Hi,
I hope you had a great long weekend with family and friends. I enjoyed a soccer game with Emma on Friday night and Blair's first spring rowing regatta as a Texas Longhorn on Saturday. Unfortunately, I fell while walking at the regatta and broke my arm. I am in a sling and I am fine, but I will need to see the orthopedic doctor to be sure. The break is in my right arm, so typing and writing is a challenge. Luckily, I will be administering the test Tuesday instead of taking it. :)
Writing Camp was wonderful! The children worked so hard and hopefully had fun, too. They planned, drafted, edited, revised, and wrote final copies for two expository compositions. We also worked on revising and editing letters and passages, as well as hiking around the school and doing some free writing. I am very impressed with their effort and their results. Thank you to all the parents who were able to come to our celebration and to those who donated supplies. Writing Camp is one of my favorite times of the year!
Service Club will meet after school on Monday from 2:45-3:45.We will talk about and make posters for the food drive and the kickball tournament. We are scheduled to volunteer at the Round Rock Serving Center this Saturday from 9-10:30 am. All are welcome to come and help.
Monthly Book Challenge-Read an informational book (nonfiction)-Google form or paper copy due due by Thursday, March 31. We will have a special treat and lunch in the classroom on Friday, April 1.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 28-Wear FCE shirts, Service Club from 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 29-STAAR Writing Test-no visitors at school, go to bed early, eat breakfast, remember to read carefully, plan, draft, revise, edit, reread, and write your final copy, take your time, take breaks, do your best
Wednesday,March 30-5th grade testing
Thursday, March 31-Monthly challenge form due
Friday,April 1-Monthly challenge lunch treat, wear college shirts, reading response letter due, no spelling or vocab, homework packet due
Saturday, April 2-Volunteer at RR Serving Center from 9-10:30
Have a wonderful evening! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,Pam
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Writing Camp Rocks! Celebration on Thursday at 2:00. Send in camp letters for your camper. Reading Response Letters due on Thursday.
Hi,
Writing Camp is going very well. We are having fun singing camp songs, going on hikes, and writing!!!!! We took a hike around the school and wrote beautiful poetic sentences about what we saw, heard, noticed, realized, etc.... Some of the kids wrote about a noisy cardinal and the bicycles using personification. We also brainstormed, planned, drafted, revised, and edited expository compositions about something that we would banish if we were ruler of the world. The kids want to banish pollution, cigarettes, drugs, war, and conflict. Deep topics for 4th graders. One sweet child wants to banish hot dogs to prevent the extinction of pigs. They are doing a great job stating their central idea and reasons with examples to support their central idea. Then they are ending with a strong conclusion.
Tomorrow we will begin brainstorming, planning and drafting a second prompt for another expository composition. We will conference and discuss strengths in our writing and ways to improve. We will also continue doing some revising and editing practice and sing more camp songs.
Thank you to Sam's family for the huge tent for our room. It is awesome and definitely makes our classroom campground very exciting and authentic.
Don't forget to send camp letters to your camper and to come to our celebration on Thursday at 2:00. I am excited to celebrate all the hard work of our writers.
Reminder-Reading Response Letters are due on Thursday. Be sure to continue to read everyday.
STAAR Writing test is on Tuesday.
Thank you for sharing your child with me. I love Writing Camp!!!!!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam
Writing Camp is going very well. We are having fun singing camp songs, going on hikes, and writing!!!!! We took a hike around the school and wrote beautiful poetic sentences about what we saw, heard, noticed, realized, etc.... Some of the kids wrote about a noisy cardinal and the bicycles using personification. We also brainstormed, planned, drafted, revised, and edited expository compositions about something that we would banish if we were ruler of the world. The kids want to banish pollution, cigarettes, drugs, war, and conflict. Deep topics for 4th graders. One sweet child wants to banish hot dogs to prevent the extinction of pigs. They are doing a great job stating their central idea and reasons with examples to support their central idea. Then they are ending with a strong conclusion.
Tomorrow we will begin brainstorming, planning and drafting a second prompt for another expository composition. We will conference and discuss strengths in our writing and ways to improve. We will also continue doing some revising and editing practice and sing more camp songs.
Thank you to Sam's family for the huge tent for our room. It is awesome and definitely makes our classroom campground very exciting and authentic.
Don't forget to send camp letters to your camper and to come to our celebration on Thursday at 2:00. I am excited to celebrate all the hard work of our writers.
Reminder-Reading Response Letters are due on Thursday. Be sure to continue to read everyday.
STAAR Writing test is on Tuesday.
Thank you for sharing your child with me. I love Writing Camp!!!!!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam
Friday, March 18, 2016
Camp Write-A-Long Begins on Monday!!!!!
Hello,
The four days after spring break will be our amazing fourth grade Camp Write-A-long!!!!!!!
We will write all morning and engage in some fun camp activities, then we will do math activities in the afternoon. Your child can bring in a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, small stuffed animal,and flashlight. They can dress in camping clothing all week.
Please see the Sign up genius for some supplies that we need to make our camp spectacular.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BA8AD292-writing
Camp Letters
We also encourage you to write a letter to your camper. You can ask family members also to write about camping experiences, write about writing, write to tell your camper how much you miss your camper while he/she is away at camp, or whatever! Be creative! We will have a mail call each day. You can send letters in or you can email them to me and I will print them out. In the past receiving letters at Writing Camp is a big deal for the kids. Thank you in advance.
Writing Camp Celebration
Parents and families are invited to attend our Writing Camp Celebration on Thursday, March 24 at 2:00. Our campers will share their writing with you and their camp experiences. Thank you for celebrating all of our effort and hard work this week. We will also sing some camp songs for you!!!!
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 21-Writing Camp starts, Bring sleeping bag, reading log, and writing challenge papers. Writing club after school from 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 22-24-Writing Camp continues!
Thursday, March 24-Writing Camp Celebration at 2:00.Reading Response letter due, no spelling or vocabulary this week
Friday, March 25-no school
Monday, March 28-turn in reading logs, Service Club after school from 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 29-STAAR Writing Test for 4th grade
Have a wonderful weekend! Relax, read, write, enjoy beautiful weather (hopefully), and enjoy time with family and friends.
See you on Monday! Don't forget Spring Break Reading Challenge Logs, Spring Break Writing Challenge papers, and sleeping bag or blanket. Camp Write-A-long is amazing! Be ready for some fun!!!!!
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
The four days after spring break will be our amazing fourth grade Camp Write-A-long!!!!!!!
We will write all morning and engage in some fun camp activities, then we will do math activities in the afternoon. Your child can bring in a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, small stuffed animal,and flashlight. They can dress in camping clothing all week.
Please see the Sign up genius for some supplies that we need to make our camp spectacular.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BA8AD292-writing
Camp Letters
We also encourage you to write a letter to your camper. You can ask family members also to write about camping experiences, write about writing, write to tell your camper how much you miss your camper while he/she is away at camp, or whatever! Be creative! We will have a mail call each day. You can send letters in or you can email them to me and I will print them out. In the past receiving letters at Writing Camp is a big deal for the kids. Thank you in advance.
Writing Camp Celebration
Parents and families are invited to attend our Writing Camp Celebration on Thursday, March 24 at 2:00. Our campers will share their writing with you and their camp experiences. Thank you for celebrating all of our effort and hard work this week. We will also sing some camp songs for you!!!!
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 21-Writing Camp starts, Bring sleeping bag, reading log, and writing challenge papers. Writing club after school from 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 22-24-Writing Camp continues!
Thursday, March 24-Writing Camp Celebration at 2:00.Reading Response letter due, no spelling or vocabulary this week
Friday, March 25-no school
Monday, March 28-turn in reading logs, Service Club after school from 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 29-STAAR Writing Test for 4th grade
Have a wonderful weekend! Relax, read, write, enjoy beautiful weather (hopefully), and enjoy time with family and friends.
See you on Monday! Don't forget Spring Break Reading Challenge Logs, Spring Break Writing Challenge papers, and sleeping bag or blanket. Camp Write-A-long is amazing! Be ready for some fun!!!!!
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
Friday, March 11, 2016
Happy Spring Break! Read Everyday! Spring Break Writing Challenge!
HI,
We had a busy week. We took a STAAR Ready Math test and worked hard on reading and writing expository compositions.
Volunteer tomorrow at the Round Rock Serving Center from 9-10:30. Some members of the FCE Service Club will be there and everyone is welcome to join us.
The Maturation Video was today. Ask your child about it.
Look for the Spring Break Reading Challenge paper in your child's backpack. I also attached it below. The expectation is for everyone to read at least 100 minutes for the week. There will be a prize table and the students with the greatest reading time will be first to choose a prize. Challenge yourself and read! Be sure to record completed books for the 20 Book Challenge. I also attached the reading forms which you can print and complete or you can complete them online on the google forms. Happy Reading!
