Day 79, Lauren Blum, 4th Grade Science

Student Created Labs

Recently, strange things have been happening in 4^th grade. The students have taken over and created their own science labs!! Classmates joined forces to come up with their best lab demonstration to show weathering, erosion, and/or deposition. Each group went “shopping” for materials in the science lab, set up the lab, and presented it to the class.

Cotton balls represent rocks that get washed downstream by a river and eventually end up in a new location.

Here is what two students had to say about the lab:

Our wreathing, erosion, and deposition lab gave us the ability to come up with a lab by ourselves. Instead of us following someone else’s steps, we got to create our own steps! It was really fun and I hope we could do something like it again! It was challenging, but that’s what made it fun! See, what we did was, we got to come up with a way to show weathering, erosion, or deposition. Then we got to show it to the whole class! It was like an exciting way of learning about science! –Taylor

My group made our science demonstration for erosion and deposition. We compiled our ideas. One person’s idea was to have a paper towel tube with sand in it and pour water into it which would demonstrate erosion because as our teacher taught, erosion is when something like sand is picked up and moved to a new location. I thought that if we added a tank and some spoons that we could show deposition. So we stacked some books on top of each other and we did use a paper towel tube with sand in it. Then we poured water into it and left some behind. After that we had the tube leading to a big bucket with water in it. We also put rocks in it because we knew that when rock hits water it releases some sad. When the sand floated to the bottom we knew we managed to show erosion and deposition. – Zyonne

A beach of sand and rock that was eroded away by the waves (bucket being shaken back and forth).

Day 78, Elizabeth Kratz, Counselor

Are you gritty?

Mrs. Kratz, school counselor, has been conducting guidance lessons with students about being gritty. Below is her reflection from the lessons she has shared with students. 

Mrs. Kratz: "What do you have?"  

1st Grade: “I GOT GRIT!”

Mrs. Kratz: "Why do you have it?"

1st Grade: “BECAUSE I AM TOUGH!”

We have been working hard at Cimarron Elementary to teach our students the value of working hard and the importance of having a never give up attitude. Our students have always had grit, but they did not know that it had a name. We have been working together to have a better understanding of what GRIT is and how to keep a positive attitude.

“GRIT” is an attitude. It is a belief that you can conquer anything if you stick with it. It’s a belief in yourself, and a determination to win by making a plan for success. It’s sticking to a task until it sticks to you. It’s not giving up, nor giving in. It’s putting your best into a project.

Remember when you were learning how to ride your bike the first time?  Our students do and many said that they wrecked or jumped off their bikes before it crashed.  Many said they even got hurt when they were learning how to ride a bike; but, they all said they got back on that bike time and time again because they were not going to let the bike win. That is what GRIT is all about. NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN!

Keep up the great work Cheetahs! You have GRIT!

Want to know how gritty you are? Take the grit test. Click here to learn more about grit and take the grit assessment.

Day 66, Tami Boltz, Music Teacher

3rd Grade Thanksgiving Performance

There’s a chill in the air. Well, sometimes, after all, it IS Houston. The leaves are changing and falling to the ground and our Cimarron 3rd graders are spreading holiday cheer with music and amazing artwork. Their Crazy Turkey Thanksgiving Program encore performance was the highlight of the school day on the day before the Thanksgiving break as we counted the minutes until Thanksgiving Break.  

The students began rehearsing the four selections in early October and quickly learned the catchy tunes for their show. Always willing to accept new challenges, our Cimarron Cheetahs perfected their “Turkey Woogie” skills so that they could WOW their audience.“Hey Pilgrims” told the story in song of the courageous settles who came to America on the Mayflower and later celebrated our very first Thanksgiving Day. “Many Thanks” sent the students on a trip around the world, learning to say thank you in eight different languages. I’m sure that this will come in handy as they someday travel the globe.Then came the choreography and turkey gobble sound effects to complete the presentation of “Turkey Followed Me Home”.  A surprise visit from Tom Turkey himself brought down the house.  We are grateful for teachers who make learning so much fun!

Day 65, Cheryl Wienserski and Kathy Fields, Early Childhood Teachers

PreKindergarten and PPCD Thanksgiving Feast

In Early Childhood we have been  learning about the First Thanksgiving. Throughout our studies we used mapping skills to follow the Pilgrims’ journey across the ocean from England to America. We read about the hardships the pilgrims faced during their first winter in America and the help they received from the Native Americans, learning to farm and hunt in the new land. We discussed how the Pilgrims showed their gratitude during harvest time by inviting their Native American friends to the First Thanksgiving.

To culminate our unit study, PK and PPCD celebrated the first Thanksgiving with our own “Thanksgiving Feast” . The PPCD students were dressed as Pilgrims, while pre-K came as the Wampanoag Indians.  All students were encouraged to contribute to the feast  which the teachers prepared at school. We had a delicious traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn, beans, applesauce and PUMPKIN PIE!

This week we also talked about the meaning of being thankful and decided, just like the Pilgrims,  we had a lot to be thankful for. Prekindergarten students made lists of these people, places and things. Here are some examples of what we are thankful for…

            

            Camila- “My Grandma”

            Quincy- “That our world has everything”

            Tyler- “My brother Gavin”

            Bribelen- “My nephew Braedon”

            Jacob- “That my brother Jason lets me play with his car”

            Mansata- “All the countries in the world and China”

            Mario- “SNOW!”

            Bronson- “Turkey!”

Day 64, Lori Davies, 1st Grade Teacher

Retelling with Screen Chomp

Our first graders have been working hard on strengthening their reading comprehension by retelling stories stories that we have read in class or read independently.  Two of my students used their creative voices and retelling strategies to retell the story of Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey using their 1^st grade strategies.

Picture a small quiet town of little mice preparing for a Sunday BBQ when….and as my class would say “dun…dun…duuuun!!!”  (enter the suspenseful music) Click here to check out the video for the rest of the story.

Students used iPad minis and the Screen Chomp app to snap a picture of the book and record their retelling.  I am looking forward to more posts about our digital journey.

Day 59, Melissa Nored, Librarian

Promise to Read 2013

Last Friday, November 8, the Promise to Read program came to Cimarron Elementary. Promise to Read is a special program sponsored by Katy ISD Partners in Education during which members of the greater Katy community come into the schools to read books. This year, every classroom at Cimarron Elementary participated in the program, and all the students enjoyed some fantastic books with their guest readers!

Mr. Frailey, Katy ISD Superintendent

Cimarron was pleased to welcome a few extra special guests such as Mr. Alton Frailey, KISD Superintendent, and Ms. Bonnie Holland, KISD Assistant Superintendent for Administration, Governance and Legal Affairs. Some of our community’s business partners from Texas Roadhouse, Tradition Bank, Pepper Lawson Construction, Pump It Up, Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, HEB, and McDonald’s also joined in the reading fun. Other KISD administrators and former administrators such as Mindy Dickerson and Jamie Wolman held our students spellbound with their interesting books and amusing reading styles.

Chris Crockett, Former Board Member

Mindy Dickerson, Principal at BDJH
(Former Cimarron Principal)

Mrs. Nored and teachers made sure that each reader chose age-appropriate books that would entertain and educate.  Some readers brought their own favorites to share with students like Ms. Dianna Parrish who loves dogs. She came ready to read armed with two of her favorite canine tales.  The students who were lucky enough to have her visit were soon howling with delight! And Ms. Dickerson shared one of her favorites: Miss Nelson is Missing!  Ms. Wolman brought a really cool guessing book about animal eyes that the fourth graders really adored.

Jamie Wolman
Retired Counselor & Namesake of Wolman Elementary

Promise to Read represents one of those unique opportunities for our school to bring a bit of the world into the classroom.  Through these willing volunteers, our Cimarron students’ perspective was widened just a bit – and they enjoyed some fabulous books in the process!  Thanks to all our volunteers who kept their Promise to Read and came to Cimarron on November 8.

Day 56, Regina Bartels and Shawna Lyles, Veterans Day Planning Committee

Cimarron Honors our Heroes

Outside the sun was shining and the air was crisp.  The walkway was lined with flags as far as you could see.  It was a very important day.  Monday was Veterans Day and Cimarron celebrated our honored guests with a school wide program.  

Most of our Veterans were fathers, mothers, grandfathers, uncles, and husbands of our students and staff.  The American Legion and local VFW were also honored.  Our veterans were from all branches of the military and represented WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, and the Iraq/Afghanistan wars.  They began their morning with a breakfast provided by the Cimarron faculty and PTA. 

Students filled the gym with their red, white, and blue clothing and flags waving.  Mayde Creek JROTC proudly held the colors and the auditorium erupted with cheers as the Veterans processed in.  The Cheetah choir sang three special songs of tribute and as they finished the last song, many were wiping tears from their cheeks.  Each grade level essay winner read their winning essays.  The winners were: Miles V., Carson W.,  Jacob R., Luke E., Trevor B., and Melanie C.

As the branches were called, each group of veterans stood and were given a special card and pin by the Student Council Representatives.  The gym echoed with the cheers from the students.   We also honored two very special veterans during the program.  Mr. Duane Dyer, great grandfather of Abby and Lily Sherman, celebrated his 86^th birthday yesterday! After having him stand and be recognized, the gym burst out in Happy Birthday!  

Mrs. Lyles had the honor of presenting her grandfather, Mr. Glenn Rowe with the “Most Senior Veteran” plaque.  Mr. Rowe is a WWII hero who was stationed on the USS Wolverine.  It was a priceless moment for everyone there. 

After the Fifth grade played a beautiful version of Amazing Grace on the recorder, the students lined the hallways and the Veterans were escorted on their parade route through the school! 

Before I close this blog I want to share a story from one of our Veterans.  He is 78 years old and fought in Vietnam.  He told me yesterday, with tears in his eyes, that this was the first time that he had ever been honored for serving his country.  Cimarron made a difference in the lives of so many amazing men and women. 

“To be a veteran one must know and determine one’s price for freedom.”

Day 55-Melissa Nored, Librarian

Illustrator and author David Catrow visits Cimarron!

Students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade enjoyed a fun-filled presentation on Tuesday, November 5^th, by illustrator and author David Catrow.  Groups watched in fascination as Mr. Catrow re-created some of his beloved characters like Molly Lou Melon. On his website, this illustrator talks about how he can relate to a character like Molly Lou because of how she loves to use her imagination and create fun out of anything. He read Molly Lou’s new book – Have Fun Molly Lou Melon to our Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1^st grade students, and another new book, Jackhammer Sam, to our 2^nd and 3^rd graders.

Catrow also discussed how he had loved drawing from the time he could hold a crayon in his hand without eating it!  Students loved his “self-portrait” as a baby with crayons in his mouth!  He inspired our students to use their imagination by transforming a squiggle into a terrific drawing and using the letters of simple words to create a picture.  Mrs. Nored is excited that the library will get to keep all the drawings that Mr. Catrow produced during his visit.  We may even auction one off during the upcoming Book Fair – watch out for those details.

The Cimarron Library owns lots of David Catrow’s books – so your student can check one out to read at home!  He also has a fantastic website that gives more detailed information about Mr. Catrow and his books.        http://www.catrow.com/

Day 54, Candace Clark, 1st Grade Teacher

Katie the Bus

First grade was lucky enough to have Katie the Bus visit with us to teach us about bus safety!

We learned many things from Katie and her friends. They taught us that if you cannot see the bus driver, then the bus driver cannot see you. We also learned that the bus tires are very BIG and hard, and you do not want to be near them because they could hurt you and you are invisible to the bus driver there. You must be 5 large steps back away from the curb to be a safe distance away. We practiced lining up this way.

Then we got to get on the bus. We learned to hold on to the rails and go one at a time so we do not slip and we can get on safely. Once we were all on the bus and comfortable in our seats, we learned a chant to help us remember to be safe on the bus. It went:

Bottom to the bottom,

Back to the back,

Hands on my backpack in my lap.

We went over how the bus driver communicates with other drivers to keep us safe and we even learned different ways to exit the bus in case something ever happened. They told us that we were lucky to be in Katy ISD because we have never had to use the other exits on buses here. That fact made us feel safe.

After we got off the bus, we practiced crossing the street to our houses once we got home. We played a game to watch the driver and read her motions to tell us when it was safe to go across. It is important to look at the driver, in case the horn was to break or not work. We learned a lot of important facts from Katie and her friends. We were glad she visited us.