Mrs. Albright's 5th Grade Class

May 1, 2012

EXHIBITION PRESENTATIONS AND STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES:
Please come to see your child's Exhibition presentation tomorrow (Wed., May 2) between 8:30 and 10:30.  Your child should be able to tell you where he or she will be set up.  Additionally, take about 20 minutes to visit the library with your child to review his or her Spicewood PYP portfolio.


April 10, 2012

CANYON VISTA:
Don't forget about the event at Canyon Vista tonight.  This opportunity is for incoming students.  See below:

March 29, 2012

Last day to turn in picture money is tomorrow!

March 20, 2012

PICTURE DAY TOMORROW!

STAAR TESTS NEXT WEEK:

The fifth grade will be taking the STAAR Math Test on Tuesday (March 27), and the STARR Reading Test on Wednesday (March 28).  A letter with more information is coming home tonight. 

TO DO ITEMS:

Just a friendly reminder on the to do items for this week. You should have received three emails from me last week on upcoming events.

Emails were for the following:

1. Class art project donation of $2.50 each

2. Carnival sign up details

3. 5th grade graduation party - need picture, graduation party details etc.


Special Notice from Spicewood Elementary PTA:

Attention Panther parents,
 
There will be a special BRIEF PTA meeting on Friday, 3/23, at 5:20PM, directly before the screening of the documentary, "Race to Nowhere." At the PTA meeting, we will be electing our nominating committee and we need your vote. Please attend the PTA meeting and cast your vote!
 
After the PTA meeting, stick around for the documentary screening and take part in the open discussion that will follow.
 
For more information about the PTA meeting, contact Claudine Paccio (cpaccio@austin.rr.com). For more information about the "Race to Nowhere" documentary and to RSVP to the event, contact Tara Muldrow (tfmuldrow@gmail.com).

MORE CARNIVAL INFO:

For Spring Carnival, we are having a contest to see which GRADE can bring in the most family sponsorships for the carnival.

Here are the details:

March 19, 2012

FIFTH GRADE GRADUATION:

Please see the "Hand-Outs" link for details regarding this event.


CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT:

Despite the cold and rainy weather, Civil War day was a great success!  We were still able to do our reenactment of Pickett's Charge The kids had a blast working on basic movements and marching with JROTC students from Westwood High School.

Coming home in last week's Friday Folders was a yellow sheet on the Carnival 2012! Use this sheet to pre-order wristbands (which offer unlimited access to all games and rides) or raffle tickets for use at the spring carnival, Saturday, March 31 from 10am-3pm!

MATURATION PROGRAM:

As part of the RRISD4^thand 5^thgrade health Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements, classes on maturation and hygiene will be provided for 4^th& 5^thgrade students. This curriculum was developed and written by district administrators, teachers, counselors, nurses, parents, and community resource people. Boys and girls will be separated for the instructional program. Students returning anOPT OUTform(given to them by their teacher) will be sent to an alternate location in school during this instructional program (if parent does not want their child to attend). 

For 5^thgrade Girls & Boys and 4^thgrade Girls: The focus of the maturation program is on the physical and emotional changes that take place in adolescents during puberty. The DVD/video, "Always Changing”, is an age appropriate video for girls and boys that describe these changes in a sensitive manner. Boys and girls will be separated for the instructional program and will view the “GIRLS ONLY” or “BOYS ONLY” version of the DVD/Video. You can preview the DVD/video and course materials at:http://www.pgschoolprograms.com/puberty/

For 4^thgrade Boys: The focus of the 4th grade boys program is on the development of personalgrooming and hygienehabits as they mature. The video "Whats a Hygiene?" will be shown to the boys. You can preview a portion of the DVD/video at:http://www.marshmedia.com/online/product_desc.cfm?ordernum=9221IN&cat=hhd

The videos and discussions will take place at school on Friday March 23rd.

Students returning anOPT OUTform sent home by Teacher this week will be sent to an alternate location in school during this instructional program. 

Please feel free to contact the school health clinic at: 428-3607 with any questions. 

