PINNACLE PREP SCHOOL NEWSPAPER

October 1, 2018

Pinnacle Prep School Spirit Week

October 1 – 5

Spirit Week gives students a chance to celebrate Autumn and their school spirit.

Pinnacle Prep is proud of our students and how they make our school an amazing place that we love!

Sycamore

We have transitioned to the Sycamore Learning site. In Sycamore, you will be able to stay informed and connected. Keep an eye on your email. We will be sending your login information and information on how it can be used.

The Leader in Me News Organizational Skills Imagine a school morning where everyone knows what to do and is ready on time. Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s possible! Organization is a skill learned over time. By teaching organization at home, your child will learn this very important skill. Use the first three habits as a learning tool for you and your child: Habit 1: Be Proactive Habit 1 is about initiative and responsibility. Help your child determine what he or she will need for the next day. To start, writing a list may be helpful. Next, have your child gather the non-perishable items and put them in his or her school bag. Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind Habit 2 is about visualizing how you would like something to turn out before it happens. If a "smooth morning" is the goal, brainstorm with your child how that will look and feel like. Your child may actually have time to do something extra in the morning if he or she is organized and you will all have a happy start to the day.

Habit 3: Put First Things Habit 3 means focusing on the task when there's something else you would rather be doing — the hardest part of all! Help your child learn how to avoid distractions by reminding him or her that, if they stick to it, all the fun things can come right after—with no guilt or nagging! Once children know these habits, and how to apply them, they can start tackling more difficult tasks independently. They will begin to feel self-confident and proud when they're able to complete homework, chores, and other tasks by themselves. They're also sure to be pleased when they find they have some extra free time to do what they'd like to do. Remember, it may take time to teach your child these skills. Sometimes, it will seem simpler just to do it for them. But remember, your child won't learn how to be independent and successful if you always do it for them. Using Habits 1-3 is a life skill that will benefit them their entire lives.

Leader of the Week

Leaders of the week are posted every Friday on Facebook! Check Facebook for updates.

Ms. Jaya

It has been really wonderful getting to know each of the kids. Everyone is working wonderfully.

First graders have done great job adding doubles, comparing numbers, and learning place value up to thousands. We will continue to work on identifying odd and even numbers, writing numbers in expanded form and word form, and subtracting numbers.

Third graders have done a wonderful job learning their place value and money. We are now working on estimating numbers and will continue to work on adding with regrouping and adding larger numbers, estimating and adding decimals and money.

Fourth graders successfully completed a lesson on fractions, in which they learned to convert mixed numbers to improper fraction and vice versa. We have also been working on estimating fractions on a number line, reducing fractions, and finding equivalent fractions. Fourth graders are working on equations, expressions and solving problems using order of operations. We will continue to review fractions and will start multiplication, in which kids will learn to estimate and multiply numbers and multiply larger numbers.

Mrs. Anu

Students are working really hard and getting used to work after a long summer. I am really enjoying my students both old and new.

Fourth Graders worked really hard on Properties of Addition and Multiplication. They learned Front End Estimation. In the month of October, we will be working on Estimation in Division. We will review long division. Students will be practicing Orders of Operation and Average. We will continue working on Problem Solving Strategies and Applications. We will be also starting a little bit of Measurements.

Fifth Graders worked really well with Front End Estimation. They practiced Properties of Addition and Multiplication. In October, students will be starting Estimation in Division. Students will be reviewing Divisibility Rules. We will be working on dividing larger numbers by estimating to Compatible Numbers. We will be introducing Number Theory and Fractions by the end of month. We will continue working on Problem Solving Strategies and Applications. Sixth Graders did a fantastic job learning patterns in multiplication by powers of 10 and decimals. Students worked great on Exponents and estimating products. We will be starting with Estimating Quotients. Students will learn dividing decimals by powers of 10. We will also be working on patterns with tenths, hundredths and thousandths. We will be working on writing and evaluating Multiplication and Division Expressions. We will continue working on Problem Solving Strategies and Applications.

Eighth Graders will be starting with Equations and Inequalities. Students will be solving Equations and Inequalities with several transformations. We will be working on translating problems into equations and Inequalities. Students will start with advanced Geometry. We will be brushing on already learned concepts of points, lines, planes and circles. Students will be learning about special angles with parallel lines. It will be fun learning various postulates for congruent triangles which we will extend to learn congruent polygons.

Algebra 2 students will be starting with Equations and Inequalities. We will be reviewing Real Numbers and Number Operations. