Monday, October 27, 2014

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: 

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!


Monday, October 20, 2014

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.
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!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

October 13-17, 2014




    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.
    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

    Monday, October 6, 2014

    October 6th-10th, 2014
    General Announcements:
    Our newsletter will also be posted at http://ponderwatson2014.blogspot.com
    Important BGIS Dates this week:
    This week is Spirit Week at Brock’s Gap:
    • Today was Brock’s Gap Day
    • Tomorrow- Tuesday- Wacky Tacky Day
    • Wednesday- Super Hero Day
    • Thursday- Buc Day
    • Friday- Back in Time Day
    • Tuesday and Thursday- Girls on the Run (right after school) 
    • Wednesday, October 8th: First Priority at 7:30 a.m. in the choir room
    • Thursday, October 10th- End of 1st Nine Weeks
    • Thursday, October 9th:  Bumpus Middle School vs. Oak Mountain (Hoover High School) 5:00 P.M. (7th grade game) and 7:00 P.M. (8th grade game). Come out to support the Bumpus Bucs! 
    • Friday, October 10th- Student Flu Mist Station for those students signed. 
     A Look Ahead:
    •   Next Monday- October 13:  Conference Day - No school for students
    • Tuesday, October 14:  Parent Meeting  5:30 P.M. -ACT Aspire test scores  and Chromebook Information
    • Wednesday, October 15th- REPORT CARDS 
    • December 10-12:  Camp McDowell for the Voyagers Hall.                                             Approximate cost will be $170.00. More information coming home soon!

    • Math:  Topics of Study – We are learning the Order of Operations today (PEMDAS- Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication or Division, Addition or Subtraction).  We are also reviewing for our Unit 1 Test.  A study guide came home today- Problems 1-10 are due Tuesday, Problems 11-13 due Wednesday, and the rest of the study guide is due Thursday; Test will be on Friday;  We are reviewing multiplication strategies, division strategies, oder of operations, factors, multiples, prime, composite, and square numbers. NO IXL or Math Computation this week.   

    • Science:  Topics of Study –The students have really enjoyed sharing their Symbiotic Relationship projects!  They did  an AMAZING job on their projects!  I LOVE seeing them incorporate their technology skills on projects like these! Symbiotic Relationships Study Guide came home today!  Their test will be Wednesday!  
    •  Language ArtsTopics of Study – This is a Spelling/Writing week. This week we will be researching a famous historical figure and our focus will be learning how to research/take notes. The students will  also write an acrostic poem and obituary on the person they research, using the notes they have taken in class.  As a culminating activity, the students will complete a tombstone project. They will complete this at home. More information will come home this week explaining this project in more detail. Spelling words will come home with students today.
    • Important Dates this week:
    • Spelling Activities Due/Test: Thursday, October 5
    • Grammar IXL contract due: Friday, October 6


    • Social StudiesTopics 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.  Due to time constraints, we will not do the project that was listed in the newsletter last week.  We will begin our study of the colonies at the end of this week.  We are excited to begin our next unit!


                       
    We hope everyone has a great week!
    Sheryl Ponder      &         Stephanie Watson
         sponder@hoover.k12.al.us                stwatson@hoover.k12.al.us