The Season of Caring

Families:
This is a wonderful and busy time of year for all families.  We're all excited about the upcoming holiday break and so I wanted to just give you an overview of my thoughts (which are always too long).

With respect to religion
I am a Christian and I share that fact with my students.  We do not discuss the core beliefs of Christianity.  My position is that the Christmas season is a season of caring and I am modeling that with random acts of kindness.  I will be giving your kids small winter themed gifts because I care about them.

We will be doing a Holiday's around the world unit that will include a lot of reading about Christmas, how it is celebrated in several countries.  I have selected countries that represent my student's heritage if not their religion and others to highlight the spirit of kindness.  We are also learning about other holidays that are not at this time of year to cover a variety of religions.  I am writing some of the material myself, so please forgive me for any inaccuracies.  They are unintentional.  Again my intent is inclusiveness.j

About Santa and elf on the shelf
That is your family's decision.  I think love and kindness is a magic all its own.  I will not encourage or discourage belief.  I will intercede when I think a student is going to ruin the mystery for another.

We will be doing some ELF writing ... and this is not the secular elf who works for Santa.  It is an acronym for Empower, Like myself and Focus on Strengths.  I think this is a great reflection for kids and will be a nice lead in for setting goals and resolutions in the new year.

Our current Math unit is geometry.  We'll start with 2-D plane figures and area and move on to 3-D solid figures in the new year.  All kids are great at geometry, but have difficulty with the vocabulary.  I plan to get a reference sheet to families before the break, any review in the car games would be appreciated.

In reading we are continuing to think deeper about fictional texts and have started a new readaloud "The Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" which is proving to be much more engaging that our last.  There's lots of great vocabulary and description. 

In science we have moved from rocks to natural resources and water.

Please, please, please hold your kids accountable for their reading over the long break.  They have grown so much since the beginning of the year and it breaks this teacher's heart when they backslide.  Reading for children is a muscle and it needs to be used!

Thanksgiving Lunch

Forest Creek Elementary will be hosting lunch for students and families on Thursday, November 15, 2018.  If you would like to join your student for lunch, please RSVP so that we may have your badge printed in advance, when possible.  This RSVP is separate from the meal RSVP you may have returned earlier.  This RSVP is to have your badge pre-printed.

If you have previously ordered a Thanksgiving meal through the cafeteria, the visitor price is $3.65, payable upon arrival. Your child's class will eat lunch during their regularly scheduled lunch time.

The opportunity to RSVP using this link for your pre-printed badge will end at noon on Wednesday, November 14.

And suddenly, November!

It's hard to believe that we have been together as a class for 1/4 of our year.  In some ways it feels like we have been a classroom family for much longer and yet I already feel my time with your kids slipping away too quickly.  We have ALOT to do this year!

In math we are shifting our focus from Time back to addition and subtraction strategies.  The focus will be on regrouping for both and I will be encouraging students to let go of inefficient strategies.  I will be working with some students on the algorithm.  If you approach that method with your child and they have not done it in school, it may be that I am concerned that they don't understand the concept of needing to regroup yet.  They have to be able to visualize that ten stick breaking up and moving into ten ones.

In science we are studying magnets and patterns of motion -- always a fun unit and we have a couple of engaging STEM activities to support the learning.

In reading we are gradually moving away from Non-Fiction back to Fiction and thinking deeper!  New concepts will be inferencing and summarizing.

Writing is a bit of a mixed bag right now.  We are completing mini biographical paragraphs about a fellow student, thinking about procedural text and transition words and a little personal narratives.  We are also working on our writing foundations which are:  1- the sentence has to make sense!  2 - Each and every sentences starts with a capital letter.  3 - There must be punctuation at the end of sentences.  For some reason, even though students can parrot these rules and they have been taught and reviewed since Kindergarten, we are not consistent.  

So two weeks of really intense learning and then everyone gets a break.  Behavior is key during these days.  If I contact you about your child's behavior, please know that it wasn't a single event.  A student has to have redirections in the dozens or of such severity that I am turning to my parent partners for support.

NOTICE! My UIL team will practice on MONDAYS!

