Danville Braves Reading Competition

Today we had a visit from The Danville Braves and the mascot, Blooper! It was at an assembly to start a new reading competition! In 5th grade, students are required to read 4 AR books, take the tests and pass them, and then let the teacher know so it can be recorded on the students' bookmarks. Students will then receive their bookmark to take to Sylvan Learning Center where they will receive tickets to a Danville Braves game!!!! They will also be eligible to win other prizes. So let's all get busy!!!!! Please note that the students MUST pass the AR tests and the teachers will ONLY take the tests off ONCE if they do not pass them. Their bookmarks are kept in a pocket chart at the front of the room so they can bring them to me to update. A poster in the hall helps us keep track of how many books each student reads! So......come on 5th graders and READ, READ, READ!!!!

A "Teacher's Basket" For Miss Worsham!

We had a teaching assistant from Averett, Miss Worsham, helping in Math classes for the past few weeks. As a "thank you" for all of her help, the students and I gathered materials to put into a basket for her. Next semester she will do her student teaching before graduating from Averett and becoming a teacher and we wanted to give her some things that she could use in her classroom one day. We FILLED the basket with paper, pencils, highlighters, folders, paperclips, glue, glue sticks, post-it notes, and MANY MANY other things! It was a HEAVY basket and Miss Worsham was so surprised and wanted me to make sure that I told each and every student who contributed to it how much she appreciated such a wonderful surprise! All of the 5th-grade students also signed a card for her! What a wonderful and caring thing for them to do for her! She is going to be an AWESOME TEACHER!!!!!!

SOL SKATETOWN CELEBRATION!

Students who work hard, have all of their homework, put forth a lot of effort, and really work hard during the SOL preparation time and SOL Test Days will be allowed to go to Skatetown in June during the school day. This is an important time so PLEASE put a lot of effort into your preparation for these tests. We KNOW that everyone can pass all of the tests and I feel confident that ALL of the students can make a PERFECT 600 on the MATH! My homeroom class is also capable of making PERFECT 600's on the Reading Test if they use the skills we discussed in class and they TAKE THEIR TIME READING AND RE-READING THE SELECTIONS!!!!!!! You can do it! Make us proud and do it for yourself, your families, and your school! YOU MAKE TAYLOR ELEMENTARY LOOK GREAT!!!!

***As a reminder......if you do not do what you're supposed to do, then you will not be allowed to go with us to SkateTown. We are not going to reward those who do not do what they are supposed to, so work hard and let's ALL pass!!!!!

Picture Orders Due By May 4th!

Parents please remember that the last day for ordering pictures is May 4th.

School Starts Back Again On Monday!

I certainly hope all of my students have had a wonderful and restful Spring Break! I sure have! Now we are getting ready to jump back in and do some last minute preparing for the SOL TESTS! They are quickly approaching. Make sure that you are paying attention, asking questions, practicing at home, and doing your best. I have a top-notch group of students this year and I expect all of them to make perfect 600's on that Math Test! You guys can do it! So buckle down and "show what you know!" Can't wait to see all of your smiling faces on Monday! Enjoy your last day of Spring Break! Love you guys!!!

SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!

Spring Break officially started today when the kids got out at 11:40! YAY! We now have all of next week off and I am so happy that we will all have time to relax and get rejuvenated for the upcoming SOL Testing Time! Make sure you study a little bit every day and don't lose your skills! Be safe and enjoy yourself!!!!!!!

INTERSESSION THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

Well this week (April 6-10th) is our last Intersession before SOL Testing! We are going to do a lot of fun games and review activities so please be on time and be prepared to ask questions about things you still need help with! We want to be ready for those tests so EVERYONE makes a PERFECT 600!!!! You ALL can do it because you're a smart group and we have covered ALL OF THE SOL MATERIAL!!!!!! Practice every night at home and ask questions!!!!!!!!! I'm here to help you succeed!!!!!

SOL TEST DATES!!!!!!!!

Here are the dates that students will take the SOL Tests:
May 7th: Reading

May 14th: Math

May 20th and 21st: Science (online)

May 26th and 27th: Make-up days if they are absent. Do NOT be absent if you can at all prevent it, because the make-up tests are more difficult!!!! BE HERE and BE ON TIME!!!!!

STUDY EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!!!!!!! THIS IS CRUNCH TIME! ASK FOR HELP AT SCHOOL IF YOU STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING!!!! DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE!!!!

Say CHEESE! Picture Day Is Thursday: April 2nd!

Bring your beautiful smiles and dress nicely because Thursday is School Picture Day. Spring pictures and class group pictures will be made! The class group picture must be paid for ahead of time ($10) so send your money and order forms TOMORROW if you haven't done that already.

A's On The Math Benchmark Test!!!!!!!

WooHoo! The following 5th grade students made A's on the 3rd Nine Weeks Benchmark Math Test! WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!
Kobe
Agustin
Neriah
Anthony
Tyra
Zemiah
Brandon
Javontaye
Joseph
Kjell
Bryanna
IsMonie
Chelsey
Immanuel

BUSY FRIDAY!

Yesterday was a whirl of activity: first we had our Team Day for the 3rd nine weeks which was a lot of fun. We watched BOLT which is a really good movie about a little dog discovering that you don't have to be a super hero to have super abilities and to have people who love you. GREAT THEME! We also played "Dance Dance Revolution" and "Rock Band" and had time to talk with friends, use the computers, eat refreshments, etc. Those who did not have enough Team Day points had to stay in detention, but we hope that EVERYONE will work hard this nine weeks to control their behavior, have homework, and do what they need to do in order to participate in the last Team Day.
Then, we had Family Focus Night last night at Taylor Elementary! Families were invited to play games, eat pizza and popcorn, attend our Book Fair, and just spend time have fun! Overall it was a busy and FUN Friday!!!!!

FREE Team Day Points!

I am curious to see who checks this blog......so, if you sign the Guestbook, the first five people that sign it will get 5 Team Day Points! So......go to the right side of the screen, scroll down, click on "Sign Guestbook," and then follow the directions to leave me a message. Let's see who gets there first!!!! READY SET GO!

Things To Remember:

1. SOL Writing/English Tests are Tuesday and Wednesday (March 10 and 11th). Come to school ON TIME and with good attitudes! You can do this and make great scores if you take your time and WORK HARD! Be sure to have an AR book with you to read when you finish.
2. Intersession Forms are due tomorrow! Please make sure they are signed and filled out completely. It will be the last Intersession before SOL Testing so there will be a LOT of review games/activities to help give you some much needed practice!
3. March 27th: Family Focus Night from 5-7. The Book Fair will also be there and your family is invited to join us all at Taylor for a night of fun and games!
4. Please note that March 20th is a FULL DAY OF SCHOOL now. It is NOT a Teacher Workday because we have to make up the snow days we missed last week.
5. As the weather gets warmer, students need to remember that it is NOT summer break and they need to continue to control their behavior and they also need to study harder than ever as we head into the SOL Testing season!!!!! This is NOT a time for goofing off and acting silly.

STUDY MATH EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

Ok, 5th-grade, we are heading into the time of year when you need to step up your studying time for Math. You need to be pulling out those old papers and your Math Journal and spending at least 30 minutes every single night studying! We WANT to get PERFECT 600's on that SOL test, right? You have to put in the work, to see the results!

SOL Writing Test Rescheduled!

Due to the snow days, the Writing/English SOL tests have been rescheduled for March 10th and 11th: next Tuesday and Wednesday. Please continue to study your materials and practice your Writing!

Two Snow Days!!!!! ENJOY!!!!

Well we woke up to a beautiful snow this morning (about 6 inches) and then found out we had a Snow Day and one tomorrow too! Enjoy making your snowmen and playing in the snow! Be careful!!!!!! Keep studying a little too!!!!!

YOU Can Vote!

Look on the right side of this page, scroll down, and you will find some polls that you can vote on. You can only vote once for each poll question......can't wait to see what you choose!

Writing Camp Started Today!!!!!

All week, 5th-grade students will be participating in Writing Camp to sharpen their skills, get some last-minute pointers, and to help them prepare for the SOL Writing Test which is next week! Please encourage students to listen, ask questions, and really prepare themselves for next week by their participation in Writing Camp. Students are broken down in small groups so they can get one-on-one attention from the instructors. We expect to see some AWESOME Writing scores!!!!!!! Read the poster about Writing and think about what YOU can do to become a better and more creative writer.

Smart Cookies Who Stayed For Tutoring!

Today we had a Math Tutoring Session. The following students stayed and really worked on sharpening their Math Skills. They also earned 5 Team Day Points!
Jazmian
Immanuel
Darius
Gary
Shemar
Alexis
Tamaira
Dequila
Thank you to their parents who allowed them to stay and picked them up afterwards!

After School Tutoring On Wednesday: Feb. 18, 2009

Some of the students who are having trouble with Division received an invitation to stay after school this Wednesday until 4:15 to review and practice Division (and other skills if we have time). Your forms are due tomorrow (signed by your parents with either YES or NO checked). Your parents will need to pick you up at 4:15 outside of the Annex building. Please remind them to be on time. You are also reminded that you may bring a snack to eat before we get started with tutoring. The school does not provide a snack or buses this year. If your parents cannot pick you up, we can arrange a time during the day (one day at Activity Time) to review. Please come to tutoring ready to WORK and LEARN....it is NOT recess time. This is a time for you to get better prepared for the SOL Math Test that will be in May!