BITTERSWEET...

Dear Parents and Students:

I am writing this letter to inform you that I will not be returning to UPA this school year.  I have accepted a position as a Fourth Grade Teacher for a school in Ypsilanti.  I will be closer to my home and family.  I am so excited to pursue this new experience (SWEET), but I will miss each and everyone of my students and parents (BITTER).

I will continue to communicate with all of you through Edmodo, and would love for you to keep in contact with me at my personal email:  susangwagner@att.net.  I cherish the relationships that were established and built last schol year with both students and parents.

I believe in each and every one of you:  your strengths, your willingness to learn, listen, and accept each other and others, and the compassion you have for life.  You all have amazing goals and I know that I will hear about your amazing accomplishments through the years.  

Have a wonderful year of exploring.

I wish you and your child nothing but the best in future endeavors.

Educationally yours, and with much love,

Mrs. Wagner

MATH GAMES

PLEASE SEE THE "STUDENT WEBSITES" FOR GREAT MAP GAMES ONLINE.


These are great resources for the kids to work on over the summer.

Our college fair was a huge success!  Those students who participated were extremely knowledgeable about their college, stating facts, location, handing out the “goodies” they were given by the colleges, and really sold their college.  In fact –

                       

K’myiah & micha took 2^nd & 3^rd Place for all the 4^th graders!

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

End of Year Celebration

Here is the list of items to bring for our Ice Cream/Pizza party. It is only fair that those who donate items will get to participate. Please let me know what items you are donating in order for your child to participate.  
Families are welcome to come and celebrate with us! End of Year Celebration

HERE ARE SOME AMAZING EXHIBITIONS

These are some of the wonderful AMAZING PEOPLE scrapbooks that were presented at Exhibitions.  ENJOY:) We did!

Dizzy Gillespie

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Duke ellington

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Jacob Lawrence

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Blight in Detroit

Last week's weekend writing focused on blight in  Detroit.  Students listened to an interview on Channel 7 about Mr. Danto, a man who owns a business in Detroit and is boarding up abandoned buildings to keep neighborhoods safe.  Students were to write about what they can do to get rid of blight, and if Mr. Danto should be charged, since he is trespassing on other people's properties, even though he is working on keeping areas safe and getting rid of blight.  Take a look at some of the writings - your kids have grown tremendously in their writing, expanding their thoughts and vocabulary, and defending their position.  


Click on the Student Work tab at the top of the page to read theses wonderful writings.

You are AMAZING

There were so many truly AMAZING presentations this week.  You amazed us with your creative scrapbooks, drawings, paintings, playing Mozart, enthusiasm for your project, and the knowledge that you passed on to us about your amazing person.  


At the end of each day students took a "pop" quiz on the amazing people presented.  They learned about the lives of so many musicians, artists, photographer, and architect that I know they will be inspired in their lives to pursue their own creativity and dreams.

College project reminder:

College Poster Boards are due this Wednesday, 5/30.

The moment we have been working so hard for: 

College fair is Friday, June 1^st, from 11-12:15

Parents are welcomed to attend to hear your child become a college salesperson!   

MR. NOLEN FOR HIS GENEROUS DONATION OF SNACKS.  MR. NOLEN CHALLENGED STUDENTS FROM OUR CLASS AND MRS. DRAIN’S CLASS TO A COMPETITION ON THE WAY BACK TO SCHOOL FROM THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM.  WHICHEVER CLASS COULD BE ENTIRELY SILENT WOULD GET A REWARD FROM MR. NOLEN.  BOTH CLASSES WON! 

MRS. TALIFERRO FOR JOINING US AS A CHAPERONE FOR OUR TRIP TO THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM.

MRS. FREEMAN FOR SNACKS.  

UPA'S first ever FIELD DAY is Wednesday, June 13th.  The 3rd-5th graders will be participating from 12:00-2:20 in a variety of activities.


Students will be enjoying hot dogs for lunch from a truck called "Franks-in Atra".  It is all you can eat for hot dogs, chips, and pop.  The cost is $7 per student. Please turn in the money before Friday, June 8th.