Parents, 
Last year the Storytelling team for 2nd and 3rd grades was awesome and did very well at competition.  I wanted to make sure that those experienced 2nd graders (now 3rd graders) were there to lead our team.  Because other UIL teams are practicing on Thursdays, I have now changed my team to practice on Mondays.

Thank you.
S

Technology Club

Are you interested in technology? Are you creative and like to collaborate to solve problems? If so, join the Technology club. We will  learn about DASH the robot, Lego Boosts, circuits,  and much more!  We will have two clubs, a 2nd/ 3rd grade club and a 4th/ 5th grade club. Each club will meet every other week in the computer lab.  The 2nd/ 3rd grade Technology club will begin on  Thursday, October 4 and the 4th/5th grade club will meet on Oct.11.  This first session of Technology club well meet from October through December 13. There are only 25 spots for each club due to supplies so please  don't hesitate to fill out your google application before October 2nd!   

Technology Club Application

Be a Literacy Partner at FCE!

Do you have 30 minutes a week to read to two young students at Forest Creek?  Literacy Partners are matched with two children(Kdg, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd graders) and teachers can provide the books.  The Literacy Partner reads with each student individually for 15 minutes each week for the year. The child will be so excited to read with you and talk to you about books each week and you will be a huge positive influence in the student’s reading and language skills.  You will be amazed at the impact your 15 minutes per week will have on the child’s reading skills, confidence, and joy of learning! Can you help?

Read more at: https://education-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Literacy-Partner_Roles-Responsibilities-2018-19.pdf.

Go here to register:https://appgarden2.app-garden.com/VolTrackTX001.nsf

Contact: pam_bartholomew@roundrockisd.org for more information.

UIL Teams are Forming!

Last year was my first year coaching 2nd and 3rd graders for Storytelling -- it was awesome. It is very relaxed, we had a snack, listed to a story then retold it dramatically with gestures. Our team did very well with all members making the semifinals and one student moving into the finals. If you have any questions, please contact the UIL Coach or any of the teachers listed.

UIL A+ Academics News

Forest Creek Elementary

2018-2019

Dear Parents and Students,

We are excited to announce that Forest Creek Elementary will be participating in the UIL
(University Interscholastic League) Competition again this year!

Approximately 3,000 Texas schools participate in UIL academic events, competing in
more than 300 district meets each year. This has been a prestigious tradition that many
Texan parents and grandparents fondly remember. This year will be the another year for
Round Rock ISD to join the fun, and RRISD has been divided into districts for this
competition. Our district includes these schools, which will compete against each other:
Blackland Prairie, Forest Creek, Berkman, Callison, Gattis, and Voigt.

Events offered:

• A+ Creative Writing – GRADE 2: Contestants will be given a prompt with several captioned pictures. From these pictures, the students will create an original story based on their selections in 30 minutes.  Coach: Pam_Bartholomew@roundrockisd.org  Practices: Thursday 2:55-4:00

• Oral Reading- Grades 4 & 5: Reading literature out loud provides opportunities for students to analyze the text, to grow and to develop as a performer, to communicate a message to an audience and to perform an artistic creation. Students choose a selection to read which may be one poem, a cutting of a poem, or a combination of poems.   Coach:Deanna_Jezisek@roundrockisd.org

• A+ Spelling – GRADES 3, 4, & 5: Students will write down words given by the pronouncer on their paper at a rate of approximately five words per minute.   Coach: Charlia_Jones@roundrockisd.org Practices: Thursday 3:00-4:00

• A+ Ready Writing – GRADES 3, 4, & 5:  In particular, this contest helps students learn to write a clear and correct paper that is interesting and original!. Coach: Pam_Bartholomew@roundrockisd.org Practices: Thursday 2:55-4:00

• Number Sense - GRADES 4 & 5:   Students will be given a fill-in-the-blank test which they shall complete without doing calculations on paper or on a calculator. Erasures, mark-overs and mark-outs are not permitted. Requirements for numeric forms shall be as specified in official contest procedures. Exactly 10 minutes shall be allotted for the testing period exclusive of time required for instructions. Coach: Dana_Engstrom@roundrockisd.org Thursday 3:00-4:00

