NUT SWAMP ELEMENTARY! JANUARY 2015

PAGE 1

David Adler, the famous Cam Jansen series author, came to our school on Monday, January 12th. I enjoyed David Adler’s visit because he told us how he wrote and what he used to help him write. This was fun for me to hear because I want to be a writer when I grow up too.

David Adler uses his experience as inspiration. Once there was a snake w a n d e r i n g around his house. Mr. Adler used the snake in his book “The Many Troubles of Andy Russell.”

I like how he uses real people for ideas and characters. The Aunt Janet character in “it’s a Baby, Andy Russell” was based on Mr Adler’s very bossy neighbor.

David Adler ’s books have been translated in different languages. I like when he showed us the different illustrations of Cam Jansen from other parts of the world. The important things were still the same, like she still has brown eyes and bright orange hair, but her nose and eyes and facial expressions are drawn differently.

I’m happy that David Adler visited our school. I’m excited to read more of his books. When I went to the library last week, I came home with four more Cam Jansen books. I hope you will read more of David Adler books too!

TIGER TIMESDAVID ADLER VISTS NUT SWAMPAbby M., grade 2

When David Adler came to Nut Swamp School it was amazing. It was interesting to learn about how he writes his stories and where he gets his ideas from. I also got an inside scoop of everything because I won a lunch with him! It was really cool. Let me tell you about it.

When I found out I won a lunch with Mr. Adler, I was so happy because I love to write. At my lunch with David A Adler I wasn’t the only one. Nine other kids got to have lunch with him too. During the lunch we got to ask Mr David Adler some questions. I liked hearing his answers. It was cool to have lunch with a famous author. It was a once in a lifetime experience and it was great. It was very nice of Mr. Adler to come to our school!

David Adler is a great author and has published 246 books so far and they are all great! What is your favorite book by David A Adler?

LUNCH WITH THE AUTHORJulia B., grade 4

NUT SWAMP ELEMENTARY! JANUARY 2015

PAGE 2

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS FEB. 1Reese M., grade 5

Guess what time it is? It’s Super Bowl time! This year the two teams will be the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots!" This is the 49th Super Bowl and hopefully it will be a good one. The game is scheduled for February 1 ,2015. It will be held at

the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Arizona.The kickoff is at 6:30pm eastern time. This is the third time it will be held in Arizona! The first time was when the Giants beat the Patriots in 2008." The Seahawks go back to the Super Bowl hoping to gain back their victory. This is the second time the Seahawks go to Super Bowl." The Patriots will again go back to the Super Bowl after losing to the Giants in 2012. The Patriots join the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers as going to the Super Bowl the most--each going 8 times." Well, I know that my family and I will be watching the Super Bowl and I hope you will be, too!

KIDS OPINION: PARCC TESTINGMia D. grade 3

My third grade class has been preparing to take the PARCC test. This test will be given in March. This is a computerized test on math and reading given by the state. This test stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). There are some reasons I believe PARCC testing is good for students and other reasons that the test may be negative for students.

These are some positive parts of the assessment.:• PARCC is necessary to measure how students

are doing in school. • PARCC testing helps teachers identify student’s

strengths and areas that need work.

• Because the test is computer based, schools are forced to upgrade computers for the students.

Here are some negative things about PARCC testing:• The testing may be overly complicated for

students and not measure how much they have learned.

• Preparing for the PARCC test may cause stress for students and teachers.

• Another negative part about preparing for the tests is that it takes the teachers time away from other more enjoyable and creative classroom work.

In conclusion, PARCC testing does help to see how a student is doing, but it is just one way of many to measure learning in school.

FEATURED ARTISTCaroline N., grade 5

NUT SWAMP ELEMENTARY! JANUARY 2015

PAGE 3

Hi my name is Sydney and I’m in 3rd grade and I love dance. I dance at the Academy of Dance Arts with my three Nut Swamp friends: Zoe, Grace and Sophia. I started to dance there in 2nd grade. The dance teachers there are really nice to you unless you're late every time you go to class. What I like about dance is that you get to be with your friends, have fun and get exercise all at the same time! I take 3 classes there: 2 ballet classes and one pre pointe class.  

