Egypt

Frohe Weihnachten: A German Tradition!

Welcome to Germany!

 

 Today, your child learned what it was like to celebrate Christmas in Germany! A huge Thank You goes out to my cousin, Markus Noe, for SKYPING with us all the way from Munich! It was very special and SO MUCH FUN! 

 To learn how to say Merry Christmas in German, watch this little video clip from You Tube!

 

India

I'd like to send a special thanks out to Bhavna Thaker for taking our class to India.  The children really enjoyed learning about Diwalli!

China

Learning about China was super special! I'd like to send a huge thank you to Kayla's Uncle, Mark, for SKYPING with us! The kids learned SO much and really felt special to have had the chance to speak to someone living in another country! Thanks again Mark! To discover some of the answers to the following questions, feel free to watch the Quicktime Video!

• Is there an “American Area?” 
• Why is the year of the dragon the best time to be born? 
• Do they teach English in the schools?
•  Do they have American Restaurants? 
• Do you drink a lot of tea? 
• What are the businesses like? 
• What is the Lion Dance? 
• What is the Lantern Festival?

• 
  

Hanukkah

Today, your child got to experience a little of what life is like celebrating Hanukkah.

Polar Bear’s Plight: How to Help

ABC News’ Ron Claiborne reports: They are magnificent, captivating somehow, even magical. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada calls itself, “the polar bear capital of the world.” On a wind-blasted, icy tundra hundreds of polar bears come out of their summer-long torpor and head to shores of Hudson Bay waiting for the water to freeze over so they can go out on the ice to hunt seals. But, sometimes a polar bear will come right into Churchill. Wayward bears who wander into town get “arrested” captured and taken to “bear jail.” After several days of incarceration, they’re taken out, tranquilized and blindfolded, in case they wake up too soon Then they’re air-lifted away to the wilderness. “What’s happening is we’ve had successive years where the sea ice in the bay has melted much earlier, so bears are coming ashore much earlier in poorer condition and coming into town more often,” said Geoff York, a polar bear expert and head of arctic species conservation for the World Wildlife Fund, which is leading research into the bear’s habits and habitats. It is backed by a $2 million grant from Coca-Cola. York said earth’s warming climate means it takes longer for the ice on Hudson Bay to form and it is thawing earlier meaning a shorter period when polar bears are be out on the ice, feeding. Without enough to eat, they may not last the summer. “Polar bears are definitely threatened, and they’re threatened by habitat that now is shrinking on both ends,” York said. They’re hungry because they haven’t had anything to eat since coming off the ice last July. And once again this year, the ice has been late forming. “We’re late getting them to their meal this year and they were early getting off. Their meal window is shrinking on both ends,” York said. To find out more on how to help the polar bears, go to the World Wildlife Fund and ArcticHome.com Click here to see a video clip Polar Bear in Churchill, Manitoba.

Happy Halloween!

Copy of Happy Halloween on Prezi

Red Ribbon Week

Monday:  Wear your shirt inside out!  "Drugs can make you inside out!"

Tuesday: Motivational Program @12:45 - “I Can, You Can, We Can “Can” Drugs!”  Bring a can of food to donate.

Wednesday:  “SOCK IT TO DRUGS!”  Wear your crazy socks & bring a pair of NEW socks to donate to our sister school.

Thursday: Spirit Rally - “Show Your School Spirit, Be Drug Free!” Wear your RCE t-shirt  or blue & orange.

Friday: “SAY BOO TO DRUGS!” Wear your Halloween T-shirt.

Challenge For This Week

Here is a new website to go out and try.  It is called Zooburst.  It is a website that allows you to create 3-Dimensional Pop Up Books.  I have had students create non-fiction books about birds and they have also created books from family vacations.

I have an account and for information on loggin in that will be sent to your email account. I will also share it with your parents. This is worth 10 tickets and you can trade in a night of reading for 20 minutes if you create one! Please make sure that you have the rights to use any photograph / picture - especially from the internet.  To be safe, use Picasa or Flickr to help find "royalty free" images.

Here is one that I created:

Few Things

Yearbook Ads

One of the most popular parts of the RCE yearbook is our dedication ads.  We have a limited number of ads to sell, so get yours in early!  Click here for details.  Deadline is Friday, October 28^th!

PTA announces the 2011-2012 Reflections theme:  DIVERSITY MEANS…

What is Reflections?  Reflections is a PTA sponsored art contest.  It gives our kids the opportunity to express their creativity in six different media categories: photography, visual arts, musical composition, literature, dance choreography, and film production, as well as the chance to compete at the local, district, state, and national level.  

Each entry must be an original work and “reflect” the theme “Diversity Means …”. 

PreK-2^nd grade compete in the Primary level.  3^rd-5^th grade compete in the Intermediate level. 

Interested in allowing your child to unleash their creativity in the PTA reflections contest?   Please review the general rules and specific guidelines for the media category before your child begins. Remember to complete an entry form.   Additionally, please complete a parental consent form for musical, dance or film entries.   Please see links on the right.

Deadline for entries: Friday, October 28, 2011 7.30am-2pm in the library. Please remember to bring each creative work with the necessary forms for participation.  We look forward to a diverse RCE art collection this year!

Thank you for your support,

Kym Dobby   kdobby@yahoo.com.au

Our Innisbrook fundraiser was a huge success!

Thank you to all of the generous parents, community members, and staff who participated!  RCE can continue to earn money year round.  Just visit www.innisbrook.com and shop the online store.  Items will ship to you and our school benefits if you enter our school #102734.  Your orders will be available for pick up in the KIVA during parent conferences on Thursday, Oct. 20 and Friday, Oct. 21.  Questions? Email Emily Wolf at emily.y.wolf@mac.com or Kate Cashin at kfcashin@gmail.com.

Comic Challenge

Parents,

Here is a challenge for your child to do over the weekend!  I sent it also to their email account but figured they may not check it this weekend.  J

Go to this website:  Body Depot

Read:  Viral Attack 

After you are done, then go and create your own comic to share about something you learned about Viruses.  :)

·         Comic Creator:  Read Write Think

·         Superhero Comic Creator:  Marvel Comic Creator

I think you will probably have to print this out (if they will not let you save it) or use a camera to take a picture of it for credit.

This is worth 10 tickets!!!

Have fun with it! 

2 - Digit Addition w/ Regrouping Lesson

What is your strategy?

Challenge For The Week

There is a very cool website out in the cyber world that allows children to create stories.  For 10 tickets, students can substitute one night of “read to self” for 20 minutes and create an electronic story to share!

http://storybird.com/

Login:  Trevinot     

Password:  Storybird

Here is one that I made:

Hedgie's World! on Storybird

How do we solve a problem?

Here is what my experts had to say....

Challenge For the Week:

Trading Card

www.bighugelabs.com

Kids can go and create a trading card on something that they are an “expert” in.  They may use Picaso, Flickr (if the picture is not copyright protected) or a photo that they have taken, or one taken by an adult.  Unfortunately, they may not use a picture with the file extensions: .gif, .png, .btm  It must be a: .jpg.

I have told them that they can either email me the trading card or print it out.  If they do so, they will earn 10 tickets!

Topic Writing

Parents, we have been consuming many books that are written about specific topics.   We have also been charting our “Noticing About the Convention of Non-Fiction”.  To help your child become more of an expert about 1 topic, I showed them how they could use the Encyclopedia to help them gather fast facts & connect to their “Use of Prior Knowledge.”

Here is a way that they may access it from home:

Library Resources 

Next, go to the Librarian’s “Power Page”: 

Click on Encyclopedia Britannica: http://school.eb.com/

Select Elementary!

Then, your child may enter a subject into the search box and start becoming an expert!

I have told them that whatever information they get, they need to give credit where credit is due.  So, please help me encourage them by reminding them to write down their source!  By the way, if they print it from the Print form – it automatically includes the MLA documentation!  J

Weather

We had such a wonderful time speaking with Mr. Anthony Yanez from Channel 2 News, KPRC Houston.  We learned many things and appreciate the time he spent with us answering our questions!

For today's weather forecast, you may visit: http://www.click2houston.com/_video-frame/29264840/index.html

Thanks again for taking the time to speak to us!

I will be posting a clip from today at a later time.  Stay tuned!!!

Problem Solving

Here are a few examples of the different types of strategies that we have been working on.  Have your child explain to you about why we need to have many different ways to solve a problem!

Constitution Day

Yesterday, the government celebrated our government's birthday.  We will be learning more about this on Monday, but for those kids who would like to jump on in and get ahead, I am offering an opportunity for them to earn tickets.

For 10 Tickets, watch the below movie:

 Then, respond to the questions (using Anonymous ID) in a comment below.  

Remember - only use your initials!!!

1.  What are the goals of our family?  (Example:  We the people of the __________ family, share the following goals....)

2.  What will the government of your family be like?  

3.  What responsibilities and rights does each family member hold?  (Example:  Our family government.....)

4.  What freedoms will the citizens of your family have?  (Example: Our family members will enjoy.....)

Few Things

I am looking forward to seeing everyone this upcoming Tuesday evening at our 2011 Back To School Night.  I will begin our discussion at 5:30.  Hopefully, everyone will be able to make it. 

Also, I have set up a “back channel” so that you can post some of those “burning” questions that you might have.  I will read them and try to provide answers for all of them either that night, or sometime that week.

http://www.todaysmeet.com/2ndRCE

 Don’t forget, I will have a conference schedule signup sheet so that you can select your preferred time.  As always, I can meet before school at 7:20 and during my planning time at 1:40.

We have some fun and exciting things that will happen this year – I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

If you are interested in volunteering in our classroom or even go on field trips, please fill out the volunteer form that our district provides.  I know this might seem like a hassle, but it really intended to keep your child safe at school! http://www.springbranchisd.com/partners/PART_DEV/volunteers/volunteers.htm

Lastly, I will wait on placing the book orders till Monday.  That will give those people who wanted to order, a few more days to submit it either on line or with the order form.

Weather Questions

For a challenge, you may:

• Create a Wordle of weather words
• Create an Animoto of different types of weather
• Answer these questions in the comment box below...

1. What is weather?
2. How does weather affect your life?
3. Can you explain what is happening with the weather in our community right now?
4. What weather changes would you make and why?
5. Which weather station would you recommend and why?  

QR Code Reader

This icon takes a person to my blog from any iPhone! How cool is that?

Wordle

• Describe yourself using 10 words and type them in a word document.

(Start / Programs / Microsoft Office / Microsoft Word)

When you have 2 words such as Ice Cream, type it: Ice~Cream.

~ Tilda (It tells the program to make a space there and it keeps the words together. To make it, press the shift key and the little key below the ESC button on the left hand side of the computer.)

• For words that you want to make big, copy and paste it several times.

• Save the word document into your folder.

(File / Save / My Computer / Poland / RCE / Theresa Trevino / Pick Up / Your Folder)

• Highlight all your words and right click / copy.

• Open the internet and type in: www.wordle.net

• Select Create

• In the white box, right click / paste.

• Select Go!

• To make a picture of it, Select CTRL Print Screen.

CTRL Print Screen (Takes a picture of what is displayed on your computer’s monitor.)

• Next, open up Microsoft PowerPoint.

(File / Programs / Microsoft PowerPoint)

• On the slide, right click / paste.

• You can choose the format tools and crop off the stuff that is around the Wordle. When you have finished, save!

(File / Save As / My Computer / Poland / RCE / Theresa Trevino / Pick Up / Your Folder)

• On the bottom part, Select: JPEG Interchange Format!

My Plate

	Balancing Calories
	●	Enjoy your food, but eat less.
	●	Avoid oversized portions.
	Foods to Increase
	●	Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
	●	Make at least half your grains whole grains.
	●	Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
	Foods to Reduce
	●	Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
	●	Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

SKYPE w/ Katie Kattner

Katie Kattner is a nutritionist for the district!  We had a wonderful opporutunity to SKYPE with her after Trish Schappell did Problem Solving Lesson on Wedensday.  We had a few technical "hic-cups" but the kdis really learned a lot! Here are a few things that we learned:
How many fruits and vegetables do we need to eat each day?

What kinds of foods should you have for breakfast?

What are some healthy foods?

How many calories are right for your body?

I cannot believe that tomorrow is already Friday.  Where has the time gone this week?  I crack up at some of the kids who are asking about homework and end up reminding them that this only the 4^th day of school!  LOL  J  So, if they come home and wish to do something extra, have them practice their math facts and read a book for 20 minutes.

Today was a very busy day!  First, we dove into preselected books which help guide a discussion on books that are Easy (E), Just Right (JR) and Challenging (CH). 

I shared with them a pretty cool APP today.  It is called:  Book Crawler. Book Crawler is a way to keep track of all the books one has read digitally.  It allows for the person to scan in the ISBN bar code.  When you do, it automatically comes up with all sorts of data.  Then, you can select the toggle switch to say that you own it.  You can also place a review on it.  There is a “lite” version that is free but only lets you enter up to 20 / 30 books.  I paid $1.99 for the full version.  It is just a cool way to see how many books one is reading and of what type of genre.  We have entered 4 so far – I am in hopes to see how many I actually read this year!

I also introduced Work on Writing with the kids.  I did some modeled writing about a pet Tarantula I had that escaped.  They even had the chance to see the “molting” of Tommy.  Then, we brainstormed an I Can Chart for this time during the Daily 5.  Here is what they said:

Work on Writing

I can…

·         Think of ideas;

·         Work quietly;

·         Do my best!

·         Concentrate!

·         Stay in one spot;

·         Get started right away;

·         Make up a story;

·         Write about something that has really happened;

·         Not worry about mispelled words;

·         Reread;

·         Include Backstory.

We successfully read for 10 minutes this morning and worked on writing for 5!

Here is a problem that we worked on in math:

Those who were finished, got to play a fun card game called Pirate.  I will place the instructions on our blog.

Paul Revere

He is one of our first heroes that we will be studying.  Just a recap to yesterdays and todays lesson:

• Lived from 1735 - 1818
• Born in Massachussettes
• He was a Silversmith
• He was a Patriot
• He warned the American Troops in 1775 that the English were planning to attack!

A Patriot are those Americans who wanted the colonies to be free from British rule.  Check out this small video clip about Paul Revere for more information:

 

Math

We had a special treat today! Trish Schappell came and discussed how to make a word problem using nutritional data from Subway.

The class discussed the importance of eating healthy and how to make better choices.



Steps in making the problem:

• Pick a sandwich or two.
• choose to use calories or fat grams.
• Write a question(?)
• Work the problem.
• Write the answer statement.

Here are some problems that the kids came up with:



I really enjoyed seeing their learning take off!

>Homework Ideas

Word Study:
From time to time, we have different activities that we do to help the children become familiar with their words. One of those things is to sort their words. Each Monday, your child will receive a copy of their words to take home. I will also do my best to email them to you. If I forget, please just remind me! Also attached are various Spelling Activities. Your child may select one of his / her choice to complete as their word study for the evening. I also have placed these words on www.spellingcity.com. You can search for it by teacher… i.e. Theresa Trevino

Green Group: Blue Book Sort 13
Red / Orange: Sort 13
Blue: Sort 25
Yellow: Sort 2

Reading:
Your child must practice their reading for at least 15 – 20 minutes a night. This includes having them read to you, or you reading to them. The idea is to practice and reflect. Also, double count that towards a popcorn party through the RCE Library Primary Reading Program. I sent home the “Passports” last week. If you can’t find yours, jot it all down and we can submit that! Those will be due October 31st!

Math Facts:
Also, for math facts, they can visit my blog and click on any of the links under my voki. They need to at least practice their math facts, as well as read, every night!

Scholastic Book Orders:
These went home today. You can either write a check made out to Scholastic or:
1. Go to www.scholastic.com
2. Create a login for yourself.
3. Class code: GQVZL

I hope you have a great week!

PGP Animoto Directions

1.  Take or find pictures to use in a video.
2.  You may use pictures off of Flickr.
3.  Ask your mom or dad if you have permission to upload family pictures.
4.  Animoto

annschwab@yahoo.com

5.  Create Movie
6.  Upload Pictures
7. Spotlight
8. Shuffle
9.  Add text
10.  Select Music
11. Click Done!

Do not delete anything!!!

4th Day of School

Parents,
I cannot believe that tomorrow is already Friday. Where has the time gone this week? I crack up at some of the kids who are asking about homework and end up reminding them that this only the 4th day of school! LOL  So, if they come home and wish to do something extra, have them practice their math facts and read a book for 20 minutes.


Today was a very busy day! First, we dove into preselected books which help guide a discussion on books that are Easy (E), Just Right (JR) and Challenging (CH).

I shared with them a pretty cool APP today. It is called: Book Crawler. Book Crawler is a way to keep track of all the books one has read digitally. It allows for the person to scan in the ISBN bar code. When you do, it automatically comes up with all sorts of data. Then, you can select the toggle switch to say that you own it. You can also place a review on it. There is a “lite” version that is free but only lets you enter up to 20 / 30 books. I paid $1.99 for the full version. It is just a cool way to see how many books one is reading and of what type of genre. We have entered 4 so far – I am in hopes to see how many I actually read this year!


I also introduced Work on Writing with the kids. I did some modeled writing about a pet Tarantula I had that escaped. They even had the chance to see the “molting” of Tommy. Then, we brainstormed an I Can Chart for this time during the Daily 5. Here is what they said:


Work on Writing
I can…


• Think of ideas;
• Work quietly;
• Do my best!
• Concentrate!
• Stay in one spot;
• Get started right away;
• Make up a story;
• Write about something that has really happened;
• Not worry about mispelled words;
• Reread;
• Include Backstory.


We successfully read for 10 minutes this morning and worked on writing for 5! :)


I am trying to introduce one way to solve a problem where they students try to "Make 10" with decomposing numbers.
We ended our day discussion what it was like to be a part of a community!

Pirate Game

In this game for three players, one student is the leader and the other two are the players. The two players each draw a card and, without looking at it, hold it up to their foreheads so that everyone else can see it. The leader announces the sum of the two cards. Each player must figure out which card is on his or her own forehead.

Second Day of School

Parents,


We had another wonderful day getting to know our expectations as a second grader.  We practiced Reading To Self  and made it to 7 minutes. WOO HOO! Remember, our goal is 20!  I’m so impressed with their motivation to become successful readers!

I also read to them the next three chapters of Because of Winn Dixie!  I believe they are HOOKED!

Lastly, we had conversations of what Scientist do and how they stay safe!  We ended our day with a surprise SKYPE session with Mr. Schwab (who happens to be my father).  He is a Geologist.  J 
Click on the links below to see some the videos (I apologize in advance of the quality... I was giving "Jing" a try!  Next time, I will revert back to using my digital camera to record short video clips!):

• http://screencast.com/t/iguQlgsBQic
• http://screencast.com/t/ztUYsqJ8vFzK 
• http://screencast.com/t/8ybBKqm9qs

Make sure you check them out and I would love for you to leave a comment if possible!

This was such a great day!  Thanks!