We also are having a Spring Break Writing Challenge. Your child has a packet with information. This is optional, but strongly encouraged. There is information about the writing process and expository writing. I also attached some fun videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sNHpXjRuL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhxRWDgPt3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FOh_A1FotU
To view Implementing the Writing Process click on the link below.
http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/implementing-writing-process-30386.html
All children who return a piece of free writing as well as a plan, draft (with evidence of revision and editing), revision checklist, editing checklist, and final copy (one side of a piece of notebook paper-handwritten) will be invited to a super fun lunch on Tuesday. There will be some Minute to Win It games and some other surprises. Have fun writing and practicing the writing process. Be sure to write with your child. They love to hear about my writing and what I'm thinking as I revise and edit. Happy Writing!!!!
The four days after spring break will be our amazing fourth grade Camp Write Along!!!!!!! We will write all morning and engage in some fun camp activities, then we will do math activities in the afternoon. Your child can bring in a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, small stuffed animal,and flashlight. They can dress in camping clothing all week. Please see the Sign up genius for some supplies that we need to make our camp spectacular.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BA8AD292-writing
I will be in the classroom on the morning of Friday, March 18 planning and setting up for camp. You can drop off items then. (decorations and bandanas). The food and tent can come on Monday morning.
We also encourage you to write a letter to your camper. You can ask family members also to write about camping experiences, write about writing, write to tell your camper how much you miss your camper while he/she is away at camp, or whatever! Be creative! We will have a mail call each day. You can send letters in or you can email them to me and I will print them out. In the past receiving letters at Writing Camp is a big deal for the kids. Thank you in advance.
Have a wonderful week of spring break. Relax, read, write, enjoy beautiful weather (hopefully), and enjoy time with family and friends.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam
We had a busy week. We took a STAAR Ready Math test and worked hard on reading and writing expository compositions.
Volunteer tomorrow at the Round Rock Serving Center from 9-10:30. Some members of the FCE Service Club will be there and everyone is welcome to join us.
The Maturation Video was today. Ask your child about it.
Look for the Spring Break Reading Challenge paper in your child's backpack. I also attached it below. The expectation is for everyone to read at least 100 minutes for the week. There will be a prize table and the students with the greatest reading time will be first to choose a prize. Challenge yourself and read! Be sure to record completed books for the 20 Book Challenge. I also attached the reading forms which you can print and complete or you can complete them online on the google forms. Happy Reading!
We also are having a Spring Break Writing Challenge. Your child has a packet with information. This is optional, but strongly encouraged. There is information about the writing process and expository writing. I also attached some fun videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sNHpXjRuL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhxRWDgPt3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FOh_A1FotU
To view Implementing the Writing Process click on the link below.
http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/implementing-writing-process-30386.html
All children who return a piece of free writing as well as a plan, draft (with evidence of revision and editing), revision checklist, editing checklist, and final copy (one side of a piece of notebook paper-handwritten) will be invited to a super fun lunch on Tuesday. There will be some Minute to Win It games and some other surprises. Have fun writing and practicing the writing process. Be sure to write with your child. They love to hear about my writing and what I'm thinking as I revise and edit. Happy Writing!!!!
The four days after spring break will be our amazing fourth grade Camp Write Along!!!!!!! We will write all morning and engage in some fun camp activities, then we will do math activities in the afternoon. Your child can bring in a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, small stuffed animal,and flashlight. They can dress in camping clothing all week. Please see the Sign up genius for some supplies that we need to make our camp spectacular.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BA8AD292-writing
I will be in the classroom on the morning of Friday, March 18 planning and setting up for camp. You can drop off items then. (decorations and bandanas). The food and tent can come on Monday morning.
We also encourage you to write a letter to your camper. You can ask family members also to write about camping experiences, write about writing, write to tell your camper how much you miss your camper while he/she is away at camp, or whatever! Be creative! We will have a mail call each day. You can send letters in or you can email them to me and I will print them out. In the past receiving letters at Writing Camp is a big deal for the kids. Thank you in advance.
Have a wonderful week of spring break. Relax, read, write, enjoy beautiful weather (hopefully), and enjoy time with family and friends.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Newsletter
Hi,
We had a busy and wonderful week. We finished reading Number the Stars, which is an amazing award winning book about a young girl in Denmark helping her Jewish friend escape to Sweden during WWII. Ask your child about it.
We celebrated Texas Independence Day with a Texas-shaped Rice Krispy Treat and the Texas State Song. We also celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday with a reading of Bartholomew Cubbins and the 500 Hats.
