December 31!

Wishing each family a Happy New Year!  Enjoy the last few days of break and I will see everyone next Tuesday!

Just Checking In...

Hello families!

I just wanted to say hello to all of the children and their families.  I hope you are all having a wonderful and relaxing winter break!  I can't wait to hear what the children have been doing for the last two weeks!  If you would like, you may email me updates or pictures at skefgen81@hotmail.com

One more friendly reminder about there being NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 3, 2011.  School will resume on Tuesday, January 4th.

See everyone in a week!

What a great end to the beginning of the year!

Last Friday, the day before winter break, we celebrated with several activities!  At the beginning of the day, Ms. Ritter and the 4th graders came to our classroom to carol!  The little kids absolutely loved it!  They were watching the big kids like they were rock stars!  One of the "celebrities" just happened to be our own Reigna's brother, Renard!  Thank you Ms. Ritter and the 4th graders!  You were wonderful!

Next, we shared a very special snack with our kindergarten neighbors...hot chocolate!  Ms. Steele brought us our own cups and we were able to mix warm milk and cocoa powder with candy canes!  Then we topped it all off with whipped cream, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips!  It was the perfect start to warm up our day!  Thank you so much Ms. Steele!

Later in the day, our class decorated holiday cookies!  Each child decorated a snowman and a gingerbread man.  We ate one cookie and brought the other one home to share with our families!

Just before we left, we checked to make sure that all our stocking were hung by the chimney with care...

We had such a wonderful day!  A great BIG thank you to Ms. Lewis and Ms. Steele for helping us throughout the morning!  Also, thank yous go out to each family that sent treats in for the children.  I know that we all had a great time! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ROOM 124!



Email over the break

Our school is currently working on our email system.  I know that some families wanted to send updates of what the children are doing over the break as well as one of the game items involving emailing me.  So, just in case my school email is not available, please feel free to email me the following address.  Thank you so much!

skefgen81@hotmail.com

Holiday Packet

On Friday, each child was sent home with a holiday packet of skill building activities.  The packet contained 14 different math and phonics activities, 1 prompt for writer's workshop and a holiday themed game.  Please remember that this packet is not intended to be done in one sitting, but rather gradually over the 2 week break. 

Instructions were included in the packet.  Out of the required homework packet, students can choose 10 of the 14 activities to complete.  I would like all students to complete the writer's prompt, and continue writing more on their own in their exhibition journals. 

Finally, there is an optional holiday game.  For each item your child completes, they will earn points.  If your child earns 20 or more points, they may choose a prize from the prize box!

I would love to receive updates and photos of what the children have been doing over the break! I will post them to the blog as I receive them.  I really look forward to hearing from the children!

Have a wonderful break!

With Holiday Spirit,
Mr. Kefgen

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, JAN. 3, 2011

This is a gentle reminder that there will be no school on Monday, Jan. 3.  This is the first Monday after break.  The teachers will be having a Professional Development Day.  Enjoy the extra day off!  School will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Happy Holidays!

Show Stoppers!

On Wednesday, the 1st, 3rd and 5th graders performed their Winter Concert with Ms. Ritter.  They did a wonderful job!  Not only were they so confidant on stage, but they treated us all to their great voices and cool dance moves! I was so proud of each student and I know that all the families were proud too.  While I was not able to get any pictures of the children on stage, I was able to get a great group shot before they were mobbed by their adoring fans!  If you have any pictures from the concert that you would like to share, please email them to me.  Thank you!

Our Super Stars!

Mr. Kefgen's and Ms. Standard's Classes

Also, the concert fell on Ms. Ritter's birthday!  I can't think of a better way for her to celebrate than with such a great show during her first year at our school.  A special thanks also goes out to Mrs, Wagner who, even though she was wasn't feeling well, accompanied our students on the piano!  What a show!

Malik's Exhibition

Malik's exhibition was on zoos and aquariums.  In addition to learning about his trip to the New Orleans aquarium, Malik taught us a game where we sorted animals based on whether they would be found in a zoo or an aquarium.  He also told us about what zookeepers do to take care of the animals.  Great job, Malik!

Keisa's Exhibition

Keisa's exhibition was on Cedar Point.  She did a wonderful job teaching us all about the theme park.  Our class learned that the park first opened in 1870, that the first ride was the merry-go-round, and that the park's slogan is "The Fun and Only!"  We are all so proud of you, Keisa!

An'Niyia's Exhibition

An'Niyia took us on a "magical" tour of Disney World, complete with glitter!  Some of the things that An'Niyia taught us were how many costumes Mickey Mouse has, how many characters you can meet at the parks, and when the Magic Kingdom first opened.  An'Niyia also also told us some her favorite Disney character's including Hannah Montana.  Rock on, An'Niyia!

