News for 3/25

March has come to a close and April is around the corner. We have had a busy month and are looking forward to a great April full of learning and fun!

1st Grade Talent Development

First graders have had a great week of learning.  All students have finished writing their research papers and are moving on to creating their display boards for their ISPs.  They are doing a fabulous job!

2nd Grade Talent Development

Second grade students continued to work on their ISP projects. Students are wrapping up their research and are beginning to work on their presentation boards. They are looking forward to the showcase on April 25th.

3rd Grade Math

Third graders have had a great week of learning.  We started a new unit on measurement, and dove right in by working with customary units of weight.  We used two types of scales to weigh lots of objects, and made some surprising discoveries about how much some items weighed!  We played several Kahoot! games to solidify our knowledge as well.  We moved on to units of capacity later in the week.  We started with a conversation about ounces versus fluid ounces, and moved on from their.  We explored all customary units of capacity using Gallon Guy, and making predictions about how many smaller units would fit into bigger ones.  Lots of great learning going on!  We ended the week with a day to work on ISPs.  They are making great progress, and keeping up with the expected timeline so well!

4th Grade Math

Fourth graders had an abbreviated week in TAG due to STAAR Ready testing in homerooms.  We spent a couple of days on Financial Literacy, reviewing how to calculate profit in a business situation and learning about the types of taxes.  They've had some good work time on their ISPs as well, and are making great progress toward their projects being done! 

5th Grade Math

Fifth graders started a new unit this week on Data Analysis and Representation.  We've explored Dot Plots, Stem and Leaf Plots, and Histograms so far.  We've also talked about circumstances that yield variability and how to calculate percentages on bar graphs.  It's been a great week of learning, and discussing how to deepen our learning with concepts they've been familiar with for a few years.  It's so exciting to watch them learn new things and take their quest for new knowledge to a deeper level!

3rd Reading

Third grade wrapped up our novel "Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, In Letters, Lies and Leaks" by Kate Klise. The students participated in some activities connected to the novel this week. We created a postage stamp connected to a character, scene, or theme from the book. They also played "Who Said It" where they tried to figure out which character said the quote. Lastly, they completed a comprehension quiz over the novel. They topped off the week by creating their own fountains using the Bloxels app and materials.

4th Reading

Fourth grade had a short week this week with STAAR Ready exams occurring. They will be participating in Cruise Write Along with their classes next week. I am looking forward to hearing their writing!

5th Reading

Fifth grade is wrapping up their Benedict Society games. Each group has been hard at work and we are looking forward to a fun game day next week! 
We also paid a visit to the library this week to kick off our final unit of the year, Graphic Novels! The students are excited to explore this relatively new genre.

Have a great Spring Break, see you in a week!

Important Dates:

4/1 1st grade field Trip 9:30am

4/1-5 4th grade Cruise Write-Along
4/9 STAAR 4th & 5th grade
4/10 STAAR 5th grade
4/11 4th grade field trip 9:00am

News for 3/11

Spring Break is here and that means that we are already half way through March. It has been a busy and great month. Have a great Spring Break!

1st Grade Talent Development

First graders have been busy this week working on our ISPs.  All students have begun writing their research papers, and are doing a great job.  We spent a couple of days this week stretching our brains with some creative thinking as well.  We made cubes using paper nets, and then matched the nets with the cubes using a slideshow.  This was a lot harder than it looked, and we really worked hard!  We also spent a day learning about what engineers do, and looked at a couple of books about engineering.  Then, we used popsicle sticks and unifix cubes to build bridges- what fun!

2nd Grade Talent Development

Second grade students have been hard at work on their ISP projects. Students have completed their research and are hard at work on their reports. Many are already into the editing phase of their writing. They are all doing a great job!

3rd Grade Math

Third grade has spent the week continuing our fractions unit.  We have generated equivalent fractions, added and subtracted fractions and placed them on a number line too!  We ended the week with a fun activity to review all of these concepts- we escaped from the emoji jungle!  Students were split up into teams and worked together to solve the fraction challenges.  The emoji ruler guided them through their quest, and they solved them all successfully! 