There will be a parent letter coming home on Tuesday asking for parent volunteers for the field day.  We need parents to help run the various activities, monitoring the games and students as they play the games.  Parents are needed for the full two hours.


Several important facts: 

• Students are able to wear athletic clothing - no tank tops or sandals are allowed. Gym shoes are required.
• Participation is a privilege and is the teacher's decision.  Behavior is a major issue for participation.

Exhibition Scheduled

Below is the exhibition schedule for next week.  Please remember that we run right on time as exhibitions are scheduled back-to-back.  There will be a short learning team meeting after your child's exhibition.


Second Semester Exhibition Schedule

AMAZING PERSON RUBRIC FOR EXHIBITION

Here is the rubric which will be used for scoring exhibitions next week.  Students should review this before their exhibition to be prepared for their presentation and be sure they have covered all the required sections.



Amazing Person Project Rubric Final

College Project Poster Boards

Due May 30th

We have been working diligently on our feature articles this past month to prepare for our College Fair.  The fair will be held on Friday, June 1st.  The next phase requires the students to create their poster boards to be shown at the fair.

The board needs to have their feature article, pictures that may be from their college brochures,  and anything else they feel will "sell" their college.  They will also be using any items they received from their college.  The board is what is displayed for the fair and students use the information on the board to talk about the college.  The board is to be created and completed AT HOME, and brought back to school by Wednesday, May 30th.  A detailed template will be sent home today in the students Friday folders. Below you will also find the template.

We hold a contest to decide who has the best, most creative, and informative board of the entire 3rd floor.  Prizes are awarded.  Please support your child in making this the WINNER - we are very competitive in Room 310:)

As always, please contact me with any questions. The students and I are really excited about showing off all of their college knowledge and their creativity.

College Tri Fold Board Format

The following students have completed their “Amazing People” scrapbooks early – and they are truly AMAZING!

Joshua Wilson

Brianna Freeman

Madishon Taliaferro

To all families who generously donated snacks this week – just in time as we had “starving” kids!

To Madishon Taliaferro’s family for their amazing donation of supplies, including the much needed copy paper.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

Exhibitions will take place May 21st-25th.  Here are the days that students are scheduled.  I will be sending home a reminder notice, along with the times on Monday, May 14th.  If you have not signed up for a time, please do so ASAP! Please be aware that Monday and Tuesday are the days still available for your child's exhibition.
MONDAY, MAY 21st            TUESDAY, MAY 22nd
11:00  Kiera                       2:00 Brianna
  2:00  Madishon   


WEDNESDAY, MAY 23rd        THURSDAY, MAY 24th
 9:00 Joshua                        9:00 Kayla
 1:15 K'myiah                     11:00 Moses
 2:00 Morgan                        1:15 Khalila
                                          2:00 Dylan

FRIDAY, MAY 25th
  9:00  Devin
11:00 Darnishia
  1:00 Jaiden

MILESTONE 3 REMINDER!

Milestone 3

Due Thursday, May 17th

ALL visuals aids for the "Amazing People" project.

• There needs to be at least 1 visual aid per Roman Numeral.
• Each visual aid must be relevant to the Roman Numeral.
• The scrapbook should be creative, with each page representing the subject from the Table of Contents

Our field trip to Henry Ford Museum is on Friday, May 18th.  I had originally typed in the 19th!.  

Putting the call out again…

There are several items that we need as we are still working hard and creating in Room 310.  We are out of scotch tape and glue sticks.  We use these almost everyday for the wonderful projects that you see around the room and that are brought home. 

We have also run out of snacks.  We are so appreciative of those that have continuously donated throughout the year so that ALL students benefit.  However, if you are one of the families that do not mind donating to the class, and you have not been consistent, would you please consider sending snacks in – the students’ are really grateful for all you do!

FIELD TRIP TO HENRY FORD MUSEUM

The 4^th Graders are taking trip to the Henry Ford Museum on Friday, May 19^th.  Permission slips went home on Wednesday.  The cost is $6.00.  Please return the signed permission slip with payment by May 14^th.

