Getting Ready for the Souper Bowl!!

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!  I started back to my SFA classes, so it was a weekend full of learning for me!  Needless to say. . .enjoying being here at the house this afternoon!  

Upcoming Weekly Events
January 26th-30th, 2015

Monday- Wear sweats and favorite sports jersey or t-shirt
Souper Bowl Potluck - Lounge 
Educator Mid-Year Goal Meetings

Tuesday- Educator Mid-Year Goal Meetings

Wednesday-  Visitors from Grapevine 8:30 (STEM elem.)
Angie and Kelly out PM - STAAR Training at Brock

Thursday- Educator Mid-Year Goal Meetings
Design Team - 3:15 - Meet briefly if you are able to come in C106 for updates about building designs. 
 
Friday-  Texan Town
Educator Mid-Year Goal Meetings
TCE Social at Lorri Brehm's House

Announcement Weekly Info  

Life Principle: Respect

Cowboy Courtesy: Respect other students’ comments, opinions, and ideas.

ABC of Etiquette:  Use your napkin.

Important Reminders and Updates

STEM Bulletin Boards in Main Hallways

We need your help to make sure that we have several examples from your kiddos shown on the various STEM boards in the hallways!  Please make sure that you have given your learners opportunities to fill out one of the sheets concerning engineering, problem solving, etc.!  Brett also emailed the templates out to you in order to have some extras in your classroom!

TCE Tours

Please remember that our first tour will be next week on Wednesday, January 28th at 8:30am. This will be a group from Grapevine, Cannon Elementary, which like TCE is a STEM campus.   

Please make sure that learning in the classroom as well as the hallway are showcasing and reflecting our STEM initiative.  

 This could include highlighting the engineering design process, technology usage for learners, various types of assessments for learning or innovation/creativity for learners.  

Remember that you may need to give a "facelift" to displays inside and outside of the classroom, because we want to make sure we truly showcase the amazing learning happening for our kiddos each day! 

 

Super Teacher Awards
Please try to nominate one or more of your fellow TCE teachers for a Super Teacher award!  The Coppell ISD educator recognition program highlights the 21st Century learning environments, learning designs, and assessments that educators are implementing all of the district to transform teaching and learning.
You may nominate and can provide supporting evidence of transformation with photos, videos and/or written descriptions.
Click on the following link to nominate a Super Teacher now! 
Click here to nominate a Super Teacher!

 Shout Outs!

Jennifer Martin for helping to facilitate getting the Innovation Station up and going!

Everyone for helping to get the Math/Science Lab and Innovation Station looking good and closer toward our goals for those rooms!

All of our educators who had RTI/PST meetings on Friday for coming with your data and ideas for interventions!

Brett Shelby, Kelly Spears, Kim Becker and Lisa Hansen for all of their help with RTI/PST meetings!

Kelly Burks, Marly Natherson, Katie Tonemah and Jenna Taylor for leading a great Sky Ranch meeting for the 5th grade parents!   

Lori Vincenzo, Kelly McShan, Gloria Yates, Kelly Spears and Marnie Cranmer for helping with the Geography Bee after school! 

Engineer of the Week 

Please remember that Brett or I will cover a morning/afternoon or lunch/recess duty for you during the week!  Just email us to let us know what might work out!  Also, you may leave early one day once your kiddos are dismissed!

This week we are celebrating:  Kelly McShan

Final Quote

I thought this one might be a good one as we are focusing on engineering, design and allowing ourselves as educators and our kiddos to innovate and create each day!

Lovely Weather and a Four Day Week!

Hope all of you had an amazing three day weekend!  It was hard to believe the wonderful weather we had!  I hope you got the chance to do something fun for yourself on your extra day off! 

Upcoming Weekly Events
January 20th-23rd, 2015

Teacher Appreciation Week

Monday- MLK Day

Tuesday- Jeans Day!
Grades Due  

Wednesday-  Sweats Day!
Brett Out (All Day) Angie Out Training (AM)
PLC Meeting 3:15- Everyone Library

Thursday- Jeans/Sweats Day! 
PTO Luncheon
Lockdown Drill 2:00pm
 
Friday- Jeans Day!
Texan Town
PST/RTI Meetings - C106
Report Cards Go Home

Announcement Weekly Info  

Life Principle: Dedication

Cowboy Courtesy:  When standing in line, keep your arms at your sides and move quietly.

ABC of Etiquette: Before leaving the cafeteria, pick up all trash from the table and floor.

Important Reminders and Updates

  

STEM Bulletin Boards in Main Hallways

We need your help to make sure that we have several examples from your kiddos shown on the various STEM boards in the hallways!  Please make sure that you have given your learners opportunities to fill out one of the sheets concerning engineering, problem solving, etc.!  Brett also emailed the templates out to you in order to have some extras in your classroom!

TCE Tours

Please remember that our first tour will be next week on Wednesday, January 28th at 8:30am. This will be a group from Grapevine, Cannon Elementary, which like TCE is a STEM campus.   

Please make sure that learning in the classroom as well as the hallway are showcasing and reflecting our STEM initiative.  

