Spelling Bee

Our class Spelling Bee champion is Jaden Jordan.  He will be representing our class on Wednesday at the school Spelling Bee.  Good luck Jaden!!

This weekend students need to study their Science review sheet.  We will have a test on Tuesday.

Thank you to Mrs. Valdez and Mrs. Powell for shopping for and planning our Christmas party!!

On Friday morning, the kids will be enjoying some hot cocoa.  Please send a coffee cup/mug next week with your child. 

In January, we will be writing a poem about snowflakes and making a snowflake craft out of qtips.  Can one parent send in a box of qtips for us to use?  Thanks!!

Last Saturday the UIL competition was held and the students found out on Wednesday how they did.  I'm so proud of my medal and ribbon winners!  Great job...Charlie, Jaden, Griffin, Brooke, Taylor, Olivia, George, and Elizabeth !!

Many students have ordered a Kids and Cops tshirt.  We will accept orders until next Friday.  The tshirt is $10.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Field Day

Now is the time to start crossing your fingers that it doesn't rain on Tuesday's Field Day activities.  I think we can deal with the cold, but not rain!  Students should wear their pink class shirts.

Tuesday is also the last day for students to earn Free Dress for November.  Right now, only 10 members of our class have qualified.  Many kids are very close with only a few more points to go to reach the 10 point goal.  Keep reading!!  Please encourage your children to read every single night.

On December 5th, the Reading Jr. High band will be visiting with the kids.  They will learn about the different types of instruments and be able to hear from the band director.  He will also be telling them about the band program.

The winners of the school turkey vote will be announced on Monday.  Here is a picture of our class turkeys.

On a personal note, I am proud to announce that my daughter, Meredith, has been accepted to Baylor!  She will be attending in the fall.  It really doesn't seem possible that she is 17 and will be graduating high school.  Our babies really do grow up so fast! 

 

 

I hope that you and your families have a memorable and wonderful Thanksgiving.  It is one of my favorite holidays!  Please respond in email with your child's favorite Thanksgiving dinner food.  Mine is my mom's cornbread dressing...YUM!

The turkeys are coming!!

Students will need to bring in their turkey projects by Monday.  We will vote for our top winners in the class.  The winners from each 5th grade class will be on display in the front of the school.  All Dickinson Dolphins are able to vote on their favorite turkeys for a quarter per vote.  I'm looking forward to seeing the creativity of my fabulous fifth graders!

Students need to bring a small picture of a nonfiction text feature cut out from a magazine or newspaper by Monday.  The picture is worth 2 Dojo points!!! 

The Fall Book Fair is next week!  Monday night is the only night that you will be able to shop.  You can come shop until 7:00 p.m.  Other days, the students may bring their $$ to shop during designated times of our school day.

All students need to be working on the www.thinkthroughmath.org  site each week.  These are STAAR type math questions that each student needs practice in.

Have you heard of Edmodo? Edmodo is designed to get students excited about learning in a familiar environment. On Edmodo, teachers can continue classroom discussions online, give polls to check for student understanding, and award badges to individual students based on performance or behavior. I have signed up all students.  The website is absolutely secure.  It will be only between the students and myself.  They will not communicate with other people outside of our class, nor can anyone else communicate with them.  I have used this website in the past to assign projects, quizzes, etc. to the kids.  If you have concerns, please click on this link https://www.edmodo.com/about/  Of course, please email me as well.  Students will need to use edmodo each week at home. 

Tomorrow night is our Chick-Fil-A night.  Students that come between 5 - 7 AND sign in, will get a homework pass!  5th grade teachers will be there with a sign in sheet! 

5th grade t-shirts

T-shirt order forms will be sent home tomorrow.  (look for a neon orange paper)  We are getting the t-shirt designed and know the kids will LOVE the design.  Please send cash only ($12) by October 22nd.

Today in the computer lab the kids took a reading pretest in a program called Istation.  The program is for students in grades 3-8 and is a wonderful and beneficial resource.  Your child will be able to access it only at home.  The information is coming home tomorrow on a yellow sheet.  Usernames and passwords are  attached to the downloading directions. 

