September 29-October 3, 2014

General Announcements:

Our newsletter will also be posted at http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com

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

Important BGIS Dates for Next Week

• Tuesday, Sept. 30:  Earth Saver’s Club in Mrs. Maynard’s Room
• Wednesday, October 1: First Priority at 7:30 a.m. in the choir room
• Wednesday, October 1:  Lego-Robotics until 4:30 in Ms. Willis’s room (depending on your rotation)
• Thursday, October 2:  Bumpus Middle School vs. Thompson at Thompson.  

Important Academic Dates for Next Week

• Thursday, October 2nd - Symbiosis projects due for Science (no quiz this week)
• Friday, October 3:  Grammar IXL due

Upcoming Important Dates

• October 6-October 10: Spirit Week at Brock’s Gap

Monday- Brock’s Gap Day; Tuesday-Tacky Day; Wednesday- Super Hero Day; Thursday- Buc Day; Friday- Back in Time Day

• Monday, October 13:  Conference Day - No school for students
• Tuesday, October 14:  Parent Meeting regarding ACT Aspire test scores (TBA)
• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.  Approximate cost will be $170.00. More information coming in the next two weeks.

Coming up this week:

Math:  Topics of Study – There will be a math comp test on Thursday.  I will pass out a new computation assignment on Monday. This will be due on Wednesday. We will be working on division strategies in class. Students will mainly use three strategies to divide:  Partial Quotients, Traditional Algorithm, and multiplying up.  We may begin the Order of Operations study toward the end of next week.  

Science:  Topics of Study –We are finishing up our study of ecosystems.

 Students are working on symbiosis projects.  These projects are to be completed at home and are due Thursday, October 2nd.  

 Language Arts:  Topics of Study – This week is Word Wizard Week/Reading Review Week. We will play fun games each day with the words we have studied so far. We will review by completing various activities throughout the week that focuses on theme.

Important Dates this week:

Grammar IXL contract due: Friday, October 3

Social Studies:  Topics of Study – We will be studying the impact of the early Columbian exchange as well as the centers of the slave trade in the early Americas.  Students will recognize the things that were brought to North America by the explorers.  We will begin a project on Friday about various products that were brought to our country.  There will be no tests or quizzes.

We hope everyone has a great week!

Sheryl Ponder      &         Stephanie Watson

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

9/22/14

This week's “Star Students”:

Social Studies-Alex 

Language Arts-Donald 

Reading-Cooey 

Math- Daniel 

Science- Rachel 

September 22^nd-26^th, 2014

General Announcements:

·         PICTURE DAY IS TOMORROW!

·         Our weekly newsletter link http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com/

• Please continue to sell magazines!!!  OUR LAST magazine turn in day is this Wednesday to receive PRIZES this Friday! This is our biggest fundraiser of the school year, and we appreciate so very much your support of BGIS!!!
• Please see the following link to see the Brock’s Gap eNews: Brock's Gap eNews        Important BGIS Dates for the Week

• TOMORROW Sept. 23:  PICTURE DAY! Girls on the Run 3-4:30

·         Tuesday, Sept. 23:  Earth Saver’s Club in Mrs. Maynard’s Room

·         Wednesday, Sept. 24^th- See you at the Pole- 7:30 A.M.  in the front of BGIS  sponsored by First Priority

• Wednesday, Sept. 24:  Last Magazine Order Turn In Date
• Wednesday, Sept. 24:  Lego-Robotics until 4:30 in Ms. Willis’s room (depending on your rotation)

·         Thursday, Sept. 25^th- Girls on the Run 3-4:30

• Thursday, Sept. 25:  Spirit Day at Brock’s Gap   Bumpus Middle School vs. Simmons at Hoover High School

(7th Grade at 5:00; 8th Grade at 6:45).  BLACK OUT SIMMONS!!!!  WEAR BLACK TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE BUMPUS BUCS! 

Important Academic Dates:

• Wednesday, September 24^th- Math Computation Due; NO COMP TEST this week!
• Thursday, September 25: Spelling Contract Due; Spelling Test
• Thursday, September 25: Social Studies test on Explorers

• Friday, September 26: Language Arts  and MATH IXL Contracts Due
• NEXT Thursday, October 2^nd- SCIENCE PROJECTS DUE

Upcoming Important Dates

• Monday, October 13:  Conference Day – (NO SCHOOL for students)
• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall

Math: Topics of Study – A new IXL contract came home today with only 3 skills.  These activities involve reviewing multiplication skills.  The new contract is due THIS FRIDAY. We will be working on Multiplication and Division Cluster Problems (Student Math Handbook page 35) and our study of Division Strategies (Student Math Handbook pages 38-39).  We will be looking at the connection between different multiplication strategies and the traditional algorithm (Student Math Handbook 36).  Students need to be fluent in the traditional algorithm by the end of fifth grade, but it is crucial that they understand the properties and mathematics behind this algorithm.  This will help them so much as they further their study of mathematics.

Science: Topics of Study – We are learning about symbiotic relationships in Ecosystems. Important Vocabulary: Symbiosis, Predation, Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism.  A Symbiotic Relationship project was assigned today. Requirements and a graded rubric came home today about the project. We will work on researching much of our information in class this week.  This project will require some work to be done at home. Projects are due NEXT THURSDAY, October 2^nd.  No Science Test this week!

Language Arts:Topics of Study – This week is a Writing/Spelling week. Spelling words are:  circumspect, inspect, disrespect, perspective, respect, retrospective, spectacle, spectacles, spectator, speculate.  In Writing, we are going to be working on and completing our argumentative writing drafts by the end of the week.

For our Grammar, we are continuing the IXL for Language Arts and your child will be responsible for a new skill next week and a contract will be coming home with them on Monday. Please encourage your child to read each night!!

Social Studies:Topics of Study – We will continue our study of explorers in preparation for our test.  Students have studied the “why” behind what motivated the earliest Explorers.  Our test will be Thursday, September 25th.  A study guide came home last week for this test.  This was also reviewed in class.

We hope everyone has a great week!

Mrs. Ponder sponder@hoover.k12.al.us          and            Mrs. Watson stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us

9/15/14

This week's “Star Students”:

Social Studies-Jesse 

Language Arts-Jase 

Reading-Morgan 

Math-Kenneth 

Science-Dayane 

September 15^th -19^th, 2014

General Announcements:

• Please continue to sell magazines!!!  Turn in your order days are Wednesdays, and prize days are Fridays.  This is our ONLY fundraiser and our biggest fundraiser for our school!  We appreciate your support of Brock’s Gap Intermediate so very much!!
•  Please see the following link to see copies of Brock’s Gap e News:                        Brock's Gap eNews

 Important BGIS Dates for the Week

• Tuesday, Sept. 16th -Student Council Meeting (Officers and Classroom Representatives) at 7:30 A.M.
• Tomorrow Night- Tuesday, Sept. 16^th – BGIS PTO Zaxby’s Spirit Night from 4:00-8:00 P.M.                           (Zaxby’s on 150 across from Wal-Mart)
• Wednesday, Sept. 17^th –First Priority- Choir Room 7:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17th- MAGAZINE ORDERS DUE for this week to receive a prize on Friday!
• Wednesday, Sept. 17^th - Lego-Robotics- after school until 4:30–Mrs. Willis’s room
• Thursday, Sept. 18^th - Bumpus Middle School vs. Berry (7th Grade at 5:00; 8th Grade at 6:45).  Wear ORANGE and BLACK to show your BUCS pride!                                                                                                                                                                                                
•  Important Academic Dates for the Week

• Monday, September 15:  Math IXL Contract Due for (Sept. 8-12)
• Thursday, September 18:  Math Computation and skills Test
• Friday, September 19:  Science Quiz  
• Friday, September 19:  Vocab/Reading Test

 Upcoming Important Dates

• Wednesday, September 24:  Social Studies Test on Explorers
• Monday, October 13:  Conference Day - No school for students
• December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall

 Coming up this week:

Math: Topics of Study – A new IXL contract came home today! It is due next Monday. Students should spend at least 15 minutes per skill (unless they get a score of 100).  We will continue our study of 2 digit x 2 digit multiplication.  A weekly computation and skills quiz will be given on Thursday.

Science:

Topics of Study – We are studying food chains and food webs. The students really enjoyed observing and dissecting “Owl Pellets” last Friday.  I took lots of pictures and will let you know when they have been added to our blog.  We will  be building our own ecosystems this week.   Thank you so much for sending supplies for this class project!

Language Arts:

Topics of Study – This week is a reading/vocabulary week. We are continuing our focus on questioning and summarizing with our story is The Peddler.  Our vocab words for this week are: beam, beckon, bungle, discarded, flourish, inspection, intrigue, meek, scholar, transformed.

We are going to begin IXL for Language Arts to take the place of our grammar each week and your child will be bringing a contract home with them on Monday. They will concentrate on one skill each week for now. Also, your child will not have a Reading log this week as we are trying something new. They are still encouraged to read each night.

Social Studies: Topics of Study – We will continue our study of explorers in addition to gaining a greater understanding of the importance of map-making to the earliest explorers.  We will have a test Wednesday, September 24th on Explorers.  A study guide will come home next week with this information.
                                                We hope everyone has a great week!

Mrs. Ponder sponder@hoover.k12.al.us   & Mrs. Watson stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us

Reading Log

Opt Out Form

Yes! You read that right...my goal is simple. I want your kids to READ. I want them to read every single day. Rather than filling out a reading log every day, I am giving them an option. If they are already students who WANT to read, they can complete the Reading Challenge form for a chance to win a prize. This will encourage them to read a variety of genres, and lots of them. They will turn the form in when they get it completed for a chance to win a (small) prize or a homework pass.  I will draw names at the beginning of each month for a chance to win. However, if your child is not an avid reader and does not want to partake in the challenge, they can just read whatever they want…as long as they are reading every single day.

As a mom and teacher I see reading logs as a two-headed being. I have spent a lot of time making this decision. On the one hand, they are an excellent record of time spent reading. They help develop responsibility. On the other hand, kids need to develop a love of reading and not see it as just one more thing they have to do. It becomes a chore for both parents and students.

It will be your child’s choice to take on the Reading Challenge or to just read freely, whatever material they want.

Please let me know if you have any questions. After all, at the end of the day, I want to BUILD their love of reading, not make them DISLIKE it.

 Stephanie Watson

9/8/14

This week's “Star Students”:

Social Studies-Andrew 

Language Arts-Sophia 

Reading-Alexa 

Math-Sree 

Science- Emory 

 Congratulations to Kreshetta  (*Ponder’s homeroom) and Ryan (*Watson's homeroom) for being elected as Student Council classroom representatives! These students will attend Student Council meetings and be the "voice" of our classrooms.

       BGIS also participates in the Chik-Fil-A “Core Essential Values” program. Each month students are recognized for a specific character trait.  This month we recognized Sheridan  (Watson’s homeroom) and Cooey (Ponder’s homeroom) for exhibiting “Courage.” 

Voyagers’ Weekly Memo 
September 8-12, 2014

  General Announcements:

·         This week promises to be another busy week at Brock’s Gap! We are continuing see hard work and overall good behavior choices from our students! We truly have had a great first month of school.  Speaking of……Can you believe it is time for Progress Reports?  Progress Reports will come home this Wednesday, September 10th.  You will receive two copies.  Please sign one copy and return it the following day to your homeroom teacher.  Please note that the first nine weeks, at this point, will not have as many grades as the future nine weeks will have.  So much of the first three weeks of school is learning rules/routines. You have probably noticed this if you have checked iNow. We are slower the first nine weeks to enter grades in iNow, but this will become more consistent over the remainder of this nine weeks and throughout the year.  Please let us know if you have questions!

• Our first set of graded papers came home Friday. Please return these by tomorrow-Tuesday.  The next set of graded papers will come home the week of Sept. 22. Please note, however, that you can always check iNow for grades before graded papers come home.  

•  We are SO VERY PROUD of all of our students who ran for election!  It took a great deal of confidence to deliver a speech in front of 400 + 5th graders on Thursday, and they should all be very proud of themselves.  We had our Homeroom Representative elections this morning.  Our representatives are:  The first SCA meeting will be Tuesday, September 9th at 7:30 a.m. in Ms. Lollar’s room.

• If your child is interested in the Earth Saver’s Club or Lego Robotics Club, applications for both clubs are being accepted now.  These clubs meet after school.

• First Priority meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 in the choir room.

• Hearing and Vision Screening for 5th grade will be this Thursday, September 11th.

• Thursdays are Spirit Days in support of the Bumpus Middle Schools Bucs. This week, the BUCS will play Liberty Park at 5:00 (7th grade) and 6:45 (8th grade) at Vestavia Hills High School on Thursday.  Hoover High School plays Oak Mountain High School on Friday.  Please remember that the Brock’s Gap Activity Card will get your child into the games!  GO BUCS!

• Please continue to support our school by selling magazines!!! Magazine Order turns in days are on Wednesdays, and prize days are on Fridays.  This is our only big fundraiser, and we appreciate your support of our school so very much!!

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

Coming up this week:

Math: Topics of Study- We are beginning our study of multiplication strategies this week (refer to your child’s Student Math Handbook pages 30-32). Students are also learning prime factorization of numbers  using “Factor Trees.”   In addition, this will be the first week of our IXL contract.  We will continue our Number Talks and daily Problem Solving.  I am very proud of the incredible mathematicians that I am seeing them become!

 Important Dates- Math Computation Homework is due Wednesday; Test will be on Friday. Students will have some type of Math practice for homework every night (Math Computation, IXL, Activity Book pages).

Science:

Topics of Study –We have learned about the spheres of the earth- atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere/lithosphere. Students have taken a closer look at the biosphere and know the difference between biotic and abiotic factors.  This week we will continue our study of Ecosystems through discussions about Food Webs and Food Chains.  We will be dissecting “Owl Pellets,” which is usually a favorite Science lab activity of 5^th grade.  Vocabulary- Ecosystem, abiotic, biotic, organism, habitat, population, community, producers, consumers, and decomposers.  It is our plan to build our own ecosystems at school next week !

It is not too late to send in supplies.  We could use any of the following items: potting soil, gravel, grass and mustard seeds (or seeds of any kind).  Thank you so much!!!!! 

Important Dates- Quiz TOMORROW- Abiotic and Biotic factors; Spheres of the Earth, organism, population, community, habitat, ecosystem.

Language Arts:

Topics of Study – Our reading week from last week will continue until mid-week due to “Too Cool for Drugs” and going to the computer lab for Global Scholar testing. We will end our discussion of the text from last week and will take our Vocabulary/Comprehension test on Wednesday. We will pick up from there with our Argumentative Writing Unit. We will begin writing paragraphs in our essays. In Grammar, we will continue our focus on Verbs.

Homework:

Reading log (complete nightly)

Vocabulary test (Wednesday)

Spelling Homework (contract due on Thursday)

Spelling test (Thursday)

Grammar test (Friday)

Important Dates – Reading Log nightly, Vocab. Test on Wednesday, Spelling test on Thursday, Grammar test on Friday

Social Studies:

Topics of Study – We will be working on our non-fiction reading skills while learning about the tools that explorers used to explore the early Americas.  We will specifically work on using “boxes and bullets” to find main ideas and supporting details.  There will be no tests or quizzes, but daily grades will be taken on some of our work done in class. Important Dates- No tests or quizzes.

We hope everyone has a great week!

Mrs. Ponder sponder@hoover.k12.al.us and Mrs. Watson stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us