Lewis Discovery News
January 2024
January Giggles
A: He was having a meltdown.
Q: What's the best food to eat in January?
A: Brrr-itos.
ART
Each March, Northside celebrates the arts with the Los Leones Art festival. The beginning of January is set aside for our students to create a lion design. Five students from Lewis will have their artwork selected to be sent to compete for Northside's 2024 Los Leones design. Later in January, our lower grades will be having a small unit on self-portraits with the theme of kindness worked in. Upper grades have some exciting 3D art lessons coming to help students understand the use of form in art. The art room is currently seeking old magazine donations, if you would like to donate, please bring them to the front office and let them know they are for art. Thank you in advance.
Mrs. Gann
Contact Email: amber.gann@nisd.net
Counselor
January 2024 Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/43cqu
Mrs. Bustos
Contact E-Mail: mallory.bustos@nisd.net
GT-GIFTED & TALENTED
Primary GT (Grades 1st and 2nd)
In January students will understand what it means to transform an item or an image using FFOE (Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration) when working on a “transformation” and become familiar with the transformation rubric in order to create their own transformations. Students will also understand how patterns are used in literature be able to identify and apply the Pattern Depth & Complexity icon and thinking to their learning of patterns by creating a “quilt.”
Intermediate GT (Grades 3rd-5th)
In January we will begin studying Earth Systems. Students will understand that the Earth is composed of many systems and is a part of many systems. They will explore the different branches of Earth Science and how they form a system. This will include thinking like a Geologist, Oceanographer, Meteorologist, and Astronomer. We will also be focusing on Multiple Perspectives when completing a 3D transformation of ordinary objects that are original and elaborate.
Mrs. Aranda
Contact E-Mail: robin.aranda@nisd.net
LIBRARY
Happy New Year!
Waves of Pages Reading Log sheet from Schlitterbahn New Braunfels was sent home before the holiday break to K-5th grade students. The reading log is due Wednesday February 21, 2024. Students are required to read 10 hours to earn a FREE admission to Schlitterbahn. The FREE admission is valid from 4/27/24 to 6/30/24 and 8/12/24 to 9/4/24.
Parents/guardians are welcome to come to the library anytime from 7:30am-2:45pm to checkout/return books.
Virtual and in person guests and authors are in the works for February, April and May 2024. More information will be sent home as each date gets closer.
Mrs. Eversole
Contact E-Mail: shufen.eversole@nisd.net
(ClassDojo Administrator)
MUSIC
As we start the new year, 2nd and 3rd grade students are reviewing previously learned rhythms and solfege syllables and applying them to new lessons. Fifth graders are being introduced to learning how to play the ukulele. Fourth graders will review known music concepts in preparation for receiving their own recorders later in January; when they do, they will learn how to play them! First graders are being introduced to music rhythms and solfege syllables for the first time, and kindergarteners are continuing to learn concepts such as distinguishing between high and low sounds and keeping a steady beat.
Ms. Urby
Contact E-Mail: selena.urby@nisd.net
PE-PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Happy New Year! We're looking forward to a strong kickoff in 2024. All grades will start with working on long rope and regular jump rope skills in order to improve their cardiovascular endurance and their teamwork. Grades K-2 will also be working on volleying skills as well as tagging games. Finally, grades 3-5 will round out the month with the volleyball unit.
As we approach field day in March, we will be starting to sell field day t-shirts in the near future. Please keep an eye out for more news on that soon.
Coach Cotez and Gonzales
Contact E-Mails: robert.cortez@nisd.net and teja.coy@nisd.net
STEM
We have had a really fun year so far in STEM, learning about PERSEVERANCE, GRIT, and having a POSITIVE MINDSET when challenged. We also are encouraged to ask questions and to use our imaginations. The Engineering DESIGN PROCESS is focused on in each challenge that we encounter- ASK, IMAGINE, CREATE, COLLABORATE, and IMPROVE. We are also really working on thinking outside the box when presented with a challenge, and trying new and innovative ways for solutions. We also focus a lot on the Learner Profiles in each of our challenges as well. Our Leopards are really growing as STEM students, and I am proud of their efforts each time I get to visit with them.
Pre-K and Kinder students will begin their career explorations and study CIVIL ENGINEERING, identifying what a civil engineer is and the tools they use.
First grade students will have career explorations in ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, focusing on what an environmental engineer does, and the tools they use.
Second grade will continue their CODING unit, working on decomposing multiple solutions, identifying complex patterns and make predictions, all related to coding.
Third grade will focus on COMPUTER SCIENCE in their career explorations, identifying computer science careers and exploring computer science tools.
Fourth grade will start their career exploration of DESIGN CAREERS- PRE CONSTRUCTION. They will explore the tools that a design professional uses as well as how they can help the community.
Fifth grade will begin their CYBER SECURITY unit, exploring the importance of cybersecurity as well as what a cybersecurity engineer does.
I have the best job ever, and love watching our Lewis Leopard really THINK!
Mrs. Bonham
Contact E-Mail: pamela.bonham@nisd.net