Team Berlin Update 33
April 11, 2025
Snack Request
Team Berlin is requesting boxes of snacks for testing! We need four variety boxes of snacks each day (one per room). We are asking for snacks that are nut free, have gluten free options, and vegan/dairy free/egg free options. In the past, the variety packs of chips is helpful, a variety pack of granola bars are also great. Students should eat breakfast before school and will have a snack when the test is finished. Students may not eat during the test. We are also calling for large bags of mints (individually wrapped) for during testing.
If you’re able to contribute please send them in with your child the week of before testing (starting April 21) through testing May 9. We are also in need of four large plastic bins (with lids) to keep snacks safe from any pests. If you order anything from Amazon please have it sent to Amy Trenkle, Team Berlin at Alice Deal MS (3815 Fort Drive, NW WDC 20016). We will distribute to the entire team (students in a any testing group).
Trackers for CAPE
During CAPE we will offer daily incentives for students who are able to do the following:
—arrive on time to school and are in their testing room by 8:45 am
—have two pencils each day for their test
—Have a book that they will read after they are finished testing (not an e-book) that they will keep under their desk (Ms. Byrns is happy to help them find one!)
—Have no violations or disruptions during the test.
Students will earn one ticket each testing day and at the end of the week there will be drawings for prizes. Please encourage, and help, your student to test with success!
Earth Science with Ms. Ballantine
Hi Scientists,
We made it to spring break, woohoo! I hope you have lovely weather wherever you are next week. Make sure to ask your budding meteorologist to tell you what they learned about humidity, condensation, and how rain clouds form. I’m excited to hear about the various climates students experienced when we return to school! I’ll be digging out my summer clothes and spending some time in the subtropical heat of South Texas.
This past week students continued their work on the water cycle, diving more deeply into certain parts of it such as evaporation and condensation through readings and a condensation simulator. We began learning about how heat transfer and the movement of air masses can lead to various weather phenomena.
After we come back from break, we will continue exploring how the sun’s heat, the spin of the Earth, heat transfer, density, and the phase changes of water create and affect weather. Students will learn how meteorologists talk about weather and will practice reading weather maps! Students will discover what meteorologists mean by a cold front and a warm front and will figure out what types of weather these bring.
Have a fun and restful break!
Math with Mr. Brown & Mr. Gawthrop
Math 6
This week students worked on review current concepts in preparation for RCT #6 as well as work on calculating the area of complex shapes. This week students will work on analyzing and displaying statistical data. Included in our virtual classroom is a link to a portion of Illustrative Mathematics website curriculum dedicated to allowing parents to give support of current topics from home.
Math 7
This week students worked on calculating the area of complex figures and analyzing angle relationships. This week students will work on analyzing probability and the likelihood of possible outcomes. Included in our virtual classroom is a link to a portion of Illustrative Mathematics website curriculum dedicated to allowing parents to give support of current topics from home.
Please encourage students to utilize the “Parking Lot” in class to leave questions or requests (ie. retake requests) Notes and videos on current/previous/upcoming concepts as well as supportive platforms can be found in the virtual classroom (www.framevr.io/brownmath)
Any questions or concerning SMAC Program invitations should be sent (and will be forwarded) to DealSummerMath@k12.dc.gov
Language Arts with Ms. Byrns & Mr. Gawthrop
Finally done with a bunch of pretty demanding writing assignments, students got to work in groups to do some review activities this week focusing on creating writing, poetic devices and figurative language. Students also created "One Pagers" summarizing Inside Out & Back Again and using symbolic images to represent the characters.
When we return from Spring Break, students will participate in a Socratic Seminar (organized discussion that involves advance preparation which we will do in class) about Inside Out & Back Again and refugees in the United States.
There will be no homework outside of reading. If students do not have a book they are reading at home, they should be bringing their books to and from school. Please encourage students to search under their beds for classroom books that may have been hiding for the last few months.
Book Donations Needed
Looking forward to May/June, I’d love to end the year with some book groups. We will be focusing on fantasy or science fiction that follows the “Hero’s Journey.” If you have any of the following titles (or other popular middle grade fantasy novels) at home and ready to be donated (or spot any in a little free library) we would appreciate as many copies as we can get our hands on!
The Sisters Grimm, Michael Buckley
Keepers of the Lost Cities, Shannon Messenger
Aru Shah and the End of Time, Roshani Chokshi
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
Percy Jackson & The Lightening Thief, Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson & The Sea of Monsters, Rick Riordan
The Wild Robot, Peter Brown
Land of Stories, Chris Colfer
The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
Amari & the Night Brothers, B.B. Alston
The Land of Stories, Chris Colfer
Finally, congrats to the several students who completed the 40 Book Challenge this week including Nick Pipe, Maks, Elyse, Charlotte, Zain A., and Julian.
Katy Byrns
Geography with Ms. Trenkle
Last year I was asked by a parent for a list of books that her daughter might read if interested in other parts of the world. This summer I started, and over break I finished, a list of books. Students are welcome to use the list, but it isn’t required. Students who would like to can participate in our Geography Passport Reader Assignment and collect stamps for reach of the continents they read a book about. I’ve attached the list here, as well as the passport (which I will give a print out of if a student is interested). Happy reading! :) Geography and Young Adult Books.pdf
Please find Team Berlin photos of our students in action here: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1g5IRuBxGAvG9 It will be updated as we go along!
Team Berlin’s Playlist can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XGJMmooyuna2fwFQ9pj9A?si=416e41ad228f4c11
German Club @ Deal
Would you like to learn German and find out more about German-speaking countries? The German Club meets every Thursday from 3:30 -4:30 pm in W103. Please contact igenzel123@gmail.com if your student is interested.
Library Corner
Learn about the great things happening this month at Deal's library. Check out great books and media, read about events at Deal and around the city, and stay connected with Deal's Library:
