AES Fun Run 2013

On Monday, April 22nd, AES held our Relay for Life Fun Run in honor of former AES GATE student, Mahala Lowery, and also in honor of 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Estes.  It was a beautiful ( chilly ) day!  Mahala, her mother, and grandmother rode in the police car that led our teachers and students as they began our all day walk for the American Cancer Society.  Mahala was first to release her balloons to celebrate being home from St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.  Mahala spent 6 months battling leukemia at St. Jude.  We are so thankful that she is home and doing well!  She rode in the police car with another of my former students, Officer Jay Lacy.  He was in my 4th grade class in 1997-98 and is now on the police force of the city of Albertville.  Teachers also released balloons in honor of Mrs. Estes.  She is a wonderful teacher and is loved by everyone at AES!

Birmingham Museum of Art - 3rd grade

Wow!  What a day! April 10th was the field trip to the Birmingham Museum of Art for 3rd grade GATE students.  I am so proud of each and every student!  Their behavior could not have been better, their manners at lunch were perfect, and they knew so much about the artwork because they have been listening in class!  These young ladies and young gentlemen really know how to impress their teacher!  Students and parent chaperones were divided into three groups to tour the museum.  Students were able to see some of the art we have studied in class.  A few of their favorites were Claude Monet, Madonna and Child, the Perseus painting, the Remington sculpture, "Three for Five", and Lady Helen Vincent.

Our etiquette luncheon was held at Oscar's in the Museum.  The tables were beautifully set with black cloths tablecloths and napkins.  Students had made place cards for themselves and their guests.  Our view from the restaurant overlooked the sculpture garden and the waterfalls between BMA and the BJCC.  Our lunch was delicious!  I think we are all ready to go back!   I was so proud to see students standing behind their chairs waiting on everyone to arrive, the young gentlemen pulling out chairs for the ladies, impeccable manners, polite conversation.....what a fantastic group of kids!  I think I will keep them again next year! :)

Thank you to the parents who attended the trip. You were all wonderful - so supportive and so much help!  Our bus driver, Mrs. Wood, was delightful and a safe driver.  All in all it was a wonderful day!  I am so thankful for these students!

Our 4th grade field trip is being rescheduled due to the weather....info coming soon!

Manners Matter!

G.A.T.E. students have been learning about ETIQUETTE in class!  Students have practiced setting a table, putting their napkins in their laps, pulling out chairs for the ladies, and all kinds of great manners! G.A.T.E. students will travel to the Birmingham Museum of Art on April 10th and 11th to tour the permanent art collection with the Color My World tour.  Docents will lead students through the galleries so that they can see first-hand the art they have been studying.  After our tour parents, grandparents, and students will dine in the museum restaurant, Oscar's at the Museum.  Students have made place cards for themselves and their guests which will be on the tables for our etiquette luncheon.  Students will "graduate" from our etiquette unit by using the great manners they have learned in class.  Enjoy a few photos of students setting the table in our "Table Setting Challenge!"  Check back soon for pictures of our field trip!

A Little Y.A.M. Help ...

Albertville Primary School celebrated Y.A.M. (Youth Art Month) with a study of BIRDS!  Students learned about art and different types of birds through Mrs. Hall's art class.  Second grade teacher, Mrs. Cochran, asked for a little help from two of our 3rd grade G.A.T.E. students.  She invited her former 2nd grade students, Brady and Harper, to come to her class to help with the celebration.  

Harper and his parents brought three of their hens to share with the 2nd graders, then Harper's parents brought them to our class (3rd grade group 1).  It was so interesting to see the different types and hear about how they take care of them!  

Harper's parents even brought eggs for me!  They were all different sizes and colors!  Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. McCreless, for sharing with our class!

Brady shared his origami talent with Mrs. Cochran's class.  Brady is the KING of Origami!  He taught the 2nd graders how to fold paper to make a bird!  In this picture, Brady is using a document camera to show the class the different folds.

Brady helped the class create origami birds to celebrate Y.A.M.!  I am proud of these boys for being great role models for younger students at our school!