6TH GRADE CHOICE SHEETS:

If after the fine arts Enrichment Day, your students want to change their elective for next year, please contact Laura Reilly at Canyon Vista. Her info is below.

Laura C. Reilly

Counselor 7th L-Z and 8th

Canyon Vista Middle School

Office 512.464.8114

Fax    512.464.8210

Laura_Reilly@roundrockisd.org

SPICEWOOD SPRING CARNIVAL:
Saturday, March 31

March 5, 2012

CIVIL WAR PREP DAY:
In order to have enough paper hats and "bullets" for Friday, we are asking a few students to stay after school tomorrow, Tuesday, to help make them.  This will take place in Mrs. Morley's and Mrs. Mitchell's portable.  Please make arrangements to pick up your child at 3:45.

CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT: 
In addition to exploring world-wide civil wars, their causes, and effects, your students will be conducting a short reenactment of an American Civil War battle.  This will take place this Friday (March 9) in the morning.  Students will represent the North or the South in this simulation.  Your child should be able to tell you whether he/she will need to wear navy or grey for this activity.  An appropriate-colored t-shirt will suffice.  Some students might choose to dress the part more thoroughly with hats, boots, belts, etc.  Aside from wearing navy or grey, any additional costume is optional.

CLASS AUCTION:
We will be conducting our classroom auction this week.  If you have any small toys, journals, pens, balls, Happy Meal prizes, stickers, etc. that you are willing to get rid of, please send them in!  The kids get to spend their hard-earned Albright money this week!

EARLY RELEASE:
Please do not forget that our students will be released at 12:45 this Wednesday, March 7.

6TH GRADE CHOICE SHEETS:

If after the fine arts Enrichment Day, your students want to change their elective for next year, please contact Laura Reilly at Canyon Vista. Her info is below.

Laura C. Reilly

Counselor 7th L-Z and 8th

Canyon Vista Middle School

Office 512.464.8114

Fax    512.464.8210

Laura_Reilly@roundrockisd.org

SPRING BREAK:
March 12-16

SPICEWOOD SPRING CARNIVAL:
Saturday, March 31

February 13, 2012

SCIENCE FAIR:
Your children created the most magnificent science fair projects.  I was blown away!  Thank you for your encouragement and support throughout the process.

E-News Folder:
Parents, please don't forget to access the e-news folder on our the main Spicewood website.  It often has critical information that will not otherwise get to you!  I believe that it's updated by Friday each week.

VALENTINE'S DAY:
The students may bring decorated Valentine's boxes to school on Tuesday.  We'll have a VERY casual and VERY non-competitive contest with most likely no criteria or prizes whatsoever.  Feel free to join the fun--or not.  It's totally optional.  If your child would like to bring valentines for other students, make sure he/she brings enough for EVERY student in the class (class list is below).  Please--no personal messages.  This is one of the few days of the year when candy is allowed.  Mrs. Bassett, in her crusade to win the Dannon Rally for Recess has donated a TON of yogurt, which I might be handing out on Tuesday, just to counteract the carb-sugar-laden fare.  Our phenomenal room moms will be able to give you more details about the Valentine's party scheduled in the afternoon.

February 6, 2012

RALLY FOR RECESS UPDATE!

It's official ------- we are in First Place! Check us out on the Leader Board (www.RallyforRecess.com--We are in the Bear League)

If you know anyone in town or out of town that can send you a code from a Rally for Recess package ask them to send it your way. We need every last point to stay on top! All codes have to be entered by this Wednesday.  

Keep your fingers, toes, elbows, whatever crossed ---- it's going to be a close one! 

While shopping, look for Dannon products, such as Danimals or Crush Cups, to purchase that say Rally for Recess on the outside packaging. The code will be on the inside.

Ask family or friends who purchase those products to do the same (or just go on a hunt for you looking for those products). Ask them to email the code back to you.

We've had a few parents put a request on their Facebook page. They've already received a few from out of town family and friends that way.

