APT & PBS KIDS GO! LAUNCH WRITERS CONTEST

Local/National Contest Encourages Children to Write and Illustrate Their Own Stories

Alabama Public Television and PBS KIDS GO! have announced a new contest designed to let children’s creativity flow while they improve their literacy skills. The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a local/national contest for children in kindergarten through third grade, invites children to write and illustrate original stories, then submit them to APT for judging.

Original stories written and illustrated by the child must be mailed to APT (postmarked no later than March 26, 2010), who will select first, second and third-place winners in each grade level. Winners will be notified of their winning status and will receive a certificate and prizes for their work at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery on April 17. 

Local first-place winners will be entered into the national level of the contest, where a renowned panel of judges will identify the best of the best. National contest winners will earn additional prizes including laptops, digital cameras and MP3 players.

For contest details, rules and entry forms, log on to www.aptv.org/rr. A PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest Web site, at www.pbskids.org/read, will include the winning stories in each of the contest categories as well as an archive of winning stories.

Cindy Kirk, vice president of educational services at APT  explains that developing writing and other communications skills early is important in school achievement.. “This contest also gives free rein to an active imagination for added value,” she adds.

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a part of PBS KIDS^® Raising Readers, a national program that uses the power of public media to build the reading skills of children ages 2-to-8, with an emphasis on children from low-income families.  The effort is funded by a Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a cooperative agreement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), PBS and The Ready To Learn Partnership. 

Now, don’t you want to get your first grader to get going on that first book? This replaces the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators contest that APT has been part of for more than ten years. It’s so exciting to see the kid’s faces when they read or have their story read at the Alabama Book Festival! There’s tons of information at the above Web site.

Alabama Public Television—long a favorite destination for trusted educational programs for kids—is now offering its free online multimedia educational resource, APTPLUS™, to parents! Recently enhanced with the Learn360 database, APTPLUS offers parents (and their children) a service that teachers in our state have valued for years.  Providing audio and visual explanations of hard-to-teach and difficult-to-learn concepts, APTPLUS creates an environment for learning for Pre-K students through twelfth graders. It gives users the ability to stream or download videos and still images in the areas of the Arts, Health and Guidance, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and World Languages along with speeches, songs and other material. And it’s available 24 hours a day.

Using this learning resource, parents and students can also access educational PBS programs that bring another dimension to learning, such as NOVA, Between the Lions and Cyberchase.  Tools for parents and teachers to create blogs, podcasts, multimedia assignments and quizzes to promote creative and critical thinking skills are also available on APTPLUS.

Alabama’s stories are told through the APT-produced content available in the APTPLUS Digital Library database including the story of the migrating Whooping Cranes that fly over Alabama and the array of talent displayed by Alabama craftsmen and artisans in the series entitled Alabama Craft: Tradition and Innovation, all on APTPLUS.

Just think of it as your own private library, filled with videos, still images and audio that’s at your disposal when you need it. Best of all, there’s no questionable content that you might find on a general Internet search engine. Remember, we’re talking APT, here. Trust is our middle name!

Registering for and using APTPLUS^™ is easy at www.aptplus.org. Parents should click on “Parent Registration” and scroll down the page to complete the online form to request a username and password, which will be e-mailed to them within three business days. For registration assistance or answers to other questions, go to www.aptplus.org and click on “contact APTPLUS.” Registration is not required for the other APTPLUS databases including the APTPLUS Digital Library and the APT Adult Education database. For registration assistance or answers to other questions, go to www.aptplus.org and click on “contact APTPLUS.”

*THE WEEK OF JANUARY 25TH – 29TH WILL BE UNIT THREE REVIEW AND TEST.  BE AT SCHOL….THIS IS A LENGTHY AND DIFFICULT TEST!!! THERE WILL NOT BE ANY SPELLING, SIGHT WORD, OR VOCABULARY TESTS THIS WEEK!!!

Homework:

Monday: 25th

*Read:  10 Important Sentences and Fluency Passages for:  “An Egg is an Egg” & “Ruby in Her Own Time” (2X each)

Tuesday:  26th

*Read  10 Important Sentences and Fluency Passages for “Jan’s New Home” & “Frog & Toad Together”  (2X each)

Wednesday:  27th

Read 10 Important Sentences and Fluency Passages for “I’m a Caterpillar” & “Where Are My Animal Friend?”  (2X each)

Thursday: 28th

“Free-Choice”

Friday:  29th

No Homework

Unit 3 test this week.  Please be present at school.  Please follow reading homework schedule specifically as is given on the notice.  Remember to record all reading on the log and to sign the back.  **No other tests this week**

*Lupton Calendars are currently on sale for $5.00.  You can pay cash or check.  Checks should be made payable to Lupton School and include drivers license number and phone number.  Please put any money in a separate envelope with child’s name and calendar written on the envelope.

First semester Award’s Day on Jan. 29th.  We will send a note next week with the correct time.  You’ll receive a notice next if your child is receiving an award.

Story:  “Where Are My Animal Friends?”  pgs 146 – 167

Monday, January 18th is King/Lee Day = No School/No Homework

Homework:

Tuesday 19th (in back of folder)

*Read:  10 Important Sentences & Fluency Passage (3 times each)  RECORD READING ON LOGS & SIGN (in back of folder)

Wed. 20th & Thur. 21st

*Read Story:  “Where Are My Animal Friends?”  (in reading book)  RECORD READING ON LOGS AND SIGN (in back of folder)

Friday, 22nd

Students may choose their own reading selection:  “Free Choice  RECORD READING ON LOGS & SIGN (in back of folder)

Study word lists nightly:  Spelling, Sight Words & Vocabulary.  These are found behind the purple section in the reading folder

***********************

Where Are My Animal Friends?

1.  Where is caterpillar?

2.  He became a chrysalis.

3.  Then we won’t see Caterpillar until spring when he’ll be a butterfly.

4.  He must fly away to where it is warm.

5.  Yes, we’ll be back in the spring.

6.  I will see if Bear is at home.

7.  I will sleep a long time.

8.  All my friends are going away.

9.  I will stay here all winter.

10.  I have a warm nest and lots of friends.

Play Date

     Jan woke up.  It was a beautiful day!  She wanted to run outside and lay.  But she had to eat.  Next she had to do some chores.  Then she had to feed her fish.  At last, Jan went out to play.  She saw a friend down the block.

     “Hi, Pam!”  Jan yelled.  “Do you want to play with me?”

     Pam looked up.  “Yes, I do!”  Pam yelled back.  Then Pam gave Jan a big hug.

Questions/Answers

How are Pam and Jan the Same

1.  They both want to play

2.  They both feed their fish

3.  The both have chores

What did Jan do first?

1.  She ran out to play

2.  She yelled to Pam

3.  She woke up and ate.

What did Jan do next?

1.  She fed her fish

2.  She did her chores

3.  She saw her friend

What did Jan do after she did some chores?

1.  She ate

2.  She fed her fish.

3.  She woke-up.

What is the last thing that happened in the story?

Pam gave Jan a hug.

*****************************

Tests:

Thurs. 21st:

*Story: “Where Are My Animal Friends?”

*Oral Reading

Friday 22nd:

Spelling Tests – students need to correctly spell each word when called aloud

Sight Words:  must identify word upon sight (w/i 3 seconds/per word)

Vocabulary:  must orally give definition of word

************************

Spelling Words:

1.  bigger

2.  biggest

3.  faster

4.  fastest

5.  slower

6.  slowest

7.  shorter

8.  shortest

9.  sadder

10.  saddest

11.  good-bye

12.  before

Sight Words

1.  different

2.  move

3.  us

4.  home

5.  try

6.  kind

7.  hand

8.  picture

9.  again

10.  change

Vocabulary Words

1.  migrate – Migrate means to move from one place to another

2.  bitterly – Bitterly means in a sad or painful way

3.  weary – When you are weary, you are tired

*  Current Story:  “Where Are My Animal Friends"?”  Please follow reading homework schedule specifically as is given on the notice.  Remember to record all reading on the log and to sign the back.  Remember the selection test and oral reading test are on Thursday and spelling, sight word and vocabulary tests are on Friday.

*  Lupton calendars are currently on sale for $5.00.  You can pay cash or check.  Checks should be made payable to Lupton School and include drivers license number and phone number.  Please put in any money/check in a separate envelope with the child’s name and calendar written on the envelope.

