The Final Numbers Are In!!!

This marks the official end to Virtual Summer School 2013.  I am so amazed at the level of participation this year.  We have had more students participating than ever before.  The addition of Google Docs, the Reading Tracker, and the VSS Blog have added so many more opportunities for learning this summer.  Everyone who participated should be very proud of themselves for taking the responsibility to further your education during the summer months, and your hard work will have paid off in September when you begin school.

We had a few more reading submissions this morning, so I'll give double bonus tickets to Cathryn A, Heidi S, Chelsea C., and Gracie T.  Nice job girls!

Let's take a look at the final numbers for the summer...

In Compass Learning, we completed a total of 2,159 activities and spent 363.5 hours working on them!

In Google Docs, VSS students created 3 drawings, 28 presentations and 151 documents!

Our final total for our reading tracker was 630 books!

All of that equals out to some great learning from about 70-80 kids this summer.  Fantastic job EVERYBODY!!!

Now, for the total tickets earned this summer.  Each student had an opportunity to earn 1-5 tickets for participation in Compass Learning and another 1-5 for Google Docs.  You earned 1 ticket for every 5 books that were submitted on the reading tracker.  I added your totals to what you earned for bonus tickets throughout the summer and the grand totals are now listed on the right side of this blog.  Prizes will be raffled off in the fall!

Congratulations to Delani M. for earning the most tickets this summer with 37!!!

Thank you to everyone for your participation!

We Topped 600 Books! Wednesday's Winners

We had a huge amount of last minute entries sent in today and we are now well over 600 books read this summer!  Amazing job everybody.  I'll give a few more tickets out tomorrow morning if you happen to put some submissions in before I do my final tally.  Here are today's winners:

Kade S. - The Magic Finger
Taylor S. - Ghoulfriends Forever
Max C. - Summer of the Monkeys

Thursday is the last day of Virtual Summer School and I will put out a total of all tickets earned.  I'll add the bonus tickets that you've earned to any tickets earned for participation in the three components of VSS and put the total on the right of the blog.

TUESDAY'S Reading Tracker DOULBE Bonus Ticker Winners

We are coming down to the final couple of days of VSS.  Our reading tracker has been filling right up and we're very close to 600 books read this summer!  Here are today's winners of 2 bonus tickets:

Selina H. - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Nick S. - The Treasure of the Orkins

Delani M. - Skating Superstars

MONDAY'S Reading Tracker DOUBLE Bonus Tickets

Sorry about getting today's posted so late...

Each day until VSS ends on Thursday, I will give DOUBLE BONUS TICKETS to 3-5 VSS students.  Today's winners are:

Catherine D. - Starlight
Ashley T. - Summer Camp Secrets
Joshua W. - The Woodshed Mystery

Just a few days left of VSS.  Keep reading and keep sending in those reading tracker forms.  We're getting very close to 600!

SUNDAY'S Reading Tracker DOUBLE Bonus Ticket Winners

Each day until VSS ends on Thursday, I will give DOUBLE BONUS TICKETS to 3-5 VSS students.  Today's winners are:

Logan G. - Stuart Little
Heidi S. - Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Cushy Valentine
Cathryn A. - Chocolate

Only 4 days left to earn some final tickets.  Make sure you're getting your books submitted!

SATURDAY'S Reading Tracker DOUBLE Bonus Tickets

Each day until VSS ends next Thursday, I will give DOUBLE BONUS TICKETS to 3-5 VSS students.  Today's winners are:

Taylor S. - India the Moonstone Fairy
Nick S. - Queen of Shadow Thorn
Max C. - Geronimo Stilton
Delani M. - The Night Before Halloween
Selina H. - Magic Tree House #1

Make sure you're submitting all of those books on the Reading Tracker by Thursday.  We're making good progress so far!

Friday Reading Tracker DOUBLE Bonus Tickets

Each day until VSS ends next Thursday, I will give DOUBLE BONUS TICKETS to 3-5 VSS students.  Today's winners are:

Logan G. - Dog Finds Lost Dolphins
Mackenzie S. - The Ravenous Beast
Ashley T. - Big Nate From the Top
Seamus S. - Encyclopedia Brown
Joshua W. - The Haunted Mystery Cabins

Final Week - Let's Read!

In the final week of VSS, I really want to get everyone reading as much as possible.  We have made it over 500 books submitted on the reading tracker this summer.  It would be extremely tough to reach our goal of 1,000 but maybe can top 600 or even 700 if we all really focus on our reading in this final week.  Maybe you've read some books this summer that you forgot to submit on the reading tracker...make sure you get those on this week!  Remember, you can submit picture books that you've read as well as books that were read to you.

