Learning Objectives - Week 14

Reading:

I can describe common organizational structures, including sequence, descriptive, compare/contrast, cause/effect, and problem/solution.

Writing:

I can plan and write an expository composition.

Social Studies:

I can apply what I've learned about the regions of Texas to understand the impact of geography on different American Indian shelters in Texas.

This week:  

• Reading log - Read 20 minutes each night (checked on Monday)
• No Grammar practice homework this week
• Words Their Way Spelling words - Practice on SpellingCity App or Spelling City - Test on Friday
• Monday - Scholars will sort their words and receive practice lists. 
• Friday - Test will include 10 words from the practice list and 4 mystery words that follow the spelling pattern.
• Students will sort their words into categories as part of the test.

Field Trip - Bureau of Engraving and Printing and Republic Recycling Center

Our field trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Republic Recycling Center in Fort Worth was a great success! Scholars made connections to the value and use of our natural resources and observed the engineering that goes behind the robots that do the work at the sites. 

Before we went into the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, students were reminded to take "mental pictures" and to really think about everything that they would learn about the process of engraving and printing paper currency because cameras would not be permitted inside. 

At the Recycling Center, students observed and learned about the several steps and that the machinery completes in sorting the recyclable materials!

Family STEM Night

It was great to see everyone at Family STEM Night. If you were unable to attend, please be sure to ask your scholar about the stream tables that they created in Science as well as their American Indian tribe research, pottery, Texas region that their tribe lived in, and their tribe's shelter design! 

American Indian Tribe Research

Scholars have been applying what they've learned about the regions of Texas to understand the impact of geography on different American Indian tribes and how they lived in Texas. Their work will be showcased tonight at Family STEM Night!

Learning Objectives - Week 13

Reading:

I can describe the change the characters undergo and explain how it supports the theme/central idea.

Writing:

I can plan and write an expository composition.

Social Studies:

I can apply what I've learned about the regions of Texas to understand the impact of geography on different American Indian shelters in Texas.

This week:  

• Reading log - Read 20 minutes each night (checked on Monday)
• Grammar practice homework - Due on Friday
• Words Their Way Spelling words - Practice on SpellingCity App or Spelling City - Test on Friday
• Monday - Scholars will sort their words and receive practice lists. 
• Friday - Test will include 10 words from the practice list and 4 mystery words that follow the spelling pattern.
• Students will sort their words into categories as part of the test.

Thanksgiving Cards

We are so excited to partner with GRACE to provide student-written and illustrated holiday cards for their senior citizens. Scholars put so much energy and creativity into creating Thanksgiving cards, and they turned out great! 

A Week in Picture Books

This week, scholars read and analyzed character traits, relationships, changes, and themes in Emily's Blue Period by Cathleen Daly, a Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) book. In the story, Emily wants to be an artist and is especially interested in the works of Pablo Picasso. As she faces new situations in her life, she goes through a "mixed up" stage, a "blue period," and eventually finds peace through her artistic expression by creating a collage.

From this story, scholars read another TBA book, a autobiographical piece entitled The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life by Lois Ehlert. They used this book as well as a Blendspace as inspiration to create collage-like Thanksgiving cards for senior citizens. Look for a post about their final products early next week!

Finally, scholars read Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert and completed the October STEM Book of the Month Challenge!

This month, classrooms were challenged to submit their BEST leaf raft design to Mrs. Berumen. Scholars designed a sustainable raft to hold as many marbles as possible! Structures could be no more than 6 inches in length and could only be made out of the approved materials: leaves, twigs, string, and Elmer's glue. After a morning of thoughtful planning, a team of students created one raft for each learning group. They will be tested by Ms. Berumen soon!

Veteran's Day Assembly

In observance of Veteran's Day, our Cannon scholars attended and participated in an assembly to honor and thank veterans for their service. Students sang songs, waved the flag of each branch of the military, and listened to several veterans share about their experiences and what being a veteran means to them. Thank you to all of the veterans who have served and to those who were able to attend or speak at today's assembly!