Wow

Yea, so remember that one time when I blogged about a contest where we could win an author visit via Skype? The winners would be determined by votes...which were to be left in the comments section of the blog that is hosting the contest.

Well, I can't believe this, but we won! Author Hillary Homzie will be visiting our class via Skype sometime in the fall. Is that crazy, or what?

Now it's time to thank the voters who made this possible: our fantastic art teacher, Ms. Seikaly; Mr. El-Amin, Ezekiel's dad; and Mrs. Temske our online 39 Clues & Regarding the Fountain book club partner from Roswell, Georgia! It was actually Mrs. Temske's vote that put us over the top.

I seriously cannot believe it. You gotta love Fridays.

Weekend Update and Other Announcements

I might have set a new record for days without blogging! Almost two weeks! So sorry...on to the news:

• First, a huge thank you to Ms. Wyckoff and Ms. Cooper for chaperoning our DIA trip. I think it was a really good experience. The DIA is one of my favorite places in the city. I was so glad to be able to share it with the kids. They really seemed to like it a lot. We're hard at work revising our poems. The final drafts of them are due next Thursday. Which brings me to...

• Milestone 3 is due next Thursday, the 12th. For this milestone, students must have completed three things: 1. Their DIA poems must be typed into Google Docs. 2. Their storyboard for their Newbery project must be completed and turned in.  3. Their script for their Newbery project must be completed and turned in. Milestone 4 will be due Wednesday, May 25th. For Milestone 4, students must turn in their completed Interest Project (this can be a board, digital presentation, etc.) AND must have their completed Exhibition Organizer turned in. The Organizer will start getting filled out in school next week. On Monday of next week, you'll receive a checklist for the Exhibition and a sign up sheet for appointment times.

• The last round of MAP testing starts Friday, May 6. We'll take a test in Reading, Language, and Math again. I'm looking forward to analyzing this data to help me set goals for next year. As their teacher, I know they've all learned so much this year. It will be fun to have test data that supports that conclusion

• The amount of things we have to do before June 17 is mind-boggling. Just so you know, I work until the final buzzer, and I expect students to do the same. May and June are not times for coasting to the finish line. I'll drop the sports metaphors and try to say it clearly--we'll be working hard every minute of every day until the end of school. We have lots to do. Personally, I think the last two months are the time when you have to work harder than you have all year. And that's what I intend for us to do.

• Mark Your Calendars...the first annual "Celebration of the Arts @ UPA" will be held Wednesday, May 18 from 5:00-7:00. It will feature an art show, music performances, and a student writing showcase (including a Poetry Cafe...organized by guess who!). Oh and also good food and great giveaways. I hope you can make it!

• Mark Your Calendars again...our fourth grade end-of-the-year field trip will be to the Detroit Zoo. Fourth graders learn about living organisms in science class and this trip will help us in that pursuit. Cost has not been finalized yet, but I expect it to be $5-7. Chaperones will be needed, so please contact me if you are interested. The date for the trip is Tuesday, May 31.

Phew! That was a lot. That's what I get for not blogging often enough. More soon.

End of Spring Break Reminders

Happy Easter to all! I hope the holiday and the break has been enjoyable. It has been for me!

In my experience, these last eight weeks of school are almost busier than the previous 28 combined! Be sure to read the blog often, as I'll be trying to post as much as possible about our goings-on. Just a couple of reminders about what's coming up this week:

• Newbery books should be done. And both sides of the note-taking sheet should be completed. We'll get started on the moviemaking process very soon.
• Internet Safety Workshop and Family Math Night will be held Wednesday. The workshop starts at 5:00 in my classroom. I'll be talking about ways you can help your child be safe on the 'net. I strongly encourage all to attend. For Math Night we'll be sharing some math games with you and even giving some away!
• Milestone 2 kind of snuck up on me. It's due Thursday and consists of notes for the Interest Project. Notes should be about 25-30 facts written in the student's own words.
• DIA Field trip is Friday! A bag lunch will be required. I have two parent chaperones already, but if you're still interested and available, let me know. The more the merrier!

More to come for the week's ahead. See you Tuesday!

Oh No! Wrong Date!

The Joe Reilly concert is Wednesday at 6:15 NOT Thursday! Sorry!!!

Joe Reilly Concert

Joe Reilly, local musician and environmental activist, is performing at a free concert this Thursday at 6:15 at the Ferndale Public Library.

Joe has performed at UPA a few times in the past. His music is terrific and the kids love him. We kicked off an environmental science project earlier this month and used a Joe Reilly song, "The Michigan Song," as our inspiration. Here's a video of Joe singing it:


I think it's been at least 2 years since Joe Reilly visited our school...and many students still remember the words!

I'll be there with my family. I hope you can make it, too. Oh, and it's FREE! Here's a map to the library...it's on 9 Mile Rd, just east of Woodward:



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Enrichment Project Last Call

Didn't get much of a response to my Enrichment Project idea, so I thought I'd put it out there one more time before moving forward...if you are interested in a extra project opportunity--a challenging social studies, research, and writing project--please click this link to fill out a form:  http://goo.gl/Xj6TJ


I'll be sending instruction sheets and details home tomorrow. Thanks.