle and to better educate fourth graders about our watershed area, their role in water use and conservation, and some of the sources of storm water pollution that can negatively affect this resource. Each student recieved an activity book, pencil, and a rubber raindrop to take home.