2nd Note for the day!

December 21, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Let’s try this again… This time, you will NOT catch me!  We still can’t believe that today is your last day of school! Time sure does fly when you are having fun!  And, I do think that I am pretty clever that you never caught me using your computer.  In fact, last night, I went into Class Dojo and awarded everyone with 36 points.  Don’t worry – I went ahead and paid everyone for their points. 

So, how do you like Snowflake Mary’s touch?  She had this crazy idea last night to decorate with your school pictures.  I like it!  We totally ran out of time – sorry Griffin.  You are mine now – forever!!!  He He!

 I’m very sad.  I am going to miss y’all.  Please think of us   often!  Have a very Merry Christmas!  Thanks for being such   great kids!!! Don’t forget – you can email me at any time!    elfietrevino@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Elfie & Snowflake Mary

P.S. I still want a picture with everyone in it!!!

1st Note - Before I was caught!

December 21, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

I can’t believe that your last day of school is today!  I just find that super crazy!!!  Well, I have a special request…. I would like for your class to come around (very carefully) and take a picture with everyone in it.  I’d like to take it to Santa Clause and tell him of all the neat things that you did in class this month.

So, what is on your list of things you’d like for Christmas?  I’d like to take Snowflake on a trip to the beach right before we head back to the North Pole.

I wish everyone great tidings and cheer and hope you have a VERY SAFE and VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  I can’t wait to spend time with you again next year!

Sincerely,

Elfie & Snowflake Mary

Sneaky Sneaky Boys!!!

December 20, 2012 

Dear Mrs. Trevino

You guys only thought you were going to catch me… Wooo!  I was quick!  Yes, I was trying to get ahead of myself for tomorrow…  But, I didn't want to risk being seen for nothing!!!  So, I guess now, I’ll have to come up with a new message as you guys have already read my other one.  And, I’m thinking that tonight…. I’m going to do a lot of mischievous things!  For I am declaring the “ Nosy Rosy” award to your class! 

 Sincerely,

Elfie & Snowflake Mary

Polar Express

December 20, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Yesterday was so much fun!  I had such a great time watching the Grinch. The Grinch Punch was yummy too!

So, what is all this talk about the Choo-Choo Train?  Does it really go to the North Pole?   I think that you should take us all on a field trip to see Santa.

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of school for this entire year!  Santa will get my reports about the kids and will look at ClassDojo too!

Enjoy your day!!!

Sincerely,

Elfie & Snowflake Mary

Grinch Punch

We had so much fun learning more about Procedural Text making Grinch Punch!

Grinch Punch

December 19, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Yesterday was SO much fun! I learned so much about Germany.  I’ll have to tell you though, I am so tired of playing that Dreidel Game. 

So, I really like Snowflake!  She is so sweet!  She told me that she loved all the names that you had picked out for her – but Snowflake Mary is her FAVORITE! 

So, you know that mean ole Grinch?  I hear you are going to have fun with some of his activities.  I also know that Ms. Craddock is going to do some more Face Time with us so that everyone has a chance to learn how to draw something! 

  Don’t forget that we have Library and Art today – I can’t   believe the day is so busy! 

  Thanks again for everything.  Enjoy the Grinch Punch!  I   wonder if it is like Dump Punch….

Sincerely,

Elfie

Bonjour mes amis!

December 18, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Wowzers!  I have a friend to play with now!  I love it!!!  Thank you so much Harris for asking for her!  By the way, what did you decide to name her?  I’m not fond of Elfette but I do really like Snowflake.  Ask Mrs. Trevino to put up a few names today so that you can vote.

Did you enjoy going to Mexico?  I really like your artwork!  It is so colorful and cheery!  You also got to go to France.  I speak a little French… Salut! Mon nom est Elfie! Quelle est la vôtre? Joyeux Noël!

So, you know what is going on today?  I heard y’all were going to SKYPE with Mrs. Schubert’s brother who lives in China.  That is very cool!  Be sure to ask his kids what school is like over there…  I’m pretty sure it is vey different.

Have a chipper day! 

Sincerely,

Elfie

What's a Nutcracker?

December 17, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Oh dear…  I heard that my friend’s are getting the Chicken Pox.  I sure hope I don’t get any!!! Do you like what else I did?  I had some fun with the extra lights that Mrs. Trevino had in her supply box.  I hear that you are going to go and see a production today.  It’s called, the Nutcracker.  Is that something like Mr. Wonka’s “Squirrel Room”?  I’m just curious!!!   They must be really nutty!  Hey, like, if I have an allergy to nuts, can I still go?

Well, have fun with your Holidays Around the World.  I think you are either going to Mexico or to France.  Mrs. Trevino can speak a little bit of both of these languages. 

Have a great time!  Y’all are becoming my most favorite class of all!  Thanks for all the sweet notes!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Elfin Around the Creek!

Say Cheese!

'Tis The Season...

December 13, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Oh boy!  I so wish I would have had a little bit more sleep!  As you can see, I was a very busy boy!  I just love this time of year.  It puts me in the most decorative mood!!!

So, what did you learn about India?  I think it is super cool that children get to take off 3 weeks during Diwali and then 2 weeks off at Christmas!  I don’t think I’d like going to school Monday – Saturday though.  That would be rough.  By the way, I just love your Rangoli Designs that you made.  They are so pretty and very colorful!

Today, you will get to go to Norway.  That is exciting!!!  I’ve always wanted to go!  I wonder how they celebrate the holidays...

Sincerely,

Elfie

December 12, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Yesterday was a blast!  I would love to be able to go to China!  What was your favorite part?  Did you know that I was born in the year of the Monkey?  Mrs. Schubert’s Elf, Riley tells me that I am super smart!  Woo Hoo!  That makes me excited!

I also enjoyed listening to the Yellow and Red group read.  They did such a great job reading – I was very impressed at how some of the kids were able to do it all on their own.

I think today, you will learn what it is like to celebrate the Festival of Lights!  India does something totally different!  I just know you are going to have fun!

By the way, thank you for using your ones and tens for math.  That makes me very happy!  I can’t tell you how hard it is to subtract with regrouping!  Keep up the great work!  I’m super proud of the wonderful job you are doing!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Fun Night, Friends!

December 11, 2012

 

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

I can’t believe that y’all have not had the carrots that I sent you last week!  You need to remind Mrs. Trevino today to pass them out so that you can enjoy them before they turn into a Science Experiment gone bad!!!

So, how was Israel?  Did you enjoy learning about it?  I just love jelly filled donuts!  I also like Latkes and mostly, getting Gelt from the “Dreidel” game!!!  

Today, you are going to learn a lot about China.  Did you know that Mrs. Schubert’s brother lives there?  I hope that you behave nicely for your teachers. 

Sincerely,

Elfie

Hanukkah!

Today, your child learned what it is like to celebrate Hanukkah!

Brrr!

December 10, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Hey there!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Did you hear the cold front come in around 11:30 last night?  It's really cold but not as cold as the North Pole! 

I hear that your class will be learning all sorts of Holiday Traditions!  I think that is very cool!  I hope you have fun learning about Hanukkah! 

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Reindeer Food! It's YUMMY!!!

December 7, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

It’s Friday!  It’s Friday!  It’s my favorite day of the

week!!!  I am very happy to say that everyone did very well listening to Mrs. Trevino.  I really liked watching y’all use the Magnets that Mrs. Hamilton let ya’ll borrow.  To all my N7 friends, I’d like to say that last night, all of the elves got together and munched down on some carrots.  You know, carrots are a Reindeer’s  most favorite food.  Carrots are nutritional heroes, they store a   goldmine of nutrients.  Few other vegetables or fruit contain as much carotene as   carrots, which the body converts to vitamin A.  I also brought some Ranch Dressing (it is in the refrigerator in the hallway) that you can dip some carrots into.  The Reindeer really don’t care for Ranch – but I sure like it!!!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Shhh!

December 6, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

Max reported back to me yesterday that the class was still having a hard time controlling their talking.  I suggest that you start taking points away on Class Dojo.  Actually, if they behave and listen very well, I will plan to come back after recess! 

Sincerely,

Elfie

P.S.  I really miss y’all!

P.S.S.  Please tell everyone that I will write back to them just as soon as I stop “elfin around”. 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

December 5, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino

All of us Elves (Candy Cane, Buddy, Jacob, Lillie, & myself), had so much fun today! We played cards, we danced, sang songs and even turned your teachers into funny looking elves! I hope you enjoy this movie I made. I hope I can see you tomorrow. I'll have to check with Max (Ms. Briggs' Elf) to see if you were naughty or nice!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Naughty! Naughty! Naughty!

December 5, 2012

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

I wanted to let you know that I am very sad to

report that I have decided to spend the day with Mrs. Harn.  In fact, I am not sure when I am going to be back! It all depends on how nicely your class works today.  That includes Attentive Listening, Mutual Respect and No Put Downs!

Please be on your best behavior so I will want to come back!  Furthermore, I would really hate to report your behavior to the big jolly man who wears a red suit and has very white hair!!!

Sincerely,

Elfie

Natural Resources

Natural Resources: Something of value we get from the environment.
Examples:  Trees, Air, Water, Animals, Plants, Soil, & Land

Non-Renuable Resources: Something of value that cannot be replaced.
Examples:   Oil, Coal, Glass, Aluminum, Plastic, & Tin 

Renewable Resources:  Something of value that can be replaced.
Examples: Trees, Wind, Biomass, Solar Energy, & Geothermal Layers



Reduce, Reuse & Recycle: Something that you could reuse instead of throwing away.
Examples: Aluminum, Paper,& Some Foods (not Meat)

Sustainable Sources of Energy: Resources that one cannot use too much of.  There is an abundant supply that is made every day.
Examples:  Wind, Sun, & Trash

Fossil Fuels: Fossil Fuels form in the Earth from the remains of plants and animals.

Examples:  Coal,  Oil, Natural Gas, & Petroleum

Pollution: Something that endangers the environment which we live in.
Examples: Trash / Garbage, Oil Spills, Smoke, Certain Chemicals, Acid, & Toxic Waste

"My Letters"

Dear Mrs. Trevino,

I loved all the letters from the kids!  Thank you so much for sending them to me!!!  

Now, to answer some of the questions that the children asked....

My favorite colors are red and green.  I've always liked them, even since I was young!  I like them because it reminds me of Christmas time and also because Santa sure has a lot of red and green decorations! Just like Adam, Christmas is my favorite holiday ever!

Tell Griffin that I do know Snowball.  We went and had Hot Chocolate along with Sebastian, Sam & Zam just the other day!  In fact, Snowball was talking about wrapping a classroom with toilet paper but I think it will upset Ms. Blanca.  As far as pulling pranks, you will have to tell Charlie's elf, Elfonso, that I don't have the heart to place coal in Lillie or John's stocking.  

My favorite animal is a reindeer.  I especially love the one that has a very shinny nose!  I would like Anna to tell me what her favorite animal is.  I bet it is a dog!!!

To answer Ryder's question, I am self-employed!  I mainly do contract work from December 25th - Thanksgiving Day.  Then, when my work is all done, I get to take Thanksgiving Day - Dec. 24th off.  Santa pays us very well and is so sweet for letting us take a vacation every year.  

I think your class is wonderful!  I love the kids and I just loved watching them play their Pokemon cards during recess!  I will say that they were very noisy yesterday.  Are they always like that?  Please tell them that if they are not quieter, I'm going to have to tell Mrs. Harn all about what I am seeing.  

Sincerely,

Elfie

Welcome Elfie!

Measuring Inches

Today, we learned how to measure using a ruler.  The kids practiced their skills as they measured items in their desk and around the room.

Twirly Birds

How are twilers, zoomers, and tops the same?

What makes twirler wings and twirly birds spin?

What other kinds of things rotate or spin?

We answered all those questions as we participated in an experiment using Twirly Birds!

RCE Family Wellness Night

Rummel Creek will have a Family Wellness night on January 15^th.  A featured speaker, Physician of Phun (Gregg Catalano),  will share healthy tips with parents and students. Other events for the evening include:  a health fair in the library, a chef in the cafeteria and a full arcade of activities in the gym as well as food tastings, displays and more.  The night will begin at 5:15 and finish up around 8:00.  Come for what you can.  Parents and children are encouraged to participate in the activities!

Website for the evening:  RCEhealthylifestyles.pbworks.com – check often for updates of what will be offered and the schedule

Special Events for the evening include:

The Rose Mammography will be in the Library Storage room doing Mammograms – Schedule yours by clicking on this link and filling out the necessary forms on-line.  Last year we were able to fill all of the times and needed more.  Please sign up….our times begin in the early afternoon. Group Code: SBISD

The Gulf Coast Blood Mobile will be here for blood donations.  Click here to link to the blood center.  Click on Digital Donor and the code for Rummel Creek is M461.  Follow the directions to make it an easy quick donation for you.

A Sign Up Genius has been set up to RSVP for the night so that we can be prepared for those who plan to come:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4DA4AB2CA46-january

Invite your neighbors to attend as well!

We are looking forward to an exciting evening of fun, food, frolicking and friendship.  See you on the 15^th of January!

Measurement

Today we discussed the difference between Non-Standard Units of Measurement vs. Standard Units of Measurement.  The class really enjoyed measuring items with their unifix cubes and jumbo paperclips.

Rolling Cups

   Make awesome movies from plain videos automatically, for Free!

   Make awesome movies from plain videos automatically, for Free!

   Make awesome movies from plain videos automatically, for Free!

   Make awesome movies from plain videos automatically, for Free!

Rolling Cups

Wheels are not the only things that roll.

Remember the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? What happened when Violet Beauregard ate the bubblegum?

How did the Oompa Loompa’s move her?

Cups also roll. You will each get one large and one small cup to investigate to see how they roll.

How can you devise a system to roll slowly down a slope? Why would this be important?

Check out this real worlk problem that people up North have to worry about!!!

How did theVentrac Slope Mower solve their problems?

Chevron Fuel Your School

A special "Thank You" goes out to Chevron for fully funding 20+ "http://www.donorschoose.org/" grants for Rummel Creek Elementary! We are extremely excited to use all these new supplies!

Stupeflix

Check out the quick and easy video I just made using Stupeflix! Everyone in my class has a free account! We will be learning more about this great site soon!!!
Meanwhile, enjoy this video of my experience at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium!

Ramps

Tony Hawk was born in 1968. His nickname is “The Birdman”. He is an American Professional skateboarder. He is known for his 900 degree aerial spin.

While watching the video, think to yourself –

What are the functions of wheels & axel systems in conjunction to ramps?
 

I wonder....   What directions do wheels roll on a ramp?
What is rolling?
How would you make a wheel system that goes straight?

Systems

What do you know about systems?  What types of systems have you made?

News for the Week!

This week is flying by so fast – more so than I could imagine! In fact, I can’t believe it is already Halloween!!! This is a friendly reminder that students ARE NOT allowed to wear the costumes to school. A few of them asked, but the answer was no. Please also limit the amount of Halloween candy that you send with your child. Eventually, it all adds up! If you are interested to see how many calories are in the candy, check out this link: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/channel?section=news/health&id=7100834


Be sure to scroll all the way down! On a personal note, we typically buy our kid’s candy from them for about $20 each…. That way, we know they are not stuffing their mouths with unnecessary treats that will only get them on a sugar high followed by a sudden “crash and burn”.

Hot topic: One of our friends, Molly, will be featured on ABC 13 tomorrow night. She was interviewed for Christi Myer’s Health Check. Please set your DVR’s to ABC13 at 6:40 to see her report! I am so proud of her!!!



This week, we have a lot of new things happening. First of all, I wanted to let everyone know about a great new program that the district has provided us with. It is called Go Animate. I showed the kids this morning and they are in love with it. I told them that if they would like to skip their homework, and work on one, that would be fine with me! Like anything new we do, exploring is always the best steps before asking for a quality project to be composed. To login to their account, they need to go through their Edmodo account. Please remind them that they do not need to select the button that says, I’m A Student! (That is only for first time users. )

Yesterday, I showed them another piece of technology, Glogster. They all enjoyed creating a glog of themselves.

Balance & Motion

How do you know if something is stable?

Something is stable if it does not fall over!

Harlem Globtrotters


Cirque du Soleil


We also learned that counterweight could help balance an object.
Lastly, we learned that we could change the point of balance by changing the counterweight.

What can you balance at home?  Please respond to this post in the comment section below (using Open ID).  Just leave your initials...

Virtual Manipulatives

This website is the perfect answer to all your manipulative needs!

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

Puppet Pals

Here is an example of the newest app we are trying.  It is called Puppet Pals.  It didn't cost much - and as you can see, the kids can take pictures and then crop them to use their stories.  Very creative and such a big hit!  Thank you to Sally Craddock, of Frostwood Elementary, for sharing this new technology with me!

United States Symbols

What's your favorite Untied States symbol?  Mine happens to be our National Anthem.  I literally get goose bumps everytime I hear someone sing it! 

As we reviewed the symbols, we learned how to take notes in our Social Studies Journal without writing everything down.

To top off our morning, the children watched this short video clip that explained more about what the symbols stand for!

Ice Formations

This afternoon, the class participated in creating ice formations by melting two pieces of ice together with the use of table salt!  Using our observation skills, students were able to conclude that we had a Solid - to - Solid change in matter.  (Even though the ice melted a little bit...)

Ice Experiments

Today, we spent some of our time in the Science Lab discussing Matter.  In particular, we had conversations about how liquids become solids.  We then took some cans and poured water in them to stick in the freezer.  Tomorrow, we will observe the changes that have taken place and begin to form our "ice creations".
The class also observed an ice cube melting in a cup.  They learned that heat accelerates the process and found several ways to help their cube liquify.  All in all, they had a BLAST!
Thank you to everyone who helped saved cans for us to use!

Modeled Drawing

Yesterday, my class had the privilege to have an expert mathematician help us solve problems over SKYPE!  It was a lot of fun and I'm so thankful that Ricky Mikelman could help me remember all the important steps of Modeled Drawing!  We are looking forward to our next lesson Ricky!

Part Part Whole

Here is an math problem we solved today using our Part Part Whole strategy. 

Visualize and Infer

Thank goodness for the Internet and Pinterest!  I would love to say that this was something I thought of, but it wasn't.  I really liked the way the person branched out with Visualizing & Inferring!  Here is the one that we did in class today: