January 12th-16th, 2015

General Announcements:

• We have recently welcomed two new students to Brock's Gap. Yuvi came to BGIS in December from Wisconsin, and Madelyn moved from Enterprise, AL and started BGIS last week. They are both in Mrs. Watson's homeroom. We are so happy to have them as part of our community at Brock's Gap! We also want to welcome "back" Argelia! We are so glad she was able to rejoin our team; She is in Mrs. Ponder's homeroom.
• Please make sure to pay the American Village field trip fee by January 26th at https://secure2.myschoolfees.com.  The cost is $13.oo for students and $9.00 for chaperones.
• To commemorate the "Snowmageddon" 2014 we are offering a special T-shirt. Orders for the "Snowmageddon" t-shirts are due this Friday.
• We are in desperate need of pencils. Please replenish your child's pencils, eraser caps, and glue sticks. Mrs. Ponder is down to her last box of pencils this week! THANK YOU!!!  

Important BGIS Dates:

• 1-13: SCA meeting in health room (7:30)
• 1-13 and 1-15: After school tutoring
• 1-14: First Priority meeting in choir room (7:30)
• 1-14: Lego Robotics Group B (3:00-4:30)
• 1-19: No School (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)- schools & offices closed
• February 4th, 2015- American Village Field Trip

Upcoming Important Dates:

Curriculum News:

Math: Topics of Study –  We are currently involved in our Fraction Unit of Study. We are learning how to find equivalent fractions and ordering/comparing fractions. This Unit will eventually involve adding/subtracting fractions and multiplying/dividing fractions.  

A new IXL Math Contract came home today and is due no later than next Tuesday, January 20th. A new Math Computation Homework came home today. Math Boxes from the Math Computation are due daily this week.  

Our rescheduled Math Computation TEST is tomorrow!

Science: Topics of Study – We finished up our Human Body Unit last Friday. Today we began our Earth/Space Science Unit. We will be investigating the many different types of technology used to study planets including telescopes, space probes, piloted and unmanned space vehicles (spacecraft), space probes, etc. This is always a very fascinating unit for 5th graders! There won't be any tests or quizzes this week. Grades will be taken on activities done in class.

Language Arts: Topics of Study -This is a Reading week, however, we will be focusing on the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more text using chronology, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, and description.

The test this week will be on text structure of text rather than a story. It is also Word Wizard Week, but students will not have a vocabulary test and we will just review past vocabulary words.

Social Studies: Topics of Study – We will be studying battles of the American Revolution this week, including the location of the battle, generals on both sides of the battle, and outcomes of the battles. A study guide will come home later this week so the students can study for the American Revolution test. This test will include: Causes of the Revolution, Battles of the Revolution and Important People during the Revolution.   

                                  

We hope everyone has a great week!
Sheryl Ponder and Stephanie Watson

November 10-14, 2014

General Announcements:

• Camp McDowell Health Forms and Risk Acknowledgement forms were sent home last Tuesday.  We need a form from EVERY child attending Camp McDowell even if no medication is necessary.  Camp McDowell will not allow your child to participate without a health form.  These forms are due this Wednesday.  If you are using the Camp McDowell payment plan,  the second payment of $70 was due last Friday. All money for Camp McDowell is due by November 28th.   
• Please mark your calendars:  We will have a Parent Meeting about Camp McDowell next Tuesday, November 18th at 6:00 in the Brock’s Gap Cafeteria.  Staff from Camp McDowell as well as fifth grade teachers will be available to answer your questions. We are looking forward to a wonderful trip! 
• Thank you so much to all veterans and families who were able to join us for our Veterans’ Day Assembly last Friday!  The Veterans Day celebration is such a highlight of our school year!  We are grateful for your sacrifice!  
• Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: Brock's Gap eNews

Important Technology Information

• If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do.  You will go to Student Fees.  You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these).  You will then choose Device Fees.  You will see Device Protection Plan to the right.  The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper.  Device insurance cost will increase to $50.00 on Dec. 1st.
• Chromebook cases have been distributed to the students who ordered them.  There are no longer any cases to be purchased at Brock’s Gap.  If you have not done so already,  you will need to purchase a hard case for your child. Please note: Chromebooks will not be allowed to come home without a hard case.  This is a Hoover City schools district guideline.  If you have specific questions regarding this, please contact us.

