LAKE WALES – Polk Avenue Elementary fourth graders are as serious as statesmen about similes …. or maybe they are busy as beavers, or laughing like hyenas, or brilliant like sunshine.
Pick a simile, and the students in teacher Sydney Mercado’s writing class probably have it on their lists. Students spent part of Thursday (Sept. 27) morning creating lists for their “simile books.”
Fourth grader Daemona Gibson (front) shows off her simile book, while classmates Karen Calderon(center) and Sasha DeVault continue to work on their books.
In late February, all fourth grade students will be tested on writing skills as part of the State of Florida’s FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test).
Mar 7th, 2013
LAKE WALES – Bok Academy student Clyde Spivey (far right) kneels to show some fifth graders how to sow seeds in the Polk Avenue Elementary garden. Students enrolled in Bok’s Agriculture class are partnering on a garden project with PAE teacher Leah Spivey’s fifth grade class.
Taking a closer look at the soil in the garden bed are (Photo #2, l-r) Cheyenne Etheridge, Clyde Spivey, Michael Balesand Wyatt Babington.
LAKE WALES – Polk Avenue Elementary families gathered last week (Feb. 6) for a fun family night focused on FCAT testing resources and strategies for students.
After an overview from teachers about what to expect on the FCAT Writes test at the end of February, children and adults played “Who Wants to be a Writer?” based on the popular game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
PHOTO #1: Fourth grade teacher Sydney Mercado(standing, back to camera) read the question on the screen, while audience members in the school’s Media Center discussed possible answers.
Later, audience members played a game of “Jeopardy!” about test information and strategies. Parents and students worked together (PHOTO #2 and PHOTO #3) to learn information about the FCAT tests.
LAKE WALES – A special group of Polk Avenue parents gathered recently to hear about the school’s new PALS – Polk Avenue Leader Scholars – program. Students are selected based on high benchmark assessment scores.
PALS students meet twice a week with Donna Burns, the Lake Wales Charter Schools system teacher for gifted and talented students. Initially, about 32 students in grades 3-5 will be involved in PALS.
The first PALS project will be a “Wax Museum.” Students will research characters, and use art, drama and public speaking to present museum characters to an audience.
“We are very excited about providing top students with this opportunity,” said Principal Gail Quam.