 This could include highlighting the engineering design process, technology usage for learners, various types of assessments for learning or innovation/creativity for learners.  

Remember that you may need to give a "facelift" to displays inside and outside of the classroom, because we want to make sure we truly showcase the amazing learning happening for our kiddos each day! 

 

Super Teacher Awards
Please try to nominate one or more of your fellow TCE teachers for a Super Teacher award!  The Coppell ISD educator recognition program highlights the 21st Century learning environments, learning designs, and assessments that educators are implementing all of the district to transform teaching and learning.
You may nominate and can provide supporting evidence of transformation with photos, videos and/or written descriptions.
Click on the following link to nominate a Super Teacher now!  
Click here to nominate a Super Teacher!

January Birthdays 

Lisa Hansen - 18th 

Kim Becker - 23rd 

 Shout Outs!

2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade and Becky and Laci for the great job you did with planning on your STEM days!

And of course Ashley Minton, Alicia Montgomery, Brad Cook and Candace for your support for our educators on these days!

Everyone that was able to make it out to Skate Night!  I will be putting a slip in your box to fill out for your 3 days of jeans and 2 days of sweats!  This week does not count for using your passes due to it being Teacher Appreciation Week!

Becky Garrett for having our group of singers lead the Star Spangled Banner and for the excellent performance from our TCE Bucket Drumming Club!  

Ashley Martin and Cindy Schroeder for getting our Jump Rope for Heart up and going for TCE!

Engineer of the Week 

Please remember that Brett or I will cover a morning/afternoon or lunch/recess duty for you during the week!  Just email us to let us know what might work out!  Also, you may leave early one day once your kiddos are dismissed!

This week we are celebrating:  Kristan Hruby

Resources

I will be putting the Engineering Extravaganza Sign up Sheet on the board by the elevator this week!  I am attaching a few more engineering connections you might like to check out for your classroom or for that night!  Each of these pics links to the site for more ideas and info!  Some cool stuff for learning!

http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/08/engineering-with-ramp-making-materials-in-preschool/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+TeachPreschool+%28Teach+Preschool%29

http://www.moebiusnoodles.com/2012/03/rube-thursday-4/

 

http://www.thejoysofboys.com/how-to-make-a-kazoo/

http://adventuresathomewithmum.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/stack-up-cup-game-100-day-challenge.html

http://www.howweelearn.com/flying-egg-carton-helicopter/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Project-Based-Engineering-for-Kids/

 

http://teachbesideme.com/knights-and-nobles-unit-making-a-catapult/

 

http://frugalfun4boys.com/2014/08/17/build-marble-run-craft-sticks/

Final Quotes

I enjoyed this quote by Martin Luther King Jr. as I was reflecting today on his impact to our world. 

And for my other quote for today. . .I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your dedication, your passion for learning and for going above and beyond in your role as educators at TCE!  You give so much of your energy and time to our kiddos, families and educators at school each day!  TCE would not be the best school in the world to work without each and everyone of you!

Babies, Babies everywhere. . .

It was so nice to see all of our TCE family back this week and what wonderful celebrations to kick off 2015!!  

We are so excited about our two baby announcements for this new year! Congrats to Candace and Ty!  And of course Addison who will gain a little brother or sister! 

And. . .congrats to Brett and Ardra and there great news of having their 1st baby! 

 

Upcoming Weekly Events
January 12th-16th, 2015

Monday- Team Leader Meeting - 3:15 - C106
2nd Grade STEM Planning Day - Literacy Lib.

Tuesday- 3rd Grade STEM Planning Day - Literacy Lib.

Wednesday- 4th Grade STEM Planning Day - Literacy Lib.
Vertical Meeting - 3:15 - Everyone Library

Thursday-  5th Grade STEM Planning Day - Literacy Lib.
 
Friday- Spirit Rally - 8:30

Announcement Weekly Info  

Life Principle: Commitment 

Cowboy Courtesy:  Be as organized as possible.

ABC of Etiquette: Remain seated while you eat.

Important Reminders and Updates

TCE Skate Night

Please remind your kiddos about Skate Night on Wednesday, January 14th!  (please pay attention to date change from PTO)  This is Skate Night at the roller rink in Lewisville.  If you come out and see the kiddos for 30 minutes or more you can earn three jeans day passes! It is a fun night to see all of the kiddos having fun skating! Hope you can swing by!

  

Super Teacher Awards
Please try to nominate one or more of your fellow TCE teachers for a Super Teacher award!  The Coppell ISD educator recognition program highlights the 21st Century learning environments, learning designs, and assessments that educators are implementing all of the district to transform teaching and learning.
You may nominate and can provide supporting evidence of transformation with photos, videos and/or written descriptions.
Click on the following link to nominate a Super Teacher now!  
Click here to nominate a Super Teacher!

Book Study:  Opening Minds

We will be doing several activities in the upcoming months focusing around the readings from Choice Words and Opening Minds.  If you could please make sure that you have completed Choice Words as well as have read Chapters 1-4 in Opening Minds by our Professional Learning Day - 

Monday, February 16th!
 

January Birthdays 

Lisa Hansen - 18th 

Kim Becker - 23rd 

 

Shout Outs!  

Juan Hernandez our new tech for our campus!  He started on Monday and is already working hard to help support us with our technology needs for TCE!  If you didn't get the chance to meet him yet, make sure and introduce yourself when you see him on campus!

Tim Disen and all he did as our tech for part of the year!  We appreciate his dedication and all of the help you gave us while you were here at TCE!  He will be heading to CHS to work with the educators there!

Casey Wagner for getting all of the Texan Town Catalog and Jobs/Clubs sorted!  Greatly appreciated!!

Brett Shelby for "holding down the fort" while I was out this week!

Kinder, 1st grade teams and Ashley Martin for working hard during their STEM planning days to come up with some exciting learning opportunities for their kiddos!

Ashley Minton, Alicia Montgomery, Brad Cook and Candace Coffee for helping to support the grade levels during their STEM Planning!

Cindy Schroeder for getting our popcorn subscriptions ready to go and for getting our popcorn machine clean and ready to go to start popping again! 

Resources
Here are a few resources for feedback with learners. 

Feedback 

Engineering
Here is a great link to a site that has many ideas for engineering!  Some of these might be great for our Engineering Extravaganza, Maker Spaces or for in the classroom! Click on the pic!

Innovation
Here is one more that has some great links to help with innovation and inquiry for your learners!  Click on the pic!

Final Quotes

Happy New Year!

Happy, Happy New Year everyone!  It is hard to believe that we are already into 2015 and halfway through our school year!  I hope all of you have enjoyed this break and had the chance to visit with family and friends and of course RELAX! 

I hate that I won't see you all the first two days we get back, but I will be at a conference getting some great info on looking at various environmental factors and instructional strategies that have effects on learners as well as the research behind it.   Some of you may be familiar with John Hattie's books or his work.  I am looking forward to it, but am so ready to see all of you and hear about your holidays! 

I am also so excited because we get to welcome Alicia back with us again!!!  So happy to have her back at TCE!!

Upcoming Weekly Events

January 5th-9th, 2015

Monday- Angie out (Hattie training in Westlake)
 
Tuesday- Angie out (Hattie training in Westlake)

Wednesday- Kinder Team STEM Planning Day- Literacy Library
Faculty Meeting 3:15 - Library

Thursday-  1st Grade STEM Planning Day- Literacy Library
 
Friday- Texan Town - 1st Time Winter Session

Announcement Weekly Info  

Life Principle: Discipline and Self-Control

Cowboy Courtesy:  Subject transitions will be swift, quiet, and orderly.
 

ABC of Etiquette: All food needs to make it in the trashcan.

Important Reminders and Updates

Texan Town
We start up with our Winter Texan Town this Friday. We are going to continue with the same club choices from this fall since we had many new additions for the year!  Then we will see if you want to change anything up for the Spring Session! 

You will need to make sure and get your kiddos to select their clubs ASAP on Monday!  Thank you to Casey Wagner for helping once again to get this up and going!  This way there will be time to look at everything and get ready for Friday!  

Book Study - Choice Words 

We will be doing a few more activities with our 1st book study at the beginning of January!  So, please have the rest of Choice Words finished by January 7th!

TCE Skate Night

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 13th.  This is Skate Night at the roller rink in Lewisville.  More info on the time will come our first week back. If you come out and see the kiddos for 30 minutes or more you can earn three jeans day passes! It is a fun night to see all of the kiddos having fun skating! 

Super Teacher Awards
Please try to nominate one or more of your fellow TCE teachers for a Super Teacher award!  The Coppell ISD educator recognition program highlights the 21st Century learning environments, learning designs, and assessments that educators are implementing all of the district to transform teaching and learning.  
You may nominate and can provide supporting evidence of transformation with photos, videos and/or written descriptions.  
Click on the following link to nominate a Super Teacher now!  
Click here to nominate!
  

January Birthdays 

Lisa Hansen - 18th 

Kim Becker - 23rd 

 

Shout Outs! 

Kelly Spears and Mary Kennington for attending a behavior intervention training that will help us with more strategies as a campus!

Becky Garrett and the amazing job she did with our 5th grade music program!

Ashley Martin, Laci Garza, Kelly Burks, Marly Natherson, Katie Tonemah and Jenna Taylor for all of their help with the music program!

Lorri Brehm, Kelly McShan, Courtney Rice and Megan Peccarelli for a great service learning project with the Giving Tree!

All Classroom Teachers for helping to make the Winter Parties fun for the kiddos!

All of our TCE family for participating in the Sing-Along and putting smiles on everyone's faces, especially mine!

Resources
Check out the following video/article to start getting you ready for our STEM planning days coming up this week and next!  We will be focusing a big part of the day on engineering and innovation and creativity for learners!  
The article is from the creator of Makey Makey's!
Click here for the article

Click here for link to the video

Engineer of the Week

We will start this up the 2nd week back due to me being out a few days this week.
  

Final Quotes
I liked this one that I found and I am going to use a few of these for reflecting on my past year.  Thought you might enjoy as well!