There is also a similar Math program for grades 3-8.  Both programs reinforce STAAR Test skills.  Information and usernames and passwords will be sent home on Monday.  Students are expected to practice the Reading and Math at home.

If students are submitting entries to the yearbook cover contest, the deadline is Friday, October 18th.

Please make plans to attend the Monster Mash on October 26th.  This is a wonderful fundraiser and a fun way to support our school. 

What is your child's favorite Halloween candy?  Write the answer in tonight's agenda for a free DOJO point! 

Yay!!  My first blog of the year!  Sorry, that I have not been keeping up with this!  I promise I will get better.

Many children have expressed an interest in UIL events.  5th graders are eligible to  compete in Spelling, Music Memory, Art, Oral Reading, Listening, Maps/Charts/Graphs, Dictionary Skills, and Number Sense.  Students will need to sign up by Thursday after noon if they are interested.  Students may try out for more than one event, but may only compete in one event.  The competition will be December 7th.

Have you joined the PTO?  Dues are only $10 per family.  Please help support our school.

A new book order is coming home next Monday.  You can order from the paper copy and sent it to me or online from Scholastic . The code for our class is GXH2B. 

It's always fun to solve Math problems with a partner!  Here are a few pictures of some partnerships:

A note from Ms. Harden:

GT Program Parent Information Meeting

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

6:00 pm

Lamar HS Cafeteria

4606 Mustang Ave.

Rosenberg, TX 77471

This meeting is for both parents of children recently identified as G/T and for parents interested in nominating their child for testing this spring.

End of the year dates

Wow!  It's hard to believe that there are only 26 days of school left!  There is still so much I want to teach and share with your precious children and time is running out.  I am definitely ready physically for summer...sleeping late is something I loooove, but mentally I am just not ready to let my babies go!! 

Here are several dates to keep in mind as we reach the end of school:
May 2 - Progress Reports
May 3 - Crazy Hair day $1
May 6 - 10 Book Fair
May 10 - Mother's Day Tea
May 13 - Pictures due to Lisa Watson
May 17 - Last day of AR for end of the year recognition
May 21 - 5th grade AR Celebration - 125 points
May 24 - last day of AR for Splash Day 100 points
May 24 - all books due to library
May 24 - Talent Show
May 30 - Scholar Dollar Day
May 31 - Award's Ceremony at 9:00 - 11:00
May 31 - 5th grade Celebration at 1:15
June 3 - Splash Day (volunteers needed)
June 5 and 6 - Early Release at 12:45

On Friday, May 10th you will need to check in at the office before coming to the gym for our Mother's Day Celebration.  We will begin promptly at 8, so please arrive before 7:45.  Don't forget to bring your kleenex!! 

Talent Show information came home yesterday on a blue sheet.  If your child is trying out, I must have the permission slip.

Also yesterday a form came home with a request for pictures.  Please email Lisa Watson (or send your photos to me) of your child in Kindergarten and one from this year.  It doesn't need to be a school picture.  The pictures will be put into a slide show that will be played at the Award's Ceremony.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Students have been asking me what I would Iike.  Please NO Kit Kats.  I love them, but I have sooo many in my freezer from Valentine's Day.  I will deeply appreciate gift cards to restaurants, stores or the movies.  Also, the following supplies would be appreciated:
markers
glue sticks
Astrobright paper
pack of CD's (to burn pictures on)

Kindergarten registration is this week.  If you know of any up and coming kindergartner's please have the parents register this week! 

Picture Money due Friday

If you are ordering your child's individual pictures, the $ is due on Friday, April 12th.

We are in review mode for our Science STAAR test on April 24th.  Can I have some volunteers send in packages of Oreo cookies (not double stuffed), bags of pretzels, M&M's, powered lemonade, and Chex Mix?  We will be using these items to review a few science objectives. Please send me an email if you can send one of the items.  Thanks!!

Scholar Day is on May 30th.  Hopefully, your child has been working on his/her items.  Don't wait until the last minute!

Mark your calendars for Polly Ryon Middle Orientation - August 8th (5-7 pm), and Open House will be on September 5th (6-7:30 pm)

On Monday, April 15th we will have a dedication for our dearly departed Nurse Sandra.  We have ordered a bench in her memory and the Dedication Ceremony will be at 3:00.  She is greatly missed by the staff and by so many students!!

