Purple House 5 2023-2024

It’s been a fun and engaging week in Purple 5! Our learners put their observation and reasoning skills to the test during our “marshmallow farming” investigation, where they crafted strong Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning based on what they observed (and yes—the “Google Smell App” was a big hit!). We also loved learning from a special guest speaker who shared real-world connections and inspired thoughtful questions. In addition, we’ve been building our financial literacy skills by exploring, taxes, and different methods of payment—helping learners make meaningful connections to the world around them. Next week learners will create a balanced budget. Please check our Learn at Home segment from some great at home learning ideas. Thank you for your continued support in making learning come alive!

With gratitude,
Ms. Voltz

In science a week ago, we were studying inherited traits and learned behaviors and began with a great read-aloud, Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe. The story sparked so much curiosity about heredity and how traits are passed down that one of our learners shared that her father is an expert in the field of Genetics—and just like that, our learning grew beyond the classroom!

We were incredibly fortunate to have Ishanvi’s dad, Dr. Madhumohan Katika, visit our classroom to share his research in genetics. He helped our learners understand how scientists study genes—the tiny instructions inside every living thing that determine traits like eye color, height, and even how plants grow and survive.

Dr. Katika explained that his work focuses on how these genes function and interact, almost like a set of directions that tell cells what to do. In fifth-grade terms, we can think of genes as a “recipe book” inside our bodies. Scientists like Dr. Katika study these recipes to understand why living things look and act the way they do, and how we can solve problems like diseases or improve how plants grow.

Our learners were curious, engaged, and asked thoughtful questions throughout his visit. We are beyond grateful for the time he spent inspiring our class, and we are especially excited for the opportunity to tour his research laboratory soon and see real-world science in action!

Happy April Fools’ Day! Our learners dove into a fun and engaging Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) activity centered around a “marshmallow farm.” They practiced careful observation and critical thinking as they gathered evidence to support their claims. The surprise addition of the Google Smell App was a huge hit—once learners discovered they could “smell” the marshmallows, their focus and excitement skyrocketed! It was a sweet way to reinforce scientific reasoning while sharing a few laughs together.

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Optimism- to anticipate the best possible outcome.

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:
Be positive and enjoy life. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Everyday may not be good but there is something good in every day.” -Anonymous

Our learners took an exciting first step into understanding living things by starting with the most familiar subject—themselves! We explored how traits can be inherited (passed down from family) or acquired (developed through experiences), and how behaviors can be learned or instinctive. By reflecting on their own characteristics and actions, students built a strong foundation for studying other organisms in the world around them. This self-to-world connection is helping our scientists think more deeply about how living things grow, survive, and interact!

Money is part of everyday life, and simple conversations at home can help learners build smart financial habits!

💳 Methods of Payment: What’s the Difference?

Talk with your child about the different ways people pay for things and the pros and cons of each:

💵 Cash

• ✔️ Easy to see how much you have left
• ✔️ Helps with budgeting and self-control
• ❌ Can be lost and isn’t always accepted everywhere

💳 Debit Card

• ✔️ Uses money directly from your bank account
• ✔️ Convenient and widely accepted
• ❌ Easy to overspend if you’re not keeping track

💳 Credit Card

• ✔️ Can be helpful in emergencies
• ✔️ Builds credit for the future
• ❌ You are borrowing money and must pay it back (often with interest)

📱 Digital Payments (apps/tap-to-pay)

• ✔️ Fast and convenient
• ✔️ No need to carry cash
• ❌ Harder to “see” money being spent, which can lead to overspending

Ask your child:

• “Which method would help you stay on budget best? Why?”
• “Which one might make it easier to spend too much?”

🧾 Where Does Tax Money Go?

When you make a purchase, you may notice a little extra added—that’s sales tax! This money helps support our community.

Talk about where tax money goes:

• 🏫 Schools and education
• 🚒 Police, firefighters, and emergency services
• 🛣️ Roads and transportation
• 🌳 Parks and public spaces

Try this at home:

• Look at a receipt together and find the tax amount
• Ask: “What do you think this money helps pay for?”
• Connect it to real places your child knows (their school, local parks, roads you drive on)

🏡 Real-Life Connections

• Let your child help choose how to pay at checkout
• Compare totals before and after tax
• Talk through decisions: “Should we use cash or a card? Why?”
• Challenge them to estimate the total cost of an item including tax

💬 Keep the Conversation Going

Understanding money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making thoughtful choices. These everyday moments help learners grow into confident and responsible decision-makers!

Order your 2025-26 yearbooks today! You must order online before April 7. Type in Richard J Lee Elementary. Yearbook ID: 13015826.

Join us Saturday, May 2 for the14th Annual CEF Run to Fund<http://coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/> at Andy Brown East! Choose your way to participate:

* 5K Run
* 1-Mile Family Fun Run
* Sleep-In & Support

Proceeds will allow CEF to bring innovative teacher support and learning opportunities to all students in CISD. Bonus: $2 from every entry goes directly to the PE department at the CISD school of your choice!

Sign up today and support CISD classrooms! coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/<http://coppellisdef.org/run-to-fund/>
Early Bird pricing is $35 through March 29 (prices increase March 30).

Join the fun and serve your community on the PTO Board for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! We have roles that will be a great fit for you, no matter how much or how little time you have to give. Click here for all the details on what to expect, the open positions, and the application form. We’d love you to join us! Applications close May 1st. Please feel free to email PTO, or join us at the virtual PTO meeting on April 14th to learn more and ask any questions!

Parents, there will be no visitors on campus on Thursday, April 9. We also ask that students avoid scheduling doctor appointments, avoid late arrivals, and do not have early pick-ups on that day.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH

NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

EOY SUMMATIVE WINDOW

EOY MAP/MCLASS WINDOW

NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WEEK

April 6 - NO SCHOOL

April 9 - STAAR Reading (Day 0) NO VISITORS ON CAMPUS

Fifth-grade designer of learning experiences at RJ Lee Elementary a Net Zero school in Coppell, Texas.

Our Guiding Purpose: We empower learners to positively impact the world by designing learning experiences that promote relationships, risk-taking, and collaboration in a flexible learning environment.

Apple Teacher

HEB Excellence in Education State Finalist 2018

Twitter X: @MayV1