Each morning at 7:30 AM, Mr. Arreola, high school English and Drama teacher, gets on the school intercom and leads the students in the Pledge of Allegiance, and makes the morning announcements. The sports events, weekly highlights of TPS, and, now, the Small Fry-to-Go (SFtG) project are broadcast to all of our K-12 students.
Third grade teacher, Ms. King, has been kind enough to join the bandwagon of teachers who have participated in this program and writes the SFtG updates to be read each morning by Mr. Arreola.
Before her students arrive for the day, she heads down to the outdoor classroom or what we call the “LABitat,” feeds the fish, and prepares a report on the fry so that the students listening in their respective classes, have their minds are filled with more facts about the tiny Rainbow Trout living on our campus.
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Here is an announcement from Wednesday, February 18th. “Today is day 38 of Small Fry to Go! We have 837 fry still swimming in the LABitat. According to Travis in Ms. King’s class, ‘They squirm a lot and are very fast.’ Evan, in Mrs. Fuller’s class, informed us that ‘The fry are in different stages. He said that most are juveniles but we still have some that have not yet reached that stage.’”
Over 1000 students learn about the progression of this project each day during the announcements. In addition, the children who make the observations being announced are inspired when they realize their fellow students are participating in their learning!
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I cannot but help to embrace the excitement of these students. After I had composed my first blog about the SFtG program and included the journal entry from one of my first grade students, my class lit up with even greater anticipation about learning and sharing their experiences. They wanted to learn more so they could tell more people!
That is what I, as well as the other teachers, experience daily. We teach because we love learning and want to share it with students.
These experiences are astounding! My students love learning and they especially enjoy sharing their ideas. Thanks to Ms. King and Mr. Arreola, all of our students are able to share in the joy of learning with others and they are also learning that knowledge matters and can influence others!
Written by - Ms. Courtney Montoya, 1st Grade Teacher, Temecula Preparatory School
We would like to thank our sponsors: Littlefield Physical Therapy, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and LEGO Children's Fund