It's time for...

 SECOND SEMESTER EXHIBITION

SIGN-UP

This is what is being sent home today.

Exhibition Sign-up 2012

College Project Poster Board

College Project Poster Boards

Due May 30th

We have been working diligently on our feature articles this past month to prepare for our College Fair.  The fair will be held on Friday, June 1st.  The next phase requires the students to create their poster boards to be shown at the fair.

The board needs to have their feature article, pictures that may be from their college brochures,  and anything else they feel will "sell" their college.  They will also be using any items they received from their college.  The board is what is displayed for the fair and students use the information on the board to talk about the college.  The board is to be created and completed AT HOME, and brought back to school by Wednesday, May 30th.  A detailed template will be sent home today in the students Friday folders. Below you will also find the template.

We hold a contest to decide who has the best, most creative, and informative board of the entire 3rd floor.  Prizes are awarded.  Please support your child in making this the WINNER - we are very competitive in Room 310:)

As always, please contact me with any questions. The students and I are really excited about showing off all of their college knowledge and their creativity.

College Tri Fold Board Format

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SHINING STARS:

MICAH, MADISON J., KHALILA, K’MIYAH, KAYLA, MADISHON T., AND CAMERON

FOR SCORING AN 80% OR HIGHER ON THEIR MATH ASSESSMENTS!!

Our Week in Review:

Writing:  We are finishing our feature articles for the college fair project.  Students are adding pictures to their paragraphs and writing clever sub-titles that relate to those paragraphs.  


Math:  We wrapped up Unit 9 with an assessment this week, and will begin Unit 10 on Monday.  Students participated in a fraction war tournament today.  They are down to the final 4 contestants - our own Micah and K'miyah may be facing off for the fraction chamption title!


Reading:  Students learned how author's have a purpose for their writing.  We used the acronym of "PIE" to remember some of the purposes:  Persuade, Inform, and Entertain.  The kids looked through newspapers to find examples of all of these, and learned what determines the purpose; facts, opinions, and stories are a few examples.


Social Studies:  We having been diving into the area of economics over these past 3 weeks.  The kids know about the characteristics of a market economy, such as competition, supply and demand, incentives, personal property rights, and specialization.  They participated in an auction and a simulation to understand how money moves in a circular flow.  

U of M College Trip

Here are pictures from our wonderful trip to the University of Michigan.  Thanks to Mrs. Dixon for joining us, guiding us, and relating stories to the students from her time at U of M.  




Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

A ZILLION THANKS TO

MICAH, MOSES, DARNISHIA, & MADISHON

for their amazing teaching and guiding younger students through various math games during Math & Science Night.  They helped to set up the games, teach new math concepts, played several games with students, and had a great time!

REMINDER FOR MILESTONE 3

Milestone 3:

Due: Thursday, May 17th

DUE: All visual aids for your “Amazing People” scrapbook.  Your scrapbook must be complete, with a page for every Roman numeral and the book itself completed.  Scraps of paper ready to be assembled will not be accepted. Follow the outline requirements to assemble your scrapbook.  

Below you will see an example of a completed scrapbook.  This is what is due for your 3rd Milestone-all visual aids.Your scrapbook must include YOUR OWN information, from your Milestone 2 outline.
Vincent v. gogh scrpbk

View more PowerPoint from sgwagner

IT'S TIME FOR OUR COLLEGE VISIT-1

We are desperate...

We use these supplies everyday for our reading groups.  We write unknown words, connections to other texts, events that surprise or confuse us, and things we want to discuss in our groups.  We would greatly appreciate any donations!!


As always thank you:)

Our week in review...

Writing: Students are working on putting their feature article graphic organizer into paragraphs for their first rough draft.  The goal will be to complete all drafts prior to our college trip on April 5th.


Math:  This week students focused on the formulas for area of rectangles, parallelograms, and irregular shapes.  They had a quiz on Friday that covered 8.3-8.6. They have a worksheet on area to complete and give them extra practice.  Students will also be reviewing, possibly in the form of pop quizzes, double digit multiplication and math terms.