In December Zoe, Grace, Sophia, and me were all in The Nutcracker at The Count Basie Theatre. I was a mini mice and I was in the party scene. This April you can come and see us perform as fairy attendants in Cinderella!

Mrs. Church founded The Academy in 1985 and the artistic directors are Mr. and Mrs. Mishoe. Mr Mishoe wa s on America's Got Talent with a girl named Rachel in a performance called Blue Journey. The classes that they teach there are Jazz , Tap , Pi l a tes , GYROTONIC, Ballet

and Modern. You can try out a class for free! When I dance my body feels good and my heart feels like I’m doing something that I really want to do and all of you can do it, too.

BOOK NOOK: JUDY MOODYAROUND THE WORLD IN 8 1/2 DAYSAlex B., grade 3

Recently, I read the 7th Judy Moody book Around the World in 8 ½ days by Meghan McDonald.

The story is about Judy Moody’s teacher Mr. Todd assigning a report on 8 of the countries of the world. Judy’s group got Italy. On the 8th day i t wa s Judy ’s

group ’s turn to go up and do thei r presentation. Judy danced an Italian dance called the “tarantella” while the music got faster and faster. Finally, the music got so fast Judy banged into a desk, tripped over her own foot, and fell flat on the floor!

After Judy’s messed up presentation Mr. Todd had a talk with her group. He said that for the rest of the day they had to think about something that they would be doing tomorrow. So the next day the group met up in the cafeteria and the lunch lady helped them make the biggest pizza, shaped as a map! Then the group went to their classroom to get their classmates and Mr. Todd. They all ate the pizza map very happily.

I liked this book because it was funny when Judy fell on the floor while dancing the tarantella.

ARTS & LEISURE:DANCE!THE ACADEMY OF DANCE ARTSSydney M., grade 3

NUT SWAMP ELEMENTARY! JANUARY 2015

PAGE 4

TEACHER FEATURE:MR. LYONEmma H., grade 2

Hello! My name is Emma H. I interviewed my music teacher, Mr. Lyon, because I love music and I love writing songs. I also want to play the violin.

What was the first instrument you played?

I played the drums when I was in second grade. My favorite is the trumpet.

Who taught you how to play your first

instrument?

My drum teacher, Mr. G. All of my music teachers inspired me and helped me get better and improve.

Did you have a different hobby before you

were a musician?

I was involved in theatre.

Did you play any sports when you were a kid?

I played tennis in high school and was on the state tennis champion team.

What makes the high and low pitches on your

recorder?

Fingers down make the tube longer for low notes and fingers up make tubes shorter for higher notes

How long have you taught at Nut Swamp, and what do you like best about it?

Four years. What I love best about teaching at Nut Swamp is to see and help students learn. I became a teacher because I love learning, and the greatest reward is to see students learn and grow every week throughout the year.

TIGER TIMES IS NOW PUBLISHED MONTHLY!

Check Nut Swamp’s website if you want to become a staff writer.

SPORTS: ODELL BECKHAM JR.NFL ROOKIE OF THE YEARWill E., grade 3

Odell Beckham Jr. is a New York Giants rookie f rom Louisiana State University. He has 1305 receiving yards and won Rookie of the Year this season. His mom, Heather Van Norman, ran for LSU and is now the track coach for Nicholls State University and was a former Olympic track and field runner. His father, Odell Beckham Sr., was a running back for LSU and was the roommate of former pro basketball player, Shaquille O’Neal, in college. With parents like that, he was sure to be a great athlete!

When the Giants played the Cowboys this year, Odell Beckham Jr. made the best catch of the year of all the NFL players (see picture). Even though the Giants were not in the playoffs this year, they

have one of the bes t rook ie wide receivers ever and I still support them!

!