Ninja Pig News
Oct. 23rd-27th
Teacher Talk
Hello, Hello!
We had a great week of celebrations. Diwali began. There were two birthdays. The Book Fair and Fill the Boot fundraiser started!
It seems like there is always something happening around Sommer.
I truly appreciate the fall fundraiser donations you have given to our school. There has been so much tragedy and devastation across our state and the world. It's sometimes overloading to be asked for money again and again.
I can tell you first hand that all of the "Fill the boot" donations the school receives benefits each child and the teachers directly! And every little bit helps.
I've had students asking if they could donate their own money. That makes my heart beat a little faster and my nose tingle. Your kids are so good. You are amazing examples for them. Thank you for everything!
We've been celebrating Diwali in our classroom. I love that everyone is interested in learning about each other's culture. I talked at parent conferences about expanding everyone's "Me-verse" so students could start thinking bigger than their own place in this world. It's happening!
RED RIBBON WEEK is happening! Here are the daily themes:
Monday - "I'm a JEAN-ius! No drugs for me!" - Students are encouraged to wear jeans and red tops to show support for Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday - "SOCK it to drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear crazy socks
Wednesday - "TEAM up against drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear their favorite sports shirt or a Sommer t-shirt
Thursday - "Say PEACE OUT to Drugs!" - Students are encouraged to wear tie dye and peace signs
Friday - "Let's be CRAZY about being drug free!" - Students are encouraged to have crazy hair
Dates to Remember:
Oct. 16th: Fall Fundraiser begins!! Our class goal is to raise over $700 so we win lots of prizes and privileges!!
Oct 20th: Book Fair 7:15am-6:15pm ("Sing" Movie Night!!)
Oct. 23rd: Book Fair 7:15am - 4:15pm
Oct. 23rd: Classroom Spelling Bee (only 4th & 5th graders move on to next round)
Oct. 24th: Book Fair 7:15am-Noon
Oct. 24th: 3rd grade Teachers plan Garden PBL (Mrs. Salman subs)
Oct. 30th: Flu Clinic today! (Parent Info send in email. Please send in consent forms as soon as possible)
Oct. 31st: Book Character Day! Dress as your favorite book character and wear the costume to school. No weapons, gore, or super scary stuff please!!
**Every MONDAY is "MESSY MONDAY" so wear old clothes for gardening or Innovation Station days.
**EVERY WEDNESDAY IS "WEAR GREEN WEDNESDAY!!" Wear any kind of green if your class shirt is dirty (or temporarily lost).
Class Wish List
Concepts We'll Study:
We are reading all kinds of poems this week and trying to use the skills we've been studying. Students are going to try to analyze poems for mood and themes. They are going to make decisions about why they think the author chose certain pictures to be in their poems. We'll make decisions about why we think a poem is lyrical instead of narrative. We are going to swim around in poetry and enjoy this experience!
**On Friday, we looked at song lyrics and how they were lyrical poetry. It turns out some of their favorite songs are about revenge or sappy love. Hilarious conversations happened!
Writing Workshop:
Students have been studying mentor text to try using purposeful verbs in their writings. We've looked for ways to describe things by showing the characteristics and allowing the reader to make a mental image. We are moving beyond acrostic poems.
Science:
Students will be reviewing and taking a DCA over forms of energy. We have explored types of energy in labs and looked for everyday examples. My scientists are so good at taking apart items and discovering that there are many types of energy in one thing! Next up is the study of magnetism, gravity, force and motion. They are really starting to see the interrelatedness of their world and all that's in it!
Math:
We will continue to practice multiplication strategies through games and word problems. The class is getting stronger at pulling out the important information needed and solving problems with more efficient strategies. Enjoy looking through their math notebooks. The first DCA can be left at home. Feel free to create problems like the ones they say need more practice. That's what I'm doing here at school too!
Social Studies:
We will be looking at characteristics of good citizens and studying specific people from history. The class will be searching for clues that support the traits of good citizenship that these famous people are known for. We'll focus on Helen Keller, Ruby Bridges, Clara Barton, first responders, and our military.
About Mrs. Caldwell
Email: vicki_caldwell@roundrockisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/mrs-caldwell-s-class-at-sommer/home
Location: 16200 Avery Ranch Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-704-0621
Twitter: @MrsCin3rd