Ninja Pig News
Oct. 30th- Nov. 3rd
Teacher Talk
Hello There-
Does everyone realize that we have three weeks until we are out of school for Thanksgiving/Fall Break? I just looked at the calendar and quietly hyperventilated a bit. Time is passing in leaps and bounds!
The class has earned 30 class stars. That means it's time for a special privilege around here!! We have voted on taking this privilege Tuesday, Oct. 31st. Since everyone may dress up as their favorite book character this day, we're simply adding some extra excitement.
Tuesday morning we are having a publishing event. Here is a sign-up if you'd like to send in something or join us. We're planning on sharing our poems from 8:00-8:45 in the classroom.
We are also having a friendly competition with Mrs. Solis' class through Wednesday. We are trying to "Be the Change" and collect coins for the annual Coats for Kids drive. I've told the class that the class that brings in the most coins wins a special surprise. The class that brings in the least has a (funny) awful surprise coming to their teacher.... All I can say is please check those couch cushions and watch for coins on the ground when you are walking into HEB!!!!!! Send any and all change to school Monday-Wednesday morning. (Yes, we accept cash too. Yes, it will be counted. We just wanted to keep this simple since Fill the Boot and Book Fair just happened.)
Weather Reminder: We go outside for recess UNLESS it's raining, super wet, or the temp/wind chill is below 32 F. Please check the weather and make sure your child will be comfortable for outdoor activities each day. (Your Guiding Question: If there was a fire, would my child be dressed to stand outside in the cold for an indefinite amount of time? )
Thank you for always helping out the Ninja Pigs. It is greatly appreciated!
We Won Snickers the Snake Jr.!!!
Dates to Remember:
Oct. 30th: Flu Clinic is back on!! (See update email from Sommer with extra info.)
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!! Poetry Publishing Party from 8:00-8:45 am. Class Privilege for earning 30 star cards!!
Nov. 2nd: TAG Info Night 5:45-6:45 in the cafeteria
Nov. 3rd: Picture Retakes during the school day and Passport to Sommer Event 5:30-8:30pm (I'm an announcer queen! Join us!!)
Nov. 13th: Don Tate (author/illustrator) visits!
Nov. 16th: Mrs. C is absent (Mrs. Salman subs)
Nov. 17th: Wonder (the movie) comes out!!!!
Nov. 20th-24th: Thanksgiving Break
**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 just took a practice DCA for reading. We discussed how there are specific skills used in order to answer questions on a reading test. Since the genre of test-taking will be taught in the spring, we are pre-assessing what skills are in place now. We will slowly introduce these each strategy for reading tests over the year. By the spring, students will be very familiar with these strategies. We'll do a final unit on the genre of test-taking in the spring before STAAR tests.
We are also switching gears in reading! It's time to explore expository texts. Expository is a fancy word for explaining things. We'll be looking at texts that explain things. That simply means we'll be reading non-fiction information, studying text features, and using these skills to deepen comprehension.
Writing Workshop:
Students will be exploring expository writing. They will create lists of things they are 'experts' about then choose from their lists and explain what they know. The most important skill is going to be that they develop one central idea and add details to support it.
Science:
We will begin labs that explore magnetism, gravity, force, and motion. Students will develop further understandings through several hands-on activities involving magnets, pulleys, and a few other common objects found around the room.
Math:
We have learned how we can use x10 to quickly figure out x5 facts. Next up is how we can use the x2 strategy to figure out x4 and x8 facts quickly. If you hear your child saying that they are using the "Double, Double (x4)" or the "Double, Double, Double (x8)" strategy, just know they are practicing a new way to check their work in multiplication.
Social Studies:
We will be studying the structure and jobs of the American Government. We'll learn about the three branches of government and what each branch is responsible for doing.
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