I WILL GIVE DOUBLE BONUS TICKETS TO 3-5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE EVERY DAY UNTIL VSS FINISHES NEXT THURSDAY!  YOU CAN WIN MORE THAN ONCE DURING THE WEEK, SO WHAT A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN LOTS OF BONUS TICKETS!

This Week's Bonus Tickets

Compass Learning - There are no new names to add to the list of completing the math prep. folder at 80% or higher.  Three people have recently completed the folder and have just a couple activities to make up.  So, these three will receive 1 bonus ticket this week.  They are:  Thadeus F, Heidi S, and Gracie T.

Google Docs - Logan G created a wonderful google doc about what it was like to be in Mrs. Cyr's class last year.  Keely B. wrote a great summary of some of the things she did over the summer.  Great job girls!

Reading Tracker - This week's reading tracker bonus tickets go to: Lilly F., Kade S., and Maddie B..

Great job everybody!  Next week is the final week of Virtual Summer School.  I will put the total number of tickets earned throughout the summer on this blog next Thursday.  This will include all bonus tickets that you see on the list to the right of the blog plus any tickets that you earned for participation in the three components of VSS.

Give with Target

Target is offering their "Give With Target" opportunity once again.  You need only log into the site and vote for Old Town Elementary School.  You can vote more than once so be sure to check out this great opportunity.  OTES will get $25 for every 25 votes!  Last year we did really well thanks to all of your support. 

Here is the link:
https://givewith.target.com/

Writing Idea #21

WRITING IDEA #21
Here's another picture from Chris Van Allsburg's book The Chronicles of Harris Burdick.  Study the picture and create a story about it.

This picture is titled "Uninvited Guests" but you can title your story anything you want.

Do You Need Help With School Supplies?

The kids from the OT Rec. Dept summer program organized and ran a school supply drive.  They recently brought in about 1,000 school supply items and dropped them off at OTES.  If anyone in the community would like to stop by and stock up for the school year, please help yourself!

Another Math Prep. Folder Completed

Nick S. has become the most recent VSS student to complete his Math Prep. Folder in Compass Learning.  There are some other who are really close.  Don't forget to make sure you're re-taking the activities that you score less than 80% on.  To do this, you can find the activity number beside the Activity Name in your backpack.  Enter that number into the Activity Finder on the main screen and it will open the activity for you.  Nick has earned himself 3 bonus tickets!  Nice job!

Watermelon Acrostic by Delani

Delani M. created a presentation with many different summer-themed acrostics.  Here is one about a watermelon.

Great job, Delani.  You earn 1 bonus ticket for this!

Some Information About Mrs. Lucas

Heidi S. took the last writing idea and created a list with some information about her 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Lucas, to pass on to her new students.  She did a great job with this writing idea and I'm giving her 1 bonus point for it!

Writing Idea #20

Writing Idea #20
For this writing idea, you need to think back to the teacher you had last year.  Write a letter to the new kids that will be going into your old classroom.  Make sure to tell them what they can expect during their school year.  For example, if you were in Mrs. Cyr's class last year, you'll want to write about what the kids should know about her as a teacher.  What sort of things does she like and what really drives her crazy?  Do you have any suggestions about how to succeed in your old classroom?  What sort of things are they going to really enjoy with their new teacher?  What else should they know?  Give them as much information as you can so they can be fully prepared for their upcoming school year.  If I get some really great examples, I may even share a few on this blog!

Weekly Bonus Tickets

Here are this week's bonus ticket winners:

Compass Learning: We have 2 more students who have completed their Math Prep. Folders with scores all above 80%.  Delani M. and Taylor S. will both receive 3 BONUS TICKETS for completing their Prep. Folder.  Heidi S., Nick S., and Gracie T. will each receive 1 bonus ticket for working hard in their prep. folders.  Keep it up and all three of you will be receiving your 3 points for finishing.  Angel W. is going into 6th grade, so she doesn't have a math prep. folder, but she continues to work hard on her other Compass Learning folders, so she'll also receive 1 bonus ticket!

Google Docs: Maddie B. submitted a wonderful document about gymnastics.  That was very fun to read.  Logan G. wrote about her plans to join band next school year.  The acrostic poems still continue to be a popular writing piece - Lena G. wrote a great one about ice cream.

Reading Tracker: Lots of books were submitted this week.  Let's keep it up and see if we can top 500 over the weekend!  Emma T, Catherine D., and Alexis S. are all receiving 1 bonus ticket for their fabulous book entries this week.

Reminder - Schedule Change This Week!

This is just a reminder that VSS will be available at OTES on Wednesday this week and NOT on Thursday.  We will return to our regular Tuesday & Thursday schedule next week.

First To Complete Math Prep. Folder

Max C. is the first VSS student to complete the Math Prep. folder with scores about 80%.  He earns 3 bonus tickets for completing this activity.  Congratulations!

A reminder, all students going into 4th and 5th grade have a math folder titled "2013 VSS 4th/5th Grade Prep."  You can earn 3 BONUS TICKETS by completing the activities in this folder at 80% or higher.  If you score below an 80%, then you should re-take the activity until you bring the score up.

Writing Idea #19 - BAND CAMP

Writing Idea #19
There are so many kids involved in band camp this week at OTES, so this writing idea is for all of you!  Here are some things you could write about band camp...
1. How is band camp going?
2. What sorts of songs are you learning?  What's your favorite?  Why?
3. What instrument do you play?  Why did you choose that one?
4. What's your favorite thing about band?
5. What makes Old Town schools so GREAT in music?  What do our schools do to always be one of the best in the state year after year?

FOR THOSE GOING INTO 4TH GRADE:
Are you going to join band next year?  What instrument do you think you will play?  Why?

Another Student's Great Acrostic

Taylor has created a presentation with many different acrostic poems about summer.  Here is a picture of one of my favorites...

Great job Taylor!  I'm giving you 1 bonus ticket for your great work!

New Compass Learning Folder - Chance to Earn Bonus Tickets!

I just assigned a new Compass Learning math folder to all VSS students going into 4th and 5th grade.  Those going into 4th grade, the folder is titled "VSS 2013 4th Grade Prep." and those going into 5th grade, the folder is titled "VSS 2013 5th Grade Prep."  This folder contains lessons and activities that cover math content which you will be learning in the first math unit when school starts back up in September.  Completing these activities will give you a great preview of what you'll be starting the year off with and will also give you a good head start on the new school year.  Whoever is able to complete all of the activities in that folder with scores above 80% will receive 3 bonus tickets!  I'll check the folders and scores every few days and announce on the blog who has completed the folder and earned bonus tickets.  If you complete your folder with scores of at least 80%, but I don't announce your name on the blog, please just email me and I will check it for you.

Writing Idea #18

Writing Idea #18
Today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!  Create a Google Doc titled "My Favorite Dessert" and write about what you think the best dessert is.  Be sure to include at least 3 reasons that make that dessert your favorite.

Schedule Change Next Week

Please be aware that next week (August 5-9), the OTES library and computer lab will be open for Virtual Summer School on Tuesday and Wednesday, NOT Tuesday and Thursday.  I will be at a conference on Thursday, so I rescheduled my time at OTES in order to still be there twice this week.  We will go back to a normal schedule the following week.

Seth Bradbury will only be in on Tuesday August 6th for Lego Robotics, but not on Wednesday.

Weekly Bonus Tickets

Compass Learning - I'm so happy to see so many kids continue to work hard on their Compass Learning accounts right into August.  We're in our final month, so let's keep up the great work!  This week's Compass Learning winners are Taylor S., Michael VP, and Joseph W.!

Google Docs - I was amazed at how many kids were excited about writing a summer acrostic.  I had so many wonderful submissions that it was hard to choose just 3 winners this week for Google Docs.  Jacob D. wrote about a Summer Hockey Camp he recently attended.  Cathryn A. created a beautiful summer acrostic poem about swimming (a picture is attached below).  Finally, Selina H. created an Internet safety document as well as a presentation about a recent vacation she went on.

Reading Tracker - Well, READ, READ, READ Week is now over, but that doesn't mean you should stop reading and submitting forms.  You can still earn tickets each week for books submitted.  Plus, we also have a long way to reach our goal of 1,000 books.  Because this is the final day of READ, READ, READ Week, I've decided to give bonus tickets to 5 kids instead of just 3.  Our winners are Delani M, Emma T, Max C, Maddie W, and Chelsea C..  Great job everyone!

I'd like to take an opportunity to share some students' work from the summer during the final month of VSS.  If you would like me NOT to share your work, please let me know!  Here is Cathryn's amazing summer acrostic poem about swimming: