3rd Grade Team

Future Botanists At Work

In 3^rd grade, students are using their observation skills to identify the structures (parts) of plants.  As they observe, they try to determine the function of each part.  We will be learning how the structures of plants and animals help them adapt and survive in specific environments.

“I noticed that the red part had spikes.  The spikes are to protect the plant from herbivores.”   -Braden

“We were observing how the green part of the plant was smooth.  We think that the green part helps the plant take in the sunlight and make its own food.”  -Leah

“Me and Julia were describing the plants.  We noticed that in the flowers there was a little bit of water.  We noticed that the stem had little hairs on it.”  -Vance

 “I think the leaves are for getting energy for the plant.  The flowers are bright to make the bees come.”  -Julia

1st Grade Team

What makes a Kite Fly?

In first grade we learned all about the weather and had an awesome visit from a meteorologist Britta Merwin from channel 2 come visit and speak to the kids about the weather. To explore one part of weather, air, we had an experiment. Kites were made and the kids went outside to test out the kite to find out what makes a kite fly? In the end the kids found out that air helps to keep the kite afloat. 

Sophia said, “Even though we cannot see air, it is all around us!” Jakob responded “This is so cool!” Our first graders loved it and had a blast experimenting and learning about the weather especially AIR!

Elizabeth Kratz, Counselor

No Place for Hate

As many of you know, we here at Cimarron Elementary, are members of The No Place for Hate organization. For our new family members, “The No Place for Hate® initiative provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum.  No Place for Hate® also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual difference while challenging bigotry and prejudice.”

This is the third year that Cimarron Elementary has participated in and continues the pledge to voice the anti-bias and diversity initiative. Here at CE were are promoting respect and differences for all students and staff members. This year our three goals are to have students change up who they play with at recess on Fridays. This helps remind children that when they meet new people, it is okay to be different. Different is the new black. In the fall we had a coloring contest to help promote against bullying and promote kindness in others. This spring, and going on right now, were are having another contest but using the words of our children to promote kindness and differences in the world. Our children have the opportunity to enter the contest with a poem, song or rap. The contest ends on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

Here are a few words from our student committee members:

Kids are being positive towards and about others. T.B.

NPFH- It’s cool. Brings bullies to a stop. Brings everyone together as friends. K.F.

Everything is going great. People are taking part and coming up with great ideas. A.B.

Melissa Nored, Librarian

Read, Deed, & Run: Motivating Students to Serve

Read, Deed, & Run is a student organization for 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th graders. Originally created by Katy ISD teacher Courtney Calfee, the program is designed to motivate students to stretch themselves mentally and physically by reading 26 books or 2600 pages, run 26.2 miles, and perform 26 community service deeds over the course of the school year. This year there are 29 schools participating with over 1500 students! In May, all those students who have completed the program will take part in the Final Run, usually held at Rhoades Stadium.  It’s amazing to witness these determined students complete their final run and receive their finisher’s medal.

Cimarron has 32 students participating in this year’s program. We are about halfway through the program with 13 miles, 13 deeds, and 13 books under our belt. Students have enjoyed collecting and sorting newspapers for CAP (Houston’s own Citizens for Animal Protection), collecting crayons and coloring books for Texas Children’s Hospital, decorating water bottles for the Veterans’ Day celebrating, and making treat bags for teachers at our sister school, Alexander Elementary, among other deeds.

One of our most memorable activities was putting together Christmas gifts for children in Zambia for the Magi Box program through Healing Hands International. This program distributes boxes to needy children in various countries throughout the world. For our Cimarron students, this was a unique occasion to reach beyond their local community and serve others halfway around the world. Healing Hands asks that each box includes soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, socks, and underwear. This project also provided an opportunity to discuss with our students and bring home the realization that there are children, in Zambia as well as closer to home, who need the most basic items, and remind them that we are in a position to help.

Read, Deed, & Run provides many of these opportunities, and our students and their parents are discovering new ways of serving and becoming healthier. I believe RDR helps build our students’ stamina and perseverance as well as foster a love for keeping our minds and bodies healthy and serving others. 

I’m proud to assist in the program and work with these wonderful students.  Here are some of their comments about the program:

“I really like the magi boxes because we are getting to send them to a place that doesn’t really have a lot of stuff. I like how we got to fill it with stuff we picked.”         ~Jaeden R.

“I love when we did the magi boxes because I love to help people and especially to deco rad for Christmas! And we give it to people who need it more than me. I also like to run – that’s what I love to do.”                                                                                       ~David G.

“Read, Deed, and Run is the most fun program I’ve joined. You do fun deeds. And you can run with your friends. I love Read, Deed, & Run.”                                       

~Jacob V.

“Read, Deed, and Run is great. It is great cause you get to help people in need. We just did a program that is called Healing Hands. We got some boxes and send them to people that do not get things on Christmas. We fill the boxes with coloring books, toothpaste, and stuff like that.”                                                                                 ~Hope A. 

Elizabeth Kratz, Counselor

College Celebration Month

We have had a fun time with our college month. The staff at Cimarron Elementary have given our children some great information about college during the morning announcements. During this month, we have shared the importance of going to college, the significance of continuing education, and the importance of striving to be a lifelong learner.  Staff members have shared traditions from their colleges and the love of their school. We have displayed many different pennants of both colleges and universities around our country. If you do not see your college/university think about donating yours to the wall of excellence.

I asked a few students what they thought about hearing the stories from the staff and a few comments were:

•        They (teachers) had an amazing life because they went to college.
•        College can be fun and not so fun.
•        Learn, but have fun at the same time.
•       Continue to have respect for others.
•      You can earn stuff and not be given things.
•    College will not have a playground, but you can have fun anyway. ßMy favorite!