Definition: INTEGRITY--honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, how we treat each other. "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."

C.S. Lewis

Chavez had our Spelling Bee competition for 1st and 2nd grade this past Friday. We are so proud of all of our students who participated. Thank you teachers and parents for working with your children to prepare for the competition. It is quite a nerve-racking experience for 1st and 2nd graders to get up in front of their parents, peers, and teachers to spell some of these tough words. Congratulations to our winners and all who participated.

Writing

At the elementary level, students are tested on their writing skills in fourth grade. This test addresses writing skills that have been learned up to this point. Students have two major areas of focus, written compositions and revision and editing skills.

Our fourth graders have been busy learning two different composition styles, personal narrative and expository. A personal narrative asks students to write a personal, focused story about her/his own experience given a generalized topic, such as a time you had to make a difficult choice. When writing an expository, students state an opinion and then support it with reasons that explain why, such as explain which is your favorite season and what makes it your favorite.

Our writers are busy focusing on the strategies of writers. They write with the reader in mind, knowing that the reader often knows nothing about the topic. Students have learned how to take the topic and focus on one specific, personal event to create a simple outline, called a kernel. With this kernel, they develop it further using a variety of writing techniques. First of all, they add snapshots, or visual details, to help the reader see the same details that the writer sees. They take it to the next level with the addition of thought shots, so the reader can crawl inside the writer's mind and hear what s/he is thinking. Furthermore, as they add sensory details that allow the reader to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, their writing becomes realistic. Finally, characters come to life through dialogue and action.

Revision and editing ask students to read the writings of fourth-grade level peers and help make their writings better. Students revise their peer's writings by making changes such as adding words to make the sentences flow better, combining ideas, adding details that would make writing clearer, or even finding off topic details and eliminating them. When editing, students are checking for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors and how to best correct these.

Please enjoy our expository writings about our favorite seasons at this link: http://goo.gl/41o9vS (You could add this as link box below.)

Michelle Sparks

Fourth Grade Teacher

Chavez Elementary

Join us on Edmodo! www.edmodo.com/mbsparks

msparks@leisd.ws

972-294-1670 ext. 172

Bad Weather Makeup Days

Adjust your calendar: students must attend school on the previously scheduled Bad Weather Makeup Days: Friday, May 22 and Friday, June 5

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Diane Collins--Pre K Teacher

Children are the most precious gifts on earth and as a teacher, I am so proud to have the privilege of spending time with so many of the world's future writers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, police, and philosophers. Ever day I am introduced to the many wonders that all these bright students have to offer. In the special education classes, students I have taught may not learn in the most traditional of ways, so the journey of finding their special place has been a most rewarding experience. Working at Chavez, I've had the opportunities of sharing and collaborating with extraordinary staff and personnel in my 28 year career. I have taught at many different levels, but have found that the Pre Kindergarten is where I feel most at home. Working with the little ones to create a strong foundation is my passion. So among my extensive list of interests, my career in teaching is one of my several undertakings. I also enjoy reading, walking in nature, traveling, visiting Disney, the beach, and just being with friends.

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Diane Collins, Instructor

PPCD/PREK 4

Chavez Elementary

Kindergarten--Mrs. Fowler

Callie Hendrick

Franco Pedro

1st Grade--Mrs. Moreno

Drake Spicer

Kaelea Leeks

2nd Grade--Mrs. Kremer

Hayden Peugh

Ashley Carter

3rd Grade--Ms. Urban

Kenzie Connor

Nick Garza

4th Grade--Mrs. Harvey

Jordyn Rice

Craig Miller

5th Grade--Ms. Smith

Yazmin Burgos

Jonathan Ramirez

Little Elm ISD is holding a series of parent meetings for our KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP. You only have to attend one of these meetings:

Saturday, March 21, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Zellars

Wednesday, March 25, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Zellars

Thursday, March 26, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Zellars

LEISD is also promoting the Kindergarten Choice Program at STEM during Destination Kindergarten. We will have the mandatory parent meetings for Kinder STEM application into the lottery.

The meeting dates for the Incoming Kindergarten Class of 2015-2016 for STEM Applications will be on:

Thursday, April 9 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Zellars

Thursday, April 16 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Zellars

Little Elm Mayor David Hillock was a special guest speaker for Chavez 2nd graders this last Thursday. Mayor Hillock shared what the duties of his office are and how he works with our community to make Little Elm a great place to live.

TACO TALK

This Wednesday we would like to invite our Chavez Dads to our first “Taco Talk” this next Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30--7:30am in the cafeteria. “Taco Talk” is an opportunity for our Dad’s to come and enjoy a quick breakfast Taco with their child and hear a great speaker to share ideas about raising kids. Being a parent is a tough job and we can all benefit from hearing great ideas.

Our speaker’s name is Forrest Medcalf. Forrest is a father, husband and a teacher. He has also been a high school, college and select volleyball coach. He is well aware of the ups and downs of being a parent. Come on out and hear Forest speak about building a family legacy. Hope to see you Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30am.

**No charge for Tacos.** However if anyone would like to donate a dozen or two we would certainly appreciate.**

8:00am—4th Grade

9:00am—5th Grade

10:30am—3rd Grade

11:30am—1st Grade

1:00pm—2nd Grade

2:00pm—Kinder

This year, Chavez Elementary and Oak Point Elementary are teaming up with My School Color Run to bring you the PTA Mad Dash!

OPE has challenged the students at Chavez Elementary to a contest. The school with the most registered participants will win a popsicle party for the entire school!

The students of Oak Point and Chavez Elementary will walk, jog, and run their way toward a healthier life while raising funds for their school. Each runner will participate in either a 1 or 3.1 mile run while they are doused with color!

The color run is open to EVERYONE in the community and everyone is encouraged to participate.
Ticket Prices are based on age:
4-12: $15
13+: $18
LEISD Staff: $15
Family 4-Pack: $60
Children three and under are free.

After the run there will be a silent auction and post-race celebration! The event will be a blast with the help of Oak Point Elementary's very own LIVE DJ from Thunder Promotions!

Mar 21--Kinder Roundup--Zellars Service Center 9:00am--1:00pm

Mar 24--4th Grade Concert 6:00pm

Mar 25 & 26--Kinder Roundup--4:30--7:00pm Zellars Service Center

Mar 25--Taco Talk--Forrest Medcalf--6:30am Cafeteria

Mar 26--3rd Nine Weeks Report Cards go home

Mar 27--Awards Assembly

Mar 28--Saturday School 8:00am--10:00am 3rd, 4th & 5th grade

Mar 30--STAAR Test--4th grade Writing

Mar 31--STAAR Rest--4th grade Writing, 5th grade Reading

April 2--Math Egg Hunt

April 3--Good Friday--Holiday

April 7--Kindergarten Music Performance

April 10--Kinder Field Trip--Frank Buck Zoo

April 11--Saturday School 8:00am--10:00am 3rd, 4th & 5th grade

April 18--Saturday School 8:00am--10:00am 3rd, 4th & 5th grade