Our Mother's Day Tea is on May 10th.  You don't want to miss this special 5th grade event!! It will be in the morning.  I will let you know of the specific time later. 

 

 

STAAR testing

Our STAAR Math and Reading tests are in 2 weeks!  gasp !!! We have been working very hard to prepare and review all objectives.  There are some things that you can do at home to prepare as well.  Please talk to your child about the importance of doing their best on the tests, without stressing them out too much!  Students must pass the Reading and Math STAAR in order to be promoted to 6th grade.  If by chance, they do not pass the April 2 or 3 test, round 2 is in May, then round 3 is in the summer.  Students will need to get to bed early the night before the tests.  Please try to keep the morning of the tests as calm as possible and feed your child a healthy breakfast such as eggs/sausage/juice/fruit or pancakes/bacon/milk.  Sugary cereals or donuts are not a good idea.  Also, I am asking each of you to write an encouraging note (or you can do 2 if you want since we have 2 days of testing) to your student.  Please send the note(s) to school next week in an envelope and I will have the note on their desk the morning of the test.  I did this last year, and the students really enjoyed and were inspired by the sweet notes from their parents. 

March 27th is the last day of the month to earn AR points for free dress.  Some students are still doing a fantastic job of reading and taking tests.   Please monitor your child's reading progress.

Friday is Pajama Day.  Students are encouraged to bring $1, a jar of peanut butter, jelly, or baggies in support of Lunches of Love.  A few students have brought in all 4 of the above items...awesome!


We will be participating in the Skeeters Reading Program.  Students will keep a log of 4 books that they have read.  Each student will have a bookmark to keep track of their books.  I will sign the bookmark each time a book is read and students will earn a free ticket to a Skeeters game.

Biography Night

Well, Biography Night was a huge success.  The students' efforts and creativity was astounding.  We hope that your child had fun AND learned something new!

Friday is Spring Picture Day.  Students may wear the outfit of their choice for their picture.  Please remember, girls, no tank tops or spaghetti strap shirts and shorts and skirts must be the appropriate length.

All money raised for Math-A-Thon is due on Friday.  Thank you to the students who are participating in this worthwhile fundraiser.

Students will be required to write an essay for our Kids and Cops program.  The essay will be written at home and due on March 25th.  The requirements of the essay are:
* 4 paragraphs
*introduction paragraph
*paragraph on how choosing to do drugs can affect family and friends
*paragraph on why it's important to stay drug free
*conclusion paragraph
The paper may be typed or handwritten and at least 1 page long, but no longer than 2 pages.

Pajama day will be on March 22nd.  Several 5th grade students bought a spot at the 5th grade breakfast for that morning.  We still have a few spots left.  If your child would like to attend, please send me an email.  The cost is $20.

Rodeo Roundup

Our Rodeo Roundup is on Saturday, February 23rd.  Please send checks for wristbands, dinner tickets, etc in the envelope that was provided to your child last week.  Also, we are in need of donations of baked goods for the Cake Walk.  Please refer to the flyer that will be sent home on Tuesday in Dolphin Folders.  I hope to see you all there on Saturday night!!

In preparation for Rodeo Roundup, students will be able to wear western wear on Friday.
All biography projects are due on Tuesday, February 19th.  Students will present their projects to parents and family members on Thursday night in the gym at 6 o'clock.  I am really looking forward to seeing their projects and their creativity when they dress up for Thursday night!!

Students were given a note today on bright yellow paper regarding drop off/pick up procedures.  If you drop off your child or pick up your child in the afternoon, please follow the directions in  the letter.  I'm sure none of you is a culprit, but it appears that we've been having some controversy ....

On Thursday, February 21st we are participating in "Go Houston Texan Day".  Students will be able to wear a Houston Texans jersey or tshirt.  (Texans only...no other team)

In preparation for Rodeo Roundup, students will be able to wear western wear on Friday.

