Purple House 5 2023-2024

Dear Purple Families,

What an exciting week of learning! Our young researchers are diving into their non-fiction book projects, exploring fascinating topics, gathering facts, and learning how to cite their sources like real authors. As they continue researching, they’re also beginning to think creatively about design, organization, and layout to bring their books to life in the coming weeks.

In math, we’ve launched our new unit on fractions! Learners are building a strong foundation by exploring fractions through hands-on, concrete models, then moving toward visual representations and finally abstract reasoning.

In science, we’re exploring light energy — discovering how it reflects, refracts, and travels in straight lines. Our young scientists even became little photons, moving and bouncing like light to model how it reflects off shiny surfaces! Stay tuned for more adventures as our “light photons” continue investigating how light behaves in our world. Don’t forget to check out our Learn at Home section to keep the exploration glowing at home!

We’re also looking forward to our Sky Ranch adventure next week—a time for great outdoor learning experiences, teamwork, and discovery! Be sure to check the weather and packing list as you pack this weekend!

Warmly,
Ms. May Voltz
Purple Fifth Grade Teacher

Congratulations to Varun, Aayan, Vihaan, and Akshara! These awesome spellers will represent our class at the Richard J Lee Spelling Bee on November 20. So proud of each and every one of you!

Thanks for saving me from a tickle in my throat! Soraya jumped right in and did a fabulous job!

The Coppell Ed Foundation is having a Chili Cook Off on November 16. If you want to join in and submit a chili for judging, we would love your participation. If you go, please vote for our entry- "The Best ChiLEE in Town." Thanks Liliana for your culinary skills.

Our young historians explored the life and legacy of Stephen F. Austin this week in honor of Father of Texas Day! Using News-O-Matic and TeachTCI, learners investigated how Austin’s leadership and vision helped shape the early history of Texas. They made connections between the challenges faced by early settlers and the communities we build today. What a meaningful way to celebrate Texas history in action!

Learners modeled the reflection of light in motion this week—by becoming moving photons themselves! Through this hands-on activity, they discovered how light travels in straight lines and bounces, or reflects, off smooth surfaces. After some energetic modeling, students took time to reflect on their learning, connecting their experience to key concepts about light energy and how we see the world around us.

Light energy is everywhere! This week, encourage your fifth grader to observe how light behaves around your home. Light energy travels in straight lines and can be reflected, refracted, absorbed, or transmitted depending on the materials it hits.

Have your learner look for examples in different rooms:

• Reflection: A mirror, shiny spoon, or glass surface that bounces light back.

• Refraction: A straw that looks “bent” in a glass of water or light passing through eyeglasses or a window.

• Absorption: A dark-colored T-shirt or curtain that soaks up light and becomes warmer.

• Transmission: Light shining through a window or clear plastic bottle.

  
  

  
  

Encourage your scientist to wonder:
🔹 How does light help us see objects?
🔹 What happens to light when it hits different materials?
🔹 How do sunglasses or blinds change the amount of light entering a room?

Try this mini-challenge together:

Use a flashlight to test how light behaves with a mirror, a clear cup of water, and a piece of cardboard. Observe and describe what happens in each case using our key vocabulary below!

Make some shadow puppets! What creative ideas did you find?

🔍 Science Vocabulary

• Light energy – a form of energy that travels in waves and allows us to see.

• Reflection – when light bounces off a surface.

• Refraction – when light bends as it passes through a different medium (like air to water).

• Absorption – when light energy is taken in by a material.

• Transmission – when light passes through a material.

• Opaque – materials that do not let light pass through.

• Translucent – materials that let some light pass through.

• Transparent – materials that let all light pass through.

Ask your child what they saw today and listen for their explanation of the phenomenon!

As part of our giving to our wonderful staff during the holiday season, please sign up to help with drop off on November 18th from 7-7:40am to allow our designers to enjoy their Thankful Breakfast hosted by RJL PTO. You'll help open car doors, manage the sidewalk traffic, and get kids in the door with a great start to their day!

