Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of the Estes Elementary family! I hope you are enjoying the time off from school.  Make sure that you are still feeding your brains by reading something every day. If you get bored and have nothing to do, pick up some paper and a pencil and start a journal or even write a short story. I would love to read anything you write about over the break!  Parents it would be a good time to break out some of those board games and challenge your kids to a game.I played scrabble with my own children the other night and it was a nice break from technology. Take advantage of the snow and not being able to go out by reading a good book or playing with those new toys you received from Christmas.
Students I look forward to seeing your smiling face back in school on January 2nd. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kevin's Rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas
rendition

En el primer dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el segundo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el tercer dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.
En el quarto dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el quinto dia de navidad mi familia me dio, Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el sexto dia de navidad mi familia me dio, Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.
En el septimo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el octavo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Ocho tamalitos Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el noveno dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Nueve amiguitos Ocho tamalitos Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.
En el décimo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Diez libros Nueve amiguitos Ocho tamalitos Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el undécimo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Once canicas Diez libros Nueve amiguitos Ocho tamalitos Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos pedazos de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.	En el duodécimo dia de Navidad mi familia me dio, Doce corazones Once canicas Diez libros Nueve amiguitos Ocho tamalitos Siete piezas de dulce Seis pedazos de pizza Cinco video juegos Cuatro galletitas Tres juguetitos Dos piezas de pan Y un gran pedazo de mi pastel favorito.

The Milken Award

Words can't describe the feeling I had on Tuesday when I was announced as a Milken Educator of the Year. I truly believe the award could have gone to any of the outstanding teachers of Cravens Elementary. There have  been so many people involved in shaping the educator that I am today. I have worked on many tremendous teams at Cravens. I want to thank them for pushing me to do my best everyday. It was nice to lean on them and be able to share ideas of how we could make a difference in the children at Cravens. I owe a lot of this award to past administrators including Mr. Lyddane who allowed me to be myself while teaching the children of Cravens. Mr. Lyddane pushed me harder last year than I have ever been pushed and I appreciate what he has done for me.
It has been a few days since the announcement and I still struggle with what to say to people about the award. I think of teaching as a passion and not a job. It is nice to wake up every morning and head to school knowing that I have a chance to educate the child who will grow up and do amazing things in our great country.
In closing, I want to thank the wonderful educators at Cravens who shared in my special day. I love you all and I think you all are amazing teachers and leaders. To the students of Cravens I love you and keep climbing the mountain of success!

Collaboration at Its Finest

Charles and David went to Mrs. Crabtree's class to share a book they created. Here at Estes we have student leaders who can go into classes and present their finished product to their peers.  Charles and David then demonstrated to Mrs. Crabtree's class how to create a photo story.  Way to go David and Charles!

HO, HO, HO! Santa Visited Estes!

What a day it was for the children in Kindergarten and First grade at Estes Elementary! Santa stopped by along with Elf Lee to visit our youngest children at Estes. Every child had a chance to visit with Santa and tell Santa what he or she wants for Christmas.  As you expected Elf Lee confirmed all the children of Estes were on the NICE list. 

The "I'm Awesome Award"

Andreanna received the award for solving a a real life word problem about Christmas Wish donations.  See if you can solve the problem. If each teacher donates $20 for Christmas Wish, how many teachers would it take to reach $500?  Andreanna helped her team find a way to solve the problem. Collaboration and team work are key elements at solving everyday problems at Estes Elementary.

Tech Team

The future problem solvers of the world are here at Estes Elementary. 

Free Time Reading

Free time reading doesn't need to be boring and done at your desk.  Kick back, relax, grab a good fit book and enjoy the text.

Animal Adaptations

 

Ms. McLevaine's class learned about adaptations in nature.  The students had to figure out how to eat an orange without using their hands to peel it.

 

I'm AWESOME Award

Zavier was the first recipient of the I'm AWESOME Award given by Mr. Williams.  To receive the award Mr. Williams has to catch you doing an AWESOME job in class.  Zavier was caught working on math word problems.  Zavier is going to help us to climb the mountain of success!

Stay tuned to see who else wins the award this week!

Headband Math

What do you get when you combine the game Headbands with math?  You get engaged students who want to solve problems.  Ms. Oldham's third grade students are loving the new game!

Buddy Reading Rules!

Buddy reading is one of the reading strategies going on in Mrs. Clarke's room!

Thanksgiving and Future Ideas

I hope everyone in the Estes family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I loved being at home and spending time with my family.  I can't believe my oldest son is 12 years old and in a few short years he will be moving out and attending college.  Thanksgiving was a time for me to reflect on how time really does fly and seem to move faster every year.  I know I am going to start savoring all the time I have with my children and enjoy all of their personal accomplishments.

As far as future ideas, I am going to start having the students do some reflective writing on the blog.  I can not wait to see what they will contribute to the blog.  I would love to see some of you become a follower and hear some of your comments.

Ryan Williams

This Is What AWESOME Looks Like

I would like to see all students being so hard at work that they feel Awesome about everything they do!  Students take pride in what you do and continue to be AWESOME!

Mrs. Whaler's Class Movie

Check out these future movie stars as they discuss the first Thanksgiving.

Check out the Math Talk in Mrs. Ferrell's room

Welcome to the Williams Word

Welcome to the Williams Word brought to you by Mr. Williams.  Parents, students, and staff I would like to invite you to follow all the good things that are happening at Estes Elementary.  I have listed some of my favorite websites for you and your children to view.  The websites are both educational and fun.

Check back regularly because the teachers of Estes Elementary will be supplying me with information, pictures and more websites for your viewing pleasure.

In closing, I want to tell all of the parents, students and teachers at Estes Elementary thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful school!

Mrs. McCarty's Class at Reid's Orchard