6th grade course selection

This morning the 5th grade students heard a presentation from the new principal at Polly Ryon, the 6th grade counselor at Reading, and Mr. Nava, the current principal of Reading.  Each student received a course selection paper, which is due on February 22.  EVERY student will be required to complete the form and turn it in, regardless of where he/she will be attending school next year.  The electives for next year were discussed.  However, if a student does not make 110% on STAAR, the elective will be Math/Reading improvement.  On February 12th at 6:30 there will be a parent informational meeting at Reading regarding electives and procedures at Polly Ryon.

Feb. 15th is our Valentine Party!! It will be from 10:00-11:00 because this is an Early Release day at 11:30. Your child will be given a note with all their classmate's names and instruction for our Valentines. Please send $5 to help pay for the supplies for our party. If you would like to help with the party, please send me an email. I appreciate all the parents who can come and make our party extra special!!

 

February 18th (Monday) is a school holiday while teachers attend staff development.

Feb. 19th (Tuesday) - Biography Projects are due at school - Students are printing their report at school to bring home and mount on their project board. Timelines may be done at home along with one hand drawn picture and two other pictures. Please refer to project handout for specific instructions.

February 21st (Thursday) at 6:00 is 5th Grade Biography Night at Dickinson. Come and see your child shine as they dress the part of their person they researched. The students are so proud of showing their projects!!

February 23rd (Saturday) is our second annual Rodeo Roundup/Go Texan Day at Dickinson from 5:00-8:00. A flyer went home about this last week. Today students are receiving an envelope with the prices for the activities at the rodeo.  (dinner, dance, games)  We hope to see you there!

My students are quickly accumulating scholar dollars for following directions, taking pride in assignments, random acts of kindness, etc. Have they discussed what they want to create for Scholar Dollar Day? Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Scholar Dollar Day.

 

The donation of shoes for Foster High School was overwhelming!!  My trunk was absolutely filled with shoes...I could not have put another pair in my trunk.  Thank you so much to Harrison K., Lexi, Melanie, Jaxon, Sean, Harrison E., Riley, Aayush, Cody, and Adam for their donations!!

Thank you for your continued support of Dickinson Elementary School!!

Finally...some pictures!

This is Cody and his winning entry for the rodeo art contest.  Congratulations Cody !!

Here are some great pictures from our field trip to Minute Maid Park: 

Tomorrow a letter is coming home regarding Scholar Dollar Day.  Please sign it and fill it out this week.  All students were told about the Scholar Day items and directions before Christmas.  

Report cards come home on Thursday.  Please keep the report card, sign the envelope and return the envelope and sticker card by Monday.

Some parents have ordered books from Scholastic online...thank you!  All orders are due on Thursday.

I will not be at school on Friday.  I am going to Austin on Thursday night for the Texas Classroom Teachers' Association Convention.   I will be hearing about the latest legislation regarding education and also will have the opportunity to meet with state representatives. 

Please remember to sign your child's agenda each night and every weekend.  

Have a wonderful week!!

Biography projects

Yesterday when we went to the library, students chose a biography to read.  A couple of students requested to go to the George Memorial Library to check out a book, which is fine.  However, the book must be checked out this weekend and brought to school on Monday.  We WILL begin working on their reports on Monday and students must have the book.  More information will be coming home on Monday regarding the project. This weekend would be a good time to go to Office Depot or Max, Hobby Lobby or Target and buy a trifold project board.  The entire project will be due on February 19th. 

Cody was chosen as one of the school winners for the rodeo art contest. 


We will have a math test on Thursday over Chapter 11.

We had alot of fun on our field trip.  We went to several areas of Minute Maid Park like down on the field and the kids got to sit in the visitors dugout.  Our tour guide took us to the press room and one of the suites.  The tour was very interesting...we learned quite alot of information about the ball park and about how bats and baseballs are made.  After the tour, we all had a picnic lunch right outside the ballpark.  Thank goodness the weather was perfect and the kids had fun jumping rope and just running around!  Our plan was to then walk to Discovery Green and "play" there, but with all the rain we have had, the grass was just too muddy.  Thank you to all my parents who accompanied us on the trip. 

Please have the students bring their pennies and other small change beginning Monday.  The student council is beginning our Pennies for Patients fundraiser to raise money for the Leukemia Society.  Last year our extremely generous Dickinson families sent in over $6000!!