If you find / receive codes you can forward them to me (mmbassett@austin.rr.com), turn them into the office, or enter them online at www.RallyforRecess.com. All codes have to be entered by Wednesday.

 

February 3, 2012
SCIENCE FAIR:
Don't forget to get your Science Fair entry ready this weekend!  The boards are due bright and early Monday morning (yes, Febrary 6th)!  Students will be presenting to our class throughout the morning, and will then present to the judges later that afternoon. Judging will take place during the day on Feb 6 - 7, 2012. Viewing of ribbons and award presentations will take place in the evening on Feb 7, 2012 (exact times TBD).

CHOICE SHEETS:
Final day to turn in choice sheets for electives at Canyon Vista is also Monday, the 6th.

February 1, 2012

CANYON VISTA 6TH GRADE CHOICE SHEETS:

Our counselor, Jennifer Lyon, gave a presentation to your student today regarding the elective choice sheets for sixth grade.  Students will be completing a green sheet (which should come home tonight), and must return it bythis Friday, February 3rd.  We apologize for the quick turn-around, but the counselor was only given the choice sheets from Canyon Vista yesterday!  Please help your child decide on his or her elective for next year.

A white packet will come home as well.  This packet summarizes ALL of the middle school electives offered in the entire district.  Therefore, some of those classes will not be offered at Canyon Vista.  If students are interested in being in band or orchestra, they MUST take this class in sixth grade in order to qualify for upper grade-level band and orchestra classes.  Unless I speak to you individually, your child will automatically be enrolled in the TAG classes for which they are currently receiving services (Math and/or Language Arts).


January 31, 2012

SCIENCE FAIR:
Science Fair is right around the corner.  For homework, this Friday, the sixth entry on the Science Fair Checklist must be signed (or initialed) by a parent, confirming that that the project board components are gathered.  The completed experiments and displays are due Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.  Please be sure that students have culminated their experiments, gathered their data, and created their display boards this weekend!  Please see the Science Fair handbook for format information.  This information is also available on the PTA website.

EARLY RELEASE DAY:
Wednesday, Feb. 1st is an early release day!  Students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m.

FRIDAY e-FOLDER:
Parents:  please do not forget to check the Spicewood e-folder for important campus and community information.  The flyers that often accompanied Friday Folders in the past are now being published (for the most part) electronically.  Here's a link:
 http://teacherweb.com/TX/SpicewoodElementary/FridayFolder/apt22.aspx
You can also access the e-folder at the bottom left column of the school's homepage links.

READ TO SUCCEED--SIX FLAGS TICKETS!
Please encourage your child to join the Six Flags Read to Succeed program.  Students will be bringing home a reading log for parents to sign after they read independently at home.  The deadline for returning the form is Monday, Feb. 27th.  Kids can read anything (novels, comics, newspapers, magazines).  The students' weekly 100 minutes DOES count toward this reading.  See the link below for more details:

 http://readtosucceed.discoveryeducation.com/

SUMMER ENRICHMENT FAIR:
Come check out the summer camp opportunities taking place this summer.  Many of these are geared to challenge gifted students.  The event takes place Saturday, February 11, beginning at 10:30 a.m and finishing at 12:30 p.m. This is a free event for all involved. Feel free to stop by.

This event will take place at the Round Rock Performing Arts Center, with tables for the attending summer camp opportunities. Representatives will be at their tables ready to share information with interested parents. There will also be information about TAGT and their scholarship opportunities for TAG identified students. This includes scholarships to help cover the cost of summer programs/camps. Parents are free to visit any or all of the tables during the event. It is a fun, come-and-go event.

Please find the flyer for this year's Summer Enrichment Fair at the "Hand-Outs" link to the left.

It's official ------- we are in First Place! Check us out on the Leader Board (www.RallyforRecess.com--We are in the Bear League)

 If you know anyone in town or out of town that can send you a code from a Rally for Recess package ask them to send it your way. We need every last point to stay on top! All codes have to be entered by this Wednesday.  

Keep your fingers, toes, elbows, whatever crossed ---- it's going to be a close one! 