Morgan's Exhibition

Morgan chose Niagara Falls for his exhibition.  One of the special things he shared with us were interviews that he conducted with people that had visited the Falls.  Morgan told us about the Maid of the Mist tour boat that goes very close to the Falls, that there is an Observation Deck with great views of the water and that he took lots of pictures!  Excellent job, Morgan!

Keveon's Exhibition

Keveon chose the Auto Club Speedway to research for his presentation.  Keveon even built a model of a race track to show us what it looks like in real life.  Some of the things we learned from Keveon were about some of the cars that race at the Speedway and which one was his favorite, as well as how fast cars go when the race.  Great job, Keveon!

Kyle's Exhibition

For Kyle's exhibition, he chose the Henry Ford Museum as his special place.  Kyle did a wonderful job telling us about some of the exhibits he visited at the museum.  Kyle told us that the chair that Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot is located in the museum, as is Kyle's sister's school, the Henry Ford Academy.  Kyle also told us that he saw the bus that was made famous by Rosa Parks, and even sat in her seat!  Way to go, Kyle!

New AMPT Schedule

Here is the new AMPT schedule for the next 6 weeks.  Please remember to send your child with gym shoes they can change into on Wednesdays.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

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

Another gentle reminder that our class' Winter Concert is this Wednesday evening at 6:00pm.  Please arrive with your child by 5:30pm.  I hope to see everyone there.  The children and Ms. Ritter have been working so hard on this!  I am so excited to see what they put together!

Winter Concert

This Wednesday, December 8th, our class will be part of the Winter Music Concert.  The concert is being put on by our music teacher, Ms. Ritter, and will feature all 1st, 3rd and 5th grade classes.  Please have students arrive to school at 5:30pm for the concert.  Our class will be meeting in the first floor village at that time.  The show will be from 6:00 - 7:00pm, with treats and refreshments to follow. 

We are so excited to perform for our families and show them all the hard work we have been doing in music class!  See you all Wednesday night!

Romeo's Exhibition

Romeo's exhibition was all about Toys R Us.  He did an amazing job telling us about the different logos that the store has had over the years, the mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, and Charles Lazarus, the founder of Toys R Us.  He even told us some of the other countries that have their own Toys R Us!  Awesome job, Romeo!

Noah's Exhibition

Today, Noah taught us all about the Detroit Science Center.  Noah was able to tell us when it opened, the different exhibits that are there (including a mummy exhibit!) and that our cousin school, UPA Science and Math Middle School, opened in an attached building in 2008.  Noah did a wonderful job explaining all the pictures that he had taken, as well as the exhibits that he visited.  Here is Noah showing us about an exhibit that included lifting objects.

Emmanuel's Exhibition

Emmanuel did an amazing job explaining all about the Detroit Zoo.  He told us that it is actually located in Royal Oak, MI, that there is a train that takes you all around the zoo, and that when he visited the butterfly house, a butterfly landed on his shoulder!  He also brought in a model of the zoo, complete with animals, a train and a playground.  Rock on, Emmanuel!

Nico's Exhibition

Nico's exhibition was on Disney World.  He did a wonderful job teaching us about all the different5 activities that Disney World has to offer.  He told us about the many different hotels, shopping opportunities, theme parks and restaurants.  Way to go, Nico!

Ronin's Exhibition

Ronin chose the "City That Never Sleeps," New York!  Our class learned how many trees were planted in Central Park, who designed the Statue of Liberty and which borough Yankee Stadium is located.  Wonderful job, Ronin!  We also loved your poem to remember your phone number!

Dominique's Exhibition

Dominique chose to do her exhibition on Ghana.  She said that she chose it because of a Ghana dance group she saw over the summer.  Some of the things she taught us were that Ghana is shaped like a rectangle, there are many small fishing villages and it is hot and damp there.  We are so proud of your hard work, Dominique!

Reigna's Exhibition

Reigna taught us all about Disney World!  Some of the interesting facts that she shared were that there are 2 water parks, 4 theme parks and when the park was first opened!  Reigna did a great job of describing the parks, it almost feels like we were there!  Awesome project, Reigna!

Kameron's Exhibition

Kameron chose to do his exhibition on Kalahari, a water park in Ohio.  Kameron told me that his favorite part of Kalahari are the water slides.   Kameron also did a wonderful job on his math goal. Keep up the hard work, Kameron!

Kyndal's Exhibition

Kyndal's exhibition was on our very own school!  She told us all about University Prep Academy - Ellen Thompson campus!  Some of the things that we learned were that there about 375 children at our school, that it was founded by Doug Ross and that we recently earned a grant from the Skillman Foundation.  We are so proud of your hard work, Kyndal!

Peyton's Exhibition

Peyton's exhibition was on the Toledo Zoo.  Some of the things that he taught us were how many animals were at the zoo, that there is a "Hippoquarium" and that there is an Africa exhibit.  Great job, Peyton!