Welcome - First Day of School

Dear Parents,

Today was just great!  We started off the day by playing a name game and by sharing things about ourselves.  We also wrote about our family.  Most importantly, we spent time establishing routines of the Daily 5 (Reading and Writing Program) and practicing the first part of the program.  We created our first chart for: 

Ways we choose books…

·         Find one that is part of a series;

·         By looking at the front cover;

·         Making sure it is Just Right for me;

·         Personal Connections;

·         Genre;

·         Books that are also movies;

·         Recommended by your teacher / friend;

·         Book you have heard out loud;

·         By trying the beginning to see if we like it!

To help build our stamina (the maximum goal for this is 20 minutes – which allows for me to pull small groups for guided reading , word study, etc.) for reading, we spent time discussing what it meant to read to just ourselves!  Here is what we decided as a class for Working on reading.

Working on Reading

I can:

·         Concentrate!

·         Read quietly to must myself;

·         Select books out of my book box;

·         Read anywhere in the room;

·         Take care of my needs before we begin;

·         Select books that are Just Right for me;

·         Stay in my area and read!

·         Giggle inside my head;

·         Wait to share interesting things with my friend;

·         Shop for books first thing when I come to class.

Also, we tried to solve a word problem together and a few kids shared their ways in solving the below problem.

Our wonderful day ended with Health Fitness and Art!  I cannot believe that it flew by so quick!

Obviously, I will not be giving you a play by play scenario every day, but I definitely wanted you to be able to have conversations about the first day of school!  J Thank you for sharing your wonderful kids with me!

Welcome!

Dillard's iPad2 Contest / Sweepstakes!

http://www.dillards.com/content/BackToSchool?splashlink=dd_c_promolink_bts_080511

Macy's 5th Annual Spelling Bee

I hope your summer is going great! I can't believe that it has gone by SO quickly! I came across this contest in the Houston Chronicle and I wanted to pass it on. It is a Spelling Bee hosted by Macy's.

The local Spelling Bee will take place on August 28 in the Woodlands. I'm not sure how many kids enter - but thought maybe it would be cool to see some Roadrunners on stage! If your child does enter - please let me know! I'd love to come out and show some support! :)

Here is what I grabbed off of their website:

The winner of each local spelling bee will receive a year of online learning from Kaplan Tutoring, a $150 Scholastic online gift card, and a trip to New York City to compete in the finals at Macy's Herald Square on Sunday, September 26th! The Grand Prize winner receives a $5,000 Kaplan Tutoring Scholarship and a $500 Scholastic online gift card.

To find out more about this, please click on the below link:

Macy's 5th Annual Spelling Bee

Hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this next year!

www.storybird.com

This is a very cool website that I have learned about! I encourage your child to play on it and create something that he / she can share with their class next year!

Hedgie's World! on Storybird

Bullies

Parents, sooner or later our children are faced with situations that we only hope never happens. To be bullied, is one of my personal fears for children of today! Here are 2 videos that I wanted to pass on. It seems like the biggest role a parent can play, is to have many conversations that entail placing oneself in the shoes of another!

My Kid Would Never Bully

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Update: My Kid Would Never Bully

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Field Day Movie

Field Day

We had so much fun last week!  I think this was one of the best field days (besides last year) we have every had!  Thank you Mrs. Snelling for organizing it!  It was awesome!

Movie will follow soon!

Click here to see some pictures that I took from Field Day!

Arizona State University - We Thank You!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Jesse Jones Field Trip (62 photos), by theresa trevino

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Jesse Jones Nature Center

We learned so much on our field trip! Here are some short video clips of what we discovered about a single family homestead during the pioneer days:

You can also visit their website at: www.hcp4.net/jones/ for more information!

Question for Dr. Pearson

What type of beetle is this?

Student Treasure Books

a.k.a. Stories From Our Hearts is now available for reorders. Please visit their website at: www.askformybook.com

Each book is $19.95 + $2.95 s/h
Buy more than one book and we'll ship the rest of your books FREE!
Coupon Code: mykid1
PIN# 972778