4th Grade Math

Fourth graders had a great week.  We started a new unit on financial literacy and the students are loving it!  We've learned about fixed and variable expenses, how to build a balanced budget, and made some choices about different savings options.  They have learned so much and we've had some great discussions!  We also played a great online game at playspent.org which walks you through the process of living for one month using different choices and scenarios for your lifestyle.  It's been so interesting watching the students learn about different jobs, how to handle unexpected expenses and being creative about making money. 

5th Grade Math

Fifth graders have had a great week this week.  We wrapped up our unit on area, perimeter and volume.  Students finished a project on area using house blueprints.  Each student had a blueprint, and had to find the area of each room in the house.  Then, they priced new flooring for their house using homedepot.comand calculated the price of flooring.  It was interesting to see the wide range of flooring they chose, and what a great exercise in calculating area!  To practice volume, the students were given 6 objects of various sizes and shapes, and 6 boxes from the post office.  Their job was to calculate the volume of each item and box and choose which box worked for each item.  Shipping rate was a factor as well- they all learned so much and worked so hard!  We finished the week with a DCA.  Grades will be in HAC by Friday afternoon.

3rd Reading

Third grade wrapped up our unit on non-fiction text features. We completed a fun activity using non-fiction text features to tell about ourselves. The student work is displayed in the hall, so be sure to take a look if you are on campus.

4th Reading

Fourth grade wrapped up their unit on non-fiction text structures. They have also been busy working on their spring ISP projects. Everyone is doing a great job!

5th Reading

Fifth grade has been working hard on their Benedict Society games. The students are having fun putting their knowledge of the book to use creating a game for their peers. We are looking forward to a game day when we return from break.

Have a great Spring Break, see you in a week!

Important Dates:

3/18-22 Spring Break

3/28 3rd Grade Economics Expo 3:00pm
3/29 Kona Ice after school
4/1 1st grade field Trip 9:30am
4/1-5 4th grade Cruise Write-Along
4/9 STAAR 4th & 5th grade
4/10 STAAR 5th grade
4/11 4th grade field trip 9:00am

News for 3/4

March is off to a roaring start! We've had great start to what is going to be a busy but fun month!

1st Grade Talent Development

First grade has had a great week of learning!  We are working hard on our ISPs, and all are well on their way to writing a great research paper!  We also spent one day turning numbers into other objects- such fun! 

2nd Grade Talent Development

Second grade students have been busy this week with testing for content placements for next year. We are looking forward to getting back to work on our ISP projects soon!

3rd Grade Math

Third graders have had a great week learning about fractions.  We have compared, decomposed, and made equivalent fractions in so many different ways!  Practice word problems, equivalent fraction rainbows, labeling fractions and their matching decimals on number lines- oh my!  We have been busy and our brains are growing!

4th Grade Math

Fourth graders wrapped up their unit on perimeter, area, volume and geometry this week.  We started the week by creating shape hierarchies to classify quadrilaterals and nonquadrilaterals.  It was so great to see their creativity!  We also played GEOMY , a BINGO style game to review geometry terms and played a couple rounds of Kahoot to review perimeter, area and volume.  We took our DCA Wednesday and grades are in HAC.

5th Grade Math

Fifth graders have spent the week on scale factor.  We created a fun project to show our knowledge.  Students were given a 4"x6" card with a pop art speech bubble on it.  They filled the bubble with an onomatopoeia word and took off creating a poster scaled to three times the size of their cards.  They turned out great and are on display in the hall and on SeeSaw.  We started a review of perimeter and area Thursday with a challenge to price flooring for an entire house using blueprints, measurements and price of flooring.  We have had some fun discussions about how expensive that can be!

3rd Reading

Third grade wrapped up our "trip" around the world this week. We learned about the cities of Cairo and Tokyo. We enjoyed learning about what makes these cities unique. 
Third grade also began a unit on nonfiction text features. We will be completing a project about ourselves in order to utilize and learn about the features.

4th Reading

Fourth grade has been working on nonfiction text structures. They have been learning about author's purpose and why text is written a certain way. We have discussed the structure of compare and contrast and cause and effect. 

5th Reading

Fifth grade has been busy this week wrapping up their unit on drama. They have also been hard at work finishing the reading of their novel "The Mysterious Benedict Society". The students are very engaged in the adventure of the book. We are looking forward to our culminating activity that will include creating a game based on the book.

Have a great weekend, see you next week!

Important Dates:

3/11-15 Education Go Get It Week

3/13 Kinder Round Up 9:00am 

Grade 3 Field Trip 9:00am

Kinder Field Trip 9:30am

3/18-22 Spring Break

3/28 3rd Grade Economics Expo 3:00pm
3/29 Kona Ice after school

News for 2/25

February has passed and March is here. We've had a great week of learning. Each class has been very busy and had a lot of fun in the process.

1st Grade Talent Development

First graders have had a great week!  We have spent a lot of time working on our ISPs, and everyone is making great progress.  Some are finished researching and have started writing their research papers!

We spent one day this week learning from a box of crayons.  Students drew pictures using only one color, and then using a whole box of crayons.  We talked about how we liked the pictures with many colors so much, and read The Crayon Box that Talked.  A great discussion of how we are all different, and each have something unique and valuable to add to our group followed!

2nd Grade Talent Development

Second grade students have been hard at work. They are writing the research reports for their ISP projects. This week we learned about writing an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. The students are excited to put their new knowledge to use in their writing.
We ended the busy week with a little technology break. The students worked very hard all week on their research and earned a little technology day. They enjoyed having a visit from Mrs. Owen and learning how to use the Sphero robots. We also helped create an internet safety public service announcement for the campus announcements. It will be aired on Tech Tuesday next week!

3rd Grade Math

Since they took the STAAR Ready tests in Math and Reading this week, we only had three days together.  We spent those days exploring fractions.  We looked at fractions on number lines, and examined fraction relationships using Cuisenaire rods.  Friday was spent on ISP- we are making great progress!

4th Grade Math

Fourth graders have had a great week focusing on perimeter, area, volume and geometry.  We've done lots of activities to strengthen our skills in these areas including practice problems, building slideshows to show our knowledge, playing Kahoot and more.  Students are doing a great job deepening their knowledge in these areas!   Friday was spent on ISP- we are making great progress!

5th Grade Math

Fifth graders have spent the week on a new skill- scale factors and similar shapes.  We have spent a lot of time exploring ratios and how they relate to finding scale factors on maps, in making miniature versions of objects and more.  We've had so many discussions about how this skill applies to real life- it's been fun to hear their thoughts!  We will be making some really neat projects next week to showcase our skills- stay tuned!

3rd Reading

Third grade had a fun start to the week. We partnered with Mr. Lowell's class to explore the Dash robots. Everyone had a great time learning and exploring.

Third grade also completed their STAAR practice exams this week. They did a great job and were excited to come back to class and wrap up the week working on their ISP projects.

4th Reading

Fourth grade has been busy busy this week. They completed the role on the wall activity. Role on the wall is designed to support learning character traits through drama. The students explored a character role in the drama "Mighty Mikko". They determined character traits for the role and supported their claims using text evidence. They also identifying depth and complexity icons that were connected to their character role. Finally, they created original music tracks using Garage Band to express the mood and tone of the character. They did a spectacular job!

5th Reading

Fifth grade had a great week! They completed the preparation of their drama based on a bluebonnet list book. They then performed their drama for the class. We really enjoyed the way everyone created backdrops and used props to support telling their story. 

We also paid a visit to the library on Thursday and were able to take a walk down memory lane with fun, interactive stories from Dr. Seuss. The students enjoyed getting to take a moment to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday and be a little nostalgic and think back to the days of those wonderful Seuss books. 
While we visited the library we were able to celebrate two class birthdays by participating in Mrs. Bamford's traditional dedication of the birthday books (for more info on that contact Mrs. Bamford in the library).

Have a great weekend, see you next week!

Important Dates:

3/2 District UIL competition 7:30am Walsh Middle School

3/8 Multicultural Fair 5:30pm

3/11-15 Education Go Get It Week

3/13 Kinder Round Up 9:00am 

Grade 3 Field Trip 9:00am

Kinder Field Trip 9:30am

3/18-22 Spring Break

3/28 3rd Grade Economics Expo 3:00pm