Mrs. Kirby's Elementary @ PLA

Back to School

2010-07-19T10:52:00.001-07:00

We go back to school in exactly 2 weeks! I can't wait to see all of you on August 2 at 8:00. We have a bigger class this year, which means more friends and more people to work with. Our supply list, handbook, and class list are available on our school's Facebook page: Sylvan Prep Academy.

Wrapping Things Up

2010-05-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's almost the end of the year, but we still lots of great things planned:
May 14: Authors' Tea at 1:00
May 20: Rocket Launch at TTU
May 20: Skating Party at The Sk8
May 24: Talent Show at 1:00/Tacky Day
May 25: Field Day/PLA Spirit Day
May 26: Swimming Party at TTU/Funky Socks Day
May 27: Classroom Clean-up/Crazy Hair Day
May 28: Award Day

That's not even including the picnics, bonus plays, or creative writing we still have planned! :)

TCAP

2010-04-18T14:18:00.001-07:00

TCAP testing will begin on Tuesday. The schedule is as follows:
April 20: Reading/Language Arts
April 21: Math
April 22: Science
April 23: Social Studies

I understand how daunting something like this can be, so we will not have any homework this week other than resting well and eating a good breakfast. I know the kids will do great!

Spring Break Updates

2010-04-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Now that we are in the home stretch of the school year, I wanted to take an opportunity to thank all of you for the support and assistance you have given PLA! Things are only looking up for the future. I sincerely hope to see all of the students returning next year.
TCAP testing for grades 3-8 will begin this Thursday and continue through the latter part of next week. Please make sure your child is sleeping well and getting a good breakfast. Students may bring a water bottle to keep at their desk during the test. I need some volunteers to help provide healthy snacks for the class during this time. Fresh fruit is proven to be the greatest brain food for kids, so I would love to see some oranges, apples, bananas, etc. come in for the class to share. Let me know if you can provide any of these or something similar.
A few copies of the Christmas play DVD are still available. All proceeds from this fundraiser are going toward the greenhouse project. We are also accepting donations of pots, seeds, watering cans, and other supplies. The students are all very excited about learning how to grow their own food next year.
We have a lot to squeeze in to the last grading period, in terms of fun events. The upper elementary class will have the opportunity to go to the NASA center in Huntsville, Cumberland Caverns, Disney's "Oceans" movie, and Cane Creek Park. We will also undertake a rocketry unit during which each student will get to purchase a rocket kit and build their own rocket that will be launched at TTU's Sherlock Park. The PLA talent show and field day are also coming up in late May.
Thank you again for all of your help this year. As a small school, it is imperative that we all work as a family to create the best experience possible for each child. I am confident in saying we have done just that. The students all seem genuinely happy to be at school and to work and grow together. Enjoy this gorgeous weather. We couldn't have ordered up a better spring break, in my opinion. I will see you all on Monday!

PLA Dinner and a Movie

2010-03-26T06:18:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed resources and time to student council's spaghetti dinner!! The event is tonight at 6:00pm in the PLA cafeteria. I hope everyone can come! The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Now Taking Orders

2010-03-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am currently taking pre-orders for a DVD of the Christmas play. DVDs that are $5 each. A note will go home this week with details. Orders are due by 3:00 on Thursday April 1.

A la carte menu

2010-03-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Our a la carte menu will grow throughout the rest of the year. We are starting with granola bars and string cheese. Next on the list will be popsicles and Gogurt. We have gotten requests for beef sticks, which we will look into.

Fundraisers and Activities

2010-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

Instead of buying your annual flowers at a retail store, you can help earn money for your child's classroom by going to the Johnson Nursery. They have offered to join PLA in this fundraiser by donating 20% of the sale of annual flowers ordered by our families. A list of available flowers will be at the school by mid-April. You can place the order with us, and then pick it up at Johnson's Nursery. More details will be coming soon.