Reading:  All groups have complete their novels and this week we will be moving on to some of my favorite authors and stories!  Groups will be changing to allow students to experience other classmates' take on the stories.  We have finished learning about the element of setting (time, place, and environment), and will be moving onto plot with understanding conflicts and resolution of the story.


Science:  Students completed their unit on energy and are moving on to states of matter, which is always a fun, hands on experience!

To the following students for creating wonderful outlines for Milestone 2 and turning them completed on time:

Morgan                          Kayla

Lauryn                           Darnishia

Micah                             Madishon

Brianna                         Joshua

Madison

K'myiah

Cameron

IT’S TIME FOR OUR COLLEGE VISIT!

We will be taking the students to U of M on Thursday, April 5th for their college visit.  WE consider this a reward for students who have worked diligently on this project, completing all phases, and have shown exceptional behavior both in the classroom and in the school. Students who have not completed the phases and/or have had disciplinary problems may not be able to go.  I will be discussing this within the next week with both the students and their parents.  The goal is for all students to experience this visit-college is what we want and expect them to achieve during their educational years.

TO:

 Micha's Family for the Animal Crackers

Devin's Family for the Sun Chips, Granola Bars, and Water

K'myiah's Family for Cheese Crackers

If I have forgotten anyone since the last post, I apologize-

YOU ARE ALL EXTREMELY GENEROUS WITH SNACKS FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS:)

Milestone 3:

Due: Thursday, May 17^th

DUE: All visual aids for your “Amazing People” scrapbook.  Your scrapbook must be complete, with a page for every Roman numeral and the book itself completed.  Scraps of paper ready to be assembled will not be accepted. Follow the outline requirements to assemble your scrapbook.  See below for the outline.

Gershwin Outline-Milestone 2

YOU'RE ALL AMAZING!! - FLASHMOB VIDEO

Here is the video from our amazing Flashmob:)

   

For providing snacks for the whole class:

K’myiah’s family

Joshua’s Family

Kayla’s family

We really appreciate your generosityJ

MARCH IS READING MONTH

UPA is having a school-wide reading contest to see who reads the most books this month. The winner of the contest from each grade level gets to be "Principal for the Day."  Every time your child reads a book and completes a book report form for that book, s/he will receive credit for that book.  The book report must be signed by a parent to verify that your child has read the book. The books must be read at home. Books read at school for guided reading or independent reading do not count toward the contest. Book report forms for my class will be available from me. Completed reports will be displayed outside of our classroom. Books read should be books at your child's level and not too easy for him/her.

FIELD TRIP

The fourth graders will be going to the Charles H. Wright Museum as a cultivating experience for our study on slavery! The cost of the trip is $5.50. Please submit payment, along with the permission slip as soon as possible.  

Amazing People Milestone 2

Below you will see the outline example for your 2nd Milestone.  Notice that I've written in detail what I plan on putting on the pages for the scrapbook.  You may need/want to add to your outline, based on your amazing person.  Also, I wrote an epitaph as my person is no longer living.  If your person is still alive you will need to write a celebration of that person's life.  Remember, your pages need to be very creative.  I will be using a quote from George Gershwin on the epitaph page, and so I will also decorate that page to make it interesting to my reader.


Gershwin Outline-Milestone 2

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

To conclude our studies of Black History Month, there is a program in the evening (5-6pm) on February 29th. Some students will be participating in the program and we will be featuring the work that we've done all month. We would love to see you there. Come to see what your child has done and learned!

View more PowerPoint from jtiggs

TAKE THE QUIZ - HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

To encourage our students to learn more about Black History month, Mrs. Johnson has  created a take-home Black History Month quiz contest. Students in grade 3-5 will be participating. The quiz was sent home last Friday. Students are to work as independently as possible. Have them do a Google search for the key words in the questions. The quiz is due back by March 27th. It is not a requirement, but I encourage you to have your child attempt to do it to practice web-searching skills and to learn more about Black History.

To Madishon T. and family for donating snacks for the past 2 weeks, as well as reams of paper.  We really appreciate your generosity!