• Storytelling - GRADES 2 & 3: Contestants will listen to a storyteller read a brief story (between 600 and 1100 words long) only once, and then retell that story in their own words before a judge or judges. To tell a story, the participant must develop skills in listening, thinking and speaking. This contest also allows for the development of creative expression, something being given more attention in the professional world. Coach: Susan_Shogan@roundrockisd.org

Practices: Thursday 3:00-4:00

If you think this would be a good opportunity, and you can spare the time (after or before school meetings once a week, plus the Saturday of January 26, 2019), please encourage your child to try out for one or several events. Some event “clubs” will meet several times before a team is selected. A team comprises three competitors for an event, plus one alternate, who is just as much a member of the team and will practice and attend the Saturday event essentially as an “understudy.” Many alternates find themselves competing on the actual contest day.

Try-outs will be announced within each UIL group.  

The UIL district meet will be on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Exact time will be TBA. Expect competitors to be there from morning through early afternoon. A snack concession will be available, and students can bring a parent.

If your student is interested in participating in the UIL program, please send back the
attached interest form by October 11, 2018 and the coach for that event will contact you and your student.

Your Partner In Education,

Crystal Gentry

Forest Creek Elementary UIL Coordinator

512-464-5439

Crystal_Gentry@roundrockisd.org

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UIL A+ Academics Interest Form

Student Name:________________________

Classroom Teacher:__________________________

Grade Level: __________________

Event(s) interested in: _______________________________

Parent Name/Phone #:____________________

Parent Email Address: _______________________

Progress Not Perfection

It was a fine, fine week in 2nd grade -- but not perfect.  I missed a couple of my friends; flu and allergy season is upon us. 

In Math ... we have been working on 2 digit plus 2 digit addition using a hundreds chart, using base 10 blocks and an open numberline.  As my mathematicians become more experienced, they will certainly have a favorite strategy, but they must recognize all strategies and how they are related.  These three strategies all decompose numbers into their place value parts to make them easier to combine**** If you as a parent are not sure you know what these strategies look like, take a look in the handouts for parents.  I've posted a few pictures.

In Science ... we have been describing matter using a variety of properties and then examining the effects of adding heat to matter.  Who knew melting a crayon would be a WHOA moment -- truly the beauty of this age.  We are about to use our understanding of different properties to start a STEAM bridge project that will culminate in presentations to parents the week of 10/8.  Please send in paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls and boxes for building materials.

In Reading ...we have been looking at fiction for a few weeks and are going to explore some non-fiction for a while -- we will be primarily discussing text features and how they support our understanding as a reader.  We'll integrate some social studies by reading about citizenship and about some of the defining moments in our country's history.

In Writing ... the kids completed their first "real" word study unit and although they are newbies at looking at word structure/spelling generalizations they did well.  Our language is influenced by so many cultures it is sometimes easy to forget that there are some phonetic and spelling rules that are pretty consistent.  We learned the 5 main parts of  a friendly letter this week and tried our hand at a thank you letter to some staff members.  Moving forward we'll be writing expository to reflect our study of non-fiction writing.

Remember:  Our class is presenting author/illustrator Marla Frazee at the Texas Book Festival 10/28

We've got two important birthdays this week!  Happy birthday to Finn on Tuesday and to Mathias on Thursday!!

Cedar Ridge Homecoming Events

Cedar Ridge is celebrating a full week of Homecoming events this week including a Raider Parade and Rally event on Wednesday from 5:30 - 9:00.  All community members are invited to attend. Come on out and have some fun with your friends and family - We will have a variety of food trucks including Flavorlicious, P. Terry’s, Golden Chicken & Little Caesar’s Pizza.  We will have a D.J., dunk tank, face painting, photo booth & yard games. We will have a voter registration booth available & our Booster Clubs, PTSA and Project Grad will be selling a variety of Raider spirit wear items. The parade will begin 7:00 followed by a pep rally in the football stadium.  

Continue your Raider spirit by coming out to the Homecoming football game against the Leander Lions on Friday at Kelly Reeves stadium. The game starts at 7:00. Be sure to wear purple

Calling All Writers!

 Writing Club will begin on Monday, Sept. 17 after school at 2:55. Writing Club will be every OTHER Monday.   In Writing Club, the students in 2-5 grade free write and share their writing.  We will have a mini-lesson and talk about a writing craft or strategy. Then the writers can choose to write whatever they want.  It can be a poem, story, rap, comic, essay.... anything.  They can write individually or in groups.  They can choose to share their writing with others as well.  It is a place and opportunity for children to be creative and use their imaginations in a risk free environment.  Writing Club will take place in the library and we will walk out to the front of the school for pick up. After school, the kids will meet in the gym and Mrs. Bartholomew will pick them up to go to the library to write.  All 2-5th graders are welcome. Questions? Email pam_bartholomew@roundrockisd.org or dana_engstrom@roundrockisd.org

If your child will attend Writing Club every other Monday, please let me know how they will be going home.

September!

The Shogan Salamanders are well into their school routine with the exception of guided math.  The kids are friendly and fun and social which makes our classroom a wonderful place to be but presents a challenge when we are tasked with independent or quiet work.  We're going to keep working on it!

In reading we have been making connections, both text-to-self and text-to-text to deepen our understanding of our shared reading.  We've even recorded some as readers' responses (new for the kids) using sentence stems.  Next week we'll delve into character traits, internal and external.  Kids sometimes need clarification separating an emotion from a trait.  A trait is exhibited over time, not just in a moment.

Math is going well.  The kids are secure in their knowledge of two digit numbers represented as a group of tens and ones, can do expanded form and can determine the value in a ten-frame or base 10 blocks.  We'll continue to do 100 puzzles to expand and challenge our thinking.  We've also looked at taking surveys for information and representing that data in a bar graph.  We'll look at pictographs next week and review the entire unit.

Writing is a process.  We're working on personal narratives (they have a setting, beginning/middle/end and describes a small moment).  We're going to do some editing to check our use of capitalization and punctuation and revise to add some "show, don't tell" description and hopefully do our first writing gallery walk next week.

Next week we begin our unit on Physical Properties and the effects of adding/removing heat to matter.  A couple of hands on activities will keep it fun.

Remember, the kids often want a sweater or sweatshirt jacket in the classroom as it gets cold.  Our lunch time is 12:38 and the kids benefit from a small healthy snack at our recess time.

Feel free to contact me anytime!

First Full Week and Open House

It's been a busy week with the Salamanders.  We have been getting back into the routine of school and learning what Safe, Respectful and Responsible looks like in our classroom and around the school.  They're a great group of kids.

Thank you to those that were able to attend tonight's Open House.  Here is the link for those that want to relive those wonderful slides! Open House Google Slide Presentation

This week in addition to setting expectations and learning routines, we have begun making self to text connections in language arts, drafting a personal narrative and learning about growth mindset.
In math we are spending time reviewing place value in two digits and representing data in a graph.  Our introduction to science has focused on the variety of fields scientists work in, and the different safety tools required.

The class will conduct their first STEAM activity tomorrow with the "Save Harry" adventure.  Look for pictures on ClassDojo.

#bestyearever

Welcome 2nd Graders

For those of you familiar with the faces and faculty of Forest Creek, this is a change.  I am thrilled to be welcoming students this year as a 2nd grade teacher!

If you are in my class, please make sure you complete a copy of the Student Information Form.

There are a number of dismissal changes at school and we are altering our procedures.  Please read Mrs. Sharp's letter and review the attached video if you are a car rider.  This will help us master our new jobs and ensure student safety.

If you are a bus rider, you can confirm your bus number with this link: transportation

Former students:  my move hasn't changed your place in my heart.  You are and will always be there.  You'll just need to visit me in room 404.  I will you the very best this school year - you can do anything!

And in the blink of an eye they are 4th graders ....

End of Year Powerpoint

STAAR

Parents:

The TEA has scheduled STAAR very late this year compared to others.  Initially this seemed like a great idea; more time to prepare students, correct?  Unfortunately we underestimated the power of "short timer's disease".  The kids are definitely ready for Summer and their effort on their classwork has been showing a decline.

Please talk to them about the importance of being proud of their performance on STAAR.  It's nothing to be frightened of.  It is like game day ... it's just time to "show what you know".

I am confident that each and every student -- even those that have at times struggled academically can be successful on STAAR.  I know that I have covered the necessary teks and reviewed and reviewed and reviewed those topics that have been confusing or challenging.

The MOST important thing your child needs for testing is to know that they can do well and it is in their control.

Students that use their time (they have 4 hours whether they finish in an hour or not) double checking and taking mental breaks will do the best.  Rereading questions and answer questions and looking back into the passage is key.

Students that remember to use their strategies (checking multiplication with a different strategy like drawing an array, repeated addition etc.) (checking subtraction with addition)(looking for direct proof).

Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' into the future

Showing my age and my current frame of mind.

Please keep that golden paper for upcoming events in 3rd grade -- so much going on.

Near and dear to my heart is the 3rd annual "Kids Kicking Out Hunger" kickball tournament.  Such a fun way to help others.  The $12 donation supports children in Honduras through the Friends of Los Ninos organization.

Mrs. Bartholomew (4th) and Mrs. Couture and I all are personally involved with this Honduras orphanage.  The goal is to help feed school age children and get them enrolled in school to break the devastating cycle of poverty in Honduras.  Honestly I could tell you stories that would horrify you and break your heart.

Just one example ... the average age of girls having children is 16 and the average education is 3rd grade.  A very dangerous combination.  Two of the girls in the orphanage are there because their parents fed them dirt because they were so hungry!  Consequently they got serious bacterial infections requiring medical intervention.  That is simply the least sad history.  Others are as a result of drug and physical abuse.

So ... definitely a pet project for me.  We also collect pantry items for the Round Rock Serving Center to support families in need here locally.

Checks go the office, registration is HERE.  Hope to see you there.
The full flyer is HERE.

Libraries of Love Details for Friday

Friday (3/9), we will have our Walk to Read Event. This helps to support Trudy Marshall, who is a former RRRISD librarian. She created 36 libraries in Uganda and i7 libraries in Kenya. We use this event to collect books and money. Walking helps our students see what it is like for many kids around the world to walk a long way to school.  Trudy's daughter, Donita, will be at  our walk.

If your class hasn't watched this video or explored on the website-please do so this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpXmXfX8rQ4&feature=youtu.be

https://librariesoflove.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/librariesoflove

https://librariesoflove.org/2017/01/30/walk-to-read-fundraiser/

I shared some things with you that can also be used to help your class learn about Libraries of Love and life in some parts of Africa.

When you get money donations, put them in the container in the office.  When you get book donations, you can keep them in your classroom to use during our walk on Friday.  Let me know if your class needs books to carry and donate while they walk.  They can carry a book that they won't donate, but hopefully they will have one to donate.  Please be sure that everyone has a book to read during our event.

Here is the schedule for Friday:

Schedule for Walk to Read on Friday, March 9 at 1:45

Please go over the schedule with your class before Friday afternoon, so they know the expectations and the reasons why donating books and money for Africa is so important.

1:45: Watch video (it will be emailed to you like Broadcast) to introduce the Walk and remind everyone about Libraries of Love-The fourth and fifth grade helpers will be in your room during the video. Discuss video and every child should have a book in his/her hand.  Be sure that everyone has a book and that you know which books are NOT to be donated

1:55: Classes will start walking.  

1st Grade-will be at recess and will have their books outside.  They will start to walk with us when the classes begin coming outside.

2nd Grade

2nd grade portables will walk along the back car rider path and keep going to get to the playground track.  Kelso, Loftis, will start walking down the hallway to the back car rider door.  When Kelso passes Arguijo then Arguijo will follow and exit out the back car rider door.

When Loftis passes King, King will follow. They will exit out the back car rider door and walk down the path to get to the track.  

So two lines of children will be going out the back car rider door at the same time.  They will follow the second grade portable classes to the track.  

4th grade

When Bartholomew passes Canizales, Canizales will follow.  When Canizales passes Pinter, Pinter will follow.   When Pinter passes Ahn, Ahn will follow.  They will all exit the door going toward the portables and the four square then go to the track.  

