Week of September 25th-29th

Hello TCE families! We had a busy week last week that ended with a fabulous Special Friends' Day and Fall Family Picnic! Thank you to everyone who took time out of your busy schedules to join us. Also, thank you to the wonderful Room Moms that helped organize and set up for Special Friends' Day!

Things Happening at TCE:

CGA Writing Competition: The fourth graders have an opportunity to participate in this annual event. Here is a little information about the competition. 

- FREE for CISD students to enter.

- Open for any student in grades 4-12.

- Deadline of December 8, 2017.
- Categories: STORY and POETRY
- Rules are available at coppellgifted.org.

Parent Teacher Conferences:  This week, homeroom teachers will be sending out a link for you all to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences. Most of our conferences will be taking place on Friday, October 6th. The learners will not have school on this day, but will be invited to join us during their individual conference time. 

Curriculum Tidbits:

Learners have started receiving graded assignments in most subject areas. We ask our learners to put their graded assignments in their green Take Home Folder once they receive them. Hopefully, your child has taken these home and shared them with you.

Math:

We are finishing up our Place Value of Whole Numbers unit with a Place Value Project that incorporates all the components we have been learning about in math. The learners will take a post assessment over the unit this week. Then, we will take our knowledge of Place Value a bit further by learning about decimals, including the tenths and hundredths place.

Science:

In science, we will begin learning about Force, Motion, and Energy. The learners will begin the week learning about a scientist that works in the Force, Motion, and Energy field. They will then start investigation different types of energy using online investigations and hands on investigations.

ELAR:

In reading, we will continue to practice strategies for monitoring and adjusting comprehension when we read. We will also begin to set expectations for reading conferences.

In writing, we will continue to explore the Six Traits of Writing.

Social Studies:

In social studies, we will continue our study on the different regions in Texas. The learners will also begin their study on Native Americans.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog post. If you have any questions, please feel free to email your child's homeroom teacher!

Updates - August 27th

We had a really outstanding first week of school! We have loved getting to know our new fourth graders, and we are looking forward to a really fantastic year. 

Important Reminders & Updates

Family Pictures
As a reminder, we would like for each fourth grader to share a picture of his/her family. You may send in a printed picture or you may email a copy of a picture to your child's teacher. 

Google Calendar
You may have noticed that we have a Google Calendar embedded at the top of this blog. We will keep this calendar updated with important dates throughout the year, so please be sure to check it whenever you visit our blog. 

Upcoming Events 

Curriculum Night

Town Center Curriculum Night will be this Thursday, August 31st from 6:30-7:30 in the TCE Library. During Curriculum Night, we will share a short presentation that will cover important curriculum details and procedures for the year. We would love it if you could be there! We will also share our presentations on this blog next week, so if you are unable to make it to Curriculum Night, we will still be able to share the information with you. 

What's Happening in Fourth Grade
This week, we will continue to set up procedures for the classroom, including workshop, mini-lessons, and independent work time. 

If you are interested in seeing pictures and updates from inside our classrooms, please take a minute to visit our Twitter Accounts. You may also search the hashtag #tce4th on Twitter to see posts from all five of us. 

What's Happening at TCE

Safety Reminders
Our principal, Dr. Applegate, sent an email with some important safety reminders for TCE, which we are including here as well. 

As we start each school year, I ask that you please review the safety items below. Safety is a high priority for our campus and we appreciate you all doing your part to help ensure our whole school community is looking out for one another each day.   

• Please make sure that you always are using the crosswalks in the front and back loops when walking your child across our driveways into school.  There is a teacher stationed at the crosswalks with a stop sign from 7:20am-7:35am and 3:05p-3:15p.
• Also, please avoid parking anywhere that might block another vehicle in (such as along a curb in the front parking lot) and only use the front and back loops for dropping off. (single lane drop off only, not double lane)  
• If you are dropping your child off in the parking lot, you must park your car in a space and walk them to the crosswalk.  Then we will help to cross them.  If you are late and our crossing guards are no longer there, you must park, get out of your car and walk your child across.  

• Please do not stop your vehicle in the traffic loops to get out of your car as this can become a danger to other cars as well as create a block in our flow of traffic. Our front loop is designated for Kinder-2nd grade and our back, cafeteria loop is for 3rd-5th grade pick up and drop off.

