In an age where sports, outside activities and video games seem to win the day, students at Walnut Grove Elementary School are taking an active interest in reading. Throughout the school year, Carroll ISD faculty and students have embraced the district’s “Once Upon a Dragon” theme focusing on literacy and a life long love of learning.

Just before winter break, Donna Clarrissimeaux organized a book club for her fourth grade students.

“This is a great opportunity for students to experience new kinds of genres and discuss their thoughts with their fellow peers,” Clarrissimeaux said.

Each Thursday, students get together with their respective group to talk about what they’ve read. The ‘Question King’ or ‘Queen’ asks questions to begin the discussion. The students read approximately 50 pages per week. They also are required to journal during the week. The entries should discuss their thoughts about the book, but they are also encouraged to ask questions, study the characters, and predict what’s going to happen in the book.

“Journaling has helped me understand what’s going on in the book,” Kiera DiCesare said. “It makes me think more about what’s taking place with the characters.”

While the critical thinking is a bonus, for many of the students, the club is simply about their love of reading and having fun.

“I’m a big fan of reading, it’s one of my favorite things to do,” Regi Capati said. “I like studying the characters and figuring them out.”

Capati said he also enjoys discussing the books because he gets to find out about why the other students liked or didn’t like the book.

Imaad Virani and Emma Schoof said they also like the back and forth discussions, but have their own favorite parts of the club.

“I like trying to figure out what certain passages mean and if I could put more deep thought into it,” Schoof said.

“I really like the questions,” Virani said. “I like to make up my questions first and then I wait until I get with the group to discuss them.”

The students may not all infer the same ideas from what they’ve read, but one thing the students all agree on is that Mrs. Clarrissimeaux makes reading exciting.

 “Mrs. Clarrissimeaux makes reading so much fun” Matthew Murday said. “She even did a headstand one day to get us thinking!”

For more stories about CISD’s “Once Upon a Dragon” theme, visit the Library Services webpage onwww.SouthlakeCarroll.edu, or click here.

Below is a photo slideshow of some of this week’s events.

WGES students wore blue headbands and blue beaded necklaces along with stickers that read, “I’m so proud to be… Carson’s friend and classmate”. The stickers also featured the widely recognized Autism ribbon in the middle.  

Classmates cheered for Carson when he came in the room for morning announcements. Carson’s mother, Andi Stone said students and staff are supportive and loving with Carson and do whatever they can to include him in everything they do.

For more information about the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign, click here. Carroll ISD also has a newly formed PTO for Special Programs. Click here to visit the PTO website.

“It’s good to take kids out and have them see, feel and hear,” Clarissimeaux said.

For the past few years, Clarrissimeaux has made a regular lesson out of irregular weather events. Several years ago in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she took her students to a safe place outside to experience the remnants of the storm as they passed over Southlake.

“I had one student write how she could hear the cries for help in the wind…” Clarrissimeaux added. “Weather provides a great opportunity because its always changing.”

On the morning of Thursday, February 21 a storm moved through the North Texas area. Students in Clarrissimeaux’s fourth grade class were quick to notice and asked to go outside. The class quickly grabbed their notebooks and pencils and found a sheltered area to sit and write. She said each student spent 8-10 minutes writing about what they heard and saw.

“All you could hear was the sound of the rain and wind. The sensory description students experience is great for personal narrative,” Clarrissimeaux said.

Here are some samples of what two students wrote:

Fourth graders in Donna Clarrissimeaux's class get sensory description lesson

        Imaad Virani, student: “The clouds turn darker and darker as the pitter-patter of rain hitting cement reaches my ears.  The gutter is shooting out water like it’s a water slide for ants.  The hammer-like rain looks like it’s dimming all the lights around the playground. Right in front of me is a small river made by the rain.  It deposits itself into a gutter, and the rain has still created more.  I’m sure the plants are getting the perfect amount of water because they aren’t bending over, nor are they missing out on water.  Now the clouds are starting to part and behind them peeks the light we all love.  The clouds are moving faster and farther apart, and that tells me just maybe we will have our regular 2:00 recess today!”

     Emily Backoo, student: ”The rain is coming down hard now.  It’s coming in sheets of pure white. Roaring sounds fill my ears and a faint chill crawls up my spine. Gushing water is streaming out of the gutters and the sun is just coming out from behind the grove of trees that are far, far, far away. The plants next to the science lab are swaying back and forth with smiles on their faces, or so it seems.  They play structure has dribbles of freezing cold water dripping off of it.  The ground of soil is soaking wet, and it looks like candy, with sugar on top.”

Clarrissimeaux says the outdoor lessons are just one way to get students to organize their thoughts and become strong writers. She says its important- no matter what career a student may choose- that they are able to accurately communicate and stay focused on the point. The outdoor writing exercises will also help students prepare for the STAAR writing test later this spring.

“It is amazing what kids can do when you open up that door to creativity,” Clarrissimeaux said, “allowing them to use their imagination.”

Kiera DiCesare shows one of her books

Halloween has passed, but this season is the inspiration for one young author’s adventurous tales. Kiera DiCesare, a fourth grade student at Walnut Grove Elementary, started writing and illustrating her own books based on her Halloween costumes when she was in kindergarten. She has now written three more books and inspired a young generation of authors.

Kiera in Kindergarten, with her first book

This school year, Carroll ISD is emphasizing reading and literacy through the district’s “Once Upon a Dragon” fairy tale theme. The district is profiling librarians, teachers and students through news stories and features. Recently, we talked with Kiera about her passion for reading and what fuels her imagination for writing.

Question: How do you get your ideas for the characters in your books?

Kiera: I start in the summer thinking about the plot and developing the characters for my book. The main characters are based on my friends’ personalities. I’ve learned that I can be as creative as I want to be with my characters. Recently, I was helping some other kids in my class with a writing project about a witch. I reminded them that a witch doesn’t have to be scary or green with long hair—a witch can be orange—there are no rules with characters.

Question: Who helps you with your books and costumes?

Kiera: I’ve had a lot of help— My teachers have taught me story structure and plot development, my mom edits my work, and my grandmother makes my costumes.

Question: What’s the most challenging part of writing a book?

Kiera: The beginning and the end of the book are the hardest to write. I’ve learned to start with a problem and work through it in the story. Action and dialogue are the two most important parts of the narrative. Once the problem is solved, I like to end the book. I’ve written four books and most of them end with a party.

Question: Do you have a favorite book?

Kiera: It’s hard to pick just one because I love to read. I’m reading harder books now, but I still try to finish one book per week. I liked The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, but I really enjoy fairy tales. I’ve read all of the Rainbow Magicbook series by Daisy Meadows.

Kiera with Emily, a classmate

Quesiton: How are you helping other students in your class with writing their own books?

Kiera: Writing is a really big deal in fourth grade. My teacher, Mrs. Clarrissimeaux, encourages us to use our imaginations and be creative with our writing. My friend, Emily Backoo, wrote a sequel to my book Saving the Seasons, entitled Autumn Magic. We both carried our books in the character book parade at school.

Question: What is something others students don’t know you?

Kiera: I like to write poetry. I plan to enter the upcoming American Girl poetry contest. I’ve also had several essays published by the Texas Music Teachers Association.

Friday, Nov. 9

• Johnson Elementary School will host two student assemblies. Kindergarten through second grade will be from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Grades 3 and 4 will have their assembly from 8:45 a.m.- 9:15 a.m.
• Walnut Grove Elementary School welcomes Dawson Middle School principal Ryan Wilson for the grand finale of its Veterans Day program. Over 120 fourth grade students will sing. The performance begins at 8:30 a.m. Click here to print the flyer.
• Eubanks Intermediate School plans to Skype with two members of the U.S. military during the school assembly at 9 a.m. in the gym.
• Carroll Middle School also has an hour long Veterans Day celebration, scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
• Dawson Middle School hosts its annual Veterans Day Assembly in the afternoon. The program begins at 3 p.m. and should last about an hour.

Monday, Nov. 12

• Carroll Elementary School students and staff celebrate Veterans Day during a special event starting at 8:30 a.m.
• Old Union Elementary School will host two Veterans Day programs to accommodate busy schedules. The first is at 8:30 a.m. and the second is at 6:00 p.m. Both will be inside the school cafeteria.
• Carroll High School hosts a Veterans Day Celebration at 10:30 a.m. The program should last about 45 minutes.
• Carroll Senior High School welcomes a guest speaker and featured performances from the choir as well as student artwork during a Veterans Day ceremony from 10:30 a.m.- 11:20 a.m.
• Durham Intermediate School plans a Veterans day Assembly in the campus gym from 2:45- 3:40p.m.

Whooo there!

Are you ready for a hoowlling good time at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve?  The annual Harvest Hike HootnHowl is Sunday, October 21st, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.   Enjoy music, live animals, nature hikes, festival booths, storytelling, & much more.  Special guests include the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, Westland Ranch Petting Zoo,  Matt Morris’ turtles, Jiaan Powers Storytelling, Log Cabin Village, The Little Gym Southlake, J. Tiger Martial Arts, and the Southlake Fire Department.

Radio Disney will be broadcasting at the HootnHowl this year and providing music and games for the whole family – not to mention the 1st annual Coyote Howling Contest!  Free delicious fall treats including caramel apples, popcorn, and cider will be served while supplies last. Additional food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

“We want to provide this event for families to get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, explore nature, and participate in fun activities together,” said Emily Galpin, Executive Director of the Bob Jones Nature Center Organization, “We encourage people to visit the Center for Harvest Hike HootnHowl and discover this treasure of nature provided by the City of Southlake.”

Free Parking for the Harvest Hike and shuttle service or walking paths will be available from the Equestrian Center at Bob Jones Park. Handicap parking is available on a first-come basis at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve.

This event is brought to Southlake by the Bob Jones Nature Center Organization and the Southlake Public Library with special sponsorship from the Southlake Association for Gifted and Talented (SAGT), Cook Children’s Southlake, Kohls, and Camp Summer Oaks.  Contact the Bob Jones Nature Center for more details at 817.491.6333. Find this event at 355 E Bob Jones Road in Southlake.

Win Free Tickets
Southlake youths ages 10 – 18 are eligible to enter.
Take our Inheritance Quiz
Get all answers correct and you will be entered to win.
Get all details on the Library website.

 With over 33 million readers, Paolini is one of the most popular young adult authors in the world. Growing up homeschooled by his parents, Paolini graduated from high school at age fifteen. Still a little young to begin college, he began writing his first draft of Eragon, the story of a young boy and his dragon. The completion of the novel was a family affair. Paolini’s sister Angela created the art for the cover of the book, and his parents published the book themselves. Early promotions included the author dressing in a medieval costume to present his book to students who were often his age! His first book quickly grew into a four-part series called the Inheritance Cycle, which is now read by children and adults all over the world.  Often compared to fantasy classics such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, the Inheritance Cycle’s stories of dragons, adventure, and danger have captured the imagination of many young readers, much to the delight of parents everywhere.

Join the DMA for a journey to Paolini’s mythical land of Alagaësia as he discusses the final book in the cycle, Inheritance. The deluxe edition of Inheritance includes never-before-seen artwork by Christopher Paolini; an exclusive, full-color fold-out poster by award-winning artist John Jude Palencar; a letter from Jeod, one of Eragon’s confidantes, summarizing life after the final scene of the series; a letter from Paolini to fans reflecting on the series; and a new scene within the text.

Event Info
Dallas Museum of Art
Horchow Auditorium
October 23, 2012
Myths and Journey’s Tour 6:15 PM
Paolini Event 7:00 PM

 To purchase tickets or get more information on the event call the DMA at 214-922-1818.  For more information on the Southlake Library contest, visit the Library’s Kids Page or call (817) 748-8243.

“Community support is critical to maintaining high academic standards for our students.  Children’s Medical Center Dallas generously stepped forth to for the second consecutive year to support our event,” said Stacy Kristnyk, Emerald Cowboy event chairman. ”Children’s Medical Center Dallas is thrilled to continue our partnership with Walnut Grove Elementary School. We are committed to being a part of the Southlake community and offering our specialty care services to the children in that neighborhood,” said Trent Smith, Senior Vice President, Network Development, Children’s Medical Center.

Children’s, which started as an outdoor baby camp in 1913, has grown into a 559-bed, private, not-for-profit hospital system with two full-service campuses and 10 outpatient sites and is the fifth-largest pediatric healthcare provider in the country. 

U.S.News & World Report ranked Children’s Medical Center one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country. With the opening of the Specialty Care Center in Southlake in June 2011, families now have access to this same level of care closer to home.

Emerald Cowboy will be held on March 3 at Austin Ranch in Grapevine. The evening features a seated dinner, live and silent auction and wine pull. Guests will kick-up their heels with music provided by the New Old West Band. All proceeds from the evening provide funds for the WGES PTO’s annual budget, directly benefiting the students and staff for the 2012 school year.

For more information about Emerald Cowboy or to become a sponsor, visit the WGES PTO website or contact Stacy Kristynik, skristynik@hotmail.com.

For questions or sponsorship opportunities email Vicki Rowan or Lisa Hicks.