While shopping, look for Dannon products, such as Danimals or Crush Cups, to purchase that say Rally for Recess on the outside packaging. The code will be on the inside.

Ask family or friends who purchase those products to do the same (or just go on a hunt for you looking for those products). Ask them to email the code back to you.

We've had a few parents put a request on their Facebook page. They've already received a few from out of town family and friends that way.

If you find / receive codes you can forward them to me (mmbassett@austin.rr.com), turn them into the office, or enter them online at www.RallyforRecess.com. All codes have to be entered by Wednesday.

January 19, 2012

According to Mrs. Bassett, we have moved from 8th place to 3rd place in the contest for our new playground.  Please help us by sending in stamps for this fundraiser.  I'll give your kiddos $25 in Teacher Money for each stamp brought in!  Thanks!

January 11, 2012

SPRING SEMESTER EVENTS:

Feb. 1             Early Release at 12:45
Feb. 7            Science Fair Exhibits 5:00/Awards 6:30
Feb. 17           Enrichment Day
Feb. 20          Student Holiday
March3  7       Early Release at 12:45
March 12-16   Spring Break

January 9, 2012

Happy Monday!  Please read entries below for a few Gifted & Talented events taking place in the near future.  Additionally, homework is ramping up this semester.  Expect your child to have on-line assignments on Study Island in both Math and Science each week.  All assignments will need to be submitted by Friday morning each week.  TAG students are expected to achieve 90% mastery, selecting a minimum of 15 items from each sub-topic.  Students have an opportunity to review a mini-lesson and re-submit any items that they complete incorrectly.

Please be certain that your child is attending to the science fair checkpoints.  This week (Friday), students will need to show me any research they have collected with regard to their project.  In class, we will be exploring geometry, alternative energy resources, persuasive essays, and reenacting a pioneer trip on the Oregon Trail.

As always, thank you for your phenomenal support at home!

January 5, 2012

Notice:  The RRISD TAG Parent Conference will be held on Saturday, January 28th from 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon at Grisham Middle School.  The registration flyer is available at the link below:

2012-RRISD-TAG-Parent-Conference-Registration-Form.pdf

January 3, 2012

A couple of anouncements:

Parents:  Students are beginning to work on their Science Fair projects.  In this week's Friday Folder, a green packet will be included, which specifies the project criteria.  Please review this with your child and sign and return by next Monday.  The information can also be found on our PTA website.

The TAGT Parent Conference will be Saturday, February 11th at Anderson High School.  More information can be found on the TAGT website - txgifted.org

The Summer Enrichment Fair will be Saturday, February 11th 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the RRISD PAC (next to McNeil HS).  All K-12 parents are welcome to attend this free event to learn about academic and fine arts summer camp opportunities throughout Austin, the state of TX, and other parts of the U.S.

December 9, 2011

SCIENCE FAIR NEWS

Do you want to purchase a science fair board? Orders must be received by Monday 12/12/2011! Order forms went home last Friday in the Friday folders for 4th and 5th grade.  K-3rd need to download the form.  The order form is posted on the Spicewood PTA website – go to Programs/Events, click on "Science Fair" and look under the section called "Science Fair Documents".   Here is the link:
http://spicewood.my-pta.org/Content.asp?PageID=15
All 4th and 5th graders MUST enter the science fair with an experiment. K-3rd are highly encouraged to submit individual projects.  Science Fair entries will be due on Feb 6, 2012.  Judging will take place during the day on Feb 6 - 7, 2012.  Viewing of ribbons and award presentations will take place in the evening on Feb 7, 2012(exact times TBD).  Questions: please contact Katie Hagen, 422-2258 orkatiehagen@austin.rr.com  OR April Morley, 428-3675,April_morley@roundrockisd.org

December 8, 2011

TAG PARENT SURVEY

Please take the short survey at the link below.  The district is in the initial planning stages for the TAG Parent Conference that will be held on January 28th at Grisham Middle School.  They would appreciate input from TAG parents.  The survey will be available through December 15th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TAGParentConferenceTopics

December 6, 2011

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

We are still in need of 8 Volunteers for Junior Achievement.

