Phoebe's December and January School Report

Phoebe had another good two months of school.  She has a few good friends that she looks forward to seeing each day.  She likes her teacher and classroom.  We are thankful for good, caring, and driven teachers at our children's schools.

Phoebe does not especially like math, but she seems to be pretty good at it.  She has started to count change, and is beginning to learn how to tell time.

The music teacher periodically tests the children at school on music concepts, symbols, instrument knowledge, and makes them sing out loud in front of their peers as part of their music grade.  Below, was a music tempo test that Phoebe did not do so well on.  Ten music selections were played and the students had to write down if they thought the music selection was moderate, fast or slow.  Phoebe told us this was "very hard" and "lots of people did bad".

We continue to work on spelling words at home every week so that she will be prepared on Friday for her spelling tests.  She does amazing on them each week!

Below, are a few Christmas and holiday projects that she did in her classroom.

Phoebe's favorite Christmas movie/show has always been "The GRINCH".  She was excited to show me this picture that she had drawn at school of the Grinch.

Santa came to visit their school one day before the break.  He brought each student in the school a new book.

Silas and I went to help out with the classroom party.  Silas and his friend Gavin each got to decorate a ice cream cone Christmas tree too.

Below, Phoebe decorating her ice cream cone Christmas tree.

One day before Christmas break the school had "Festive Hat Day".  Both girls stared out that morning wearing Santa hats.  Sarah's hat came off early, but Phoebe wore hers all day long.  She likes to participate in school-wide and classroom spirit days.

Popee and Nanee came to town to go to the school-wide Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long.

In January, the school had a huge day-long, fun-filled, party for being selected as one of the National Blue Ribbon Schools in the nation.

Phoebe's 2nd nine weeks report card was excellent!  She continues to do great academically and socially.

In Technology class they get to practice typing and printing.  One day Phoebe typed and printed, "If I had wishes I would wish for these things.  The first thing is that I could have my own pet and that I could have $900 and a chicken."  (Below)

Below are two stories that she wrote.  She is getting better at story writing, adding details, creating characters, and setting.

Sarah's December and January School Report

It has been another great two months of school for Sarah.  She likes her teacher and classroom.  She has several friends that she talks about daily that make her laugh and smile.  There are a couple class clowns that sit close to her that try to get away with, and say and do some pretty funny things.  I love how she retells the stories to us after school, laughing and laughing at, and reliving the moments that happened that day at school with us.

One day before Christmas the school had "Festive Hat Day".  Both girls started out wearing Santa hats, but Sarah didn't keep her hat on for long.... In fact, it may have come off before she even got into the school building.  (She wouldn't want to look too silly, or dorky, around her friends. Yep, she's at that age that for her wearing a Santa hat to school just is not cool.)  Phoebe, on the other hand, wore hers ALL. Day. Long.

A few days before Christmas break the classrooms had their Christmas (Winter) Parties.  Sarah's classroom enjoyed LOTS of yummy food and treats.

Popee and Nanee came to town to go to the school-wide Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long.

In January, the school had a huge day-long, fun-filled, party for being selected as one of the National Blue Ribbon Schools in the nation.

The 2nd nine weeks report cards came home.  Sarah got straight A's and S's again this quarter.  Way to go, SMART GIRL!

Sarah takes a Word of the Day and Spelling test each week.  She does well on both of these.

For Martin Luther King Day, her class learned a little about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks this year.

Upward Basketball 2018 - Week #4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

This week's super fan was Uncle Dale.

Silas - Game #4 - 8:30

Silas came out with a lot of energy.

He had trouble making shots at the start but ended making 10 of them.

The poor girl that Silas is guarding has to get tired of how he sticks on her like Velcro.

I missed the second half so I could meet with Phoebe's team before the game.  The young kids continue to improve.

Phoebe - Game #5 - 9:30

Rematch with the team that has beat us twice now.  I was looking forward to this game.

Our girls were ready and played well.

We were down at halftime 14-16.  The other team was setting picks, which we were not ready for.  I will make sure to go over defending the pick and setting them on offense at our next practice.

Above, Phoebe made one of her free throws.

The game was close the entire time, but we ended up on the losing end, 26-30.  Phoebe had 7 points.

Phoebe - Game #6 - 10:30

No rest for the wicked.  After a few minute break from that hard fought game, we were playing game #2 for the day.

Phoebe gave 100% effort as she has done for every game.  I enjoy watching her play.

This was another close game and we were up, 19-16 at half.

We ended up on the winning side, 30-20.  Phoebe had 5 points.  I enjoy watching the effort of these girls and it was rewarding that every girl on the team scored today.

Sarah - Game #5 - 1:30

Rematch with the team that we have beat once and also lost once to this year.

Our girls started off very flat and we were in a big deficit at halftime, 5-16.

The other team figured out how to slow down Sarah, which was to double team her.  Double teams are against the Upward Basketball league rules, so that added to the frustration.

Bella played well, which was good to see.  We will need girls to step it up for the next rematch.

We lost 34-9 and Sarah only had 2 points.  It was a frustrating day and I let the frustration get the best of me.  I was disappointed in our play, but more disappointed in my coaching.  I have been telling the girls that to play as a team, we all must give our best.  If one isn't, it is contagious and it only takes one bad attitude to infect the whole team.  I should have done more encouraging, than discouraging.  It was a good learning experience for both the girls and the coaches.