*  No School Monday, January 18, 2010 in observance of King/Lee Day

*  Please be sure you’ve signed your child’s report card and sent back to the teacher.

*  First semester Award’s Day on Jan. 29th.  We will send more information at a later time.

The holidays are coming to a screeching stop.  The students return to school tomorrow with whispers of snow on the horizon for later in the week.  And shopping holiday style is coming to an end at the same time.  In reality, with the looming of snow, most try to figure out what foods to stash at home in case of a southern snow. 

The idea of a southern snow tends to bring shoppers out looking for the necessities.  And in many cases, instead of looking for the best shopping deals and instead looking to find the products that can sustain you during a power outage, especially since snow usually means ice in the south and the ice generally means a sense of confinement. 

With that, you can still take part of compare shopping prices while you look for some food that can be prepared without the use of power and possibly you want to find some games that you can play with your children that, unlike the Wii or other massive battery eaters, can be played as the family hunkers down in one of the house. 

One thing I don’t recommend, if purchasing and stocking up your freezers right now because the loss of power definitely means the loss of your perishables.  So, think ahead but try not to get too greedy with stockpiling anything that you don’t want to lose in case of a power outage.

I do suggest buying some card games suitable for your children, maybe some dominos, or the old standby of monopoly or what about trivia games.  And, of course, make sure you grab that habitual loaf of bread, or two or three depending on how many mouths you have to feed and then grab the peanut butter and maybe a few other things that don’t require any use of electricity.  All I can say, is good luck and hang in there!

Now, let’s get this New Year started and get these kids back to learning!

*  Current Story:  “Jan’s New Home”.  Please following reading homework schedule specifically as is given on the notice.  Remember to record all reading on log and sign the back.  Remember no spelling, sight words vocabulary or grammar tests this week.  Tests will be given on the story and oral reading ONLY  Reading folders will be taken up on Wed (12.16.09) and returned in the new semester.

*  Cookie Dough – to be delivered Dec. 14 – 16th

*  DIBELS testing will take place Dec. 10th – 18th (Dec. 18th is last day of 3rd 6 weeks)

*  Stocking Stuffers and Party Money ($3.00 – exact amount – cash only) due by Monday, Dec. 14th

*  Christmas Party  Dec. 18th at 8:30 (Students can check out after the party)

*  Wed Dec. 16th and Thurs. Dec. 17th and Fri. Dec. 18th – are ALL half-days of school.  Please make arrangements for your child.  Car riders dismiss at 11:15/ Bus Riders dismiss at 11:30

*  K-Kids are still collecting donations to help buy Christmas for children in need

*  Christmas Holidays – Dec. 21st – Jan. 4th return to school on Tue. Jan. 5th.  NO SCHOOL/NO HOMEWORK – HAVE A SAVE AND FUN HOLIDAY BREAK

Lupton Jr. High
DECEMBER 2009

1  TUESDAY

CHICKEN NUGGETS
MASHED POTATOES
PEAS AND CARROTS
WHEAT ROLL
HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE
KETCHUP
PEACHES
MILK
View Nutrients