School Supplies & Grade Level T-Shirts

• If you would like to order a grade level t-shirt for your son or daughter, you may order them online at https://towncenterpto.membershiptoolkit.com/. You will need to register for PTO before you will be able to order a shirt. 
• If you still need to order school supplies, you may also order from the same link (above). 
• If your son or daughter already has supplies, but still needs an agenda, earbuds, or a recorder, they may buy those from the front office. 

We really appreciate you taking a few minutes to read our blog post. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your son or daughter's homeroom teacher. Our emails are below: 

• mpeccarelli@coppellisd.com
• kseifert@coppellisd.com
• mnatherson@coppellisd.com
• jltaylor@coppellisd.com
• hbass@coppellisd.com 

Last Week Updates!

We cannot believe that it is the last week of school! This school year has flown by, and we have loved getting to know our students. Please read this quick post with a few important announcements for the last week of school. 

Important Announcements

Lunch Menu Change

• Mrs. Star has asked us to share the following menu changes with you:
• Tuesday, May 31 - Nachos with Chili & Cheese or Nachos with Veggie Chili & Cheese Or Yogurt Plate With veggies, fruit and milk
• Wednesday, June 1 - Slice Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza or Cheese Pizza Stixx or Yogurt Plate With veggies, fruit and milk
• Thursday, June 2 - Hamburger or Yogurt Plate With veggies, fruit and milk

Last Week/Early Dismissal

• We will have a regular schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday. 
• Our last day of school will be Thursday, June 2nd, and the learners will have early dismissal at 12:50 PM. On this day, we will have a modified schedule, and the learners will have the chance to eat lunch at school or to wait and eat once they get home. 
• Your son/daughter will receive their report card on Thursday, June 2nd. 

Summer Learning

• We have created a short presentation with ideas and resources for summer learning for our kids. Many parents have asked us for ideas about what the kids can work on over the summer, so we assembled this list. It is optional and more for you than for us.  
• Summer Learning Presentation

Library Updates

• If you have any questions regarding overdue books or fines, please encourage your son/daughter to speak to Mrs. Montgomery about it, or you may reach out to her at amontgomery@coppellisd.com. 

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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We hope that all of our Fourth Grade Families have a relaxing and enjoyable summer, and we look forward to seeing you all again in August. Please feel free to keep in touch with us over the summer via email. 

Updates: Week 33

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.  There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

STAAR Testing

• We will take our Math STAAR on May 9th and Reading STAAR May 10th.
• As a reminder, we will not be able to have any visitors on the building on these two days. 

Field Trip

• As you know, we will be going to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History on May 18th. 
• Please click this link for more information regarding our field trip. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding our trip.

Spring Conferences

• We are still in the process of scheduling conferences for those of you that requested a conference (face to face, email, and phone). Thank you for being flexible with our schedules as we set up these conferences! We are doing our best to get back to everyone in a timely and efficient matter. 

Library Updates

• Mrs. Montgomery has shared these important dates with our learners, but we wanted to share them with you as well. 
• Friday, May 13 - last day for students to check out books
• Friday, May 20 - all library books due
• If you have any questions regarding overdue books or fines, please encourage your son/daughter to speak to Mrs. Montgomery about it, or you may reach out to her at amontgomery@coppellisd.com. 
• Also, we will have an author's visit on Monday, May 23rd. Author Candace Fleming will be coming to speak to our TCE Texans. For more informaiton, see this link. Learners will be coming home with book order forms this week, so be on the look out. 

Recorder Program

• Our fourth grade recorder program will be Tuesday, May 24th. We will have a morning performance at 8:30 and an evening performance at 6:00. 
• The fourth graders will need to be at school at 5:45 pm on the evening of the performance. 
• Mrs. Garrett has asked that the learners wear jeans and their orange grade level t-shirt. 

Upcoming Dates

• Friday, May 6th - Mother's Day Marathon
• Monday, May 9th - Math STAAR
• Tuesday, May 10th -  Reading STAAR
• Friday, May 13th - Last Texan Town of the Year
• Wednesday, May 18th - Field Trip
• Friday, May 20th - Field Day
• Monday, May 23rd - Author's Visit 
• Tuesday, May 24th - Recorder Concert (AM and PM) 
• Thursday, May 26th - Holiday Coupon: A Movie & Popcorn
• Monday, May 30th - No School/Memorial Day
• Thursday, June 2nd - Last Day of School

Character Education
The citizenship quality for May is patience. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, the learners are investigating the different parts of lines, types of angles, and how these relate to the geometric shapes. The learners are also being given the opportunity to choose which units they think they need the most practice in to review for the STAAR test next week. 

In science, the learners will continue investigating in our life science unit. They will be learning how organisms change in appearance throughout their life cycle, and how organisms live, grow, and respond to their environments. 

Language & Literacy

In reading, we have been working through some fun and exciting nonfiction reading stations. The learners have enjoyed learning a bunch of new facts and sharing them with their peers. We've also been focusing on reviewing reading content vocabulary with a variety of games in class. 

In writing, we've been focusing on writing poetry. The learners investigated four types of poetry: haiku, diamante, cinquain, and limerick, and they are each writing their own poems in class.

We have also reintroduced weekly spelling lists after a short break in April. This week the learners are learning Greek word parts, and they'll learn about Latin roots the week after next.  

Social Studies

In Social Studies, we're exploring the successes and challenges that the Republic of Texas faced after the Texas Revolution. The learners will explore the reasons for annexation and the Mexican and American War. 

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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates: Week 31

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.  There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

Field Trip

• As you know, we will be going to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History on May 18th. 
• Please click this link for more information regarding our field trip. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding our trip. 

STAAR Testing

• We will take our Math STAAR on May 9th and Reading STAAR May 10th. 

Spring Conferences

• We do not get a designated day for spring conferences like we do in the fall, but we will be able to offer conference times (either face to face or via phone/email) to those that are interested. 
• We sent home conference interest forms last week, and we requested that they be returned by Monday, April 18th. However, due to the fact that we received so few of them back, we've extended the deadline to Tuesday, April 19th. Even if you are not interested in a conference, please let us know because we want to be sure we've given everyone a chance to have a conference. Thank you for your help & support with this. 

Engineering Extravaganza 

• Our annual Engineering Extravaganza will be this Thursday, April 21st from 5:30-7:00. Our TCE teachers will be leading a variety of stations that highlight different engineering skills and tasks. We think it will be a lot of fun, and we hope you and your family can make it. 

Upcoming Dates

• Thursday, April 21 - Engineering Extravaganza 
• Friday, April 22 - Spring Spirit Run
• Friday, April 29th - Holiday Coupon: A Picnic Outside for Lunch
• Friday, May 6th - Mother's Day Marathon
• Monday, May 9th - Math STAAR
• Tuesday, May 10th -  Reading STAAR
• Friday, May 20th - Field Day
• Tuesday, May 24th - Recorder Concert (AM and PM) 
• Thursday, May 26th - Holiday Coupon: A Movie & Popcorn

Character Education
The citizenship quality for April is Effort. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, the learners are investigating the different parts of lines, types of angles, and how these relate to the geometric shapes. 

In science, the learners are participating in an engineering experience where they get to work collaboratively to create a hot air balloon. They will be investigating the different parts of ecosystems. 

Language & Literacy

In reading, we will focus on nonfiction texts this week. Learners will be able to choose from a variety of nonfiction passages based on their interests. 

Social Studies

In social studies, we are wrapping up our study of the Texas Revolution. The learners created word clouds to demonstrate what they've learned about various vocabulary terms. Ask your learner about the different Mind Missions they've participated in during this unit.  They've designed rain protection devises, toys, and disguises! 
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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates Week 24

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.  There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

We had a wonderful time at our class Valentine's Parties. Thank you so much to the families that donated to the animal shelter and helped our learners to share their love with the animals. Thank you, also, to the parents that volunteered to come to the party and to our wonderful room moms that planned the fun! 

Thank you, as well, to many of you that shared the love with us in the form of chocolates and Valentines. We appreciate your generosity! 

