Team Dublin Weekly Update

I hope that you had a restful Winter Break. On Wednesday, we will visit the library and renew our commitment to the 40-book challenge by selecting our January independent book and updating our reading logs. On Thursday and Friday, we will practice our narrative writing skills by creating stories inspired by images and our own imagination.

Have a relaxing and restful winter break! Looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2024!! :)

Students wrapped up Middle East & North Africa: The Three Monotheistic Religions. When we return from the break, we will begin Unit 4: South and Southeast Asia. They will start with political and physical mapping, physical features vocabulary, and a thematic map exploration to investigate the human and physical characteristics of the region.

Happy break, scientists! As we pass the solstice and the days finally begin to get longer, I hope you find lots of time to rest up, relax, and spend time with your family.

This past week, our scientists put their engineering hats on and did an incredible job making their toothpick and marshmallow buildings, which were tested for earthquake resistance (nice work, students)! A special thank you for the two parents who came and judged the competition for two of the classes. We began our discussion about density - ask your student why some things float!

Looking ahead, we will come back and take our Roots Summative on Friday, January 5th. Therefore, the students' only homework that week is to study roots. For those who want to start before that, a Blooket is available. Here is the link https://dashboard.blooket.com/set/6581d3a7fb2e2c3a68416d48

to study with.

Have a great break, and we'll see you next year!

Blooket Directions - so you can help your student get there!

Blooket is a fantastic tool that helps students learn the materials in a series of flashcards mini games. I highly recommend that students make an account - they are free and are a fantastic study resource. Once students make an account, they can click on the link in Canvas under Modules --> Roots Q2 --> Blooket. Once they click on the assignment, a gray box will pop up, since Canvas cannot host Blooket games. Please tell your children to click the name of the Blooket (above the gray box) to be redirected to the website. Happy Studying!

If you have time for fun and IF it gets cold enough wherever you are, please consider building a frozen clothes sculpture! If it is really cold, consider comparing the expansion of a can of water compared to a can of full sugar cola. If you are where there is CLEAN snow, investigate how to make maple syrup candy or ice cream. How about a frozen balloon? All sorts of things to do and then discuss!

Cheers and best wishes for a safe holiday, Ms. Osman

I wish everyone all the best in the new year. Your students were amazing in my absence, and I can’t wait to see them again. When we return, students will continue to improve their reading using the System 44 program and in late January will begin preparing for the WIDA ACCESS test. Many students will have taken this test of English language proficiency before, so it should be familiar.

Last week, to close out 2023 and celebrate the winter holidays, we participated in a cute American tradition by making gingerbread houses. It was messy, yummy, and very fun! I am thankful to have each one of your students in my class and I wish your family the best for the year 2024!

When we return from the break, students will finalize their ELA summative projects and voice-record their digital books. We will then view them as a class and provide feedback on their story and digital design. In World Geography, students will begin their research projects on desertification and water conservation as the summative assessment for Unit 2 and their study of deserts. In Beginning Literacy, students will review the results of their Phonics Inventory (taken on Dec. 20) and they will set new goals for the ACCESS assessments in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in English. These exams will start in late February and finish in March.

Don't miss out on information and resources from the Deal MS Library! Read the library newsletter! The latest edition features reading recommendations for the holidays, Mr. Reichlen's Must Reads list for December, Information about the Washington Wizards' Winter Reading Challenge, and more! Click the link to read the newsletter:

https://www.smore.com/vzaqf2

All Deal students are expected to be in class and ready to learn promptly at 8:45 AM daily. To help build strong, healthy habits and ensure that students do not miss instructional time, the 6th grade team is assigning tardy hall to students who arrive to school after 9 AM or who have established a pattern of late arrivals that are resulting in lost learning time. Students who are assigned tardy hall will stay afterschool with Ms. Watson, 6th grade dean, until 4:15 PM.

Ms. Wesselhoft, team lead - naeemah.wesselhoft@k12.dc.gov

Mr. Kirschenbaum - adam.kirschenbaum@k12.dc.gov

Mr. O'Malley - michael.o'malley@k12.dc.gov

Ms. Osman - catherine.osman@k12.dc.gov

Ms. Patsalos - constance.patsalos@k12.dc.gov

Ms. Garcia - maria.garcia@k12.dc.gov

Mr. Memminger, 6th grade counselor - jacob.memminger@k12.dc.gov

Ms. Barr, 6th grade social worker - ellen.barr@k12.dc.gov

Attendance: For any attendance related concerns, including absence notes, please be sure to contact Ms. Stephens our attendance counselor at dealattendance@k12.dc.gov.

ASPEN Help: For any ASPEN related issues, including help resetting a password or accessing your account, please email Ms. Lerum at dealaspenhelp@k12.dc.gov