Junior Achievement (JA) is theworld’slargestnon-profit organization that teaches financial literacy in the classroom. JA prepares young people to succeed in the global economy through exciting educational games and material. JA offers trained volunteers the opportunity to apply their business expertise in the classrooms with the students atSpicewood Elementary.

JA + YOU = Student success at Spicewood Elementary

• JA classroom programs allow parents, community volunteers, and business professionals the opportunity to teach students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness skills
• JA students learn their economic responsibility in the community as individuals, workers, and consumers
• JA metrics show that alumnae are more likely to complete high school on time and attend a 4-year educational institution
• JA programs are proven to positively affect students’ spending and saving habits from Kindergarten to 12^thgrade

Our classroom teachers need your help in teaching this 5 session (45 minutes each) program. The Meet and Greet classroom training is scheduled for Thursday December 8, 2011 at 11:30a in the library.  Please contact Tony Delgado if you are available to volunteer in a classroom. 512.258.3963,td.delgado@gmail.comor Yvette Evans at 512.797.3355yevans@kw.com

 Make a difference in Your Child’s Education!

How: By providing basic community, business, and economic awareness skills to our students as aMentor

Who: Parents, family members, community volunteers, and business professionals with availabilityto donate 5 hours of your time in the classroom as a trained classroom Mentor

When:After a brief training session at the school, you can begin teaching your 5 sessions in theClassroom either all in one day or with 5 separate visits, approximately 30-45 minutes eachdepending on the school’s preference

The Volunteer Program Training date will be determined soon but we need our school volunteers to sign up right away in order to schedule this in our classrooms

How: 1. Go towww.jacentex.organd fill out an online Volunteer Application (using either Internet Explorer or     Mozilla Firefox as your browser)

2. Please include your preferred school and grade level on the application

No prior teaching experience is necessary.

November 28, 2011

COFFEE GROUNDS NEEDED!

On Friday, December 2, we will be making fossil imprints with salt, flour, and used coffee grounds.  Send your child with a sample fossil object (something somewhat small with textural detail, and that you don't mind getting dirty!).  We will need 1/2 cup of USED coffee grounds for each student, so if you don't mind saving a couple days' coffee grounds for us, I'd be obliged.  Just dump them into a plastic baggie and send them by Thursday, Dec. 1.

Please check the "Sign-Up" page for other items that we will need.  Thanks, as always, for making these opportunities possible!

PHENOMENON PRODUCTS:

The kids have done a phenomenal job on their products and their papers.  They have become experts on their topics!  Thanks, parents, for your support.

TAGT CONFERENCE: 

TAGT Announces Parent Night Open House

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) is thrilled to invite parents and educators of gifted and talented students to visit exhibit hall 4 of the Austin Convention Center on Wednesday, November 30, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM for a free, public open house. This event is part of the 2011 TAGT Professional Development Conference: Gifted 3.0. Parents may attend special half-hour sessions at no charge. There is no pre-registration for the open house; attendees will sign a guest register and receive a visitor name badge. The event is a unique opportunity to become acquainted with our organization, our exhibitors and their products and services, and the professionals dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

Check out the "Hand-Outs" link on the left for a copy of the flyer.

ENGINEERING GIRLS

Check out the following link for a cool contest opportunity.
http://www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest/food2012.aspx#Description

Contest Description

Shopping at your local supermarket is a different experience today than it was even 50 years ago. Today the food we eat comes from around the world and is often already prepared in a wonderful variety of ways. Engineers are actively involved in every step of the process—they design the specialized machines used to plant and harvest crops and develop unique manufacturing processes to prepare, package, and transport foods in safe and secure ways.

Consider these popular foods: 

• Applesauce
• Ice cream
• Peanut butter
• Potato chips
• Sandwich bread
• Spaghetti sauce

Grades 3-5: (No more than 500 words)
Choose one of the foods from the list and explain how it is produced, from the planting and harvesting of raw material to being ready to eat. Describe how engineers are involved in different steps of the process.