We had our lunch celebration for those who completed the monthly reading challenge of reading a historical fiction book. We discussed some of our favorite historical fiction books and watched a Dr. Seuss video. The Monthly Challenge for March is an informational book-something with facts, headings, charts, photos, etc.... This type of book is non-fiction and will teach the reader something. It could be arranged in chapters, but may not have chapters. Ask about any books in question. Have fun reading to learn and be sure to read the captions for the pictures, charts, diagrams, etc... Happy Reading!
This week, we will take the STAAR Ready Math test on Tuesday and will act out the Battle of the Alamo on Monday. The battle was on March 6, 1836.
This week in reading-We will read more about Japanese Internment Camps during World War II and will work on summarizing and using context clues to figure out tricky words. Keep reading everyday at home.
In writing- We will continue to draft, conference, revise, edit, and write a final copy for our friendship piece as an expository writing. We will also use a checklist and model revising strategies. We will continue to have some time to free write everyday.
In spelling-We will review plurals. (hero, heroes, shelf, shelves, etc...) We also will work on possessives vs. plurals. These words will need to be in context to be able to determine the correct spelling. (it is the girl's bike. The girls went for a ride.)
Vocabulary- We will science words this week. Practice vocabulary words using quizlet.com.
In social studies-We will continue to learn about the Texas Revolution.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 7-Writing Club after school 2:45-3:45, Wear FCE shirts,
Tuesday, March 8-PTA General Meeting 11 am, STAAR Ready Math Test
Friday, March 11-homework packet due, spelling test, vocabulary test, Reading Response Letters due, wear college shirts
Saturday, March 12-Volunteer at Round Rock Serving Center 9-10:30
Monday, March14-March 18-Spring Break
Monday, March 21-Writing Club 2:45-3:45, Wear FCE shirts.
Monday, March 21-March 24-Writing Camp!!!!!! More info. to come.
Friday, March 25-No school-Spring Holiday
Monday, March 28-Wear FCE shirts, Service Club 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 29-STAAR Writing test for 4th grade, STAAR Math test for 5th grade
Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy time with your family! Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam
We had a busy and wonderful week. We finished reading Number the Stars, which is an amazing award winning book about a young girl in Denmark helping her Jewish friend escape to Sweden during WWII. Ask your child about it.
We celebrated Texas Independence Day with a Texas-shaped Rice Krispy Treat and the Texas State Song. We also celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday with a reading of Bartholomew Cubbins and the 500 Hats.
We had our lunch celebration for those who completed the monthly reading challenge of reading a historical fiction book. We discussed some of our favorite historical fiction books and watched a Dr. Seuss video. The Monthly Challenge for March is an informational book-something with facts, headings, charts, photos, etc.... This type of book is non-fiction and will teach the reader something. It could be arranged in chapters, but may not have chapters. Ask about any books in question. Have fun reading to learn and be sure to read the captions for the pictures, charts, diagrams, etc... Happy Reading!
This week, we will take the STAAR Ready Math test on Tuesday and will act out the Battle of the Alamo on Monday. The battle was on March 6, 1836.
This week in reading-We will read more about Japanese Internment Camps during World War II and will work on summarizing and using context clues to figure out tricky words. Keep reading everyday at home.
In writing- We will continue to draft, conference, revise, edit, and write a final copy for our friendship piece as an expository writing. We will also use a checklist and model revising strategies. We will continue to have some time to free write everyday.
In spelling-We will review plurals. (hero, heroes, shelf, shelves, etc...) We also will work on possessives vs. plurals. These words will need to be in context to be able to determine the correct spelling. (it is the girl's bike. The girls went for a ride.)
Vocabulary- We will science words this week. Practice vocabulary words using quizlet.com.
In social studies-We will continue to learn about the Texas Revolution.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 7-Writing Club after school 2:45-3:45, Wear FCE shirts,
Tuesday, March 8-PTA General Meeting 11 am, STAAR Ready Math Test
Friday, March 11-homework packet due, spelling test, vocabulary test, Reading Response Letters due, wear college shirts
Saturday, March 12-Volunteer at Round Rock Serving Center 9-10:30
Monday, March14-March 18-Spring Break
Monday, March 21-Writing Club 2:45-3:45, Wear FCE shirts.
Monday, March 21-March 24-Writing Camp!!!!!! More info. to come.
Friday, March 25-No school-Spring Holiday
Monday, March 28-Wear FCE shirts, Service Club 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, March 29-STAAR Writing test for 4th grade, STAAR Math test for 5th grade
Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy time with your family! Thank you for sharing your child with me.
Sincerely,
Pam
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