Winter Concert

The 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade Winter Concert is tomorrow after school. Students should arrive at school at 5:30, and the concert starts at 6:00.

UPA Gives also kicks off tomorrow at the concert. If you are able to donate any nonperishable food items (nothing that needs refrigeration or freezing), please bring them.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Picture Day Wednesday, Nov. 30

Picture Day is Wednesday, Nov. 30! If you would like to order pictures, send in the completed order form with payment on Wednesday. You can also order online. If you are ordering pictures, your student may dress down. If you are not ordering pictures, your student must come dressed in uniform.

Milestone 3 - Visuals

Next Thursday, December 8, the 3^rd Milestone is due.  Students need to turn in the completed visual they will use to present their Interest Project. Students should bring:

For tri-fold boards

·      Their completed tri-fold board or the pictures they will put on their board.

For Power Point Presentations

·      A flash drive or cd with the completed presentation on it. You can also email it to me if the file is not too large and you don’t have a flash drive or cd: Lastle@uprep.com

For poster boards, models, etc.

·      The completed poster with pictures on it

Or

·      The model they made

Any other materials they will use as a visual should be brought, as well. For example, if your student is learning about being a firefighter and they have a firefighter’s helmet, they can bring that. If they are learning about Australia and want to show it on the globe or map, they can bring in a globe or map.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Milestone 2 - Interest Project facts

On Thursday, Nov. 17, Milestone 2 - Interest Project facts, is due. I sent the Milestone form home approximately 2 weeks ago. Students need to turn in a written explanation of 5 facts they have learned about thier interest topic.  In the event that some research questions have not been answered, list the information your child is still in the process of researching.

Red Ribbon Week/Harvest Festival

During the week of Oct. 25-28, our school will recognize Red Ribbon Week. This week celebrates being alcohol, drug and violence free. We will discuss making good choices, role models, and end the week with our Harvest Festival Parade. On Friday, Oct. 28, from 1:30-2:30, students will be allowed to wear costumes during the parade and trick-or-treat through the school. Costumes must be appropriate for school - no monsters, masks, witches, weapons, or revealing clothing. Students thoroughly enjoyed the parade last year - we look forward to another fun filled day!

No School, Monday, Oct. 24

Just a reminder that there is no class on Monday, October 24 because of Teacher Professional Development. See you on Tuesday, Oct. 25!

Milestone 1 - Resources

The first Milestone is due this Thursday, October 20. Students need to turn in the Resources worksheet sent home two weeks ago. Students must have at least 3 resources and should use sources in addition to the internet, not only the internet. I look forward to seeing what my students find!

Reading Homework

Reading will be a part of your student’s nightly homework. In your student’s Take Home folder, there are instructions for creating a profile on a website called ReadingRewards.com. This is what I will use to check my students’ nightly reading, which cuts down on paper usage and enables me to check their reading wherever I am at. 

Students may occasionally bring a book from school, but most nights they will read a book from home for their Reading homework.

If you don’t have daily access to a computer and would like a paper Reading Log, or need your student to bring a book from school, please let me know.

Thank you – see you in cyberspace!

Pancakes and Pajamas

Please join us for ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Pancakes!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST is BACK!!
Served with SAUSAGE, ORANGE DRINK & COFFEE 
BY: CHRIS CAKES

LOCATION: Ellen Thompson (front parking lot if weather permits)
Date: Thursday September 29, 2011 
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.                                                               
COST: $6.00 per person at the front desk
$7.00 per person at the door
(Children under 2 free) 

Thank You!

Thank you so much to all the families for the classroom donations! All of the things we've received will be extremely helpful as we work throughout the school year.

If you are still able to donate something to our class, we can always use boxes of tissue and Clorox cleaning wipes. Thank you again for your generosity!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school! I was very excited to see my students today, and very impressed with how mature some of them have become. It's very encouraging as we embark on our new school year, and I truly look forward to the growth I will see in them this year.

Today, we spent time acquainting ourselves with our new room and learning some very important routines. Ask your student to teach some of them to you to help you learn about our 3rd Grade class! I also sent a new Take Home folder with each student that contains important resource papers in the binding. Please keep these papers inside the folder as they provide key information about our class and the school year. Also, be sure to check your student's folder everyday for homework and important reminders or communications from me. Please also make sure that your student returns this folder to school everyday.

We have a busy year of learning ahead of us! I thank you in advance for working with me to help your student be as successful as possible.

Reminder - Milestone 4, Visuals, due May 25

The final Milestone is due Wednesday, May 25. Students need to turn in their Interest Project Visuals (pictures, Power Point presentation, model, etc.).  As mentioned before, those students who turn in their Milestone will participate in a Milestone celebration.

Way to Go!

These students turned in the 3rd Milestone on time and were able to participate in our Milestone Celebration:

Daija Byrd
Jeanea Childs
Camerie Cooper
Anders DeRoa
Jessica Easterleing
Jacob Greene
Danea Harrison
McKullan Hunt
Aisha Jones
Salaya Martin
Carmen Peddy
Isabella Webster

Great job! We have one more Milestone due next Wednesday, May 25. Students need to turn in the visuals for their Interest Project. We will again have a Milestone Celebration for those who turn it in on time, so I hope all my students will participate this time!

Exhibition Sign Up

Yesterday, I sent home the sign up sheet for our last round of Exhibitions. Thank you so much to those families who promptly returned them - I will send home your assigned time tomorrow.

As noted on the sign up sheet, Exhibitions take place the second to last week of the school year. The following week Narratives go home. This means that there will be no room for rescheduling.  Please stay true to your assigned day and time so we can efficiently and successfully finish the year. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing these final projects!

Pancakes and Pajamas

The first floor is holding a fun event next Thursday, May 26.  Details are as follows...

Please join us for Pancakes and Pajamas!
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT
PANCAKE BREAKFAST is BACK!!
Served with SAUSAGE, ORANGE DRINK & COFFEE
BY: CHRIS CAKES

LOCATION: Cafeteria of Ellen Thompson
Date: Thursday May 26, 2011
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.                                                            
COST: $5.00 per person at the front desk**
$6.00 per person at the door
(Children under 2 free)


Please join us for the evening sporting your pajamas for pancake eating, pillowcase decorating, dancing and reading (with the chance to win some of the many books up for raffle!!).  Activities will be located on the 1st floor village.

**Tickets can be bought prior to the event at the front desk.

Celebration of the Arts - Wednesday!

Mark Your Calendars...the first annual "Celebration of the Arts @ UPA" will be held this Wednesday, May 18 from 5:00-7:00. It will feature an art show, music performances, a student writing showcase, and even a Poetry Cafe with an open mic.  There will also be refreshments and giveaways. I hope you can make it!

New AMPT Schedule

Here is our AMPT schedule for the final 6 weeks of the year:

Monday: Physical Education
Tuesday: Technology
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Physical Education
Friday: Technology

Milestone 3 Due Thurs., May 12

Yesterday, I sent home the form for the 3rd Milestone, which is due this Thursday, May 12. Students need to write 5 facts about their Interest Project on the Milestone sheet and turn it in May 12. Students who turn in their Milestone on time will participate in a Milestone celebration next week, so I hope all of my students will get to celebrate!

Free Dress Day - Friday, April 29

Friday, April 29, is a Free Dress Day. Turn in your Free Dress tickets from Family Night to dress down. If you don't have a ticket, students can pay $1.00 to dress down.

Spring Concert

Please join us on Wednesday, April 13, for the K, 2, 4 "Dance to the Music!" Spring Concert. Students performing in the concert should arrive at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 6:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you so much to the Easterleing family,  Mauricio DeRoa and Yelitza Torres, and Jamila Duffin for their recent class snack donations. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity!

3rd Trimester Milestones

Here are the dates for the Milestones for the next Exhibition. Doing the work gradually ensures that all students will be prepared to shine on Exhibition day.  Milestones are also part of the Exhibition grade. Plan to turn in the following milestones on the date listed:

Thursday, April 14 - Resources

Bring in a list of resources you have found for your interest project.  Include book titles and authors, websites, names of people you have interviewed, etc.  You should have AT LEAST three resources (preferably more). Student should not have only websites as resources.

Thursday, April 28- Math Goal

Turn in a written explanation of both of your Math goals, what you are doing to learn/prepare, and how you plan on demonstrating your goals at your Exhibition. The form will be sent home closer to the due date.

Thursday, May 12 – Research Notes

Students will turn in the notes they have taken using the resources for their Interest Project. Information regarding format will be sent home closer to the due date.

Wednesday, May 25 - Visuals

Bring your visual aid(s) to class. Examples: bring your completed tri-fold board or the pictures you will be putting on your board; bring the drive/cd with your completed power point presentation; bring the book you wrote or poster you created.

Pajama Read-In

March is Reading Month, and to help us celebrate we will have a Read-In in our pajamas on Friday, March 25. Students will spend the morning in the classroom curling up on a blanket or pillow with a good book.  Students may wear school and weather-appropriate pajamas (must have sleeves; they must fit; no shorts or inappropriate content) to school. Students must wear shoes - either school or gym shoes - with their pajamas. They may also bring a small pillow or a small blanket (no large pillows, like body pillows; no sleeping bags, comforters, etc.) and books from home to share with their friends.