Another fundraising opportunity this spring is PLA's Dinner and a Movie, sponsored by our student council. We will be having a spaghetti potluck dinner and showing movie at the school on March 26. A note will be sent home soon.

Jumprope for Heart is this Friday! All students should wear a red shirt and good jumping shoes. Don't forget to sign the permission slip on the donation envelope! We will accept donations through March 3, which is next Wednesday. The students are all looking forward to this fun event!

Our class has several more field trips coming up for the rest of the year: Space Camp, Tennessee State Museum, Tennessee Aquarium, and a Mystery Trip for our Book-It "Super Readers". We like to take one trip each month and are very thankful for the support you all have shown by driving and making sure your children are prepared.

TCAP testing is coming up in just a few weeks. While I do not want the students to worry about this, I do want them to take it seriously. We will practice standardized testing more and more as we get closer. The most important thing they can do to prepare, though is to be well-rested and eat a good breakfast on test days.

Snow Updates

2010-02-16T07:42:00.001-08:00

It looks as though we are still going to be out today and probably at least late tomorrow. I know we are all tired of this winter weather. Students can be reviewing multiplication tables and spelling unit 17. Don't work ahead in the workbooks, as we will use those in class. It never hurts to practice, though.

We still need a few permission slips back for the puberty talk. If you have lost your paper that was sent home, just sign a piece of paper with a little note that says whether or not your child may attend the discussion.

Jumprope for Heart papers went home on Friday. Those are due back at the end of the month.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Inskip Elementary

2010-02-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

Please send thoughts and prayers to the faculty, staff, kids, and parents of Inskip Elementary School in Knoxville.

Valentine's Celebration

2010-02-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

On Friday, we will be watching a movie with Ms. Worley's class to celebrate Valentine's Day. The teachers will provide popcorn. We will have 24 students at the party.

Here is a class list, in case you want to give out cards to your classmates:

Austin (new student starting on Monday)

Ben

Cory

Daniel

William

Hailey

Jerri

Karmann

Kendra

Marymac

Don't forget, our field trip is on Tuesday. Be at school no later than 7:15am. I will be there by 6:45. If you arrive before 7:00, come in through our playground door. I will have it unlocked.

Field Trip

2010-02-03T10:44:00.001-08:00

IF we have a normal school day tomorrow, we will go on our trip. That means: meet at PLA at 7:15, wear your polo shirt, and bring a lunch. I still need permission slips from WS, HC, JS, BW, MW; I need money from KN, KS, JS, BW, HC, MW. I really hope we get to go on our trip tomorrow!

In the event that we are delayed or off due to weather again, we will go on Tuesday of next week (2/9).

Stay Safe on the Roads

2010-02-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

Putnam County is still icy! No school on Tuesday (2/2)!!

We are still planning on going on our field trip this Thursday. If we are out of school on Wednesday, payment is due by 7:15am Thursday. Mr. Jones, Mr. Baas, and Ms. Gail are at school on snow days. You can bring your payment/permission slip to one of them, as long as the student's name is clearly marked.

Snow Day

2010-01-31T13:26:00.001-08:00

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW (2/1)!!

Science Lab

2010-01-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

We will still do our lab next week, class! Enjoy your snow day.

If you want a lab to do this weekend, measure how deep the snow is each hour and plot the data on a line graph. You can share your results at our next rug meeting,

Facebook/Myspace and SNOW

2010-01-27T15:11:00.001-08:00

For those of you on Facebook and/or Myspace, we now have PLA pages available to follow. I am the admin of the Facebook page, and Mr. Jones is in charge of the one on Myspace. Please let us know if there are any problems on there! We are using the pages to further open communication, as well as for advertising.

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I have heard a number of different forecasts for the rest of this week. The one thing they all have in common, though, is frozen precipitation. I am expecting us to be closed on Friday and possibly Monday. The kids are a day behind in science and social studies, which will put their lab on Friday. I promised them we could do it next week. Do not worry about completing Friday's in-class work at home. If we miss any days for snow this week, we will pick back up with our lessons where we leave off tomorrow. Now, let's all go do a Snow Dance!

Updates on ASC Field Trip, Family Project

2010-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Any student with missing work will not be permitted to go on the field trip. Missing assignments need to be turned in ASAP!

To ride the BlueMax Flight Simulator, students need to bring an additional $5 in cash to ASC on the day of the trip. This is optional. The other activities are included in the admission price.

We are still waiting on the polo shirts, but they should be in very soon. In the event that we have not gotten them in time for the trip, just wear a navy blue shirt. This is a matter that is out of my hands, but I am doing what I can to make sure you get the shirts you paid for.

FAMILY PROJECT: Create a model of the solar system using any materials you would like. I want to see all the creative ways we can represent the planets, stars, etc. These will be due on Friday 2/5: the day after ASC.

Open House

2010-01-20T08:05:00.001-08:00

We will be hosting an open house next Tuesday (1/26) from 5:00-7:00pm at school. There have been a lot of changes and some confusion. This is an opportunity for all of us to get together and discuss how things have gone and where they are going. We will have snacks and drinks available. I look forward to seeing everyone!

In addition to this, we have also created an e-mail address that all teachers have access to. If you have any general questions, feel free to send them to schoolpla@yahoo.com. Any classroom-specific questions should go through the individual teachers. The Yahoo account is a new communication tool we are trying out.

Our Next Field Trip

2010-01-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

On February 4 (Thursday), the upper elementary and middle school classes will be visiting Adventure Science Center/Sudekum Planetarium in Nashville. Both classes are about to begin learning about the solar system, so we are especially looking forward to the new Space Chase wing! We need volunteers to help us drive. Permission slips will be sent home very soon. For information about ASC, including current exhibits and programs, visit their website. The total cost for ASC will be $5 for entry/fees and an additional $3 for the Sudekum Planetarium presentation. Adult entry fees are $6 for ASC and $3 for the Planetarium. Permission slips and money are due no later than Feb. 3. The trip is the next day.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

2010-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

We are halfway through the school year, and it is time to formally touch base again. Please sign up for a conference next week. I will be available to meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. I know some work schedules don't allow early conferences, and that is fine. Please make an appointment, so I know how late to stay each day.

Well, there are still some leaf piles with a little snow on them...

2010-01-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

SNOW DAY TOMORROW!!

Yes, that's right. We have a 5th snow day in a row. Remember what we always say: Be flexible! I am doing just that. We will resume our last Thursday's lesson plans, plus a little extra, on this Thursday. I can assure you we will be back Thursday, as it will actually be above freezing tomorrow. Can't wait to see everyone again!

A Great Opportunity

2010-01-11T16:30:00.001-08:00

Many of you know that I am a member of the Upper Cumberland Writing Project. It is with much UCWP pride that I present to you the chance to attend one of our upcoming Young Writers Workshops. I will be facilitating the January event. It is an invaluable experience for any child who enjoys writing.

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

Looks like we have another snow day tomorrow! I hope everyone has been enjoying the unexpected break and has stayed warm and safe.

In the event of snow, you don't have to do the work on our weekly schedule independently. We will pick up where we left off when we come back. A few lessons will be combined and/or shortened, but we'll still address the state standards. I will do my best to make sure we don't have to sacrifice labs or videos, as I know the students look forward to those supplemental activities.

When we get back to school, we will be working toward finishing Sarah, Plain and Tall, drafting our persuasive essays, trucking along in our math tribes, wrapping up our weather and water unit in science, and learning more about Colonial America. I haven't forgotten the Salem video I promised to show you! :) As much as we need the time for work, I'll still let you all have a video day in social studies.

News flash: Ms. Worley and I will begin team teaching this week. Each Friday from 2:00-2:45 we will teach one of the classes a special creative writing workshop. We will alternate classes each week. The class not having writing workshop will be supervised by Ms. Debbie or Ms. Betsy and will be given that time as a study hall. We are looking forward to reading your writing!

Christmas Play

2009-12-06T19:52:00.001-08:00

Our play is just around the corner!!! I am so proud of our cast and crew!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-28T18:48:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and was able to spend it with family. I'm sure we are all enjoying a much needed break right now. It's a great opportunity to catch up on sleep, work around the house, and maybe even go shopping. You will all be relieved to know that I did not enter the fray on Black Friday. I waited until 11:00, when I was sure the crowd had thinned out, to just go to Lowe's.

When we go back to school, we will be starting the novel Stone Fox. We will be continuing to focus on academic work until just a few days before Christmas Break.

Our Christmas party is scheduled for Thursday Dec. 17, as is the play. We will be having a Christmas brunch and exchanging gifts. Girls need to bring a book for a girl and boys bring one for a boy. This will be a pajama party for our class. Pajamas need to be appropriate for school, and proper footwear is still necessary. In the room students may wear slippers, though. A note will go home very soon with more details.

Mocha

2009-11-07T06:37:00.001-08:00

As you have probably heard from your child by now, Mocha will most likely no longer be a part of the upper primary classroom. Three items (a crayon, an eraser, and a plastic cube) appeared in her cage on Friday. Had she eaten any of these items, there could have been serious results. After the first two items were found during the day, the students were told that anything else going in the cage that should not be there would result in Mocha leaving our room. Mr. Jones gave the entire class time to confess to placing those items in the cage; however, no one spoke up. Unfortunately, this means the entire class is going to have to face the consequence of losing our class pet. The family that donated her has expressed interest in taking her back to their home, so she will not be going to the animal shelter. If we receive a confession by 8:00am on Monday, Mocha will stay in the classroom. I apologize to the seven students who have not done anything wrong. I am saddened and disappointed by this situation.

Thank you all for a great party!

2009-11-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

I know the kids had at least as much fun as I did on Friday! Congratulations to Kendra for winning the teachers' choice costume award for upper primary. Here is a picture of the whole class in their costumes.

We played lots of games, watched a couple movies, and had wonderful treats. Thank you to everyone who provided snacks for our class!! Here is a video of the three-legged race. It was a close one!

Halloween

2009-10-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

A note will go home today about our Halloween celebration. Unlike the younger classes, we will not be leaving PLA on Friday. All of our events will be in the classrooms or on the playground, weather permitting. In order to keep costumes clean and in good repair, we will forgo recess and do organized games instead. This should be a fun day for upper primary and middle classes! :)

Amazin' Acres

2009-10-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of our drivers and helpers on our pumpkin patch field trip last week!! It means so much to us that you took time out of your busy schedule to help make sure our classes had a fun day. I took a couple videos while we were there. I hope they load easily so your whole family can enjoy them.

Our next trip will be to Cane Creek Park on this Friday, October 9. Our class and Ms. Worley's class will leave PLA at 8:30am and return at noon. At the park, we will take a nature walk, observe the pond ecosystem, and have a picnic lunch followed by playtime. Upon returning to school, report cards will be distributed and students may leave for Fall Break. In case of rain, we will dismiss at 10:00am.

Updates--9/27

2009-09-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Fall Break is in two weeks! I know all of you are probably ready for a little rest and relaxation. There will be NO HOMEWORK over the break.

-We will begin the Book It program on October 1. This is through Pizza Hut. Children will earn points by reading one challenge book (a novel) or 5 easy books during the month. Once this goal is completed, they will receive a coupon good for one free personal pan pizza.

-The PLA Jump Rope Team will begin practicing the Friday after Fall Break. Practice is during afternoon recess. To be on the team, students must commit to practice every other Friday.

-PLA Writers will meet in Mrs. Kirby's room on Monday afternoons beginning on October 19. This is a creative writing group open to all ages. Meetings will last from 3:00-4:00. There is no cost to join this club.

-Our Christmas play is already being rehearsed! Auditions for speaking roles will be October 7th and 8th during rehearsal time (11:00-11:30).

-Family Project #2: Totem Poles--Students need to turn this in on Friday, Oct. 2.

-Amazin' Acres is our next field trip. We will be going on this Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9:00am. We will return to school at 2:00pm. Students need $6 (cash) and a packed lunch for this trip. Parents also need to bring $6 and a lunch. Student admission includes a pumpkin. Right now, we only have one driver committed to the trip. We need at least one more to be able to go. I have only received 2 permission slips; please let me know if you need another copy.

-Cane Creek will take place on October 9, the day before Fall Break. We will leave the school at 8:30am, take a nature walk, and have a picnic. Students need to bring a packed lunch and a water bottle. Good walking shoes are required for this trip (no flip flops, high heels, etc.).

-Report cards go home on Friday Oct. 9.

Welcome back!

2009-09-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

After an odd week, I'm sure we are all ready to get back into the normal routine. We cleaned the classroom from top to bottom last week, so we should be germ-free now.

*Progress reports need to be signed and returned.

*On Friday (9/18) we will be going to Cane Creek Park for a science/PE trip. We will be walking the trail around the lake and observing ecosystems. A picnic and some free time will follow. All students need to bring a lunch and wear good walking shoes. A personal water bottle is permitted during this field study, but students must be able to carry it themselves.

*Birthdays this week include Hailey in our class and Kyle in Ms. Worley's class.

Labor Day Updates

2009-09-07T10:25:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their Monday!

Thank you to all of the chaperones and drivers on the Bowling World field trip. It could not have gone better!! I know all of the kids appreciated the experience.

Progress reports will go home this week. They need to be signed and returned. Averaging grades only reaffirmed my opinion that we have a very intelligent group of learners in the upper rpimary class this year. I truly enjoy teaching them and fielding their great questions.

Happy birthday to Trey (9/5) and Daniel (9/6)!

Our next big field trip has been planned. Permission slips will be sent home soon. All four classes will be going to Amazin' Acres in White County on October 1. We will leave school around 9:00am and return after lunch. I will provide more details when the permission slips are printed.

Mocha

2009-09-01T09:44:00.001-07:00

As your child may have mentioned, we have a guinea pig named Mocha living with us. She will need to be cared for on some weekends and breaks this year. I will be sending home a note about this. Please let me know ASAP whether you can help take care of Mocha.

Also, we are collecting money for bowling ($4) and for polo shirts ($17) this week.

Responsibility

2009-08-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Our lifeskill this week is responsibility. Discuss what it looks like and how your child can use it at home to supplement our classroom talks.

Water

2009-08-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Students will no longer be allowed to bring colored water to drink. Plain water is the only thing they will be able to drink during times other than breakfast and lunch.

Lunch

2009-08-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Upper primary/middle classes will be eating lunch at 11:30am each day. Upper primary will receive and extra break in the mornings, as it is certainly difficult for children of those ages to work for that many hours without stopping. :)

First Day Photos

2009-08-16T19:13:00.001-07:00

One Week Down

2009-08-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

We did it! You all made it through one whole week of your new grade already. That wasn't so hard, was it? :)

I have a lot of pictures to share from the first week. They will start appearing on the blog as soon as I get them loaded onto the computer. We have had so much fun learning and getting to know each other. It really shows in the pictures.

Important information:

*Allergies in our class include peanuts and peanut products. If you are bringing a treat for the whole class, please make sure it is peanut-free. Your children may bring peanut butter sandwiches for themselves. We are practicing washing our hands very well after eating anything with peanuts. We no longer have anyone with dairy protein allergies. Cakes, cookies, etc., are welcome for special events. I look forward to celebrating all of our birthdays with a special afternoon treat.

*Lunch may be moved to 12:00-12:30. We will know for sure on Monday morning. I will provide a morning snack on Monday to help us make it to the late lunch, if that is the case. (I will provide snack every Monday.)

*Folders will come home Monday. Please keep any papers in the left pocket. Folders need to come back to school on Tuesday of each week. Everyone did a great job this week with that!

*Neighborhood maps are due Wednesday. You should have received a score sheet that tells you what I am looking for when I am grading. This project is intended to be an easy A and a lot of fun. Please contact me if you have any questions about it.

*We will be going bowling on September 4th. That is a Friday. I will send information home once we know prices and exact times. Bowling World will determine which block of time will be the best for all of us to come. If you want to join us, you are more than welcome to!

Here's to a great second week!

Personal Best

2009-08-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you, class, for continuing to use your personal best this week. I know we have had many times that we could have easily forgotten our Lifeskills, especially with the varied menu this week. I appreciate your maturity and flexibility that you have used anytime the menu has changed or we have had technical difficulties. As the year goes on, it will all even out.

We will not be using the tire swings on Thursday. Too many people have been upset by being pushed too hard. Three days' worth of warnings have been given, so we are going to take a break. Friday will be another chance to use your personal best with the tire swings.

First Day

2009-08-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you, students, for using your personal best today and for your flexibility. The first day is always full of surprises and changes. As Trey said, "Just go with the flow!" You all did a great job doing just that today. Lunch will be normal tomorrow. :)

I'm sure you parents/grandparents have heard tons of stories from your child this evening. If you have any questions about anything in the Monday folder, talk to me in the morning or call me this evening.

See you all tomorrow!

Grade Level Changes

2009-08-07T15:04:00.001-07:00

Due to an enrollment boom this week, 5th grade will now be in Janet Worley's middle school class. I will be teaching grades 3 and 4. The 8th grade students will be working with the high school program, not middle school.

What about TeacherWeb?

2009-08-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

I know some of you enjoyed Mrs. Shapton's webpage last year, with its schedule and announcements. I will also be keeping a page like that. It is the web address you received in your back to school letter, and it is also linked on my blog profile. Mrs. Kirby's TeacherWeb will supplement the blog, with updated homework, a calendar, and other longterm information that could get lost on this site as each new entry is posted.

Parent volunteers:
I love to keep families active in the classroom! I will be sending home some information on Monday that you can fill out to let me know your availability. On the first day, try to keep your presence to a minimum, not for me but for your child. I want you to feel welcome to visit your child at school, but upper primary grades are very social; the children will benefit from being given the chance to be alone on day one. Social bonds will be formed that day that will last throughout the year, possibly longer. It is important that your child has the opportunity to separate him/herself from you to become part of the group. You may join us in the cafeteria before school and walk your child into the room at 8:00, but try to move on by 8:30 to let the class get to know one another. If you want to come back and visit at lunchtime, we eat at 11:30.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or e-mail me. :)

School Starts Monday August 10

2009-08-05T07:27:00.001-07:00

Hello! I hope you have had a wonderful summer vacation. School starts at 8:00am on Monday August 10. We will be having a full day, dismissing at 3:00pm.

Breakfast (served 7:00-7:30):
Peanut butter toast
100% Fruit Juice

Lunch:
Cheeseburger on bun
French fries
Corn
Fresh Fruit
Milk

Students may always bring their own breakfast and/or lunch, but these can only be eaten during specified times. A break will occur at 9:30am, allowing 15 minutes for students to recharge with a healthy snack of fruit, vegetables, or other small item that does not list sugar as one of its first three ingredients. I will provide apple slices on the first day of school.

Feel free to leave a comment to let me know you were here. Check back often for updates from Mrs. Kirby's class.

Welcome

2009-07-17T12:40:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Mrs. Kirby's Elementary @ PLA class Blog! Check back often for important announcements, assignment information, and fun things about our class!