Today we rolled up our sleeves for some weeding, composting, watering, and mulching! Our strawberry garden is thriving thanks to everyone’s care and teamwork. It’s exciting to see how our efforts, and a little help from the compost are keeping our plants healthy and strong. We can’t wait to watch our strawberries continue to grow!

We’re excited to host a Parents’ Night Out at Texas Dreams Gymnastics on Saturday, November 15th! Enjoy a well-deserved evening off while your kids have a blast with gymnastics, games, and fun activities in a safe, supervised environment. 20% back from the event comes back to PTO! Register today! rjlpto.org/PNO

Thursday, November 13, is World Kindness Day. We can't wait to see how our learners spread kindness. If you have a KIND shirt, join in on wearing it on Thursday. We will also celebrate kindness in January with the Great Kindness Challenge.

Our LEEdership Council will be selling bags of popcorn to be delivered on Friday, November 14. Learners can purchase popcorn from their class council member between 11/6 and 11/13. "Lee"ders will write their name down and turn in orders on Thursday, November 13.

Link to post Questions : Have a question for the PTO or RJL Admin Team? Submit it anonymously before the meeting by visiting rjlpto.org/rjlspeaks.

Meeting Link : Will be emailed Tuesday morning through Parent Square.

🌟 Thank you, CISD families, for your commitment to student attendance! 🏫💙. Regular attendance is key to student success—it keeps them engaged in lessons, fosters peer relationships, and maximizes their educational opportunities. Plus, it helps teachers assess each student's progress and plan effectively. Your dedication to attendance makes a significant difference. Attendance Matters...You Matter!

Coppell ISD is launching the Cowboys United campaign to shape the district’s future together. We invite parents, guardians, and community members to take a few minutes to complete our Cowboys United Survey and share what you value most about CISD and what you want to see in the years ahead. Your input will help guide district priorities and ensure we continue to serve our students and community with excellence.

👉 Click here to take the survey: go.coppellisd.com/CowboysUNITED-Survey

As Veteran’s Day approaches, we would like to honor and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country. We invite anyone who has served in the military—or has/had a family member who has served—to share a photo and information about them so we can include them in our Veteran’s Day recognition wall. If you would like to participate, please send the following information with your picture:

• Name of Veteran
• Branch of Service, Rank, and Dates of Service (if known)
• Name/House/Grade of learner
• Relationship to learner

Winter is coming, and it’s time to bundle up in Spur style! Our all-new winter wear is here — including the brand-new RJ hoodie in two classic school colors. With cool days and fun field trips ahead, now’s the perfect time to stock up on school spirit.

🧥 Early Bird Special: Pre-order your hoodie by November 10th for an exclusive discount!
All pre-orders will be ready for pickup by December 10th.
⚠️ Inventory and size availability can’t be guaranteed after November 10th, so don’t wait!
This is the final opportunity to order spirit wear for this school year. Order today: rjlpto.org/spurstore

Please let your famiLEEs know if they want to attend our annual Thanksgiving Lunch that they need to sign up ahead of time. This lunch will be in place of FamiLEE Friday lunch this week. Parents can Sign up here. THIS YEAR: Child Nutrition has requested guests PREPAY ($8) for their meal to expedite their lunch line. Please send payment to your child's lunch account before the event.

Fifth Grade Spelling Bee ~ Thursday, November 20 We will. be cheering on our P5 friends!

• NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
• NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK
• YELLOW HOUSE LOUNGE DUTY

Nov 10 - 5th Grade at Sky Ranch

Nov 11- 5th Grade at Sky Ranch

Veteran's Day

Virtual PTO Meeting (6:00)

Nov 12- 5th Grade at Sky Ranch

Flex Learning (3:15-4:15)

Nov 13- DAY 4 - NOT DAY 7

Fall Picture Retakes

Popcorn Orders Due to LEEdership Council

Nov 14 - Popcorn Orders Delivered

LEEdership Council Mtg. (8:00)

SAVE THE DATE!!! Nov 20 - FamiLEE Feast Luncheon @ Lee

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