We look forward to having a great time curled up with a good book!

New AMPT Schedule

Our AMPT classes are as follows for the next six weeks:

Monday - Technology
Tuesday - Art
Wednesday - Music
Thursday - Technology
Friday - Art

Two Down, One to Go...

Our second trimester Exhibitions are done, and I was happy to see an improvement in all of the students' presentations. This tells me that families are taking this work seriously and working with students to help them complete a successful project. A big thank you to the families who showed up on time to their student's original scheduled Exhibition time. As I've said before, Exhibitions are an important part of our school. It's also a trying time as each student must sit through 16 presentations for an entire week. Keeping your originally scheduled time helps us use our class time more efficiently and effectively.

I have high expectations for the final Exhibitions of the year and am expecting even better presentations!

Second Trimester Exhibition Schedule

As you know, our second round of Exhibitions starts next Monday, March 14. Thank you so much for promptly returning the sign up sheet. Below you will find our presentation schedule.

Monday, March 14 James Sewell 9:00 a.m.                        Salaya Martin 10:00                        Jessica Easterleing 12:40 p.m. DeAndre Cunningham 2:30
Tuesday, March 15 Isabella Webster 9:00 a.m.                 Daija Byrd 10:00                               Aisha Jones 12:40 p.m. Anders DeRoa 2:30           Wednesday, March 16 Carmen Peddy 9:00 a.m.                   Jacob Greene 11:00                          Jeanea Childs 12:40 p.m. TyVaughn Wilson 2:30 Thursday, March 17 Tommie Hodges 9:00 a.m.         McKullan Hunt 11:00                       Danea Harrison 12:40 p.m. Camerie Cooper 2:30
I arranged our schedule so we have 4 presentations each day. Please call me if you are running late for any reason, even if it's only 5 minutes. Also, if you are later than 10 minutes for your student's Exhibition, I will have your student begin presenting. We have a very tight schedule and need to start on time to allow each student enough time to present. Exhibitions are a unique opportunity for students to showcase their learning. It is also a very busy and challenging time for both students and staff as we have to sit through 16 presentations. Please be mindful of time and respectful of our schedule. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to seeing you at your student's presentation.

Second Trimester Exhibition Sign Up

Yesterday, I sent home the sign up sheet for Exhibition presentations. Please choose and number your top 3 time choices and return these by Thursday, March 3 so I can assign times to each student. Students who do not return a sign up sheet will be assigned a time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Milestone 4 Due Thurs., March 3

This Thursday, March 3, students must bring in the visuals they are using for their Interest Project. Here are some examples: bring your completed tri-fold board or the pictures you will be putting on your board; or bring the drive/cd with your completed Power Point presentation; or bring the book you wrote, the model you made, or poster you created.

I look forward to seeing all of my students’ visuals!

Valentine's Day Celebration

On Friday, February 11, we will have a classroom celebration for Valentine’s Day. Your student may bring in a treat for the class to share that day. Please send enough nut-free snacks for 16 students. Below you will find a class list of student names. Thank you!

Daija Byrd Jeanea Childs Camerie Cooper DeAndre Cunningham Anders DeRoa Jessica Easterleing Jacob Greene Danea Harrison

Tommie Hodges McKullan Hunt Aisha Jones Salaya Martin Carmen Peddy James Sewell Isabella Webster TyVaughn Wilson

Reading Homework

Please remember that part of your student's nightly homework is to read for at least 20 minutes and to fill out the Reading Log in her Take Home folder. As stated before, your child should fill out all parts of the Reading Log, discuss it with you, then have you initial it. Thank you for your help in supporting your student.

Sweetheart's Dance

Please join us Friday, Feb. 11, for the Sweetheart's Dance. Students may bring a special adult with them to this formal dance. Tickets are available in the office. Two tickets cost $20, and additional tickets cost $8. We hope to see you there!

Milestone 2 Due Thurs., Jan. 27

The second Milestone is due Thursday, January 27. Students need to write 3 sentences about their Math Goal: what the Math goal is, how they are working on it, and how they will demonstrate their goal at Exhibition. See the Exhibition tab for more details.

Milestone 1 Due Wed., Jan. 12

Next Wednesday, the first Milestone of the trimester is due. Student's need to find resources to help them learn about their Interest Project and fill out the Milestone 1 - Resources sheet. I am sending this and a note with all the Milestone due dates on it home today. Please check the Exhibitions page to find out more detailed information about this trimester's Milestones.