December 14-18, 2015

General Announcements:

• This will be our last newsletter of the semester.  It has been a blessing to have all of your students in our classrooms and to be working with each family.  Have a wonderful holiday break!
• Please continue to collect Box Tops for our school.  Every box top equals money for our school!
• We will have holiday rotations on Thursday, December 17th, where students will rotate between all of the Discoverers classrooms. We will also enjoy treats on this day. Thank you to those of you that have already signed up to bring things in! We look forward to a wonderful day!

• Please check your child’s grades from time to time on INOW.  

Important Dates for This Week

• Thursday, December 17:  Holiday Rotations in the afternoon
• Friday, December 18:  Early Dismissal at 11:00 a.m. (let us know if your child needs a sack lunch)

Important Curriculum Dates

• Wednesday, December 16:  Reading Cold-Read Assessment
• Wednesday, December 16: End of Unit Test- Adding and Subtracting Fractions
• Friday, December 18:  End of the 2nd 9 weeks

Looking Ahead

• Monday, January 4th:  1st day back at school
• Wednesday, January 6th:  Report Cards

Curriculum News:

Math News:

**Math: We are finishing up our work with adding and subtracting fractions. We will continue this focus for the first week of January, and then we will move to our next unit in math. Generally speaking, I am very pleased with the progress we have made, and the students are showing me that they are able to apply their understanding of fractions when it is presented to them in a different way. After the break we will begin to work with adding and subtracting of decimals, and then revisit fractions when we learn to multiply and divide them.
homework: Math Computation

Science News:

**Science: We are about finished with our discussion of designing and testing ways to clean up environmental disasters, and will wrap it up with a hands-on experiment where we design our own air-filters. We will then test these filters to see how well they trap pollution, and help clean the incoming air. After the break, we will start to look at matter, chemical reactions, and space.
homework: None

Language Arts News:

Topics of Study -

**Reading-  We will have a cold-read assessment on Wednesday.  We will finish up our story from last week, "Stray," but there will not be vocabulary or a comprehension test this week.

**Language/Language IXL-  There will not be IXL or DOL this week.

Changes after the break with Reading Homework:

We will no longer have Reading Logs. I always go back and forth with this, because sometimes I feel like Reading Logs make them hate reading, but other times I think that it adds accountability. I told them I still want them reading as much as they can. I'm not setting a number of days or minutes, I just want them to READ and to ENJOY it. To hold them accountable for this, we are going to have an "In the Spotlight" moment on Fridays. Each Friday, I will pull names from a cup. If their name is pulled, they will be "In the Spotlight." At this time, they will talk to the class about the book they are reading. If they read more than one book, they can talk about just one of the books read that week. If they didn't finish the book, it is ok. They will just talk about the part that they read. I am still working on how to make this an EXCITING time for them, and to make them WANT to read so they can share what they read with the class. 

For their reading grade each week (for homework), they will be assigned ONE article to read online. After they read the article, they will answer questions about the article. The articles are geared towards kids and are interesting. The website is called Tween Tribune. I signed them up and will give them their log in information after the break. They will be assigned an article on Monday and it will be due on Thursday. This assignment will count as a 10 point homework grade each week. 

I'm looking forward to changing things up a bit. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Stephanie

Social Studies:

Topics of Study – Before the break, students will complete a digital storytelling project on a cause of the American Revolution.  Details came home today.  Our in-depth study of the American Revolution will begin after our holiday break.  

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

December 7-11, 2015

General Announcements:

• It is hard to believe that the semester is almost over and we have 2 weeks left until the holidays! Time is flying by!
• Please reinforce with your children that they need to finish the semester strong, as we are doing the same at school! We are proud of the growth we have seen in each child and can't wait to see how far they go by the end of the year!

• Please continue to collect Box Tops for our school.  Every box top equals money for our school!
• We are working on plans for a Holiday celebration with the students. We will let you know the details as soon as we have them ironed out.

• Please check your child’s grades from time to time on INOW.  

Important Curriculum Dates

• Wednesday, December 9th:  Reading/Vocabulary Test “In the Time of the Drums”

• Tuesday, December 8th: Social Studies Test (open notes)
• Friday, December 11th:  Week 13 DOL Test; Reading logs due; IXL due
• Friday, December 11th: Quiz on adding and subtracting fractions

Looking Ahead

• Thursday, December 10th: Classroom Geography Bee
• Monday, December 14th: Tacky Holiday Wear/Holiday Concert Assembly
• Tuesday, December 15th:  Reading/Vocabulary Test “Stray"

Curriculum News:

Math News:

**Math- In math, we will continue with adding and subtracting fractions, but within the context of word problems. We will also move into adding and subtracting mixed numbers and irregular fractions.
homework: Math Computation and Improper Fractions and Mixed Number Problems

Science and Math Tabs- Links to websites and games have been added. Just click the type of link you are looking for, and it should direct you to some helpful activities. 

Science News:

**Science- We are looking towards being a classroom of problem solvers as we focus on our next set of standards. We will be looking at ways that we can design and test methods for cleaning up accidents and disasters in our environment. This week we will talk about pollution and its many forms, then we will design ways to help reduce one form of pollution. At the end of this experiment, they will get to test their ideas.
homework: None

Science and Math Tabs- Links to websites and games have been added. Just click the type of link you are looking for, and it should direct you to some helpful activities. 

Language Arts News:

**Reading-  We started a new reading passage last week titled, “In the Time of the Drums.”  We are working on sequencing events and also remembering to quote accurately from a text.  Our test will be Wednesday, December 9th. We will begin a new passage called “Stray” on Thursday. This will be the last passage before the Holidays.

homework: comprehension test on Wednesday on the story, "In the Time of the Drums"

**Vocabulary: Students received new vocabulary words last Wednesday.  A test with these words will be on Wednesday.

homework: vocabulary test Wednesday; make sure activities are ready to be turned in (Monday-write sentences; Tuesday-illustrate words)

**Reading Log-Reading Logs came home today and will be due on Friday.

homework: logs due on Friday

**Language/Language IXL-  Our focus this week is using commas and quotations. We will also review when to underline or use quotation marks in titles.  The test will be on Friday, December 11th.

homework: IXL due on Friday; DOL test on Friday-look over what we go over in class each night

Social Studies:

We are wrapping up our studies of the causes of the American Revolution.  The study guide for the test will be the notes that they have taken in class, on their graphic organizer. This will be an open note test. At the end of this week, students will complete a digital storytelling project on a cause of the American Revolution.  Details to come.  Our in-depth study of the American Revolution will begin after our holiday break.  

homework: look over/be familiar with the study guide for the test tomorrow

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

November 30 - December 4, 2015

General Announcements:

• Please check your child’s grades from time to time on INOW.  We have 3 more weeks to wrap things up before our 2nd 9 week report card. There is still time to pull grades up. :)

Important Curriculum Dates for This Week:

• Friday, December 4: Reading Log Due
• Friday, December 4: DOL Test/IXL due
• Friday, December 4: Math Quiz on Adding/Subtracting Fractions

Looking Ahead

• Dec. 14 School-wide Holiday Assembly
• Dec. 18 Last day before the Winter Break

Math News:

**Math: We are continuing with adding and subtracting fractions. As we turn our focus to uncommon denominators, we will begin to incorporate word problems and problem solving into our thinking. 
homework: Math Computation 

Science News:

**Science: We are still looking at the transfer of energy through an ecosystem, and what substances are needed by living organisms. Today, we began a new experiment to prove that plant need mostly water and carbon dioxide in order to grow. We set aside three cups of seeds that will have differing amounts of these substances given to them. We hope to prove our hypothesis.
homework: None

Language Arts News:

**Vocabulary: A new assignment will come home on Thursday. This will carry over to next week. A vocabulary test will be next Friday, December 11.

**Reading Log-These came home today and are due on Friday.

homework: Complete log for Tuesday. 

**DOL/Language IXL-  Week 12 came home today. Our focus this week is on contractions. IXL for the week should be completed before Friday.

homework: Study over DOL for Tuesday and make sure IXL for Tuesday is completed

**Writing-  We will finish our Informational Writing Piece this week.  We will move on to our reading unit this Thursday. Our story for the week, and going into next week is In the Time of the Drums.
homework: Informational Writing Piece should be completed by tomorrow or students will need to bring home to finish. No late papers will be taken after Thursday.

Social Studies:

Topics of Study – We will continue our study of the causes of the American Revolution. We will have a test on the Causes. Students already have their study guide for this (Powerpoint Notes).

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

November 16-20, 2015

General Announcements:

• In accordance with Alabama law, Section 16-29-1, Code Alabama, 1975, our school will be conducting a free screening to detect adolescent scoliosis on November 17, 2015 all day during PE classes. The school nurse along with a nurse from Children's Hospital will conduct the scoliosis screening program. The screening, which takes about one minute, is simple and not embarrassing. It involves a visual examination of the back while standing straight and bending over. Boys and girls will be screened separately. Scoliosis is a twisting, or curve of the spine which occurs in about 10% of the adolescent population and about 2 ½% will require some type of medical attention. The first sign of scoliosis is usually noticed between the ages of ten and fourteen. If any symptoms are detected for your child, you will be notified by letter. Please make sure your child wears a slip-on shirt or blouse on the screening day. Girls may wear a bathing suit top or bra which will remain on during the screening. If you do not want your child to participate then send a note in writing to the school nurse. Thank you for you cooperation with the screening program.

• Please check your child’s grades from time to time on INOW.  

Important Dates for This Week

• Friday, November 20:  Students bring in their Favorite Family Recipes (not the food, just the recipe) on paper provided and discuss traditions and complete fraction activities related to the recipes.

Important Curriculum Dates

• Thursday, November 19th- Math test on Adding and Subtracting Fractions
• Friday, November 20th:  Reading Log due

• Friday, November 20th: DOL Test
• Friday, November 20th:  Informational Writing Piece due (we are working on this in class)

Looking Ahead

• November 23-27: Thanksgiving Holidays.  No school for students all week.

Curriculum News:

Math:

**Math: We are making great progress with adding and subtracting fractions. We will continue this, and next week, start looking at multiplying fractions. As we work with fractions, we will always have a strong focus on problem solving, not just the procedures.
homework: Math Computation

Science:

**Science: In science, we are still discussing the factors that plants need in order to survive, as we move into food chains and food webs. We are looking at how the Transfer of Energy moves from one organism to the next in an ecosystem.
homework: None

Language Arts:

**Vocabulary: None this week!  Enjoy!

**Reading Log-These were sent home today and due on Friday!

homework: complete reading log for Thursday

**DOL/Language IXL-  IXL will consist of a variety of grammar activities, working on Past Tense Verbs.

homework: review DOL for Thursday and make sure IXL for Thursday is completed

**Writing-  We have started the rough draft of our Informational Writing Piece.  We will continue writing this week and will have a final draft completed by Friday.  The week after our break will be a reading week.

homework: work on finding a good recipe to share with the class (form to write recipe on came home today. Please share the recipe only, not the food.)

Social Studies:

Topics of Study – We will continue our study of the causes of the American Revolution.

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

November 9-13, 2015

General Announcements:

• In honor of our Veterans during the month of November, and in conjunction with our Veterans Day Program tomorrow, November 10 at 8:45 A.M., we are asking for you to please donate unopened, travel- size toiletries that will be presented to the VA Hospital in Birmingham for Veteran patients and for the homeless Veterans program. We will have boxes in the lobby from Monday, November 2 thru Friday, November 13, 2015.
• Tomorrow, November 10th will be “Dress Your Best Day” at Brock’s Gap in honor of our veterans.
• We will have no school on Wednesday, November 11th for Veterans’ Day.
• Progress reports will be coming home tomorrow, November 10th with your student.

• Please check your child’s grades from time to time on INOW.  
• From our nurse, Mrs. Walker:
  In accordance with Alabama law, Section 16-29-1, Code Alabama, 1975, our school will be conducting a free screening to detect adolescent scoliosis on November 17, 2015 all day during PE classes. The school nurse along with a nurse from Children's Hospital will conduct the scoliosis screening program. The screening, which takes about one minute, is simple and not embarrassing. It involves a visual examination of the back while standing straight and bending over. Boys and girls will be screened separately. Scoliosis is a twisting, or curve of the spine which occurs in about 10% of the adolescent population and about 2 ½% will require some type of medical attention. The first sign of scoliosis is usually noticed between the ages of ten and fourteen. If any symptoms are detected for your child, you will be notified by letter. Please make sure your child wears a slip-on shirt or blouse on the screening day. Girls may wear a bathing suit top or bra which will remain on during the screening. If you do not want your child to participate then send a note in writing to the school nurse. Thank you for you cooperation with the screening program. 
  Tyra Walker, RN

  School Nurse

  Brocks Gap Intermediate

  Phone  439-1630

  Fax 439-1601

Important Dates for This Week

• 11/10:  Progress Reports
• 11/10:  Veteran’s Day program at Brock’s Gap at 8:45 a.m.DRESS YOUR BEST DAY
• 11/11:  No School

Important Curriculum Dates

• Friday, November 13th:  DOL Week 10 Test/IXL Due

Looking Ahead

• Friday, November 20:  Students bring in their Favorite Family Recipes and discuss traditions (more information on this to come separately next week).
• November 23-27: Thanksgiving Holidays.  No school for students all week.

Math News: We are continuing in our understanding of fractions. We are looking at how equivalent fractions are truly equal. We are also talking about how the "whole" affects how we interpret a fraction. We will continue with this, as we work to develop a deeper understanding of fractions.

Homework: None

Science News: We are continuing to look at how plants are producers, and what that means to the rest of life. We are specifically focusing on photosynthesis and how we know plants are producers. We will try to find evidence of photosynthesis by testing for starch in a plant leaf. These experiments and representations will help us develop a better understanding of how energy flows from the sun and then, outward.
Weekend Homework: Prepare the Photosynthesis Cutout

Language Arts News:

**Vocabulary: We will not have any vocabulary this week, due to the short week. Enjoy!! :)

**Reading Log: These came home today and will be due on Friday.  Please reiterate the importance of answering each question asked, writing in complete sentences, and reading back through their writing to check for errors.
homework: Read and respond on Monday's reading log
**Language/Language IXL: We are working on Week 10 Language DOL, with a continued focus on verbs.   A test will be on Friday, November 13th.  
homework: review DOL Day 1 and make sure IXL is completed
**Writing: Last week, we learned important note-taking skills needed in order to write an Informational writing piece.  We gathered and organized information about colonies. This week, we will work on putting all of the information together to write an Informational piece about the colonies.

Social Studies: We will learn about the events that led to the Revolutionary War.

Homework: finish side one of Veterans Day Webquest           

We hope everyone has a great week!