Team Berlin Update 27
February 28, 2025
Earth Science with Ms. Ballantine
Hello Scientist!
This week students explored the reasons for the seasons. They were developed a Sun-Earth model to explain how the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its position around the Sun allows for direct and indirect light to hit the planet. Next week, students will explore the Moon-Earth system while learning how the moon’s phases change and how eclipses happen. For learning about moon phases, we will need some donations of Oreos for our fun and memorable moon phase lab. If you would like to donate a box, please email lydia.ballantine@k12.dc.gov so I know how many boxes to expect!
Next week will be our last week of Roots for Advisory 3. They include:
*gon = having a number of angles , polygon, pentagon
demo = common people , demonstrate, demographic
*cracy = crat , government , democracy, bureaucrat
*term = end, word , terminal, terminology, terminals
macro = large , macrophage, microorganism
Keepers: angle, deci, semi, alp, morph, sed, gram, hydro, iso, aqua, cirrus, photo, neo, mis, retro. This quiz will take place on Friday, March 7th.
THANK YOU to those of you who sent in paper towels, wet wipes, and masks! It is greatly appreciated in the midst of flu season. A list of other classroom supplies needed is on my Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23SPY7X2X8RD2/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2
Math with Mr. Brown & Mr. Gawthrop
Math 6
This week students participate in Formative (Mon) and RCT (Wed) Assessments along with preparation activities (Evaluating Expressions, creating and simplifying equations Unit 6). This week students will work on calculating and analyzing coordinates on a grid, gemoetry, and translating word phrases to algebraic expressions. 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 began working on solving two step equations with various coefficients. This week students will continue working on solving two step equations and begin writing and solving two step equations. Students will continue to be provided the opportunity to retake recently taken assessments during iRecess. 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
This week students completed a Research Simulation Task in which they learned and wrote about daily life in Vietnam today. We also started reading Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai. This book opens against the backdrop of the Fall of Saigon. Like the author, the main character will have to flee her home country and make her way to the U.S. as a refugee. Students practiced writing “gist statements” that summarize the events of each short chapter in a single sentence.
Next week we will finish Part 1 and begin Part 2 of the novel. All reading will be done in class. We will continue to work on writing well organized paragraphs with properly cited text evidence.
A note on homework: Given that half of the homework is based on students reading each day (and the fact that you can’t really go back in time and “make up” not reading) and the amount of time it takes me to go back and keep track of late Quill assignments, I will no longer be accepting late homework assignments. Homework is due on Fridays and each new homework is posted on a Friday. That gives students 7 days to complete 3 Quill assignments and a short independent reading or writing assignment. They are welcome to begin on the weekend if they are concerned about having enough time after school.
Katy Byrns
Geography with Ms. Trenkle
This week in Geography students finished dour unit on Population and Urbanization by reviewing political cartoons and reviewing for our test, which was taken on Wednesday. Students spent Thursday and Friday learning about the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN which will cycle through our remaining units.
Next week students will begin Unit 6. Geographically our region is Europe and our cultural study is economic systems. Next week students will study the 5 Themes of Geography for Europe, and their political, physical, and thematic maps, as well as geography vocabulary. Students will take their Map quiz on Europe on Monday, March 10.
Students have also been creating a DC Site slide four our exchange with our Middle School in Berlin. They will also be sharing sites in Berlin with us. Stay tuned for more information as the exchange gets underway!
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
Ramadan Lunch Space
If your child is observing Ramadan and would like to skip the cafeteria while they fast, they are welcome to join 6th grade teacher Ms. Daboh in NG1031 during 6th grade lunch. They will still have the opportunity to head out to recess. Email katy.byrns2@k12.dc.gov or amy.trenkle@k12.dc.gov and we can help connect your child with Ms. Daboh.
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.