Important Announcements

• Spring Pictures will be Monday, February 22nd. Learners will take individual pictures and a class picture. We will take our pictures first thing in the morning before Specials. 
• Jump Rope for Heart will be Friday, February 26th during Specials. 
• We will have another session with our partnership with DTCC this Friday, February 26th. During this session, the learners will learn about a variety of careers. 
• Open House will be Thursday, March 10th. We will have more information coming about this evening in the near future! 
• We are in need of a few important items: tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes. We would greatly appreciate if you would be willing to donate any of the above items to our classrooms.  We are trying to keep all of the germs away! 

Holiday Coupons! 

For the holidays, we gave our students a coupon book. Within this coupon book, there is a coupon for a fun experience for each month. We will send reminders as those days get closer, but you may want to go ahead and mark them in your calendar now.

*March 31st - 30 Minutes of Non-electronic Game Time
*April 29th - A Picnic Outside for Lunch
*May 26th - A Movie & Popcorn

Upcoming Dates

• Monday, February 22 - Spring Pictures
• Friday, February 26 - Jump Rope for Heart (During Specials)
• Thursday, March 10 - Open House
• Friday, March 11 - Shamrock Shuffle (During Specials)
• March 14-18 Spring Break
• Thursday, March 24 - Spirit Rally
• Friday, March 25 - Weather Day 
• Tuesday, March 29 - Writing STAAR Test 

Character Education
The citizenship quality for February is Respect. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 


What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, we will be continuing our Division unit. The learners will be exploring three different strategies to use when they are solving division problems. The strategies are dividing with partial quotients, dividing with area models, and the standard algorithm.

In science, we will be starting out unit over earth's surfaces. The learners will be exploring erosion, deposition, and weathering. They will also be creating their own experiment to test different types of soils.  

Language & Literacy

We are reading our second Junior Great Books story, No-Guitar Blues. As we read through the story, the learners have had the chance to explore the question, "What does it mean to have integrity?" At the end of our study of the story, the learners will participate in a student-led discussion about the story in which they will use evidence from the text to defend their opinions. 

In writing, we will continue to explore expository writing, taking everything we've learned and putting it together to write incredible essays. The learners have been focusing on elaborating by using examples and clarification statements. This past week, they had the chance to put together everything they've learned about the writing process in a midyear writing assessment. We're looking forward to reading the learners' writing. 

Social Studies

In social studies, we have begun our study of the Texas Revolution. Throughout our study of the various battles in the Revolution, learners will be thinking about the following big questions: 

How does the past shape our present and future? 
Could the Revolution have been avoided? 

Learners will also get to participate in several Mind Missions in which they will have the chance to go through the Engineering Design Process and apply Design Thinking to their creations. 
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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates Week 20

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. We are officially at the beginning of our third nine weeks which means we are about halfway through the year. It was been a really outstanding year so far, and we are looking forward to the second half! 

There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

• Year Book Update - Please see the following blurb from PTO regarding yearbooks: Click here to build your child’s “personal ad” and/or buy your yearbook!  For $25, and only through January 22nd – the yearbook will be on sale at Balfour.com. You can also add a personal message and some photos in your child’s personal ad for the back of the book. Only a few days left – the store closes on January 22nd and remaining books will be sold cash-only at the end of the year – first come, first served basis in the cafeteria at the Yearbook Signing Party.  If you do not wish for your child(ren)’s portrait to be in the yearbook please email kari@kariandco.com or Katherine.Brinck@Gmail.com.We cannot guarantee that your child will not be in a candid photo, but we do not identify children by name in the group candids.
• We are excited to be partnering with a company called DTCC to provide our fourth and fifth graders with learning experiences focused around financial literacy and coding. This Friday afternoon will be the first of four visits, and the learners will be focusing on budgeting. We are excited about this awesome opportunity.

Holiday Coupons! 

For the holidays, we gave our students a coupon book. Within this coupon book, there is a coupon for a fun experience for each month. We will send reminders as those days get closer, but you may want to go ahead and mark them in your calendar now.

*February 12th - 30 Minutes of Electronics/Device Time
*March 31st - 30 Minutes of Non-electronic Game Time
*April 29th - A Picnic Outside for Lunch
*May 26th - A Movie & Popcorn

Texan Town!

Our next Texan Town session will be this Friday, January 29th. 

In addition, every Friday we have a modified "Texan Town" schedule. Therefore, on Fridays, we have Specials (Move & Groove) from 9:30-10:20 AM. Our lunch and recess times stay the same. 

Popcorn Money

If your family is new to Town Center and you have any questions about Texan Town, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Texan Town Starts this Friday and POPCORN IS BACK!!!

Learners can purchase a subscription for $3.50.  It will cover the cost of popcorn for 7 weeks of Texan Town

 OR

They can purchase weekly for $.50 a bag

Dates:  January 8, 29

February 5, 19, 26

March 4

Upcoming Dates

• Friday, January 29 - DTCC Visit (See Note Above)
• Friday, February 12 - Electronics Coupon
• Friday, February 12 - Class Valentine's Parties
• Monday, February 15 - No School for Learners
• Monday, February 22 - Spring Pictures

Character Education
The citizenship quality for January is Self Control. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 


What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, we will be continuing our Multiplication unit. The learners will be reviewing 1-digit by 1-digit and 1-digit by 2-digit problems. They will also begin to explore 2-digit by 2-digit and 1-digit by 4-digit problems using arrays, area models, and equations.

In science, we will be investigating the moon phases, seasons, and tides. Learners will learn why these different patterns happen and how often they happen.

Language & Literacy

We have recently started our first Junior Great Books story, and the kids are loving it. Junior Great Books is a curriculum set that uses short stories and fables to teach theme, inquiry, and evidence based thinking. We are reading Thank You M'am by Langston Hughes. At the end of our study of the story, the learners will participate in a Socratic discussion revolving around an interpretive question. 

In writing, we will continue to explore expository writing. The learners will focus on elaborating by using examples and clarification statements. 

*Learners will not be held responsible for spelling homework until further notice. As always, students are encouraged to use their tools and choice boards from the past in order to assist them each week with their spelling lists. 

*Students have been invited to participate in a weekly "Power Paragraph" each night of the week for homework. Learners will begin by producing a paragraph on a topic of their choice and will work through the writing process as the week progresses. So far, we have really enjoyed reading the learners' power paragraphs. Their writing is creative and enjoyable.  

Social Studies

In social studies, we wrapped up our study of the Spanish Missions, and we will begin to dive into the causes of the Texas Revolution. 
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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates Week 17

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

• For the holidays, we gave our students a coupon book. Within this coupon book, there is a coupon for a fun experience for each month. We will send reminders as those days get closer, but you may want to go ahead and mark them in your calendar now.

*January 20th - Comfy Coupon (The kids are invited to bring a pillow and wear PJs/comfy clothes.)
*February 12th - 30 Minutes of Electronics/Device Time
*March 31st - 30 Minutes of Non-electronic Game Time
*April 29th - A Picnic Outside for Lunch
*May 26th - A Movie & Popcorn

• Starting this week, we will have a different Friday specials schedule. The learners will go to either Music, Art, or PE each week with the exception of a few run days. 

Texan Town!

This Friday, January 8th, we will start our new Winter Session of Texan Town. 

In addition, every Friday we have a modified "Texan Town" schedule. Therefore, on Fridays, we have Specials (Move & Groove) from 9:30-10:20 AM. Our lunch and recess times stay the same. 

Popcorn Money

If your family is new to Town Center and you have any questions about Texan Town, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Texan Town Starts this Friday and POPCORN IS BACK!!!

Learners can purchase a subscription for $3.50.  It will cover the cost of popcorn for 7 weeks of Texan Town

 OR

They can purchase weekly for $.50 a bag

Dates:  January 8, 22, 29

February 5, 19, 26

March 4

Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, January 14 - Skate Night
• Friday, January 15 - Spirit Rally
• Monday, January 18 - NO SCHOOL! 
• Wednesday, January 20 - Comfy Coupon
• Friday, January 12 - Electronics Coupon
• Monday, February 22 - Spring Pictures

Character Education
The citizenship quality for January is Self Control. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, we will be beginning our multiplication unit. The learners will be reviewing 1-digit by 1-digit and 1-digit by 2-digit problems. They will also begin to explore 2-digit by 2-digit and 1-digit by 4-digit problems using arrays, area models, and equations.

In science, we will be finishing our unit on Climate and Weather. The learners will be creating a website based on a climate in the world for their design challenge.

Language & Literacy

In reading, we will continue to focus on making inferences while we read. The learners will continue to practice using clues from the text and their own background knowledge to make a solid inference. Learners are required to fill out a reading form for each book they complete. They can complete this during class time or at home. This form can be found on your child's language arts teacher's website. 

In writing, we will continue to explore expository writing. The learners will continue to use the skills they've learned about writing more descriptively as they begin to write expository texts in class. 

*Learners will not be held responsible for spelling homework until further notice. As always, students are encouraged to use their tools and choice boards from the past in order to assist them each week with their spelling lists. 

*Students have been invited to participate in a weekly "Power Paragraph" each night of the week for homework. Learners will begin by producing a paragraph on a topic of their choice and will work through the writing process as the week progresses. 

Social Studies

In social studies, we will begin to explore Spanish Missions. During this unit students will be invited to participate in a debate where they can share their own thoughts and opinions. 
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Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates - Week 13

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

• The 2nd grade students will be having a canned food drive to help feed many families in our community this holiday season. If you would like to help, please send any donations  with your child to school. The Canned Food Drive started this Monday, November 9th. We are going to have to a contest to see which grade level can collect the most cans/items, and we are tying this into our math curriculum! 
  
  
  For more information, please see this link. 

• We will have our annual Turkey Drive again this year. You may go online to donate a turkey, or you may bring one during our Turkey Drive on November, 20th. For more information, please see this flyer from 2nd Grade. 

• The learners will have the week of November 23rd off for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

Texan Town!

As a reminder, Texan Town takes place most Fridays from 7:50-8:40. (When we have a Spirit Rally, we do not have Texan Town.) The dates for Texan Town during the Fall Session are: October 2nd, 16th, & 30th, November 6th, 13th, & 20th, and December 4th & 11th. 

In addition, every Friday we have a modified "Texan Town" schedule. Therefore, on Fridays, we have Specials (Move & Groove) from 9:30-10:20 AM. Our lunch and recess times stay the same. 

Popcorn Money

Ms. Seifert is in need of some helpers to help her pop the popcorn. If you would like to volunteer to sign up, please view this sign up sheet. There are spots available on Friday, November 20th, and Friday, November 27th. Thank you to the wonderful parents that have already signed up! 

If your family is new to Town Center and you have any questions about Texan Town, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, November 17th - Friday Schedule
• Friday, November 20th - Turkey Drive & TCE Turkey Trot 
• November 23-27 - NO SCHOOL 
• December 17th - Class Winter Parties
• December 18th - Early Release 

Character Education
The citizenship quality for November is Cooperation. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In Math, the learners will be learning how to to find equivalent fractions and compare fractions with unlike denominators. You can help us out by having conversations with your learners about fractions as you're cooking, shopping, or preparing for holiday meals. 

In Science, we recently wrapped up our mixtures unit. We will begin a short unit on Earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources.  

Language & Literacy

In reading, we continue to talk about main idea and summary of nonfiction texts. Throughout this unit, learners will think about three key essential questions: 

• How do readers make meaning from facts, details, and evidence?
• How does the organization of the text help readers understand the author’s message?
• How do I use the information I learned to support my thinking?

Throughout the unit, we will be reinforcing these enduring understandings:

• Expository and nonfiction texts provide facts, details, and evidence.
• What we read helps us make sense of the world.
• Text features help the reader locate evidence to support understanding.

In writing, we will begin to explore expository writing. The learners will continue to use the skills they've learned about writing more descriptively as they begin to write expository texts in class. 

Social Studies

In social studies, the learners will begin to learn about the European Explorers that came to America. They will specifically learn about how exploration and colonization of Spain and France shaped the history and culture of Texas. 

Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates: Week 11

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

• The learners participated in the JDRF Walk during Specials on Monday, November 2nd. Thank you to those of you that donated to this service learning project! 

• Our annual Spring Creek BBQ Night will be Tuesday, November 3rd at Spring Creek BBQ on Round Grove Road in Lewisville. Join us as we have a fun night of eating with our TCE families and help fundraise for new resources for TCE. (Plus, as an added bonus, you will be served by TCE teachers and staff!)

• We will have our annual Turkey Drive again this year. You may go online to donate a turkey, or you may bring one during our Turkey Drive on November, 20th. For more information, please see this flyer from 2nd Grade. 

• We will have a Veteran's Day Ceremony during the day on November 11th. We will share more information about this ceremony in the near future. During this ceremony, we will honor the Veteran's that are close to our TCE Family. If you have a relative or loved one that is a veteran, you may fill out the RED Veteran's Day form that your learner will be bringing home this week. 

Texan Town!

As a reminder, Texan Town takes place most Fridays from 7:50-8:40. (When we have a Spirit Rally, we do not have Texan Town.) The dates for Texan Town during the Fall Session are: October 2nd, 16th, & 30th, November 6th, 13th, & 20th, and December 4th & 11th. 

In addition, every Friday we have a modified "Texan Town" schedule. Therefore, on Fridays, we have Specials (Move & Groove) from 9:30-10:20 AM. Our lunch and recess times stay the same. 

Popcorn Money

Ms. Seifert is in need of some helpers to help her pop the popcorn. If you would like to volunteer to sign up, please view this sign up sheet. There are spots available on Friday, November 20th, and Friday, November 27th. Thank you to the wonderful parents that have already signed up! 

If your family is new to Town Center and you have any questions about Texan Town, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, November 3rd - Spring Creek BBQ Night
• Friday, November 6th - Pansy Planting 
• Wednesday, November 11th - Veteran's Day Ceremony 
• Friday, November 20th - Turkey Drive & TCE Turkey Trot 
• November 23-27 - NO SCHOOL 

Character Education
The citizenship quality for November is Cooperation. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In Math, the learners will be investigating different ways to represent data. They will be learning about Frequency Tables, Stem-and-Leaf Plots, Line Plots, and Bar Graphs. 

In Science, the learners will be investigating the different states of matter. They will also be investigating mixtures. 

Language & Literacy

In reading, we will begin our nonfiction unit. Throughout this unit, learners will think about three key essential questions: 

• How do readers make meaning from facts, details, and evidence?
• How does the organization of the text help readers understand the author’s message?
• How do I use the information I learned to support my thinking?

Throughout the unit, we will be reinforcing these enduring understandings:

• Expository and nonfiction texts provide facts, details, and evidence.
• What we read helps us make sense of the world.
• Text features help the reader locate evidence to support understanding.

In writing, we will continue our unit that focuses on building strong sentences and using descriptive language to add depth to our ideas and meaning to our writing. 

Social Studies

In social studies, the learners will begin to learn about the early history of Texas and the lives of the Native Americans that lived here. Throughout this unit, learners will think about the following essential question: 

• How do people adapt to where they live?

In addition, we will be enforcing these enduring understandings throughout the unit: 

• Where people live affects how they live.
• Native Americans in Texas developed different ways of life based upon the geographic region in which they lived.

This will be learners first opportunity to use our new online textbook, and we are excited to see how the learners like the curriculum. They will be able to access the text, listen to an audio version, and make notes using their iPads. 

Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders! 

Updates: Week 9

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. There is a lot of important information in this post. As always, please let us know if you have any questions. 

Important Announcements

• We will begin tutoring during the week of October 26th. Unfortunately, there may have been some miscommunication regarding our start date, so we apologize for any inconvenience. If you have not received information regarding your child being invited to tutoring, you may disregard this announcement. 

• On Monday, October 19th, we will have our kick off assembly for our school-wide Diabetes Service Learning Project. The assembly will be at 8:30 am in the gym. As a reminder, we will use a Friday schedule on this day (and all assembly days). Therefore, we will have specials from 9:30-10:20. At the end of our service learning project, the kids will participate in a fun run on Friday, October 30th. Parents are invited to come and run with their kids. To learn more about our service learning project, you may visit 
  www2.jdrf.org/goto/towncenter. In addition, the learners should be coming home with fundraising envelopes this week, so be on the look out for them. 

• We will have picture retakes on Tuesday, October 20th, first thing in the morning. Please let your son/daughter know if they will need to get his/her picture taken on this day. 

• In addition to our school-wide service learning project, Kindergarten has a few service learning projects going on right now, and they need your help. Please see our previous post about donations you may be able to provide, including gently used shoes and blue jeans. 

• Our 1st Spirit Rally will be Friday, October 23rd at 8:30 am in the gym. We ask that your child please wear his/her TCE spirit grade level t-shirt on this day. (Our fourth grade shirts are bright orange.) 

• We will celebrate Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 26th. We invite our learners to support a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and participate in these dress up days at school. To see the dress-up themes for each day of the week, please see this link. We will discuss these days with our learners at school as well. 

• Our annual Spring Creek BBQ Night will be Tuesday, November 3rd at Spring Creek BBQ on Round Grove Road in Lewisville. Join us as we have a fun night of eating with our TCE families and help fundraise for new resources for TCE. (Plus, as an added bonus, you will be served by TCE teachers and staff!)

Texan Town!

As a reminder, Texan Town takes place most Fridays from 7:50-8:40. (When we have a Spirit Rally, we do not have Texan Town.) The dates for Texan Town during the Fall Session are: October 2nd, 16th, & 30th, November 6th, 13th, & 20th, and December 4th & 11th. 

In addition, every Friday we have a modified "Texan Town" schedule. Therefore, on Fridays, we have Specials (Move & Groove) from 9:30-10:20 AM. Our lunch and recess times stay the same. 

Popcorn Money

One of our Texan Town clubs is Texan Treats. Ms. Seifert leads this club, and she and her learners work to pop and deliver popcorn to our Town Center Texans. Learners can purchase a subscription for $4.00.  It will cover the cost of popcorn for 8 weeks of Texan Town. Alternatively, learners can also purchase popcorn weekly for $.50 a bag. 

Ms. Seifert is in need of some helpers to help her pop the popcorn. If you would like to volunteer to sign up, please view this sign up sheet. Thank you in advance for your help! 

If your family is new to Town Center and you have any questions about Texan Town, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Upcoming Dates

• Monday, October 19th - Diabetes Service Learning Assembly
• Tuesday, October 20th - Picture Retakes
• Friday, October 23rd - Spirit Rally 
• Monday, October 26th - Friday, October 30th - Red Ribbon Week
• Friday, October 30th - Diabetes Fun Run
• Tuesday, November 3rd - Spring Creek BBQ Night

Character Education
The citizenship quality for October is Responsibility. 

Each week, Town Center focuses on one life principle, or guiding character quality. The life principles for each week are discussed on the morning announcements and will be posted on our agendas. 

What are we learning?
Math & Science

In math, we are working on addition and subtraction with whole numbers. The learners will practice estimating and will consider when and why they estimate. We are also learning how to apply the correct problem-solving strategies to addition and subtraction problems in a variety of ways, including the standard algorithm. 

In science, we will continue exploring the different types of energy, the effects force has on an object, and the relationship between gravity and distance.

Language & Literacy

In reading, we will begin our nonfiction unit. Throughout this unit, learners will think about three key essential questions: 

• How do readers make meaning from facts, details, and evidence?
• How does the organization of the text help readers understand the author’s message?
• How do I use the information I learned to support my thinking?

Throughout the unit, we will be reinforcing these enduring understandings:

• Expository and nonfiction texts provide facts, details, and evidence.
• What we read helps us make sense of the world.
• Text features help the reader locate evidence to support understanding.

In writing, we will begin a new unit that focuses on building strong sentences and using descriptive language to add depth to our ideas and meaning to our writing. 

Social Studies

In social studies, the learners will begin to learn about the early history of Texas and the lives of the Native Americans that lived here. Throughout this unit, learners will think about the following essential question: 

• How do people adapt to where they live?

In addition, we will be enforcing these enduring understandings throughout the unit: 

• Where people live affects how they live.
• Native Americans in Texas developed different ways of life based upon the geographic region in which they lived.

This will be learners first opportunity to use our new online textbook, and we are excited to see how the learners like the curriculum. They will be able to access the text, listen to an audio version, and make notes using their iPads. 

Thank you, again, for taking the time to read our blog. We are looking forward to another great week with our fourth graders!