How can you take English language arts, social studies, science, and maths and turn it into a fun learning activity? Let me be fully transparent; we can play a table-top, role-playing game (TTRPG). Students in the third grade just finished reading a non-fiction text introducing tornadoes and the Enhanced Fujita Scale (how destructive a tornado is). In social studies we are currently discussing how communities help one another, land forms, and weather patterns. Obviously science is incorporated into the mix because of weather and new terms such as updraft, funnel cloud, and Fujita Scale. Mathematics shows up when using the dice to add, subtract, multiply, and divide required moves with the role-playing story. Today the students had an adventure where they needed to get to safety from an EF4 tornado, make it safely through the school to the cafeteria (the rats were running the hallways), return from being blown 35 miles away riding a cow!, and help feed seventeen additional people! All of the students did well with their maths and critical thinking skills. I am proud of their story-telling ability and we will foster this type of learning for engagement!
The third and fourth grade were blessed with some high schoolers yesterday! Bailey, Sawyer, and Jeremiah came to help build Lego Robots! The students have finished a section in science on simple machines, now we are working on complex machines and engineering. As I have not put these robots together I asked if there was someone who may want to come and help, we were fortunate enough to have Bailey, Sawyer, and Jeremiah who were more than willing to come and collaborate with the younger students on this fun STEAM activity!
Today marked our first day at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis! We started the afternoon by joining nearly 64,000 other members and guests at Lucas Oil Stadium for Opening Session 1A, where keynote speaker A’ric Jackson delivered a message about overcoming the limits people place on us, and the limits we place on ourselves. He reminded everyone that attitude and self-belief matter, and that sometimes you just have to say to the opportunities that come your way rather than just staying in our self-created 'box'. His energy and message set a perfect tone for the week ahead. After the session, we took some time to let the students burn off energy at a jump park, complete with trampolines, and obstacle courses, and even FFA member vs. Advisor volleyball and basketball games. It was a fun way to unwind after a long travel stretch and a busy first day in the city. The week is off to a great start, and our students are already taking in lessons, experiences, and memories that will last long after the trip is over.
Grover FFA’s second day on the road to the National FFA Convention was packed with learning and new experiences.
We started the morning at Iowa State University’s College of Animal Science, where students learned about animal research, livestock judging, and the many opportunities in the animal science program. Dr. Jodi Sterle encouraged students to take every opportunity that comes their way, and concluded by telling us, “Sometimes you just gotta show up and say yes.”
After leaving Ames, we crossed the Missouri River — one of the most important transportation routes for American agriculture. Millions of tons of corn, wheat, and soybeans move down the Missouri–Mississippi River system each year, carrying grain from farms across the Midwest (including Colorado) all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It was a good reminder of how connected our food and ag systems are from state to state.
We finished the day in Illinois with a tour of Hummel Livestock, a farm known for “thinking outside the box.” They raise high-end Savannah cats, show goats, show cattle, and even a bottle-fed eland, the world’s largest antelope.
It’s been a long travel day, but everyone’s having fun, learning a lot, and getting excited for what’s ahead at National Convention!
THIS THURSDAY (10/30/25) We will have our annual Halloween Costume Parade and Contest starting at 3:00 pm in the gym! All are welcome! Costumes must be school appropriate!
Pawnee FFA Heads to National Convention!
Today marks the first leg of our journey to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis! Two of our Grover FFA members are on the road, with their first stop in Grand Island, Nebraska for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Case IH Combine Factory.
Students saw firsthand how modern combines are built—from robotic welders and laser cutters to a four-hour paint line and more than 18,000 parts that make up each of Case's newest machine, each of which is custom-built to order. Members learned how the plant adapts to changing markets, now producing around eight combines per day compared to years when the factory was completing 30 machines per day!
I believe there may be something in the fifth grade for states and capitals, so we can start some fun learning activities in third and fourth that help with spelling and social studies! States and Capitals BINGO is a fun and engaging way to learn which states have which capital and where on the US map these places are located.
One of our science wizards in third grade, Mr. Augustus!, showed us this neat trick today and I have no idea what it is called. If anyone can help us find the fun, please let Dr. Smith know! Thank you!
(You fold the paper like a fan and it is supposed to hold heavy books.)
Help us to include your family members in our Veteran's Day tribute.
Attention Star-Gazers: Double Comet Weekend
What’s happening? Comets -- yeah, with an 's'. We'll have the rare chance of seeing both at once!
Both Comet Lemmon and Comet SWAN will be visible shortly after sunset for the next few evenings. With clear skies and a dark spot away from yard lights, you might spot one or both with your own eyes. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime event. Comet Lemmon won’t return for about 1,400 years, and Comet SWAN won’t be seen again for roughly 22,000 years.
When to look:
Best time: About 30–90 minutes after sunset, roughly 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. for our area.
Best days: Friday through Monday, when both comets are near their brightest.
The western sky will be your best bet, right after the sun goes down and before they set.
Where to look:
Comet Lemmon: Look toward the northwest. If you can find the Big Dipper, look just below the handle area.
Comet SWAN: Look more toward the southwest, closer to where the sun sets. It will be lower and may require binoculars to see.
Viewing tips:
Get away from porch lights, town lights, and headlights. The darker the sky, the better.
Try looking through binoculars or a small telescope if you have access to either.
Let your eyes adjust to the dark for about ten minutes.
Face west after sunset and give it a few minutes. The comets will appear as faint, fuzzy stars with a small tail.
The only sport I have certification in coaching is Native Youth Olympics. I had the students try a couple of the activities during science to show equal and unequal forces.
Happy Homecoming Week! This Saturday (October 25th) we will have our annual bonfire from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!!
Third and fourth grade scientists checked out a Van de Graaff generator to see all the awesome parts of electricity!
The first and second grade classes took an educational field trip to the Scottsbluff Zoo.
NEXT WEEK (October 20 -25) IS HOMECOMING WEEK!! We have some really fun activities planned for the entire school including games, dress-up days, and giveaways!! Get ready to show your school spirit! :)
The art classes have been very busy learning about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. We are focused on farm animals this year. The kindergartens have made goats and chickens on nests. The 1st & 2nd graders made clown color wheels and chickens. The 3rd & 4th graders made primary and secondary color sheep. The 5th & 6th graders have been working on drawing horses with some colorful ones in the mix. The high schoolers have done a mix of projects. Art 2 students did some quilling. Art 1 student did pastel roosters. One Art 2 student did some calligraphy. All of the high school art students did work with colors.
The kindergarteners and preschoolers had a great time at Pope Farms today!
Come join us for dinner and a night under the stars! Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH! Spirit Day is finally here for the month of September! It's "ABC Day" so wear something that represents the first letter of your first name! For example...a student named Bob could wear a banana costume OR wear the color blue OR dress like Betty White! Be creative and let's have a fun day!
On Monday the 22nd of September the third and fourth grade visited Pawnee Waste to learn all about how the company protects the water supply of the area from contamination. The students got to don the easy-see vests and we had a tour of the facility!