When Engstrom passes Kirby, Kirby will follow.  When Kirby passes Grant, Grant will follow.  They will all exit the door going toward the portables and the four square then go to the track. 

So two lines of children will be going out the door by four square at the same time.  They will go to the track and start walking the track with their books.

Specials-3rd grade

Block and PE will start walking the third graders out the door by the little playground.  When Block passes, McDaniel will follow.  When PE passes, Arnold will follow.  These two lines will walk through that little playground and out toward the playground.  

FCC/FAC and Kinder

Lacey, Kelly, Lisa, and Rachael will start out to the track and kinder will follow.

St. Cyr, Adrover will leave their classrooms and exit out the door by the bathrooms and Mrs. Cate's room to begin walking toward the door to head to the track/playground. When St. Cyr passes, Hart will follow.  When Hart passes, McFate will follow.  When McFate passes, Smith will follow.  When Adrover passes, Jacobs will follow.  

5th grade

Charity and Alvarez will start the fifth graders out the back door by the playground/back car rider area.  When Charity passes, Queton will follow.  When Queton passes, Brown will follow.  When Brown passes, Ginapp will follow and head toward the track.  When Alvarez passes, Yamout will follow.  When Yamout passes, Coats will follow and head out to the track.

Everyone
Your class should stay together, but you don't have to be in a single file line.  The fourth and fifth graders assigned to your class can help keep them together.  Please be sure the kids are walking (not running or fooling around).  

1:55-2:10ish: Continue walking in the path with a book in hand.

2:10-Whistles and the megaphone horn will blow and everyone will stop and read.  If someone finishes their book, they can quietly read with a friend, but overall it will be pretty quiet because we will all be reading for about 5 min.

2:15-Donita, Trudy's daughter, will talk for a few minutes about Libraries of Love on the megaphone.

2:17ish: Whistles will blow again and we will walk back into the building following the path and branching off to go to the door through which you exited.

After the event: Put all books for donation outside your classroom in the hallway.  Fourth and fifth graders will come and collect them.

The Service Club will count the books at our next meeting which is the Monday after spring break.  We will let you know our totals.  

Thank you and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Pam, Dana, Charlia, and the FCE Service Club

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Libraries of Love at work in Uganda

Healthy Lifestyles Expo

Join us for FCE's 1st Annual HEALTHY LIFESTYLES EXPO on Thursday, March 8th from 5:30-7:30pm.  Visit with local vendors, participate in family workouts* and games, enjoy a healthy meal, and visit with Spike the dog from the Round Rock Express!!  We will be selling Kababeque (https://kababequetx.com/menu) wraps and rice bowls for $8 each until they run out!  Please help us plan by providing your RSVP here.

*Wear comfortable clothes & tennis shoes! 

Please email fcepta.healthy@gmail.com with any questions you may have - thanks!

Walk to Read Event

Reading and books are such an important and abundant part of most of our lives.  We sometimes take for granted the joy of checking out a book and the excitement of walking into a library filled with books!  Children in Africa are able to experience this feeling because of Libraries of Love.

Watch this video to learn more:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpXmXfX8rQ4&feature=youtu.be

We are so excited that our Walk to Read Event which we benefit Libraries of Love will be on March 9 at 1:45 pm.  Each child and staff member will walk with a book and hopefully will donate that book at the end of the walk for Libraries of Love.  New or gently used hard back books and/or money can be donated to help restock the libraries in Kenya and Uganda. 

Here is info about the Walk to Read Event last year that is found on the Libraries of Love website.  Read about Laurel Mountain Elementary then scroll down to find information about Forest Creek.

https://librariesoflove.org/2017/01/30/walk-to-read-fundraiser/

We have about 600 books so far and need lots more to match our 1,266 books donated by our school last year.  Thank you in advance for cleaning out your bookcases and encouraging your children, family, and friends to do the same.  

Thank you for your support of reading and children around the world. Thank you for facilitating that giving spirit in your children and encouraging them to share their love of reading and help others.

Walk to Read-Students changing students' lives, one book at a time.

If you have any questions, contact Pam_bartholomew@roundrockisd.org.

Sincerely,

FCE Service Club

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Libraries of Love at work in Uganda