2  WEDNESDAY

BEEF TACO
SHREDDED CHEESE
LETTUCE & TOMATO
CHILI BEANS
SALSA
PINEAPPLE
MILK
View Nutrients

3  THURSDAY

BAKED TURKEY
GRAVY
MASHED POTATOES
STEAMED BROCCOLI
WHEAT ROLL
PEACHES
MILK
View Nutrients

4  FRIDAY

BBQ SANDWICH
BAKED FRIES
COLESLAW
KETCHUP
BLUEBERRY PIE
MILK
View Nutrients

7  MONDAY

CHEESE PIZZA
CORN ON THE COB
CARROT STICKS
RANCH DRESSING
FRUIT
MILK
View Nutrients

8  TUESDAY

DELI SANDWICH
LETTUCE & TOMATO
DILL SPEAR
BAKED BEANS
MAYO, MUSTARD
ORANGE SLICES
MILK
View Nutrients

9  WEDNESDAY

SPAGHETTI
SHREDDED CHEESE
SALAD
CRACKERS
RANCH DRESSING
GARLIC ROLLS
BAKED APPLES
MILK
View Nutrients

10  THURSDAY

BREADED STEAK PATTY
GRAVY
MASHED POTATOES
GREEN BEANS
WHEAT ROLL
PEARS
MILK
View Nutrients

11  FRIDAY

HAMBURGER
LETTUCE & TOMATO
ONION
DILL SLICES
BAKED FRIES
KETCHUP,MUST.,MAYO.
APPLE COBBLER
MILK
View Nutrients

14  MONDAY

RIB-B-Q
BAKED BEANS
BROCCOLI & CHEESE SAUCE
WHEAT ROLL
PEARS
MILK
View Nutrients

15  TUESDAY

BAKED TURKEY HAM
MACARONI AND CHEESE
CARROTS
CORNBREAD
FRUIT
MILK
View Nutrients

16  WEDNESDAY

SEASONED CHICKEN
BROWN RICE PILAF
GREEN PEAS
WHEAT ROLL
FRUITED JELLO
MILK
View Nutrients

17  THURSDAY

CHICKEN FAJITAS
SHREDDED CHEESE
LETTUCE & TOMATO
CHILI BEANS
SALSA
PINEAPPLE
MILK
View Nutrients

18  FRIDAY

SLOPPY JOE
BAKED FRIES
COLESLAW
KETCHUP
COOKIE
APPLESAUCE
MILK
View Nutrients

Homework:

Mon. 7th & Tue. 8th (in back of folder)

* Read:  10 Important Sentences & Fluency Passages (3 times each)  RECORD READING ON LOGS & SIGN (in back of folder)

Ruby in Her Own Time

1.  Once upon a time upon a nest beside a lake, there lived two ducks – a mother duck and a father duck.

2.  Rufus, Rory, Rosie and Rebecca swam off whenever they were able.

3.  But Ruby swam nowhere.

4.  “Will she ever swim?” said Father Duck.

5.  “She will, “  said Mother Duck, “in her own time”

6.  And –sure enough – she did.

7.  And when Rufus, Rory, Rory, Rosie and Rebecca begin to fly..Ruby flew too.

8.  She flew anywhere and everywhere.

9.  “Will she ever come back?” said Mother Duck. 

10.  “She will,” said Father Duck, “in her own time.”

The Hummingbird

     There was a bird who could not sing.  He could not hum.  Other birds sang sweet tunes.  But this bird wanted to sing nice songs of his own.  He made a wish.  Then a girl walked by his tree.  She sang to him.  He so wanted to sing back to her.  And then he could!  He sang beautiful songs to her!

1.  Before the bird made a wish

a.  a girl walked by his tree

b.  he could just hum

c.  he did not want to sing

2.  How did the story begin?

a.  The bird was happy

b.  The bird made a nest

c.  The bird could not sing

3.  What happened in the middle of the story?

a.  A girl sang to the bird

b.  The girl made a nest.

c.  A girl made a wish

4.  What did the bird do at the end of the story?

a.  He sang to the girl

b.  He made a wish

c.  He had to fly home

5.  Why did the bird make a wish?

He wanted to sing pretty songs like the other birds.

Wed. 9th & Thurs 10th

*  Read story:  “Ruby In Her Own Time”  (in reading book)  RECORD READING ON LOGS & SIGN ( in back of folder)

_______________________________

Tests:

Thurs. 10th

*Story = Ruby In Her Own Time & Oral Reading

Fri. 11th

*  Spelling = students need to correctly spell each word when called aloud

*  Sight Words – must identify word upon sight (w/i 3 seconds/per word)

*  Vocabulary = must orally give definition of word

DIBELS testing will take place from Dec. 10th – 18th

Spelling

1.  bring

2.  trunk

3.  pink

4.  bank

5.  sang

6.  wing

7.  rink

8.  blank

9.  rang

10.  sunk

11.  every

12.  sure

Sight Words

1.  before

2.  line

3.  right

4.  too

5.  mean

6.  old

7.  any

8.  same

9.  tell

10.  boy

Vocabulary Words

1.  attempt – When you attempt something, you try to do it

2.  flatter – When you flatter someone, you say something very nice about him or her that way may not be true

3.  awkward – an awka3ward movement is a movement that is not smooth