Explorers
We are learning about the European explorers who explored Texas. Some of the explorers we are leaning about are La Salle, Cabeza de Vaca, dr Onate, and Coronado.

Writing Analysis
Students are using the TAKS rubric to analyze writing samples and their own writing.

FQR Chart
Students are reading nonfiction texts and completing a Fact-Question-Response chart to track their thinking and increase comprehension.

Nonfiction
We are continuing to read a variety of nonfiction texts. Students are learning the purposes for and how to use graphic organizers to deepen comprehension of nonfiction texts. The graphic organizers we are learning include: KWL charts, Venn diagrams, T charts, and outlines.

Classificatory Writing
Students are learning about a new genre of writing - classificatory essays. A classificatory essay is a composition that explains the good and bad points about one topic. It can also explain the advantages and disadvantages about one topic. Students are pretending to live with one of the Native American tribes that we have researched. They are writing a classificatory essay explaining the good and bad things about living with that tribe.

Our Taste of Texas field trip on November 16th has been rescheduled. We will now go on February 23rd. This field trip does not involve chaperones, but we wanted to let you know the change.

Thanks!

On Tuesday we celebrated the 50th day of school!
Here are 50 things we LOVE about Frostwood!

50 Reasons Why We ♥ FWE
Ms. Howe's Class

1. Awesome teachers
2. Friends
3. Field Trips
4. Carnival
5. Lifeskills
6. PTA
7. Red Ribbon Week
8. Art
9. Music
10. Spanish
11. Health Fitness
12. Library
13. Reading
14. Birthday Celebrations
15. Successful learning
16. School supplies
17. Tigers
18. School song
19. Playground
20. Purple and white
21. No place for Hate School
22. Fair rules
23. Good cafeteria food
24. Snack time
25. Good staff
26. Auction
27. Fun ways to learn
28. No put downs
29. Nice principal
30. Announcements
31. Student Council
32. Computer Lab
33. Performances
34. Author visits
35. Book Club
36. TFK
37. Butterfly Garden
38. Book Fair
39. Computer Projects
40. Smart kids
41. Good security
42. DARE
43. International Festival
44. Newest technology
45. Our assistant principal
46. Crossing Guard
47. Western Day
48. Marathon Kids
49. Bluebonnet books
50. 50th year of Minds in the Making

50 Reasons Why We ♥ FWE
Ms. White's Class

1. Awesome teachers
2. Good food
3. Cool library
4. Fun playground
5. Art projects
6. Pirate’s Treasure
7. Recorders
8. Computer Lab
9. Science Lab
10. Carnival
11. Bug Fair
12. Texas History
13. School Supplies
14. Cool Tigers
15. Lifeskills
16. Super Kids Awards
17. 100 Day
18. Supportive parents
19. Book Fair
20. Cool electronics
21. Field Day
22. Principal on roller skates
23. International Festival
24. Hands-on projects
25. Auction
26. Making friends
27. Nice lunch ladies
28. Mr. Jesse
29. The first day of school
30. Student Council
31. Friends
32. Good education
33. School colors – Purple and white
34. Announcements
35. Mad Science
36. Book Club
37. Art after School
38. Drama
39. Spanish
40. Specials
41. Author visits
42. Cultural Arts programs
43. Recess
44. School rules
45. Office Staff
46. Field Trips
47. PTA
48. GT
49. Reading Buddies
50. 50th day of school!!!!!!

In observance of Red Ribbon Week, you may choose to say No to Drugs in the following ways:
Monday: “Sock it to Drugs” wear crazy socks
Tuesday: “Can Drugs” bring a can of food for a local food pantry
Wednesday: “Red Out” wear something red to say No to Drugs
Thursday: “I’m a genius, for I will not do Drugs” wear your blue jeans
Friday: “Team up against Drugs” wear your sports team shirt or a spirit
Shirt

Parent Conferences
School will be dismissed at noon on Thursday and Friday to allow time for teachers to have parent conferences. Thank you to all the parents who have already completed their conferences! I was glad to meet with all of you! Please email me if you have any questions or concerns at any time this year.
Writing Website
http://www.writingfun.com/Ms. Markham found this website about writing.
Book Clubs
Students will be reading their book club books and meeting with their groups. They will discuss the book to increase their comprehension skills.
Writing
We are discussing how setting, characters, and plot are used in our personal narratives. Students will be working to develop the characters in their writing.
Time for Kids
The cover story in Time for Kids this week is "Kids Need More Sleep." Click here to check out the cover story! Click here to read the other articles.

Andrew Clements

Book Clubs

We have started book clubs, and are reading books by Andrew Clements. Each student will independently read the assigned chapters and complete a written assignment that includes identifying the characters, identifying the setting, making a prediction, making a connection, asking a question about the reading, and writing the main idea of each chapter. Students will then meet with their groups to discuss their reading.

Linear Versus Webbed Writing

We are learning the difference between linear writing and webbed writing. In linear writing, all the sentences have to do with the topic, but they don't connect to each other. The writing is more like a list of events that happened. We use a line as a symbol of this type of writing in class.

Linear:
I had a great birthday party. We went swimming, I took my friends bowling. We ate my favorite chocolate cake. I got to open my presents.

While most students' writing is much more detailed than this example, most students are writing linear compositions. We want to move them to webbed writing.


In webbed writing, all the sentences are on topic, but each sentence directly connects to the sentence before it. This type of writing is much more focused and goes deeper into the subject. We use a star as a symbol of this type of writing in class.

Webbed:
I had a great birthday party. We went swimming. I went off the diving board. I did a belly flop. My stomach hurt so badly. Soon I felt much better.