Important BGIS Dates for this week

• Tuesday, 11/11:  No school for students.
• Wednesday, 11/12:  First Priority at 7:30 a.m. and Progress Reports come home.
• Wednesday, 11/12:  Lego-Robotics (check your child’s schedule for his or her day)
• Thursday, 11/13:  Girls on the Run

Important Academic Dates for this week

• Monday, 11/10:  Math IXL contract due
• Wednesday, 11/12:  Social Studies Test on the 13 Colonies
• Friday, 11/14: Reading Vocabulary test; Reading log due

Upcoming Important Dates

• Tuesday, November 18th at 6:00:  Camp McDowell Parent Meeting at Brock’s Gap.
• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  

Coming up this week:

Math:Topics of Study –  We will continue our study of volume this week. We will continue working on finding the volume of irregular rectangular prisms by finding the additive volume of the pieces of that prism.   This is a very difficult concept, and I completely understand students needing more time with it.  Math Computation came home tonight.  Students should complete the Monday  and Wednesday night boxes.  Math Computation quiz will be this  Friday.   This quiz will include computation as well as volume.  Our next unit will be on fractions.

Science:Topics of Study –  We are beginning our study of the human body systems.  We will take a closer look at the circulatory, excretory, and respiratory systems.  There are many helpful links to websites and games to help your child  on your Science page on our blog:  http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com/
Language Arts:
Topics of Study: 

This is a Reading/Vocabulary week.  Our story this week is Stray by Cynthia Rylant. We will focus on quoting accurately from a texts. Our vocabulary words for the week are:  abandon, distress, starvation, timidly, trembling.

Our reading story for this week will be a “cold Read,” a reading the students have not read before or that we have discussed together, rather than from our story.

Due to a shortened week, we will not have an IXL Language Contract.

Reading Logs came home today for the week and will be due on Friday.

Social Studies:

Topics of Study –  We are completing our study of the 13 Colonies.  The test on this material will be on Wednesday. A study guide was given to your students last week.  I set up a quizlet on the Social Studies tab on this blog for students to study.  

                    We hope everyone has a great week!

November 3-7, 2014 

 General Announcements:

• We will be sending home some important paperwork about Camp McDowell on Tuesday of this week. This will be paperwork that will be passed on to Camp McDowell. They need this by mid-November at the latest so please be prompt in returning this to us. Thank you so much! We are getting excited about our upcoming trip. 
•  This Friday at 9:00 A.M. is our Brock’s Gap Veterans Day program. A separate email and letter came home today with this information, We welcome all family members and friends of  of Brock's Gap students to come join us for this special celebration.  
•  The Brock’s Gap Book Fair is this week. Mrs.Watson's class will go TOMORROW- Tuesday, and Mrs. Ponder's class will go this Thursday. Please send money with your child if would like them to purchase books or other items from the Book Fair! 
•  Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: Brock's Gap eNews
• Brock's Gap eNews Important Technology Information:  If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com. After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do. You will go to Student Fees. You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these). You will then choose Device Fees. You will see Device Protection Plan to the right. The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00. This may go up once devices are passed out. When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.” There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check. If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper. Device insurance cost will increase to $50.00 on Dec. 1st. To purchase a cover for your child’s Chromebook from BGIS, please go to www.myschoolfees.com. You will choose Brock’s Gap and then your child. The Chromebook cover cost is $22.00. An order for these has been placed. When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.” There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check. If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the cover directly to the Bookkeeper. If you choose to purchase a cover yourself for the Chromebook, please be sure that these are “hard sided” rather than a “soft sleeve.

Important BGIS Dates this week:  
Brock’s Gap Book Fair-11/04 Tuesday (Watson's homeroom)11/05 Thursday (Ponder;s homeroom)
Student Council Meeting Tuesday, 11/4 at 7:30
Girls on the Run Wednesday-11/5 after school
First Priority at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, 11/5
Lego-Robotics (check your child’s schedule for his or her day)
Friday, 11/7: BGIS Veterans’ Day Program at 9:00 a.m.
Important Academic Dates :
Science Quiz (Single-Celled and Multicellular Organisms)- Wednesday (Study Guide came home today) 
Spelling Test on List 5 Thursday, 11/06
Math Computation Test, Thursday, 11/06
Spelling Activities due Friday, 11/07
Reading Log due Friday, 11/07
IXL Grammar due Friday 11/07 (Time to work on this in class is given to get started on these activities)
IXL Math Contract due Monday, 11/10 (Time in class is given to get started on these activities) 
Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall 12/10-12/12
Coming up this week:
Math: Topics of Study – We are talking about volume as additive. Students will be able to find the volume of an irregular figure by combining the volume of two figures combines. A new IXL contract will come home today which will be due next Monday. The students will have computation questions as well.  Pl;ease note there are Monday night problems due Tuesday, and Tuesday night problems will be due Wednesday. There will be a Math Computation test this Thursday which will cove problems from last week and this week's math computation homework.
Science: Topics of Study –  Today we completed together a single-celled and multicellular study guide.  There will be a quiz on this material this Wednesday.  We are also beginning our study of the human body systems-Skeletal, Muscular, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, Nervous, Endocrine, Integumentary, and Reproductive. We specifically concentrate on the Respiratory, Circulatory, and Excretory Systems.  We are also looking forward to having the UAB Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology  visit our school this week.   The Physiology Understanding  hands-on activities help students learn more about their bodies’ cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.
Language Arts: Topics of Study – We will have Spelling (list 5) this week. Spelling words are: dejected,eject, injection, interjection, jettison, projectile, projector, reject, subject, trajectory. We will also continue with our Narrative Writing Unit writing about important moments (first times, last times, and times when you realized something) and "a place that matters."  The tombstone projects were all amazing! I am so proud of the kids and all their hard work. :-) IXL Grammar Contracts will be due on Friday, November 7. We are going to try the Reading Logs again after a little break. We want kids to enjoy reading each night but we also feel like they need to be held accountable.

Social Studies: Topics of Study – We will continue our study of the earliest colonies in America. We will specifically explore why settlers came to America. Students will be given a study guide on Monday that will encompass the discussions that we have had on the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. Students will recognize the differences between these colonies as well as the similarities. Students have used a Google presentation tool to present on these colonies. The test on the colonies will be the following Wednesday. We hope everyone has a great week!

October 27th-31st

General Announcements:

·          If you have not paid your Camp McDowell deposit of $30, please do this as soon as possible.  You can pay online at www.myschoolfees.com. Please be sure to choose your child’s homeroom teacher (PONDER or WATSON) when paying this fee.  More information will be coming home in the coming weeks.  Our trip is December 10-12.  

·        If your child does not have a recorder he will she will need to have one by their next music class. The cost is $5.00.

·        Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: 

Brock's Gap eNews

Important Technology Information

·        If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do.  You will go to Student Fees.  You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these).  You will then choose Device Fees.  You will see Device Protection Plan to the right.  The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00.  This may go up once devices are passed out.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper.  Device insurance cost will increase to $50.00 on Dec. 1st.

·        To purchase a cover for your child’s Chromebook from BGIS, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  You will choose Brock’s Gap and then your child.  The Chromebook cover cost is $22.00.  An order for these has been placed.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the cover directly to the Bookkeeper.  If you choose to purchase a cover yourself for the Chromebook, please be sure that these are “hard sided” rather than a “soft sleeve.”

Important BGIS Dates for Next Week

·        Monday, Oct. 27:  RED RIBBON WEEK “Wear Red to be Drug Free”

·        Tuesday, Oct. 28:  Twin Day in support of Red Ribbon Week “Double the fun being drug free.”

·        Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 30:  Girls on the Run

·        Wednesday, October 29:  “We CAN be drug free.”  CANNED FOOD DRIVE for the Firehouse Shelter in support of Red Ribbon Week.

·        Wednesday, October 29:  First Priority at 7:30 in the choir room

·        Thursday, Oct. 30:  “Orange you glad you are drug free?”  WEAR ORANGE in support of Red Ribbon Week.

·        Friday, Oct. 31:  “SCARE AWAY CANCER AND DRUGS.”  Students will wear pink to “scare away” breast cancer and in support of Red Ribbon Week.  Students bring a donation to be given to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Important Academic Dates for Next Week

·        Wednesday, October 29:  Social Studies Test on the 13 original colonies;
Math Computation #10 Due (No test this week- these skills will be tested next week).

·        Friday, October 31: Friday Fun Rotations

Upcoming Important Dates

·        December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  

Coming up this week:

Math: Topics of Study –  We are continuing our study of volume this week. We are talking about what happens when one side of our cube is doubled. We will talk about volume as additive.  Students will be able to find the volume of an irregular figure by combining the volume of two figures combines.  We will not have a Math Computation test this week.  This week's skills will be tested next week and will include questions about volume (l x w x h) and Order of Operations.  There is a New IXL contract this week. Students are being given time in class to get started on these activities. I anticipate that many students will be able to complete their IXL contracts at school during Team Time.  

Science: Topics of Study –  Today we began our study of Single-Celled and Multicellular organisms. We are learning how organ systems are made of organs which are made of tissues which are made of cellls. Students will enjoy some hands- on activities with microscopes this week. No Science test or quiz this week. Grades will be taken on classwork activities.

Language Arts: Topics of Study – This is a Writing/Spelling Week, however, we are going to move Spelling to the following week. We will begin our Narrative Writing Unit. We will focus on using important moments (first times, last times, and times when you realized something) to write our stories. We will begin presenting our Tombstone Projects on Thursday.

IXL Contracts on Past, Present, and Future Tense Verbs will be due on Friday, Oct. 31

 Social Studies: Topics of Study – We will continue our study of the earliest colonies in America.  We will specifically explore why settlers came to America.  Students will recognize present-day states that could be found in the New England, Middle and Southern colonies.  We will have a quiz on Wednesday on the colonies.  Students will need to be able to locate the original colonies on a map given to them.  There are several online games under the Social Studies Tab on our blog to help them study!

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

General Announcements:

• Our newsletter will also be posted at http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com/.  This newsletter is quite long due to extensive information about Chromebook distribution and technology.

• A letter came home last Thursday about Camp McDowell (Dec. 10-12).

• Please ask you child if they have a recorder. The cost of a recorder is $5.00. Recorders are needed by their next music class.

• Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: Brock's Gap eNews

Important Technology Information

• Chromebooks arrived last week!  The students were very excited to receive their Chromebooks. We are incorporating Chromebooks into all academic areas! The Chromebooks will not be coming home until after Thanksgiving. We are discussing safety and proper use of Chromebooks, and students are participating in lessons on these topics.

• If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do.  You will go to Student Fees.  You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these).  You will then choose Device Fees.  You will see Device Protection Plan to the right.  The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00.  This may go up once devices are passed out.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper.

• To purchase a cover for your child’s Chromebook from BGIS, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  You will choose Brock’s Gap and then your child.  The Chromebook cover cost is $22.00.  An order for these has been placed.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the cover directly to the Bookkeeper.  If you choose to purchase a cover yourself for the Chromebook, please be sure that these are “hard sided” rather than a “soft sleeve.”

Important BGIS Dates for Next Week

• Tuesday, Oct. 21:  Report Cards Due

• Tuesday, Oct. 21:  Earth Saver’s Club meeting
• Tuesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 23:  Girls on the Run
• Wednesday, October 22:  First Priority at 7:30 in the choir room
• Thursday, Oct. 23:  Picture Monday Due/BOX TOPS DUE
• Friday, Oct. 24:  Camp McDowell form and $30 deposit due using www.myschoolfees.com 

(PLEASE make sure you choose Ponder or Watson as the homeroom teacher when paying.)

Important Academic Dates for Next Week\

• Thursday- Science-Animal and Plant Cell Test (Study guide home tomorrow- Science notebooks are also a wonderful tool to use for studying for this test).
• Friday, October 24th:   Reading/Vocabulary Tests/Language Arts IXL contracts due; Tombstone projects due
• Friday, October 24th: Math Computation #9 Test

Upcoming Important Dates

• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  

Coming up this week:

Math: Topics of Study –  NO IXL Contract this week. Students will complete Math Computation problems NIGHTLY and Student Activity Book pages. Tonight the first 4 Math Computation boxes should be completed and Activity Book pages 3 and 4; Tuesday night- the next 4 Math Boxes and Activity Book pages will be assigned; Wednesday night- the rest of the Math Computation boxes and Activity Book pages assigned. We began our Geometry Unit and our Study of Volume last week; Students are learning the standard formula for volume (length x width x height). They enjoyed building rectangular prisms out of cubes last week and again today. We will continue our study of volume by learning about what happens when we double at least one side; we will also learn to recognize Volume as Additive.
Science: Topics of Study –  We are working on Animal and Plant Cell projects in class this week and Reviewing for our test. A study guide will come home tomorrow. Students can always use their Science notebooks as an important tool for preparing for tests. Please check out our science blog page if you haven’t already! Just click on the SCIENCE LINK found at the top of this page or the following link http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com/p/science.html
There are many helpful links to websites and games to help your child study!
Language Arts: Topics of Study – Due to a short week and Chromebook roll out,  we will carry over our Reading/Vocabulary through this week. We will continue to  focus on Questioning/Visualizing in a close reading of  In the Time of the Drums. Our vocabulary words for the week are: blistering, bluff, burden, conjure, despair, dissolve, harsh, homeland, mischief, tremble.

Vocabulary test/Comprehension test will be on Friday, Oct. 24

Tombstone Projects due Friday, Oct. 24

IXL Contracts will be due on Friday, Oct. 24

Social Studies: Topics of Study – We will continue our study of the earliest colonies in America.  We will specifically explore why settlers came to America.  Students will recognize present-day states that could be found in the New England, Middle and Southern colonies.  

                   

We hope everyone has a great week!

October 13-17, 2014

Pomeroy, Carrie

October 13-17, 2014 General Announcements: Our newsletter will also be posted at http://voy5bgis.blogspot.com/. This newsletter is quite long due to extensive information about our upcoming device distribution and technology. If you still wish to schedule a

Fri 10/10

October 13-17, 2014

Please send in pencils to both classrooms if you have any! We are running out!

General Announcements:

•  This newsletter is quite long due to extensive information about our upcoming device distribution and technology.
• If you still wish to schedule a conference, please email us. We will contact you directly if we have specific concerns.

• Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: Brock's Gap eNews

Important Technology Information

• TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 14th, 5:30 P.M. at Brock's Gap-  An Important meeting regarding ACT Aspire Test Scores and Chromebooks for 5th graders.  This meeting was originally scheduled to discuss the ACT Aspire Test scores (your child's test scores from last Spring), however, we found out last week the Chromebooks for 5th graders will be arriving earlier than we previously thought.  The meeting tomorrow will also address the upcoming technology opportunities for your child.  

• If you would like to purchase Device Insurance/Protection for your child, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  After you have logged on, you will choose AL-HOOVER-IT DEPT (this is in the school drop down menu) rather than choosing a school as you usually do.  You will go to Student Fees.  You will need to add your student so you will need his or her 196 student # (they know these).  You will then choose Device Fees.  You will see Device Protection Plan to the right.  The cost at this time for insurance is $25.00.  This may go up once devices are passed out.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the device protection directly to the Bookkeeper.

• If you have not filled out your child’s Engaged Learning Initiative agreement, please do this ASAP at the following link:  ELI Agreement.  No student will be able to receive a Chromebook if this agreement is not complete.  We did not expect our technology to arrive until later this month, but we think that we may be distributing the Chromebooks as early as Thursday.  Chromebooks will not come home until close to Thanksgiving so we can adequately work with the students on expectations.

• To purchase a cover for your child’s Chromebook from BGIS, please go to www.myschoolfees.com.  You will choose Brock’s Gap and then your child.  The Chromebook cover cost is $22.00.  An order for these has been placed.  When it is time to pay, you can choose “Electronic Check.”  There is NO cost for using My Schools Fees if you choose Electronic Check.  If you prefer to not use My School Fees, you will need to come to Brock’s Gap to pay for the cover directly to the Bookkeeper.  If you choose to purchase a cover yourself for the Chromebook, please be sure that these are “hard sided” rather than a “soft sleeve.”

Important BGIS Dates:

• Tonight- IMPORTANT Parent Meeting at 5:30 in the BGIS Competition Gym-ACT Aspire and Chromebooks. Please make every effort to attend!
• Wednesday, October 15:  First Priority at 7:30 in the choir room
• Wednesday, October 15:  Report Cards to come home
• Thursday, Oct. 16:  Bumpus Bucs vs. Pizitz -at Vestavia High School 

Upcoming Important Dates

• Friday, October 24:  Tombstone Project due (To be completed at home. Students have the information needed to complete this project)
• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  Approximate cost will be $170.00.

Coming up this week:

Math:Topics of Study –  A new IXL contract was given out today.  It will be due next Monday, October 20th.  Math Computation Practice came home tonight and is due Thursday.  Math Computation Quiz will be Friday. 
Today, we began our Geometry Unit.  We are learning about Area and Volume.  
Area= Length x Width  (L x W) = B
Volume = Length x Width x Height   (L x W x H)   or (B x H) .   

Science:Topics of Study – We have begun our new unit: Cells, Tissues, Organs, and Systems (See their Sciencesaurus textbooks pages 98-109). We are learning about the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.  We are going to be doing some in class projects for animal and plant cells.  By Friday- I would like students to bring recyclable items (things lying about the house-cardboard, yarn, beads, pipe cleaners, old toys, etc.) to be used to make their plant and animal cells. I do not want parents to have to go out and buy anything for this project.  Be creative!  Students will work on these in groups of 2-4 students on Friday and next Monday. 
Language Arts:Topics of Study – This is a Reading/Vocabulary week. This week we will be be focusing on Questioning/Visualizing in a close reading in In the Time of the Drums story. Our vocabulary words for the week are: blistering, bluff, burden, conjure, despair, dissolve, harsh, homeland, mischief, tremble.
Vocabulary/Comprehension test on Friday.

*Due to a short week, we will not have have Language Arts IXL.

Social Studies:Topics of Study – We have begun our study of the earliest colonies in America.  We will specifically explore why settlers came to America.  Students will recognize present-day states that could be found in the New England colonies.  They will also explore the specific reasons why settling in New England would have been quite difficult.

                   
We hope everyone has a great week!

Sheryl Ponder and Stephanie Watson

sponder@hoover.k12.al.us        stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us