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Thursday, October 6, 2016
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Newsletter
Hi,
We had a wonderful week. Early Release Day went smoothly and the students behaved magnificently and worked hard on Thursday when we had a substitute. I had a training at another campus.
Reading-We are working with expository or non-fiction text and this week we reviewed text features (photos, captions, headings, table of contents, glossary, index, etc...) and their purposes. We will continue to read non-fiction this week and will work on using context clues to figure out unknown words and questioning the text. We will continue to write a summary and response to text read.
Students did a wonderful job writing reading response letters to me for homework. If your child didn't turn one in, it is due on ASAP. A new reading response letter will be due every Friday, unless otherwise noted. Thanks!
Writing-We are gathering entries to write opinion papers. We walked around the school last week and observed things. We noticed things in our classroom. We wrote about what we noticed and pushed our thinking to write what we realized or thought about what we saw. We will develop some thesis statements this week and begin developing reasons and examples to support our thesis statements. (ex. Fall is my favorite season because the weather is cooler, Halloween is a fun holiday, and I love pumpkin flavored food!)
Social Studies-We are learning about tribes in Texas and learned about the Karankawa and the Caddo, so far. We took notes then made a dug-out canoe out of clay to represent the Karankawa tribe and a dome shaped home out of clay and straw to represent the Caddo tribe. This week we will learn about the Comanche, Jumano, and Lipan Apache tribes.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, Oct. 3- College Shirt Day, FCE Service Club 2:50-3:50 in room 512
Tuesday, Oct. 4-PTA Meeting at 3:15 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 5-Flu Clinic
Friday, Oct. 7-Homework packets due,Reading Response Letter due, Spelling test, Turn in Reading Logs as you finish them, FCE Spirit Day! Wear green and purple.
Monday, Oct. 10-No school for students/staff development
Thank you for sharing your child with me. I hope you enjoyed your weekend!
Sincerely,
Pam
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Grandparent's Day
Hi,
Tomorrow is Grandparent's Day! You are welcome to come and eat lunch with your child. If our cafeteria table is full, you may come to our classroom to eat. (your child can only come if he/she has a guest) Our lunch time is 11:25-11:55.
Spirit Day is every Friday! Wear purple and green and show your FCE pride!
Information went home in Thursday folders today about Writing Club and Choir. If your child wants to come to the informational meeting for either club, you need to send me a note or email letting me know that he/she will be staying afterschool and let me know how he/she is getting home. Monday 2:50-3:30 will be the Writing Club meeting and Tuesday will be the Choir meeting. Thank you so much for letting me know in advance.
Don't forget that homework is due tomorrow. That includes the math and weekly grammar paper. Also the Cultural Information paper is due. Be sure to read every night and record on reading log. Next week we will have individual spelling lists and will have a test on Friday, Sept. 16.
Thank you and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great evening!
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Newsletter-Keep Reading
Hello,
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend our Back to School Night on Thursday. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Here is the link to the district At A Glance Map. This resource lets you know what we are teaching in each subject throughout the year. Be sure to click on the 4th grade tab. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E1_YhCIGt318TMTaJni84G0rV0JdndSRzDteWugZM44/edit#gid=1362765212
Read about our classroom:
Reading-We are working on expectations in the reading workshop and beginning to write responses to our books. We will practice more next week and will begin reading response letters for homework in a few weeks. We are focusing on reading fiction and talking about characters and character changes, setting, plot, and theme. We read Stone Fox together and made predictions as we read. We will continue with fiction for a few more weeks and will include using context to figure out unknown words and rereading to be sure comprehension is happening effectively.
Writing-We went through the writing process as they wrote poems about themselves. We brainstormed, planned, drafted, revised, edited, and published. We conferenced about our writing and shared it with others. We did all of this while working on the expectations of writing workshop. We are now writing entries about personal narratives and will begin working on leads and drafting one of our entries to take it to publication.
Social Studies-Thank you for all the wonderful photos of your children in Texas. Our map in the hallway is covered and it looks amazing. We are using the photos to learn about each other as well as to learn about the regions in Texas. We are taking a virtual bus trip to learn about each region and taking notes. We will continue this next week.
Writing Club will begin on Monday, Sept. 12 after school at 2:50. 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 Mrs.Crochet's music room by the cafeteria and I will pick them up to go to the library to write. All 2-5th graders are welcome.
Service Club will begin on Monday, Sept. 19 after school at 2:50. Service Club will alternate with Writing Club and will be on every OTHER Monday. In Service Club, the children plan, advertise, and facilitate service learning projects for our school. We make signs, write announcements for broadcast and Coyote Call, and persuade people to help. In the past, we helped our school collect toys for Dell Children's Hospital, flip flops for children in Honduras, books for Libraries of Love in Africa and food for the Round Rock Serving Center. We also meet at the Round Rock Serving Center once a month on a Saturday morning to volunteer. . After school, the kids will go to Mrs. Crochet's music room by the cafeteria and I will pick them up to go to my classroom for our meeting. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome.
40 Book Challenge! Fourth Graders are involved in a 40 Book Challenge this year! We will be reading from a variety of genres and charting our progress. It is going to be great and the kids have already finished Stone Fox, so we have 39 books to go! Your child is expected to read everyday for at least 20 minutes. They will record their reading on their reading logs and will let me know when they finish a book. They will talk to me about their book and write a reading response on a notecard. Any books that they already finished since fourth grade started counts! Our September Monthly challenge is to read the first book in a series. It can be any genre, but not a book that they read before. The Monthly Challenge is due on Sept. 29 and we will have a treat and lunch in the classroom on Friday, Sept. 30 for all the children who met the monthly challenge. (1st book in a series) View the powerpoint below. Happy Reading!
Dates to remember:
No school on Monday. Be sure to add some reading to your weekend plans! Enjoy the time with family and friends.
Tuesday, Sept. 6-PTA meeting at 9:00 am in the PTA portable.
Wednesday, Sept. 7-Family Fun Night-5-9 at Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2424 Farm to Market Road 685, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Friday, Sept. 9-Grandparents' Day-our lunch time is 11:25-11:55. All are welcome to come and eat with your child. College Shirt day. Homework Packet is due.
Monday, Sept. 12-FCE Spirit Day! Wear green and purple. Writing Club 2:50-3:50 in the library, Watch DOGS kick off at 6:00, Homeroom Parent & Volunteer Orientation at 6:30
Tuesday, Sept. 13-Homeroom Parent & Volunteer Orientation at 8:15, Sr. Choir Interest Meeting 2:55
Friday, Sept. 16-Austin Jazz Concert at 1:15 for grades 3-5, Homework packets due, Spelling test, College Shirt Day
Thank you for sharing your children with me. They are working hard, being creative, and helping each other. They love to share what they are thinking and learning with each other. It is wonderful to see!
Sincerely,
Pam
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend our Back to School Night on Thursday. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Here is the link to the district At A Glance Map. This resource lets you know what we are teaching in each subject throughout the year. Be sure to click on the 4th grade tab. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E1_YhCIGt318TMTaJni84G0rV0JdndSRzDteWugZM44/edit#gid=1362765212
Read about our classroom:
Reading-We are working on expectations in the reading workshop and beginning to write responses to our books. We will practice more next week and will begin reading response letters for homework in a few weeks. We are focusing on reading fiction and talking about characters and character changes, setting, plot, and theme. We read Stone Fox together and made predictions as we read. We will continue with fiction for a few more weeks and will include using context to figure out unknown words and rereading to be sure comprehension is happening effectively.
Writing-We went through the writing process as they wrote poems about themselves. We brainstormed, planned, drafted, revised, edited, and published. We conferenced about our writing and shared it with others. We did all of this while working on the expectations of writing workshop. We are now writing entries about personal narratives and will begin working on leads and drafting one of our entries to take it to publication.
Social Studies-Thank you for all the wonderful photos of your children in Texas. Our map in the hallway is covered and it looks amazing. We are using the photos to learn about each other as well as to learn about the regions in Texas. We are taking a virtual bus trip to learn about each region and taking notes. We will continue this next week.
Writing Club will begin on Monday, Sept. 12 after school at 2:50. 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 Mrs.Crochet's music room by the cafeteria and I will pick them up to go to the library to write. All 2-5th graders are welcome.
Service Club will begin on Monday, Sept. 19 after school at 2:50. Service Club will alternate with Writing Club and will be on every OTHER Monday. In Service Club, the children plan, advertise, and facilitate service learning projects for our school. We make signs, write announcements for broadcast and Coyote Call, and persuade people to help. In the past, we helped our school collect toys for Dell Children's Hospital, flip flops for children in Honduras, books for Libraries of Love in Africa and food for the Round Rock Serving Center. We also meet at the Round Rock Serving Center once a month on a Saturday morning to volunteer. . After school, the kids will go to Mrs. Crochet's music room by the cafeteria and I will pick them up to go to my classroom for our meeting. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome.
40 Book Challenge! Fourth Graders are involved in a 40 Book Challenge this year! We will be reading from a variety of genres and charting our progress. It is going to be great and the kids have already finished Stone Fox, so we have 39 books to go! Your child is expected to read everyday for at least 20 minutes. They will record their reading on their reading logs and will let me know when they finish a book. They will talk to me about their book and write a reading response on a notecard. Any books that they already finished since fourth grade started counts! Our September Monthly challenge is to read the first book in a series. It can be any genre, but not a book that they read before. The Monthly Challenge is due on Sept. 29 and we will have a treat and lunch in the classroom on Friday, Sept. 30 for all the children who met the monthly challenge. (1st book in a series) View the powerpoint below. Happy Reading!
Dates to remember:
No school on Monday. Be sure to add some reading to your weekend plans! Enjoy the time with family and friends.
Tuesday, Sept. 6-PTA meeting at 9:00 am in the PTA portable.
Wednesday, Sept. 7-Family Fun Night-5-9 at Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2424 Farm to Market Road 685, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Friday, Sept. 9-Grandparents' Day-our lunch time is 11:25-11:55. All are welcome to come and eat with your child. College Shirt day. Homework Packet is due.
Monday, Sept. 12-FCE Spirit Day! Wear green and purple. Writing Club 2:50-3:50 in the library, Watch DOGS kick off at 6:00, Homeroom Parent & Volunteer Orientation at 6:30
Tuesday, Sept. 13-Homeroom Parent & Volunteer Orientation at 8:15, Sr. Choir Interest Meeting 2:55
Friday, Sept. 16-Austin Jazz Concert at 1:15 for grades 3-5, Homework packets due, Spelling test, College Shirt Day
Thank you for sharing your children with me. They are working hard, being creative, and helping each other. They love to share what they are thinking and learning with each other. It is wonderful to see!
Sincerely,
Pam
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Great First Week!
Dear Families,
Our first week of 4th grade has been wonderful! Your children are working hard and doing well. I am impressed with the excitement for reading and writing so far and I know this will continue and increase as the year progresses!
Every Friday is Spirit Day! Your child should wear green, purple, or an FCE shirt to show his/her school pride! Monday is College Shirt Day. Hook 'em!
We will have our Back to School Night next Thursday from 6-6:30 in the classroom and at 6:30, Mrs. Lehnick will go over some school wide information in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there.
Your child brought his/her Thursday folder home today. Inside is a letter about joining our Class Dojo group. We are using this to track individual and class positive behavior. You can receive notifications about your student's progress and also view our class story which will have photos about classroom activities. I am still learning the specifics of this program, but Mrs. Moellenberg used it the last two years with her classes and really liked it. We will have classroom rewards like shoes off and lunch in the classroom that can be earned with points. Let me know what you think.
This week in:
Reading-The students set up the expectations for our Reading Workshop, wrote on their reading logs, and read independently for 20 minutes each day this week. The children talked with a friend about their reading and several students had individual conferences with me. They also decorated our book boxes and chose books from our classroom library. Our class library check out day is Friday. We will go tomorrow for an orientation and will get some books.
Grammar-We played active games and watched Schoolhouse Rock videos about nouns and verbs. We will continue to play games to practice complete sentences and parts of speech.
Writing-The students created self portraits included some writing about a few of their inner characteristics and some of their favorite things. They also wrote a letter to me introducing themselves. I loved reading and responding to them. We read some poetry books and began practicing the writing process by writing a poem about themselves. They brainstormed, wrote rough drafts, and are in the process of revising, editing, and publishing. The kids are excited to share their poems with you on Back to School Night. Next week, we will begin working on personal narrative writing.
Social Studies-We brainstormed things that we knew about Texas and colored a Texas map according to the regions. We began sharing information about our Texas photos. We will continue to share our photos tomorrow and write about them. We will go on a virtual bus tour of the regions next week.
Homework will be sent home on Monday. Your child should be reading everyday for at least 20-30 minutes and should record the reading on the book log that will be in the homework folders on Monday. There will also be a packet that will be typically given on Friday and due the next Friday. The math and grammar papers has a daily assignment that will be graded the next morning. There will be some additional assignments (reading response letters, spelling words, vocabulary words, etc..) that will come in later weeks.
Thank you for sharing your child with me. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam
Our first week of 4th grade has been wonderful! Your children are working hard and doing well. I am impressed with the excitement for reading and writing so far and I know this will continue and increase as the year progresses!
Every Friday is Spirit Day! Your child should wear green, purple, or an FCE shirt to show his/her school pride! Monday is College Shirt Day. Hook 'em!
We will have our Back to School Night next Thursday from 6-6:30 in the classroom and at 6:30, Mrs. Lehnick will go over some school wide information in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there.
Your child brought his/her Thursday folder home today. Inside is a letter about joining our Class Dojo group. We are using this to track individual and class positive behavior. You can receive notifications about your student's progress and also view our class story which will have photos about classroom activities. I am still learning the specifics of this program, but Mrs. Moellenberg used it the last two years with her classes and really liked it. We will have classroom rewards like shoes off and lunch in the classroom that can be earned with points. Let me know what you think.
This week in:
Reading-The students set up the expectations for our Reading Workshop, wrote on their reading logs, and read independently for 20 minutes each day this week. The children talked with a friend about their reading and several students had individual conferences with me. They also decorated our book boxes and chose books from our classroom library. Our class library check out day is Friday. We will go tomorrow for an orientation and will get some books.
Grammar-We played active games and watched Schoolhouse Rock videos about nouns and verbs. We will continue to play games to practice complete sentences and parts of speech.
Writing-The students created self portraits included some writing about a few of their inner characteristics and some of their favorite things. They also wrote a letter to me introducing themselves. I loved reading and responding to them. We read some poetry books and began practicing the writing process by writing a poem about themselves. They brainstormed, wrote rough drafts, and are in the process of revising, editing, and publishing. The kids are excited to share their poems with you on Back to School Night. Next week, we will begin working on personal narrative writing.
Social Studies-We brainstormed things that we knew about Texas and colored a Texas map according to the regions. We began sharing information about our Texas photos. We will continue to share our photos tomorrow and write about them. We will go on a virtual bus tour of the regions next week.
Homework will be sent home on Monday. Your child should be reading everyday for at least 20-30 minutes and should record the reading on the book log that will be in the homework folders on Monday. There will also be a packet that will be typically given on Friday and due the next Friday. The math and grammar papers has a daily assignment that will be graded the next morning. There will be some additional assignments (reading response letters, spelling words, vocabulary words, etc..) that will come in later weeks.
Thank you for sharing your child with me. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Welcome Fourth Graders!
Hello,
I am so excited to start our fourth grade year. We are going to work hard toward our goals, have thoughtful discussions, ask lots of questions, use our imaginations, help each other, challenge each other, and grow as learners.
Be sure to come to supply drop off on Thursday, August 18. If your last name begins with the letter A-L, come at 4:00-4:30. Students with last names beginning with M-Z, will come from 4:45-5:15. Drop off your supplies and do some activities in the classroom. Go to the library and get your photo taken for a new ID card. See old friends and begin making some new friends. Be ready to talk about your favorite book that you read over the summer. I can't wait to see all of the fourth graders and hear about your summer reading and some of your adventures over the break.
The first day of school will be on Tuesday, August 23. The doors open at 7:15. Fourth graders meet in the hallway. The students will sit outside their classroom door until 7:30. Bring a book to read while you sit quietly. The tardy bell will ring at 7:40 am. The school day ends at 2:50 pm. Be sure that you know how you are getting home from school each day.
Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for the classroom. It can be cold in our room.
Bring a water bottle and a healthy snack each day.
Be sure that you have a book to read each day in your backpack.
Back to School Night for grades 3-5 is Thursday September 1 at 6:00 p.m. The night will start with teacher presentations in the classrooms from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Then Mrs. Lehnick,our principal, will have a short presentation in the cafeteria. I look forward to seeing you there and sharing information about our expectations, procedures, and policies in fourth grade.
Have fun and soak in those last days of summer. Spend time exploring and creating with friends and family. Read some more books and talk about them with others. Go online and do some I-Station and Think through Math (in between Pokemon Go games). We are going to work hard and have an amazing year!
Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. pam_bartholomew@roundrockisd.org
See you soon!
Mrs. Bartholomew
I am so excited to start our fourth grade year. We are going to work hard toward our goals, have thoughtful discussions, ask lots of questions, use our imaginations, help each other, challenge each other, and grow as learners.
Be sure to come to supply drop off on Thursday, August 18. If your last name begins with the letter A-L, come at 4:00-4:30. Students with last names beginning with M-Z, will come from 4:45-5:15. Drop off your supplies and do some activities in the classroom. Go to the library and get your photo taken for a new ID card. See old friends and begin making some new friends. Be ready to talk about your favorite book that you read over the summer. I can't wait to see all of the fourth graders and hear about your summer reading and some of your adventures over the break.
The first day of school will be on Tuesday, August 23. The doors open at 7:15. Fourth graders meet in the hallway. The students will sit outside their classroom door until 7:30. Bring a book to read while you sit quietly. The tardy bell will ring at 7:40 am. The school day ends at 2:50 pm. Be sure that you know how you are getting home from school each day.
Be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for the classroom. It can be cold in our room.
Bring a water bottle and a healthy snack each day.
Be sure that you have a book to read each day in your backpack.
Back to School Night for grades 3-5 is Thursday September 1 at 6:00 p.m. The night will start with teacher presentations in the classrooms from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Then Mrs. Lehnick,our principal, will have a short presentation in the cafeteria. I look forward to seeing you there and sharing information about our expectations, procedures, and policies in fourth grade.
Have fun and soak in those last days of summer. Spend time exploring and creating with friends and family. Read some more books and talk about them with others. Go online and do some I-Station and Think through Math (in between Pokemon Go games). We are going to work hard and have an amazing year!
Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. pam_bartholomew@roundrockisd.org
See you soon!
Mrs. Bartholomew
Friday, June 3, 2016
Happy Summer!
Hi 5th Graders and Families,
Thank you for a wonderful year. Your children are amazing and worked very hard. I enjoyed watching them learn and grow into 5th graders! Have a great summer, but be sure to spend time reading, observing, writing, questioning, discovering, creating, and problem solving!
Keep writing in your writer's notebook.
Write letters or emails to me and tell me about your adventures.
Go to Google Classroom and write about the books that you are reading. Respond to the posts of your friends. https://classroom.google.com/c/MjE2MzE5NDEw
(Let me know if you have any problems logging on)
Take part in a summer reading program. Check out the library webpage to get more information.
Grab your computer and have fun while you learn on I-Station and Think Through Math.
Go outside and read or write under a tree or by the pool or creek.
Enjoy time playing board games and card games with your family and friends.
Use your imagination and make up your own games.
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." — Garrison Keillor
Reading lists for 5th graders
http://www.educationworld.com/summer_reading/5th_grade.shtml
http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list.html
Have an incredible summer. Learn something new everyday!
I can't wait to hear from you on Google Classroom, in an email, or in a letter in the mail!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bartholomew
Thank you for a wonderful year. Your children are amazing and worked very hard. I enjoyed watching them learn and grow into 5th graders! Have a great summer, but be sure to spend time reading, observing, writing, questioning, discovering, creating, and problem solving!
Keep writing in your writer's notebook.
Write letters or emails to me and tell me about your adventures.
Go to Google Classroom and write about the books that you are reading. Respond to the posts of your friends. https://classroom.google.com/c/MjE2MzE5NDEw
(Let me know if you have any problems logging on)
Take part in a summer reading program. Check out the library webpage to get more information.
Grab your computer and have fun while you learn on I-Station and Think Through Math.
Go outside and read or write under a tree or by the pool or creek.
Enjoy time playing board games and card games with your family and friends.
Use your imagination and make up your own games.
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." — Garrison Keillor
Reading lists for 5th graders
http://www.educationworld.com/summer_reading/5th_grade.shtml
http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list.html
Have an incredible summer. Learn something new everyday!
I can't wait to hear from you on Google Classroom, in an email, or in a letter in the mail!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bartholomew
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