Team Berlin Update 28
March 7, 2025
Earth Science with Ms. Ballantine
Hi Scientists!
This week students learned about how the relationship between the Earth and Sun creates seasons and how the relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun creates moon phases. Students used online simulations and made a model of the moon phases using Oreos!
Next week students will complete an assignment about how the moon phases are used to determine the start of Ramadan. We will spend Tuesday preparing for our Space Systems and Cycles summative test on Wednesday, March 12th! Students can use the links below to study for the test on any device (laptop, tablet, phone).
Space Blooket Non-Account: Monster Brawl Mode
https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=67c1cb39e70575f8906aff04
Space Blooket Non-Account: Tower Defense Mode
https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=67c1cb5e528b677adfc2b37a
Space Blooket Non-Account: Factory Mode
https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=67c1cb77c881d8699704cc49
Space Blooket Non-Account: Cafe Mode
https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=67c1cc27e914833fdd293be6
Ms. Ballantine was asked to step in as a chaperone for the 8th grade trip to Costa Rica! This means I will be out from 3/13 to 3/21. If your student is in my advisory, they will complete their Student Led Conference with another one of their teachers. You should receive an email about scheduling soon if you haven’t yet. While I’m gone, students will have work to complete with their substitute. I’ll keep an eye on assignments online and will grade them when I return. Next week I’ll spend some time preparing students so they know where to find work while I am gone!
No more new Root words until next term! Students should also study and prepare for their Term 3 Roots Summative on Tuesday 3/25. Blookets will be posted soon, please encourage students to study their roots while I am gone!
Math with Mr. Brown & Mr. Gawthrop
Math 6
This week students worked on calculating and analyzing coordinates on a grid, geometry, and translating word phrases to algebraic expressions This week students will work on translating algebraic expressions to words, calculating surface area, and solving one step equations. 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. Students will continue to be provided the opportunity to retake recently taken assessments during iRecess at their request.
Math 7
This week students continued working on solving two step equations and began writing and solving two step equations. This week students will continue working on solving two step equations and begin writing, solving, and graphing one and two step inequalities. Students will continue to be provided the opportunity to retake recently taken assessments during iRecess at their request. 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 got a strong start on Inside Out & Back Again and practiced writing about the text. Students practiced writing “gist statements” that summarize the events of each short chapter in a single sentence. Students also built well organized text dependent questions based on Part 1.
Next week we will continue with the text and read part 2, in which Hà's family flees Vietnam by ship before ending up in a refugee camp on Guam. We will extend our writing by building out our paragraphs with greater explanation and analysis.
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.
Thank you (I think to Jake's family!) for the books of our classroom wishlist. These books helped to bulk up our much requested sports related collection.
Katy Byrns
Geography with Ms. Trenkle
This week in Geography students began our new unit—Unit 6: Europe. We have explored Europe through the Five Themes of Geography, political maps, a physical map, and thematic maps. On Friday, students reviewed for their Map Quiz (which will be on Monday). All review links and opportunities are in Canvas, and students should have their maps and thematic maps graphic organizer in their red folder to study.
Next week is a super short week, but a full one. Students will have their map quiz on Monday, watch a video about France on Tuesday, and participate in the first round of the GeoBee on Wednesday. There is no CEA this week due to the short week.
Exciting news! This week we heard back from our school in Berlin that we’ve sent postcards and our DC Site slides too! We are expecting another batch tomorrow. All letters received are in Canvas for any student to read and learn about our Berlin friends. Stay tuned for our next exchange opportunity!
More exciting news! Our cherry tomatoes (both yellow and red) growing in the classroom farm have produced tomatoes!!! While still green, it is exciting to see that we will be able to harvest them before spring break!!! AND, thanks to Abigail’s and Charlotte’s eyes….we have discovered that the coffee plant has beans on it!!! Wooohoooo!!! It definitely is starting to feel like spring is around the corner here in W104!
One request—we are out of pencils. If possible, please send pencils in for the class to use OR please check with your student that they have a pencil before leaving the house. We have gone through more than 2000 pencils alone in Geography class this year!!!!!
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.
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:
