5th Grade Team

14 days of school left! Buckle up, it’s going to be nuts!

• Zoom Meeting this evening for all things Camp Champions

• Camp Champions Outdoor School - Wednesday, May 10th-Friday the 12th

• Talent Show on May 15th at 6pm for community

• Talent Show on May 16th, 8am for school

• Field Day- Friday, May 19th

• Advancement Ceremony-May 24th at 5pm

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Interest Projects

• CIENCIAS: Ecosystem Projects

• MATH:Middle School Ready!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Civil Rights Movement

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

The countdown continues with only 2 STAAR tests and 6 weeks of school left! Hopefully we are feeling a little better after completing the first round of STAAR testing. They were using their strategies and did an excellent job taking their time and working with the new format. We were so impressed. Let’s keep that momentum going! Please revisit the STAAR Tips below for a game plan for the next two Thursdays.

• STAAR Science, THURSDAY 4/27

• STAAR Math, THURSDAY 5/4

• Camp Champions Outdoor School - Wednesday, May 10th-Friday the 12th

• Talent Show on May 18th, 8am

• Field Day- Friday, May 19th

• Advancement Ceremony-May 24th at 5pm

5th Grade STAAR Tips: CLICK HERE

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Estaremos leyendo textos como leyendas y cuentos tradicionales. Vamos a analizar las relaciones entre los personajes y la influencia del escenario para hacer conexiones personales.

• CIENCIAS: REVIEW FOR TEST THIS THURSDAY

• MATH: COMPLETE REVIEW (Geometry and Fractions) for the TEST NEXT WEEK

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Digging deeper into the Civil Rights Movement, what art was produced during this time with a focus on poetry

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 32, April 17-21

Seven weeks remaining! We are starting this week with lessons from Ms. Perry and keeping our social emotional learning as a priority. This week we will be talking about test anxiety and trying to figure out how to best support all students to succeed in the next coming weeks. Let us know how it is going! What are students saying helps them in class? We are almost there!

• Yearbook Tributes due TODAY!!!

• School Pictures: Individual and Group, Tuesday, April 18th

• STAAR Reading,THURSDAY, 4/20

• STAAR Science, THURSDAY 4/27

• STAAR Math, THURSDAY 5/4

YEARBOOK BLURB FROM HILARY ROBERTS (parent of Sydney)...

For all 5th grade families that would like to create a tribute ad for their 5th grader this will be done via TreeRing again this year.

Directions can be found HERE.

There is no cost to submit a tribute to ensure all students who want to be included can be.

The deadline to submit your tribute is TODAY!!! - April 17, 2023.

Please reach out to Hilary Roberts (hilaryaroberts@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

5th Grade STAAR Tips: CLICK HERE

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: REVIEW OF CONCEPTS

• CIENCIAS: REVIEW OF CONCEPTS

• MATH: Financial Literacy & REVIEW OF CONCEPTS

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: REVIEW OF CONCEPTS…STAAR Test on Thursday

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 31, April 10-14

Seven weeks remaining! We are starting this week with lessons from Ms. Perry and keeping our social emotional learning as a priority. This week we will be talking about test anxiety and trying to figure out how to best support all students to succeed in the next coming weeks. Let us know how it is going! What are students saying helps them in class? We are almost there!

Updates:

• Camp Champions packet due Tuesday

• CAP 10K this Sunday…come cheer on the huge number of racers for Becker!

• Yearbook Tributes due 4/17…next Monday

• STAAR Reading 4/20

• STAAR Science 4/27

• STAAR Math 5/4

YEARBOOK BLURB FROM HILARY ROBERTS (parent of Sydney)...

For all 5th grade families that would like to create a tribute ad for their 5th grader this will be done via TreeRing again this year.

Directions can be found HERE.

There is no cost to submit a tribute to ensure all students who want to be included can be.

The deadline to submit your tribute is April 17, 2023.

Please reach out to Hilary Roberts (hilaryaroberts@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Reviewing Fiction!

• CIENCIAS: Adaptations/Energy Flow in Ecosystems

• MATH: Data Analysis…why is it important to organize data? How are ways we can organize data?

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Informational text review and the Civil Rights Movement through poetry

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 30, April 3-6

One more 4-day-week ahead. How are you all doing? How are you feeling? We want to ensure that they are doing their best to finish out the year strong. We will continue to work on revising, editing and Math review for homework. They need to be sure to bring their homework daily, so we can check and have discussions.

Updates:

• No school, Friday, April 7th

• Camp Champions packet soon to come!!!

• Mural/legacy project is underway!

• STAAR Reading 4/20

• STAAR Science 4/27

• STAAR Math 5/4

• MAP Growth results are astounding…reports out soon!

YEARBOOK BLURB FROM HILARY ROBERTS (parent of Sydney)...

For all 5th grade families that would like to create a tribute ad for their 5th grader this will be done via TreeRing again this year.

Directions can be found HERE.

There is no cost to submit a tribute to ensure all students who want to be included can be.

The deadline to submit your tribute is April 17, 2023.

Please reach out to Hilary Roberts (hilaryaroberts@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Finish filming news videos

• CIENCIAS: Adaptations/Energy Flow in Ecosystems

• MATH: Conversions and Review

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Poetry

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 29, March 27-30

Wow. We are in the crunch time before the testing and fun with two 4 day weeks ahead. How are you all doing? How are you feeling? We want to ensure that they are doing their best to finish out the year strong. We will be sprinkling in some editing and revising practice into the homework. They need to be sure to bring their homework daily, so we can check and have discussions.

Updates:

• Last round of MAP Testing March 27-29

• No school, Friday, March 31st!

• Yearbook Tributes!

• Running Club: See schedule on the PE page

• STAAR Reading 4/20

• STAAR Science 4/27

• STAAR Math 5/4

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL:Finish filming news videos

• CIENCIAS: Adaptations

• MATH: Conversions

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Poetry

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 27, March 6-10

Eeeeee!! It’s almost Spring Break! Please continue to help your student stick to schedules and routines. We need to stay focused and committed to finishing this 5th Grade year with the same enthusiasm and drive with which we began! Abrazos!

Updates:

• 5th Grade Parent ZOOM: March 7th @ 5:30

• Seismology presentation by, (5th Grader) Joseph Gray's seismologist grandfather: March 10th!!

• March 9th: 3rd-5th Grade Concert @ 6:00pm

• Running Club: Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Short Cycle Assessments: March 6th -10th

• Spring Break March 13th -17th

• Austin ISD Pride Week: March 20–25, 2023

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Estamos trabajando en las características de los textos informativos y el propósito del autor…también seguimos escribiendo y respondiendo a preguntas en forma escrita usando evidencia del texto.

• CIENCIAS: ¿Cómo está cambiando el clima?

• MATH: We will begin our study of geometry. This week we will represent and solve problems related to perimeter and/or area and related to volume. In addition, please continue working on their Lone Star Math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: We will begin our exploration of Women as important historical and contemporary figures. We will show what we know on the district’s Short Cycle Assessments. Please make sure your student gets enough rest this week! We will learn about The Civil War and Reconstruction. Please continue to make sure your student is reading every night…we ALL need to work on building stamina.

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 26, February 27-March 3

Women’s History Month is upon us. There are so many people to learn about! Take this opportunity to your student about the great women in their lives!

Updates:

• Becker Running Club: practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school

• Short Cycle Assessments: March 6th - 10th

• Spring Break March 13th - 17th

• Austin ISD Pride Week is March 20–25, 2023

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Estamos trabajando en las características de los textos informativos y el propósito del autor…también seguimos escribiendo y respondiendo a preguntas en forma escrita usando evidencia del texto.

• CIENCIAS: CLIMA y TIEMPO

• MATH: /We will begin our study of geometry. Please continue working on their Lone Star math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: We will begin our exploration of Women as important historical and contemporary figures …we will analyze paired texts through questions and connections…we will discuss the civil war. Please continue to make sure your student is reading every night…we ALL need to work on stamina.

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 24, February 13-17th

This month’s theme is “compassion.” These are the kindest, most thoughtful groups of kiddos. Mrs. Perry worked with Mrs. Locklear’s room and said that they met her exactly where she needed to be, and it was magical. Ask them how they are showing compassion toward each other!

Parent-Teacher conferences are this week. Please reach out to us if you need something different. We are supposed to schedule them all on two evenings, but with as many as we have, we are dedicating the whole week to meet with you all.

Updates:

• Parent-Teacher Conferences will be all week, February 13th-16th.

• Becker Running Club! Join us! We have more 5th graders represented and showing me (Ms. Clay) up at practice.

• Becker’s Family Learning Night is on February 23rd.

• Austin ISD Science Fair will be on February 25th.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Estamos trabajando en los textos informativos. Ellos van a practicar escribiendo resúmenes de textos.

• CIENCIAS: CLIMA/TIEMPO

• MATH: YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP! We are learning all about the first quadrant of coordinate grids. (X,Y), left, right, north, south, east, and west…They are going to love it! Please continue working on their Lone Star math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Your kiddos will be working on a biographical piece of a person of their choice. There are parameters, but they are already making incredible choices!

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 22, January 30th - February 3rd

A new month is on the horizon! Congratulations to all 5th graders for completing their science fair projects! Please come out this Wednesday to see all the hard work that went into their final projects. Special SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Locklear for heading this operation at our campus and to the 5th grade top three projects: George Ward, Summit Sanders, and Elliot Askins. Way to go!

Looking forward, we have parent teacher conferences coming up on February 15th and 16th. A Google Form will be shared soon so you can start to sign up. The Short Cycle Assessments window will open on February 27th and last through the first week of March. These kiddos have been working super hard at supporting their written and oral responses with evidence. Sr. Burgos has been amping up the student’s use of rich language and structures in Spanish. They are responding so well to him and we are so thankful for his support!

Let’s help lift up the community as students find out what middle school applications have led to. These kids are going to do amazing things wherever they end up continuing their education! Having conversations with them around disappointment and celebration will help everyone! Mrs. Wells is prepared to partner with us to help students navigate these big feelings.

Updates:

• Becker’s Family Learning Night is on February 1st 5:00-6:30 pm

• Middle School Smore: https://www.smore.com/3z0cgn

• Parent-Teacher Conferences will be February 15th and 16th.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Vamos a seguir revisando nuestros narrativos personales para publicarlos a final de la semana. También vamos a usar una estrategia creativa para resumir cuentos prestando la atención en la trama.

• CIENCIAS: ¿Por qué una estrella, el Sol, es tan importante para la Tierra?

• ¿Qué patrones y ciclos observables provoca el Sol en la Tierra?

• ¿Por qué parece que hay un suministro interminable de agua en la Tierra?

• MATH: All things fractions! Specifically, division of fractions with whole numbers is our challenge. We will be doing a mixed review to solidify their abilities to reduce fractions and find common denominators. Please continue working on their Lone Star math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: This week we are diving into sectionalism of the United States after the Industrial Revolution…this means war. Students will be writing an information/argumentative text around the issues our country faced during this time period.

With love and light,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 19, January 23trd-27th

Happy Lunar New Year! FYI…it’s the year of the rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese Culture, thus 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. May we all live long and prosper! We have (pretty much) completed our Science projects and can’t wait to showcase everyone’s hard work at the beginning of next month! We are also laser-focused on the fast approaching State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). We are diligently working to improve our writing skills in the form of short-constructed responses as well as long form writing in the form of essays on a given topic. Please look out for an invite for a ZOOM meeting (from Mr. Barrett) where we’ll share information about this year’s Science STAAR test. Lastly, we will soon share an update about the funds we’ve raised for Camp Champions. Ugh! That was a mouthful. Have we told you lately how much we appreciate you…because we absolutely do!!

Updates:

• Middle School Smore: https://www.smore.com/3z0cgn

• Science Fair Projects will be on display during Becker’s Family Learning Night on February 1st.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences will start in mid-February.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Elementos de trama y continuamos con narrativas personales

• CIENCIAS: Energías renovables/no renovables y sol, luna, tierra

• MATH: All things fractions! Please continue working on their Lone Star math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: We are looking at the effects of the Industrial Revolution while continuing to work on our written responses.

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Weekly Update: 1/13

Week 19, January 10th-13th

Happy New Year! Our focus this week is reconnecting and building relationships with these amazing kiddos! We hope you had the break you needed and have set intentions for the new year. While building relationships, we will also be finalizing our science fair projects, printing slides, decorating boards, and adding pictures. We cannot wait for you all to see how amazing they turn out!

Updates:

• Middle School Smore: https://www.smore.com/3z0cgn

• Science Fair Projects should be completed by Tuesday the 17th. 5th grade’s SOS day is Tuesday and we will dedicate the day to getting the trifolds completed.

• Family learning night will be in early February.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences will start in mid-February.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table……

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Textos narrativos personales: los elementos y los pasos para escribir su propio texto

• CIENCIAS: All things Science Fair and then sedimentary rocks!

• MATH: Fractions-we are finding common denominators to compare, add and subtract. Next week we will be multiplying fractions. Please make sure they are working on their Lone Star math homework!

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: We are looking at the effects of the Westward Expansion and Industrial Revolution while continuing to work on our written responses.

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 18, December 19

SHEESH…talk about testing burnout! Ugh! At least MAP and SCA’s are a thing of the past (for now). Remember to help your student look ahead and plan for the Science Fair and Maker’s Fair (this Monday!!!) With 28 students in each group, we are really banking on your support in having conversations…especially about the planning and execution of the testing/trials portion of the Science Projects. It is next to impossible to continue with lessons in all subjects aaaaaannnnd have personal interviews with each student about whether or not they have done the actual project. We are working on the Scientific Process/writing part here as the different steps are taught. You’ve probably noticed that Math homework has lessened. This is so you can have plenty of time/opportunity to make sure the testing portion of the Science Project is being completed. We can write neither our procedures nor our conclusions unless and until the trials (at least 3) have been completed. Thanks, once again for keeping your student on schedule. We will only have a week to complete these once we return from our Winter Break.

Updates:

• Makers Fair is on MONDAY the 19th of December for students to showcase their artistic talents. Students should bring in their crafts in the morning so that we can get everyone set up before dismissal. Reach out to Renee Deeter if you are able to help out!

• The End of Semester Party will be on December 20th for BOTH classes! Reach out to your room parent(s) and/or homeroom teacher if you are able to help out.

• Human Sexuality Lessons have begun and will continue through Wednesday. Make sure to ask (nightly) about any lingering questions that they may have been hesitant to ask in class.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…we continue with more of the same as we have been rudely interrupted by testing…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Texto Informativo usando detalles para apoyar la idea central/Pasos del Método Científico

• CIENCIAS: Sexualidad humano

• MATH: Fractions! They are part of a whole and used with all the operations.

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: US Territorial Expansion and the writing process

How to formulate a short answer and long constructed responses

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 17, December 12-16

Shout Out to these amazing kiddos as both classes had totals of 370 growth points on our second round of MAP testing! Now we are working toward the Short Cycle Assessments that review everything we have learned this semester. Science Fair and Maker’s Fair are our shining lights. They are so creative! Please ask them about their projects and start sending in tri-folds!

Updates:

• Short Cycle Assessments:12/12 - English Language Arts, 12/13 - Math, 12/14 - Science, 12/15 - Make-ups

• Middle school applications are due Dec. 16th (THIS FRIDAY). Let us know if you need assistance!

• Makers Fair! We will be hosting a maker’s fair on MONDAY the 19th of December for students to showcase their artistic talents. Please have students start bringing in their crafts. Reach out to Renee Deeter if you would like to help!

• The End of Semester Party will be on December 20th! Stay tuned for more details!

• Human Sexuality Lessons: 12/15 - lesson 1, 12/16 - lesson 2, 12/19 - lesson 3, 12/20, lesson 4, 12/21 lesson 5.

This week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Texto Informativo usando detalles para apoyar la idea central/Pasos del Método Científico

• CIENCIAS: Sexualidad humano

• MATH: Fractions! They are part of a whole and used with all the operations.

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: US Territorial Expansion and the writing process

How to formulate a short answer and long constructed responses

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 16, December 5-9

¡Hola! Is it just us or is this school year whizzing by?? We are diligently working on the Scientific Method and Science Fair projects as well as preparing for Short Cycle Assessments and Human Sexuality Courses during the next couple of weeks! All of these topics should make for fantastic and memorable dinner conversations! Can’t wait to hear from ya’ll!!

Updates:

• Short Cycle Assessments: 12/9 - Spanish Language Arts, 12/12 - English Language Arts, 12/13 - Math, 12/14 - Science, 12/15 - Make-ups

• Middle school applications are due December 16th. Reach out if you need assistance!

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. You may send in a check or pay online.

• Makers Fair! We will be hosting a maker’s fair on MONDAY the 19th of December for students to showcase their artistic talents. Please have students bring in materials on Fridays.

• The End of Semester Party will be on December 20th! Stay tuned for more details!

• Human Sexuality Lessons: 12/15 - lesson 1, 12/16 - lesson 2, 12/19 - lesson 3, 12/20, lesson 4, 12/21 lesson 5.

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Texto Informativo/Pasos del Método Científico

• CIENCIAS: Cambios (rápidos y lentos) a la Superficie de la Tierra

• MATH: Decimal and Fraction Correlations/Spiral Review

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Westward Expansion pros and cons/opinions

How to formulate a short answer and long constructed responses

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 15: 11/28

Hello! We hope you all had a little rest and relaxation over the break! As we start back up again, we will be reviewing the growth mindset with the kiddos. We have MAP testing as well as second cycle exams coming up, so we are setting goals. Let’s make these last few weeks of the semester the best!

Updates:

• MAP Testing: Monday-Reading, Tuesday-Math, Wednesday-Lectura, Thursday-Makeups

• Middle school applications are due December 16th. Reach out if you need assistance!

• Lively Middle School - we will travel there tomorrow for a presentation of programs.

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. You may send in a check or pay online.

• Makers Fair! We will be hosting a maker’s fair on MONDAY the 19th of December for students to showcase their artistic talents. Please have students bring in materials on Fridays.

• The End of Semester Party will be on December 20th! Stay tuned for more details!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Características del Texto Informativo

• CIENCIAS: Cambios a la Superficie de la Tierra

• MATH: Solving expressions with decimal operations

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Westward Expansion and the Louisiana Purchase

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 14: November 14-November 18

It’s still November! We’re still gratitude-y! It is also Native American Heritage Month. We encourage you to converse about and explore this topic at your dinner table. Maybe share this poem by Joy Harjo…who knows where the conversation may go?? Stay grateful. Be well.

Updates:

• Homework will be changing slightly. They should still be working on math and reading daily, but we will now work this into a grade. The practice is benefiting them! We want them to feel comfortable with computations as well as growing in their fluency in reading for pleasure.

• Picture Retakes and Thanksgiving Luncheon (if attending) - Thursday, November 17th

• Middle school applications are open. For those of you choosing that route, don't delay. We are already filling out recommendation forms for you kiddos!

• Covington Middle School @Becker on the 16th at 1pm

• Lively Middle School - we travel there for a presentation of programs on the 29th of November.

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. IF YOU ARE ABLE, YOU MAY SEND A CHECK FOR THE FULL AMOUNT.

• Makers Fair! We will be hosting a maker’s fair on the 16th of December for students to showcase their artistic interests. All things go…painting, writing, drawing, jewelry making, baking, repurposing of goods. We want this to be a fun fundraiser. Please see what items you could clear out and donate to the cause. Thank you in advance…this is quite an undertaking and WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Características del Texto Informativo

• CIENCIAS: Cambios a la Superficie de la Tierra

• MATH: Division with decimals in the dividend; Models of division

Homework continues…please review this with your child to make sure they show their

work/process.

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Deep dive into the Bill of Rights

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 13: November 7-November 11

It’s November! This month our theme is “Gratitude.” We discussed what this means, looks like, and sounds like. We talked about the importance of showing and sharing gratitude even in the smallest moments. So I have to say THANK YOU! I won this month’s Teacher Wellness Challenge! You might have heard that I am a coffee and pumpkin fanatic, so it was a ton of fun to win. Thank you for all the great donations, 5th grade parents!

Updates:

• NO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 8th! Make sure your voices are heard and you get out there to vote!

• Homework will be changing slightly. They should still be working on math and reading daily, but we will now work this into a grade. The practice is benefiting them! We want them to feel comfortable with computations as well as growing in their fluency in reading for pleasure.

• Picture Retakes - Thursday, November 17th

• Middle school applications are open. For those of you choosing that route, don't delay. We are already filling out recommendation forms for you kiddos!

• Covington Middle School will be presenting their music programs on the 16th at 1pm and the whole grade level will be traveling to Lively Middle School for a presentation of programs on the 27th of November.

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. IF YOU ARE ABLE, YOU MAY SEND A CHECK FOR THE FULL AMOUNT. This helps us to determine the goal for our fundraising.

• Makers Fair! We will be hosting a maker’s fair on the 16th of December for students to showcase their artistic interests. All things go…painting, writing, drawing, jewelry making, repurposing of goods. We want this to be a fun fundraiser. Please see what items you could clear out and donate to the cause. Thank you in advance…this is quite an undertaking and we will need your help!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Poesía y Lenguaje Figurado

• CIENCIAS: Fuerza y Movimiento

• MATH: Multiplication AND Division of Decimals

Homework continues…please review this with your child to make sure they show their

work/process.

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Reading and Writing About the US Constitution and Book Study with The Color of My Words - We are working on the written responses from students. They must support their answers with evidence from the text.

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 11 Update: 10/28

We all really enjoyed Book Character Day! It was great to see everyone’s creativity and enthusiasm! We really appreciate

Updates:

• El Dia de los Muertos…share this story together for a conversation about traditions and how we honor those who have passed.

• SOS-Super Outrageous STEM day was this past Friday. Ask your student about REFLECTION vs. REFRACTION and CIRCUITS.

• Middle school applications are open. For those of you choosing that route, don't delay. We are already filling out recommendation forms for you kiddos!

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. IF YOU ARE ABLE, YOU MAY SEND A CHECK FOR THE FULL AMOUNT. Stay tuned for upcoming fundraising opportunities!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Poesía y Lenguaje Figurado

• CIENCIAS: Fuerza y Movimiento

• MATH: Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication of Decimals

Homework continues…please review this with your child to make sure they show their

work/process.

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Reading and Writing About the US Constitution

• 
  

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Week 10 Updates: 10/21

October has flown by!

We all survived Earth Camp Week and had a BLAST! Ask these kiddos all about watersheds, pervious and impervious surfaces, karstic limestone, native plants and invasive species.

Updates:

• Book Character Day is this Friday, October the 28th. Students are encouraged to come as one of their favorite characters from a book that they have. Ms. Clay will be Captain Hook and Mrs. Locklear is going as the Crocodile from Peter Pan. Your kids are welcome to join in this group costume as a lost kid or pirate!

• SOS-Super Outrageous STEM day is Friday. PLEASE SEND IN A PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRT FOR YOUR LITTLE SCIENTIST TO TRANSFORM INTO A LAB COAT!! Are you reading this…if so, please tell 3 other families to bring white T-Shirts.

• Middle school presentations are underway! Don’t delay. The applications are now open! We are happy to fill out recommendation forms for you kiddos!

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. If you are able, you may send a check for the full amount and get it over with….otherwise, stay tuned for upcoming fundraising opportunities!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Poesia

• CIENCIAS: Energy Review…Light, Thermal and Electrical

• MATH: All things Decimals…rounding review/Homework has started in their notebook

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Informational texts with central idea, Events of the American Revolution/The US Constitution

Email us at…

laura.clay@austinisd.org

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Looking toward week 10!

Remember the first day of school? It seems like just yesterday...but the truth is that 10 WHOLE WEEKS HAVE GONE BY!! We’ve got our first 9 weeks under our belt. These next 9 weeks will focus on applying these concepts. It moves quickly. Please remind your babies to stay focused! We appreciate your support. It takes a village. Lastly, please click on the following LINK and enjoy some silliness.

Updates:

• Earth Camp is NEXT MONDAY…October 17-20th! Info was sent out…please refer to your schedule/itinerary for appropriate clothing for each day. Remember to send along a sack lunch and water/water bottle each day!

• Book Character Day is Friday, October the 28th. Students are encouraged to come as one of their favorite characters from a book that they have. Ask your kiddo about class plans because we have ideas for those who aren’t sure who to be! Please remind them that we have to be able to see their faces and that the only prop they need is the book!

• SOS-Super Outrageous STEM day is also on the 28th of October. PLEASE SEND IN A PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRT FOR YOUR LITTLE SCIENTIST TO TRANSFORM INTO A LAB COAT!! Your student will also need fabric markers or Sharpies to bring and possibly share with friends to decorate their lab coats . Please send these ASAP! Thanksssss.

• Middle school presentations are underway! Don’t delay (if that’s the route you’re choosing).

October 22 @ Palmer Events Center - Middle School Presentations (all in one place)

• Camp Champions will be around $200 per child. If you are able, you may send a check for the full amount and get it over with….otherwise, stay tuned for upcoming fundraising opportunities!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Celebrando el Mes de Herencia Hispana (proyectos)

• CIENCIAS: Earth Camp

• MATH: Addition and Subtraction of Decimals/Homework begins…Spiral Review

• ELA/SOCIAL STUDIES: Poetic Forms & Imagery & Cause/Effects/Events of the American Revolution

Do something spooky this weekend!

Much love,

Already 7 Weeks Into 5th Grade!

All the leaves are brown…not quite, but here’s hoping that Autumn is here to stay! It feels like Fall is just taunting us with this roller-coaster ride in temperatures. Holidays, celebrations and outings are almost tangible and bring an air of excitement, anticipation, and joy that is palpable and most welcome. We hope you are enjoying this shift in mood as well as we are.

Updates:

• Earth Camp is coming up…October 17-20th! Info will be sent out soon. WE WILL NEED AT LEAST 3 PARENTS PER CLASS TO HELP US!!! Please, reach out if your schedule allows for you to come one, two, three, or all 4 days!

• Ms. Clay really enjoyed her cards, gifts, and well-wishes. The love was felt everywhere!

• Parent-Teacher Marathon Week has been powerful and uplifting. It has been wonderful to get the opportunity to hear about your child as well as to share great things about them with you.

• Our first Early Release Day is October 7 @ 1:30...

After School Care

Creative Action classes are canceled on Friday, October 7th. Students in Creative Action need to be picked up at 1:30.

Extend-a-Care will be operating on October 7th. Extend-a-Care students will be picked up by Extend-a-Care staff at the 1:30 dismissal. Families can pick these students up at the regular time.

Please contact Creative Action or Extend-a-Care if you have any questions.

• Middle school presentations are underway! Please start exploring options.

October 22 @ Palmer Events Center - Middle School Presentations (all in one place)

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Elementos de Trama (plot) y Celebrando el Mes de Herencia Hispana (continuamos)

• CIENCIAS: Energía eléctrica (circuitos/conductores)

• MATH: Order of Operations/Representing and Solving for Unknowns

• ELA: Poetic Forms & Elements & Impact of French and Indian War

Enjoy your weekend!

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Already 6 Weeks Into 5th Grade!

As Kermit the Frog sang, “Moving right along…”

Back to School Night was a hit and we are so happy that so many of you got to join us. Here is a copy of the presentation again. We cannot wait to connect with you all individually about your kiddos this next week!

Updates:

• 5th Graders caught being CURIOUS: Chase, Olivia, Phemie, Emiliano C, Jack, and Allie

• Mrs. Locklear is very sneaky. I didn’t read her message last week. She loves sparkling water…just in case anyone wants to give her one! Can you tell we switch weeks?

• Sign up for parent teacher conferences if you haven’t already. They are only 20 minutes long and we really want to hold true to that schedule. There will be a ZOOM option for both teachers!

• Earth Camp is coming up…October 17-20th! Info will be sent out soon. We will need at least 3 parents per class to join us. Pretty please, reach out if your schedule allows for you to come one or all 4 days!

Next week’s content and conversation starters for the dinner table…

• LENGUAJE Y LECTURA EN ESPAÑOL: Elementos de Trama (plot) y Celebrando el Mes de Herencia Hispana - Lo siento por la canción…

• CIENCIAS: Energia mecanica (force and motion)

• MATH: Division (using multiple strategies) and Order of Operations

• ELA: Elements of Drama and Digging Deeper into forms of Government

We hope you find moments of joy and laughter this weekend!

Much love,

Ms. Clay and Mrs. Locklear

Feliz viernes!

Message:

Yayayay! We have a 3-day weekend! Enjoy your time together. Can’t wait to hear about all of the great things when the kids get back-to-school on Tuesday!

We are continuing to work on community, respect, kindness, and empathy. Thanks for supporting us by having conversations around these topics at home.

THEME OF THE MONTH…..

CURIOSITY

Content we are getting into next week:

• ELA: Reading to find the central idea around the New England Colonies…DIGGING DEEPER

• SLA: Informational Texts, Main Idea, Latin Roots

• Science: Physical Properties of Matter continued

• Math: Whole Number Operations-Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication

We appreciate each and every one of you for all that you do. We loooooove your babies like our own.

Let’s all keep on keeping on…TOGETHER.

Also…

Eeeeee!! Green Garden is starting next week!!

Please reach out to your homeroom teacher via email at:

deana.locklear@austinisd.org

laura.clay@austinisd.org

YAY! 5th Grade Rocks!

(but ya’ll already knew that)

Abrazos,

Deana Locklear and Laura Clay