November 16, 2011

SEDIMENTARY SANDWICHES:

For those of you who have sent in and signed up for supplies for this activity, thank you so much!  Please send items by tomorrow morning (Friday), as we will be making sedimentary sandwiches in Science at 9:15.  We are still in need of two cartons (or one really big carton) of chocolate icing, and two cartons (or one really big carton) of vanilla icing.  We also need one loaf of brown, or wheat bread.  If possible, sign up by 5:00, so I'll know what I need to get at the store tonight!  Thank you!

MATH NIGHT AT CANYON VISTA:

Please read the notice below from the Assistant Principal of Canyon Vista...

Next Wednesday, November 16, we will be having a meeting regarding the math continuum at Canyon Vista and Westwood. We would like to invite the 5th grade parents to attend.

JOIN US WITH YOUR MATH QUESTIONS
Our annual Canyon Visit math night will be held Wednesday, November 16 at 7 pm in the lecture hall. Staff will explain the continuum of math options and how they align with high school, college readiness and upcoming STAAR and End of Course Exams. Lots of information and a chance for your questions to be answered.

Nicole Hagerty
Assistant Principal
Canyon Vista Middle School
512-464-8109

November 8, 2011

SEDIMENTARY SANDWICHES--DONATIONS REQUESTED:
We'll be making a model of the earth's sedimentary layers with a clever combination of food items.  We'll need paper plates, loaves of white  and brown bread, cartons of chocolate and vanilla icing, fruity breakfast cereal (multi-colored), raisins, fish crackers, plastic knives, and small paper cups.  If you are able to contribute, please sign up on the Google document in the "Sign-Up" link to the left.  Thank you!

Outdoor School was so much fun!  The kids worked hard, played hard, and learned so much!  Thank you, parents, for sending them so well-prepared.

In class, we're off and running with an American Revolution debate, rounding, estimating, and graphing, and learning about rocks.  The students should be wrapping up their collecting of research regarding their phenomenon topic tonight, so that we can begin outlining our expository piece tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your support!

November 1, 2011

OUTDOOR SCHOOL Reminders:

Your child needs to come to school on Wednesday with:
 1)All of his/her things packed for The Outdoor School.
2)Wearing his/her Class of '12 T-shirt
3)A completely disposable sack lunch (everything needs to be consumed or thrown away before we get off the bus - the only exception is a WATER bottle.)
4) A water bottle

NO electronics, No money, no additional food!

For the Marble Falls Weather Forecast:  http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/Marble+Falls+TX+USTX0829

October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!  Thank you for all of the masking tape, shoe polish, and pens!

FIFTH GRADE PERFORMANCE:

Please be in Mr. Steinburg's music room at 6:15 tomorrow (Tuesday, November 1st) night.

OUTDOOR SCHOOL:

The Outdoor School Departure and Return Times:
We have had a change in our departure and return times for this year.  We will be leaving Spicewood on Wednesday bewteen 10 & 10:30 in the morning.  All students will need to have a completely disposable sack lunch with them to eat on the bus.  We will return to school between 1:30 and 2:00 on Friday.  If you would like to pick your child up as soon as we return to school, you may do so, but you must sign them out in the office.  Otherwise, please be here at regular dismissal time to pick up. Remember that we will not be allowing students to ride the school bus home with all of their gear.  Thanks!

OUTDOOR SCHOOL PACKING LIST:

Sleeping Bag
Pillow
pajamas
shorts (1-2, depending on weather)
long pants (1-2, depending on weather)
long sleeved shirt
t-shirts
undies
socks (bring two more pairs than you think you need!)
sweatshirt
hat
two pairs of shoes (closed toe, laceable, comfy)
rain gear (poncho--no umbrellas, please)
jacket or coat (depending on weather)
hat and gloves (depending on weather)

soap
shampoo/conditioner
comb/brush
deoderant
toothpaste/toothbrush
towel and washcloth
flip-flops for shower

water bottle
sun screen
chap stick
insect repellent
plastic bag for dirty clothes

flashlight
camera



SILENT AUCTION:
A Spicewood tradition, that many of you have not yet been able to enjoy, is Spicewood’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year the Spicewood Silent Auction returns and we are “going HOLLYWOOD!” It will take place from 6:30 to 10:00 pm on Friday, November 4th (click on the "Hand-Outs" tab to see the flyer).  Please join me, other parents, as well as many of Spicewood’s teachers as we enjoy an adult night of food, drink, friends & (more importantly) fundraising for this fabulous school. There are over 140 items from local businesses that are to be auctioned off, as well as several big ticket items in our Live Auction. Tickets can be purchased online at the Spicewood PTA Store www.spicewoodpta.org. We are also in need of more volunteers to help with set-up and take-down the day (& night) of the event. If you are able to help out, please join the auction site and sign-up! The link is as follows: http://spicewoodptasilentauction.shutterfly.com/

October 24, 2011

WEDNESDAY IS PICTURE DAY (AND A HALF-DAY)!

HOT WHEELS NEEDED:

If you are willing to allow your child to come to school with one HotWheels car (or other little car), I would appreciate it.  We will be conducting a science investigation with the toys on Thursday.  And, if someone feels highly motivated to contribute, we could use a HotWheels track at the same time.

OUTDOOR SCHOOL:

This fun retreat is fast approaching!  Thank you for the shoe polish, tape and pen donations.  I think we could use two more rolls of masking tape, and we'll be in good shape.  I have medical forms for any students who need to bring EITHER prescription OR over-the-counter medications on the trip.  If the student needs prescription medication, the nurse needs ample lead-time to process the information through the system.

CASTLE:

Well, the castle has not yet gotten off the ground, but the clay order has arrived.  The students are mulling over the floorplan and the building requirements.  They have a number of mathematical challenges ahead before we can start building.  We've got a talented batch of engineers!

CLASSWORK:

We're wrapping up a unit of graphing and will be practicing multiplying and dividing decimals by decimals, as well as revisiting rounding and estimation.  In social studies, the students are learning about how the colonists responded to the many taxes imposed by the British.  We will be conducting a mock debate about the American Revolution in the near future in which your children must argue their sides effectively.  In language arts, the students continue to make connections across reading genres.  Our focus right now is on mythology.  Students will be working with force and motion in Science.  We get to play with HotWheels!

DRESS LIKE A BOOK CHARACTER ON FRIDAY:

Join the fun and promote your favorite book character.  Students are allowed to dress up in costume on Friday as a culmination of Red Ribbon Week.

October 21, 2011

Red Ribbon Week, October 24 - 28

During the week of October 24-28, Round ISD will once again recognize “Red Ribbon Week” at each of its campuses. Spicewood Elementary will give extra attention to the importance of saying no to illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and saying yes to making healthy lifestyle choices. With your help, we would like to invite all Spicewood students to participate in the following activities:

Monday, October 24– Celebrate Red Ribbon Week, not just for a week but for life! It’s the healthy thing to do. Wear something red to show your support.

Tuesday, October 25 – Stay in the game! Wear your favorite team shirt or jersey.

Wednesday, October 26 – Wellness Wednesday! Picture me being drug free! Students are encouraged to take care of their bodies and be drug free. Taking care of your body helps you to look and feel your best. Wear something nice to school for picture day to show that you like to be healthy.

Thursday, October 27 – School is cool, drugs are not! Wear your Spicewood T-shirt Day!          

    “Drug Free Pledge”

I pledge to be drug free because I know that drugs are bad for me, my school, and my world. I say “No” to alcohol, tobacco and other harmful drugs. The best choice for me is to stay drug free.

Friday, October 28 – I’m too busy reading to do drugs! Students are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favorite story book character.

BENCHMARK TESTS:
Be on the look-out this weekend for benchmark scores coming home in your child's Friday Folder.  Please review, sign, and return along with the folder.  Unfortunately, we cannot send the benchmark test itself, but I can review with your child (or the whole class), any items they may have questions about.

