WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVIII ISSUE III ...€¦ · patterns. The four pieces, or...
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WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVIII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016 Houston Independent School District http://westues.org page 1 Monthly Mustang Would you like a glowing bunny for a pet? A pig that can 8it in the palm of your hand? What about a pink or purple cat? Well, it just may be possible. Scientists have discovered a gene editing technology that they found in bacteria. They called it CRISPR (short for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”). CRISPR is a technology that can change the DNA code of any living thing so that new features can be made. With this technology scientists may also be able to cure permanent illnesses in the future. Think of the many miracles this technology could produce! Imagine two rows of parallel puzzle pieces that fit together. This is called DNA. The rows are made up of four different pieces repeating over and over in distinct patterns. The four pieces, or nucleotides, are called Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine. These patterns make up your genetic code. Your genetic code is your body’s story. It determines what you look like, and influences your behavior and abilities. Each of us is a unique story. The story is your genetic code, which is made up of DNA. But what if your story included a serious illness? That is where CRISPR comes in. CRISPR technology can erase the DNA sequence that can lead to illness and then write in the correct sequence. Using CRISPR, scientists have already changed fish like salmon so that they grow faster and bigger. This technology has also changed cows to grow without horns so that they would not fight and hurt each other. This new finding has the potential to revolutionize our world and how we live in it! CRISPR will help us to treat illness, help us to grow crops, understand and do better science, and create new possibilities for our future. MARS VS EARTH BY PRISHA SHIVANI Mars, also known as the Red Planet, has lot in common with Earth. Mars surface looks a lot like Earths surface. Mars appears red because it is covered with iron oxide (con8irmed by NASA). The length of a day on Mars is 24 hours and 37 minutes, which is pretty close to ours. Mars tilts the same way as Earth, which gives it four seasons. It has north and south ice caps, similar to Earth. Scientists believe that Mars used to have water, as they found evidence of frozen water under all the minerals. Its atmosphere is full of carbon dioxide. Its surface is comprised of rocks, minerals, and volcanoes. Mars is half the size of Earth, and it is the second smallest planet in the solar system with average temperature being below 63 Celsius, which is really cold! The length of a year on mars is very long, 687 days on Mars compared to 365 days on Earth. Mars has two moons, which are called Phobos (fear) and Deimos (panic). In 1996, scientists found evidence of bacteria in a meteorite from Mars. If life is found on Mars, we will not be alone in this universe! A REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY BY NEDA RAVANDI New technology opens to unlimited possibilities. Mars is half the size of Earth.
Transcript of WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVIII ISSUE III ...€¦ · patterns. The four pieces, or...
WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVIII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016
Houston Independent School District http://westues.org page �1
Monthly Mustang
Would you like a glowingbunnyforapet?Apigthatcan8itin thepalmofyourhand?Whataboutapinkorpurplecat?Well,itjustmaybepossible.Scientistshave discovered a gene editingtechnology that they found inbacteria. They called it CRISPR(short for “clustered regularlyinterspaced short palindromicr e p e a t s ” ) . C R I S P R i s atechnology that can change theDNA code of any living thing sothat new features can bemade.With this technology scientistsmay also be able to curepermanent illnesses in thefuture. Think of the manymiracles this technology couldproduce!
Imagine two rows of parallel puzzle pieces that fit together. This is called DNA. The rows are made up of four different pieces repeating over and over in distinct patterns. The four pieces, or nucleotides, are called Adenine,
Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine. These patterns make up your genetic code. Your genetic code is your body’s story. It determines what you look like, and influences your behavior and abilities. Each of us is a unique story. The story is your genetic code, which is made up of DNA. But what if your story included a serious illness? That is where CRISPR comes in. CRISPR technology can erase the DNA sequence that can lead to illness and then write in the correct sequence.
Using CRISPR, scientists have already changed fish like salmon so that they grow faster and bigger. This technology has also changed cows to grow without horns so that they would not fight and hurt each other. This new finding has the potential to revolutionize our world and how we live in it! CRISPR will help us to treat illness, help us to grow crops, understand and do better s c i e n c e , a n d c r e a t e n e w possibilities for our future.
MARS VS EARTH BY PRISHA SHIVANI
Mars,alsoknownastheRedPlanet,haslotin commonwithEarth.Mars surface looksalot like Earths surface. Mars appears redbecause it is covered with iron oxide(con8irmedbyNASA).ThelengthofadayonMars is 24 hours and 37 minutes, which isprettyclosetoours.Marstilts thesamewayas Earth, which gives it four seasons. It hasnorthandsouthicecaps,similartoEarth.Scientists believe that Mars used to have
water,astheyfoundevidenceoffrozenwaterunderall theminerals. Itsatmosphere is fullofcarbondioxide.Itssurfaceiscomprisedofrocks,minerals,andvolcanoes.Mars ishalf thesizeofEarth,andit is the
second smallest planet in the solar systemwith average temperature being below 63Celsius,which is really cold!The lengthof ayearonmars isvery long,687daysonMarscompared to 365 days on Earth. Mars hastwo moons, which are called Phobos (fear)andDeimos(panic). In 1996, scientists found evidence of
bacteria in a meteorite from Mars. If life isfound onMars, wewill not be alone in thisuniverse!
A REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY BY NEDA RAVANDI
New technology opens to unlimited possibilities. Mars is half the size of Earth.
WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL XVII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016
Houston Independent School District http://westues.org page �2
The first grade curriculum has no major changes this year. In math, they will be learning subtraction strategies and word problems to make them more efficient at solving problems. In Reading, they will focus on non-fiction and informational text, as well as Wordly Wise. Science will cover weather topics. In language arts they will spend time learning about antonyms and homophones. Social studies will include Time for Kids articles.
The first grade program will be “Dancing through the Decades.” The program will take place on March 8th & 9th. The kids will be learning skills to prepare them for their large Living Museum project which takes place in the spring.
Thisyearisthe8irsttimeIamapartoftheMustangShowChoir.TheWestUchoirisagroupofsingerswhoareperforminginDecemberbeforetheholidays.Mrs.RandaChadraouiisourMusicCoach.IaskedMrs.Chadraouiwhatinspiredhertocoach,shesaid“MusicismypassionandIenjoyedteachingelementaryschoolmusicyearsago.SonowIwantedtosharemyloveofmusicwithWUESstudents.”
Thereareforty4thand5thgradersinchoirthissemester. We are learning seven songs as part of a
holiday programe n t i t l e d"DecemberinOurTown."T h e p r a c t i c ebeganSeptember13andwillgofor15 weeks . Thesongs that wew i l l b eperforming are:December in our
town , light the candles,Innkeeper, Kwanzaa Celebration, Rockin’ Old St.Nicholas, La Fiesta and the Season of Hope. I amexcitedabouttheupcomingperformance.Ihopeyouall come to see the Mustang Show Choir! HolidayChoir Concerts Friday, December 9, 8:15 a.m. forKindergarten,2nd,and5thgrades.9:15a.m.1st,3rd,and4thgrades.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC BY SAESHA LOONKER
FIRST GRADE NEWS BY JAINA JHUNJHUNWALA
There are forty students from 4th and 5th grade in choir this semester.
The first grade program will be “Dancing through the Decades.”
Q.HaveyoubeenteachinginanyotherschoolsbeforeWestU?
A.Yes.ItaughtatanelementaryschoolinAustincalledHoustonElementary
Q.Didyouwanttobeateacherasyouweregrowingup?Why?
A.Yes.WhenIwaslittle,Iwantedtobeexactlylikemykindergartenteacher.
Q.WhatCollegedidyougoto?
A.IwenttotheUniversityofTexasinAustin.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritebook?
A.MyfavoritebookisOhthePlacesYou'llgobyDr.Seuss.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritemovie?
A.MyfavoritemoviewouldbeanyoftheToyStorymovies.
Q.WhatmadeyouwanttoteachatWestU?
A.IwantedtoteachatWestUbecausetherearemanygreatteachers,students,andagreatcommunity.
Q.Whatareyourhobbies?A.Myhobbiesarehangingoutwithfriends,shopping,andswimming.
Q.Doyouhaveanypets?A.No,Idonothaveanypets.Q.Whatisyourfavoritefood?
A.Myfavoritefoodispizza.Q.Whatwasyourfavoritecandyasyouweregrowingup?
A.IlovedgummybearswhenIwaslittle.
WELCOME MS. MEIJA BY ADNA HALILAGIC
WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016
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Q.Whatisyourfavoritecolor?A.Red.Q.Howlonghaveyoubeenteaching?A.41years.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritefood?A.Lobster.Q.Whatkindoffunactivitiesdoyoudowithyourstudents?
A.ArtProjects.Q.Whatisyourfavoritebook?
A.InevermetabookIdidn'tlike.Q.Whydoyouliketeaching?A.Ilovemeetingnewchildreneveryyearandwatchthemlearn.Q.Whoareyourfriends?A.SecondGradeteachers.Q.Whydidyoubecomeateacher?A.Ilovedmy8irstgradeteacher.Shewasmyinspiration.
Q.Whatisyourfavoriteanimal?A. Abunnyrabbit.Q.Howdoyouliketohavefun?A.Read,travel,decorateWendishEggs,andquilt.
TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT MRS. UNGER BY DANIELLA BARG
LEARNING WITH MS. LUDEMEN BY MARQUESA MADISON
Q.Howdoyoulikethirdgrade?
A.ILoveit!Q.Whoisyourinspiration?A.Myfamilyismyinspiration.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritesubject?
A.Ilovereadingandarts.Q.Ifyouweren'tateacher,whatwouldyoubedoing?
A.Iwouldbeanartistorwriter.
Q.Whoisyourfavoriteauthor?
A.MyfavoriteauthorisAgathaChristie.
Q.Ifyouwerepresidentforoneday,whatlawwouldyoupass?A.Iwouldpassakindnesslaw.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritequote?
A.Dowhatyoucan,withwhatyouhave,whereyouare."
Q.Wheredoyouwanttotravel?
A.IwanttotraveleverywherebecauseIwanttoexperienceasmuchofthisworldasIcan.
Q.Whatistheweirdestfoodyouhaveeaten?
A.Arawprawn.Q.Whatisyouropiniononbalancingplaytimeandstudying?
A.You’llenjoytheplaytimemuchmoreiftheworkisdone.
Q.HowlonghaveyoubeenworkingatHISD?A.IhavebeenworkingatHISDfor13years.Iwasa
kindergartenteacheratMarkTwainandKolterfor13years.Iwasacounselorfor3years.
Q.WhatisabookthatyouthinkWestustudentsmustread?
A.TheMiraculousJourneyofEdwardTulanebyKateDiCamillo.Itisaboutarabbitthathasmanyamazingjourneys.
Q.Whatareyourfavoritehobbiesandwhy?
A.Ilovetoread,gotothemovies,andspendtimewithmyfamily.Ialsoliketotravel.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritethingaboutyourjob?Why
A.Itgivesmetheopportunitytohelpothers.
Q.WhydoyouthinkWestUisaNoPlaceForHateschool?
A.Everyoneplayswitheachotheranditdoesn’tmatterhowsomeonelookslike,theyalltreateachotherthesame.
Q.Whatsubjectdoyouenjoy?A.ReadingbecauseIlearnaboutdifferentplacesintheworld.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritefood/restaurant?
A.IlikeSeafood,Italian,andMexicanfood.MyfavoriterestaurantisCarraba’s.
Q.Whatsportdoyouenjoywatchingandwhy?
A.Basketballbecausemysonisabasketballplayerforhishighschool.
Q.Whatareyourstrengths?A.Communicatingwithothersandproblemsolving.Iamgoodatpersuadingpeopletodotherightthing.Iamtrustworthyandoptimistic.
Q.Ifyouweren’tacounselor,whatwouldyouhavebeen?Why?
A.IwouldhavebeenalawyerbecauseIliketohelppeopleanddefendothers.
10 QUESTIONS FOR MRS. PRATER BY DIYA KULKARNI
ONE OF OUR FAVORITES BY KIRAN MEHTA
Q:Whatisyourfavoritethingtoteach?
A:Myfavoritethingtoteachiswriting
Q:Whatdoyoulikeaboutteaching?
A:IlikethekidsQ:Howlonghaveyoubeenteaching?
A:33yearsQ:Whatisyourfavoritebook?A:LittleHouseonthePrairie.Q:Whatmadeyouwanttoteach?A:IwantedtoteachbecauseofthekidsQ:Wheredidyougrowup?A:GalvestonQ:Whatisyourfavoriteclassmemoryfromwhenyouwereakid?
A:Oncemyteacherbroughtherdogtoshowandtellandsheneededsomeonetowalkit,andshechoseme!
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MILK AND COOKIES REVIEWED BY HANIA KUSINKI YesterdayIdroppedbyTinyBoxwood’s“Milk&Cookies”withmyfamily.It’snotasitdownrestaurantlikeTiny’s.It’swalkupdessertbaronEdloearoundthecornerfromTiny’s.Theyserveicecream,cookies,coffee,milkandotherbeverages.Ihadmilk
&cookiesicecream,vanillawiththefamousTiny’schocolatecookies.Itwasverygood.Itwasfreshandcold.Mymomhadhoneylavendericecream.Ittastedlikelavenderdrizzledwithhoney.Mysisterhadorangesherbeticecream.Thesherbettastedlikefreshoranges.Itwasprettybusywhenweweretherebuttheservicewasreallygood.Wegotouricecreaminjust2minutes!I’mgoingbacksoIcantrytheirdifferenticecream.Holidayicecream:chocolatewithpeppermint.Igiveit5outof5stars.
Chess,thegameofstrategy,afungameindeedwherepeoplespendhourspracticing.Agamethatyoucreateyourownbattle,butsomekidstakeitfartherthanabattle.AgroupofkidsthatthinkhighlyofchessistheWestUChessClub.Nowlet’sgetsomeinformationfromtheChessCoachMatthewTrujillo.
Q.Whatdoyoulikeaboutchessclub?
A.Thestudents!Q.Whatdoyouthinkyourratingis?A.1839Q.Howlonghaveyoubeenteachingchess?
A.Forabout5years.Q.Howmanytournamentshaveyouwon?
A.37.Nowthatwe’veheardfrom
Coach,let’shearfromoneofthestudents,KamalaMajumder(4thGrade).
Q.Whatgotyouintochess?
A.Myparentsencouragedmetoplay,andmyfriendsplayedtoo.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritepiece?
A.Ilikethequeenbecauseshecanmovetoalmosteveryspace.
Q.Whatisyourfavoritecheckmate?
A.TheKissofDeath!
CHESS CLUB PART 2 BY JENNY LOCKHART
ROGUE ONE: THE NEW STAR WARS MOVIE WE ARE ALL EAGER TO SEE BY JACK REID
THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS BY MARGARET BARG
Waybackin336B.C,RomanEmperorConstantinecelebratedaholidayonDecember25th.Afewyearslater,PopeJuliusIdeclaredthecelebrationaholiday!Butcenturieslater,Americansinthe1800sdidn'tevenknowaboutChristmasanddidn'ttakeanynoticeofit.Canyoubelievethat?Butinthemid-1800s,peoplewereinneedofafunandfestiveholiday.
Americawassufferingfromahugeconflict,knownastheCivilWar.Afterthewar,Christmaswasatimeofcalmnessandpeace.TheAmericanChristmaswasborn! Inthe21stcentury(now),childrenhavemanyfunactivitiestheycando!Youcangoiceskating,decorateagingerbreadhouse,ordecorateyourChristmastree! Rememberthislinefrom"SantaClausiscomingToTown":"Heknowsifyou'vebeengoodorbad,sobegoodforgoodnesssake!"
Jyn Erso, a rebellion soldier and criminal, is about to experience the biggestchallengeofherlifewhenarebellionleadersendsheroutonmissiontostealplansforthenewDeathStar.Withhelpfromtherebels,amasterswordsman,andsomenon-alliedforces,Jynwillbeinsomethingbiggerthanshethinks.
Whenmanyofourparentswerelittle,the8irstStarWarsmoviescameout.Thismakesthemwanttoseeit,too.AnoriginalStarWarsactor,WarwickDaviswilljointhecastonceagain.To8indoutwhathappensonJyn’sadventure,watchRogueOnewhenitcomesoutonDecember16.
I think that this movie may be different because Disney bought Lucas Film.Hopefullythemovieisstillgood.IlovethestarwarstrilogyandIknowIcan’twaittoseeit!
Coach Matthew, Shanti & Kamala Maunder and Caden Warren.
WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016
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Timemanagementisthekeytosuccess.Herearesomehelpfultipstobeingmoreef8icient.1. Start your day right by waking up on time, and
avoid being tardy to school. 2. Be organized by using a daily agenda to write
down all your tasks and assignments. 3. Find a place for everything,and always keep your
room and locker organized. 4.Try not to over-schedule yourself. Make sure you
have enough time to do your schoolwork. 5. Don't procrastinate. Try not to leave things to the
last minute. 6. Make a list of priorities. Work on things that are
most important first. Managing your time takes practice and effort. It
will only get harder as life goes on. Start now and learn to be successful early on!
Everyday,wesee5thgraderswithidenticalorangebelts.Theycomehereearlyinthemorningbeforethebellrings.Weseetheminthehallways,carpool,orbythedoors.Beforeschoolisover,weseetheminthehalls,goingto
theirpost,orescortingkidstotheirbus.Thosepeoplearethesafetypatrols.
Studentsareselectedbecauseoftheirleadershipabilitiesandtheirtrustworthiness.Inmyopinion,Ithinkthesafetypatrolsdoagreatjobof
handlingeverythingandkeepingtheschoolsafe. I asked some of the other patrols what they think about being one. Here are their
words: “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a great experience!” - John Burnett
“Being a safety patrol is great. It’s fun to help
people.” - Trevor McLaughlin
“I like taking care of the bus-kids, and I get to have my own responsibility.”
- Suejin Lee
“It’s really fun, you can help out for the school!” - Lindsey Karkowsky
I’m a safety patrol too! One thing I wish people knew is when we ask you to walk it’s so you won’t trip and slip. Some kids pay attention to us and some don’t.
If you want to be a patrol, in 4th grade you write a report to your teacher saying why you want to be a patrol. There were three people in my class. Ms. Parrish picked my name out of a hat. You have to have good conduct. You have to come early in the morning at least by 7:20 and stay until 3:10. We work rain or shine. At the end of the school year we have a big party. I think that being a patrol is really great! I recommend 4th graders try to be a safety patrol!
WALK DON’T RUN BY BYRON QI
The author Byron Li.
6 TIPS FOR TIME MANAGEMENT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS BY NADIA KHERA
Therearemanybene8itstoafter-schoolcarethatyoumight8indinteresting.Itisaplacewhereyoucanmeetnewfriendsandseefamiliarfriendsfromschoolandotherschools.IhavefriendsatiKidsandatSouthamptonMontessori.SomeofthesefriendsgotodifferentschoolsthanmeandsomegotoWestU.Atmyafter-schoolprograms,Igettohangoutwiththemandhavefun.Thestaffattheseprogramsarereallyniceandcool!Theytreatyouwellandkeepyousafe.Mr.DannyatiKidsmakessurethatallthekidsaretreatednicewhileMissAliciaislikeasuperheroinsolvingkids’disagreementsfairly.
Theyareawesome!Atafter-school,yougettoplaylikeachamp.Iplayaloteveryday,runningaroundwithmyfriends.Weplaycheesetouch,tag,footballandothergames.Itisfunandkeepsmehealthy.After-schoolgivesyoutimetodohomework.Yuk!Butatleastthenyourmomdoesn’tyellatyouwhenyougethome.Plusthestaffhelpsansweryourquestionsandyoucanworkwithyourfriends.Ialsolikehavingthreehourseverydaywhenmyteachersandmyparentsdon’ttellmewhattodo!
AFTER SCHOOL MIGHT JUST BE AS COOL AS SCHOOL BY MATTHEW BAYLE
WEST UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOL. XVII ISSUE III DECEMBER 2016
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