Deretchin Digest

Happy 2025!

Math - We are in the beginning of our Fraction unit. Students will be able to identify and represent fractions. They will also be learning how to compare for equivalent fractions. Such a fun unit! Please continue working on their multiplication facts. We will begin testing over these soon!

Science - We are so excited to be starting our space unit. This will cover the relationship between the sun, earth and moon; order of the planets and details about the sun.

Social Studies - We will continue learning about the history of our country. Before the break we learned about the explorations to the new continent. We will continue with the move westward. We will review that and move into social reform, some people today that made big impacts on our country.

In math, we are starting the new semester off by reviewing how to solve long division problems. We will then work our way through learning how to interpret the remainder in a division problem. We will finish part 1 of our multiplication and division unit by creating strip diagrams and equations and division area models. Once we conclude this unit, we will jump into our measurement unit. We will be calculating area and perimeter of squares and rectangles, finding elapsed time, identifying relative sizes of measurement units within the customary and metric systems, solving problems that deal with measurements of mass and weight using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

In science, we will differentiate between weather and climate. We will also identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas and explain the critical role of energy resources and how conservation, disposal, and recycling of natural resources impact the environment and modern life.

In social studies, we will identify Texas' role in the Mexican War of Independence and the war's

impact on the development of Texas. We will also identify the accomplishments and explain the economic motivations and impact of significant empresarios, including Stephen F. Austin and Martín deLeón, on the settlement of Texas. We will also begin to analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of the Alamo, the Texas Declaration of Independence, the Runaway Scrape, and the Battle of San Jacinto.

We will begin our Historical Fiction unit in reading. Our new read aloud will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Students will be asked to see connections between the story plot timeline and the timeline of world events happening during that time period. Students will notice how characters’ actions, behaviors, and motivations are affected and shaped by those world events.

Fiction writing will be our focus in writing. Students will write narratives utilizing a specific structure to highlight their characters, a character’s conflict, whether internal or external, and a solution to that conflict. Students will pay attention to the setting that they choose and how that setting adds depth to the plot.

Grammar and Phonics will resume as students continue to work on skills that strengthen their reading and writing.

Math

Students will continue working on simplifying numerical expressions by following the order of operations. The second half of January we will be multiplying and dividing fractions. In our advanced class, students will continue classifying 2D shapes and begin solving for perimeter, area and volume.

Science/Social Studies

As we start the New Year, we start our new unit of study! We will be starting our earth unit of study! We will begin with reviewing the water cycle, weather and climate. We will then dive into the slow changes and fast changes that change the Earth’s surface using wind, water and ice.

In social studies, we will continue our journey in American history by learning about the Louisiana purchase and how it doubled the size of the United States! We will also look at the causes and effects of the War of 1812.

Language Arts

Happy New Year! This month, we will focus on the elements of fiction for both reading and writing. Not only will we introduce various forms of fiction, students will also be writing their very own fiction story!

Sixth Grade Scoop

As always, there’s so much happening in sixth grade! We are excited to jump back into learning and look forward to all the wonderful things planned for the final semester. It’s hard to believe this is their last semester as Deretchin Dragons!

In science, we’ll be diving into our earth science unit, focusing on what influences Earth’s seasons, solstices, and equinox. This unit promises to be both engaging and fun, with plenty of hands-on activities that we’re confident the students will love!

In social studies, we’re continuing our exploration of countries around the world. Our journey through Europe will highlight the region’s geographic features and delve into its rich history, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the continent.

In math, we’re continuing a unit on proportionality, where students will learn how to compare sale prices and determine the best deals in stores. After completing this unit, we’ll shift our focus back to algebra to explore two-step equations. Our level students will be continuing to solve one-step equations and inequalities.

In language arts, we’re excited to start a new novel unit this month, focusing on historical fiction. We’ll read powerful stories that exemplify courage, perseverance, and resilience.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the first semester. We are looking forward to an exciting and successful second semester!

We have several exciting events coming up in the music department in 2025!

In grades PreK-4, we are adding to our songs and games to reinforce steady beat and note reading skills. 1st graders will focus on quarter note, eighth note and rest. Pre-K and kindergarteners will sing songs and play games to identify different voices and high and low sounds. 2nd grade will focus on five melody sounds- so, la, mi, re and do - while 3rd and 4th grades are adding fa and low sol. They will also work with the rhythms quarter note, eighth note, rest, half notes and sixteenth notes. 4th grade students will continue to work on reading note names and how to count rhythms on numbered beats. 2nd Grade will also begin work on their Musical, “Arf!” 3rd graders are continuing work on their musical, “Off Their Rockers,” and are excited to perform on February 6, 2025.

Hello again from the Band Directors! We are so proud of how both bands performed at their Winter Concert! Beginning the first week of January, 6th Grade Band will start preparing for the McCullough Benchmark The McCullough Benchmark will be on February 21 & 22. All 6th Grade Band students are required to take the Band Benchmark. More details will be communicated soon! 5th graders are working on increasing their range and learning more techniques on their instruments!

The orchestra concert, in which both 5th and 6th graders played, went very well! We are especially proud of the 5th graders, since that was their first time performing for an audience. Coming up at the end of February will be the benchmark for the 6th graders, and materials for that will be distributed shortly after we return from the winter break. As a reminder, the CISD 6th Grade Honor Orchestra concert will take place in the McCullough JH auditorium later this month. Congratulations to the students who qualified for the Honor Orchestra.

Mrs. Childs was so proud of the 5th/6th General Music students who went “caroling” and played Christmas songs for classes throughout the school. They had a great 1st semester working on their recorder, ukulele, piano and vocal skills and will begin to combine some of these skills to play as ensembles in class.

She was so proud of the choirs’ performances in December. They sang beautifully. Both the 4th grade and Intermediate choirs are starting music for spring concerts and festivals. The 4th grade choir is excited to invite 3rd graders to join their choir. 6th Grade Choir students continue to work on music for the CISD Intermediate Honor Choir Auditions on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Melody Childs-Music/Choir

Michelle Gastler-Music/Band

Avery Chambers-Music/Orchestra

Andrew Wilson- Music/Band