Purple House 5 2023-2024

Dear Purple Families,

It has been another great week of learning in our classroom! Learners continued to think deeply, collaborate, and grow as they explored new concepts across our subjects. In science, students created hands-on models of sedimentary rock, carefully layering materials to show how these rocks form over time and recording observations like real geologists.

To end the week with a little creative fun, we also explored technology by creating virtual snowmen in augmented reality. Learners loved designing and placing their snowy creations into the real world—what a fun way to blend imagination and tech! I hope you can place your virtual snowman right next to a real snowman this weekend… we need to be prepared! ☃️❄️

Warmly,
Ms. May Voltz
Purple Fifth Grade Teacher

Exploring Shapes in 3D!

This week, learners used Apple’s Reality Composer to explore shapes in three dimensions by manipulating objects along the x, y, and z axes. By designing and placing virtual objects in real space, students deepened their understanding of how shapes exist and move beyond a flat screen. With our weather finally perfect for building snowmen, this felt like the ideal first project! ❄️

Please enjoy exploring this app together at home and don’t forget to place your virtual snowman right next to a real one if you get the chance this weekend!

We will host a Little Library at Lee for future Spurs/Cowboys on January 30. Please share the invitation below. Thank you, Holly, for organizing this fun event.

EOY Conferences:

Monday, May 18th

11:00 - 12:00

Save the Date: Valentine House Celebrations Thursday, February 12

Our House Lead Room Parents have kicked off Valentine's Party planning, and they need volunteers for the day of the party, February 12, from 1:15-3pm to make it a success! Please browse the signups for each house at https://www.rjlpto.org/volunteerand grab one slot! Reminder - a CISD Background check is required for all volunteers.

Today in science, our Y5 and YP scientists became geologists as they created sedimentary rock models! Through this hands-on investigation, learners explored how rocks are formed by observing the processes of weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation. Building their own models helped them visualize how tiny pieces of sediment can change over time to form solid rock, just like in the natural world. A fantastic day of inquiry, creativity, and scientific thinking!

Thank you families for generously donating the supplies needed to make this hands-on project come to life! You ROCK!

Looking Ahead: Next week, learners will create a Keynote presentation to illustrate and explain their sedimentary rock models. They will use photos, labels, and clear explanations to show how layers form, how pressure creates rock, and how sedimentary rocks tell Earth’s story over time. This project blends science, writing, and technology as students practice explaining their thinking like real geologists!

This week, learners explored fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—and how they help power our everyday lives. These fuels come from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago and are still used today to produce electricity, fuel vehicles, and heat our homes.

💬 Family Conversation Starters

Use these questions to talk, wonder, and think together at home or on the go: Try a question or two on the way to school or while running errands with your child!

1. Where do you think we use fossil fuels in our home every day?
   
   

2. Why do you think fossil fuels are called “nonrenewable”?
   
   

3. Can you name some jobs or careers that depend on fossil fuels?
   
   

4. What are some good things about using fossil fuels?
   
   

5. If fossil fuels come from ancient plants and animals, how does that connect science and history?

   
   

6. What are some energy sources that could help us use fewer fossil fuels?
   
   

7. What is one small thing our family could do to save energy this week?
   
   

8. Do you think people 100 years from now will use the same energy sources we do today? Why or why not?

THANK YOU, Mrs. Garvin, for leading the charge with our Great Kindness Challenge planning for 2026! Be thinking about how you can incorporate KINDNESS into your lesson design in the next couple of weeks. You will want to create a banner for your classes for our Kindness Kickoff Parade. This will take place first thing Monday morning, January 26.

The 100th Day of school is on January 29. Wear a 100 of something, or dress like you're a hundred years old!

We are so excited to host your family as our guests for our first FamiLEE Game Night! Please join us on Thursday from 5:30–6:30 for games throughout the building, including games created by our learners in STEAM. Shout-out to our PTO, who will also have a table set up in the cafeteria selling winter spirit wear. We hope you’ll stop by and check it out!

Please consider supporting our school garden fundraiser. Learners will be selling squishies and RJ cows on Thursday and Friday. All funds raised will support materials and enhancements for our school garden.

Reminder - a CISD Background check is required for all volunteers.

Panda Express Spirit Night - All Day on February 5th!

Join us at Panda Express on Thursday, February 5, and 20% of the proceeds from your meal will go to our RJL PTO. Bring your friends and family to enjoy delicious food while contributing to our school.

WHERE: Panda Express: 8411 Bent Branch Dr Irving TX 75063

WHEN: Thursday, February 5, anytime from 9:30am - 11:00pm

HOW TO ORDER: (Dine-in, Online, and App Orders Accepted)

• Dine In: mention that you are with Richard J. Lee PTO before placing your order and show the paper flyer below or show it on your smartphone

• Online / App Orders: You MUST use the following code in the fundraiser box: 3847405

The Scholastic Book fair is coming to the RJL Library in early February, and we still need a few more volunteers for the 8am slots for Feb 10-12. Please consider signing up if you can! This is a great way to get involved and foster young readers! bit.ly/RJLBookFair

Reminder, if you plan to volunteer for these or any other future events, complete your yearly required CISD Background Check asap here.

MOY MAP and MCLASS WINDOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 28

GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE WEEK

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE WEEK

January 26- Kindness Parade (8:00 AM) Wear Red or Pink

January 27- Wear shirts with KIND words/phrases

January 28- Wear mismatched socks

January 29- Garden Fundraiser

100th Day of School (Wear 100 items or dress 100 years old)

Community Learning Walk (8:00-9:00)

FamiLEE Game Night (5:30-6:30 PM)

January 30- Wear School Spirit or Kindness Gear

Garden Fundraiser

Little Library at Lee (9:00 Library)

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