DONATIONS NEEDED:
Parents--our class needs some donations for Outdoor School: We need 5-6 brown shoe polish bottles (preferably with a sponge applicator top)

and 5-6 rolls of masking tape, so that we can make our folders look like rustic leather.

 We also need a couple of bags of pens to attach to our folders so that all the students will have a reliable writing utensil while we are there! (Enough for 23 kids)



OUTDOOR SCHOOL:
I have money and forms for everyone, but still need a handful of t-shirt orders, accompanied by $5.  Please let me know if this poses a problem.  If your child needs a medical form for his or her medications, he or she will need to get the paperwork from the nurse.  If possible, the nurse would appreciate receiving all of the medicines and forms the week before we leave (we leave November 2nd), so that she can process and pack them by class.

October 14, 2011

MOST UNPOPULAR TEACHER OF THE DAY:
I have caused an uproar with a couple of the problems on this week's Math Mania.  Please allow your children to skip the "Spicewood Theater" problem.  And remember, the 15-minute anti-frustration clause!

October 12, 2011

CASTLE PROJECT:
Thank you so much for sending $2 for the clay.  We've almost covered the cost for supplies.  I went ahead and ordered 25 pounds today.  The kids are wrestling with how to make brick-making more efficient.  We've seen some good molds being fabricated!  The kids will soon be trying to sketch scale drawings of the castle footprint onto graph paper.

CLASSROOM UPDATES:
Last week, we learned about the uses of energy, and look forward to hearing a presentation from one of our parents, Dr. Tinker, about renewable and non-renewable energy sources early next week.  Tomorrow, your kiddo will be creating series and parallel circuits with batteries, bulbs, and wires.  Be sure to ask them about their electrical expertise tomorrow night!  Filming of our St. Augustine skits went wonderfully well.  Your kids are very talented!  This week, they are editing the films in Windows MovieMaker, and will try to incorporate those into a Prezi presentation (their idea!).  Circle graphs, bar graphs, line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, and a variety of other ways to record data are on the agenda for math.  In language arts, we've reviewed a variety of expository text patterns and have done a little bit of "Wet Ink" writing, with hilarious results.  Your children are a delight, and I look forward to seeing what next week has in store!

October 5, 2011

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR FALL CONFERENCES (coming up on Monday).  The sign-up is in the "Fall Conference" link to the left.

COLONIAL DAY:
The kids are doing a great job of putting together the exciting and often turbulent history of St. Augustine.  We will try to do most of our taping on Friday afternoon (the 7th, after 12:00).  Parents are welcome, but I cannot predict whether your child might be performing at that time, or not.  Some filming will take place outdoors, so the afternoon will definitely lack its usual structure.  Please let me know what time you might be coming, so I can leave notice of our location!

Again, costumes are optional, but black and white clothing might help provide uniformity otherwise.  Either way, your kiddo will be in fine presentation shape!

CASTLE-BUILDING:
Thank you so much for the clay donations.  We're still studying castle function and architecture.  The students are struggling with how to make the stone bricks uniform in size.  I see a lot of problem-solving taking place!


October 3, 2011

FALL CONFERENCES:

Fall conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 10.  Please go to the "Fall Conferences" tab in the column to the left to learn more about the conference structure and to sign up for a time-slot.

CASTLE PROJECT:

In alignment with a school-wide PYP study of shelters, our class will be designing and building a scale-model castle.  Much of this project will require math skills, such as geometry, measurement, and lots of calculations.  To build this structure, we will need a fair quanity of a product called Crayola Model Magic.  If you are able to pick some up, we'd love to begin construction soon.  I think we can purchase it in white, and add color to it later.  I'll get more details later.

COLONIAL DAY COSTUMES:
Your kiddos should have a Colonial Day role lined up.  Ask them for details!

E-News:

Please check out the e-News Folder for Spicewood events.  The link is at the bottom of the left column of the school's home page.  Or, you can use this link below:
http://teacherweb.com/TX/SpicewoodElementary/FridayFolder/apt7.aspxe-News: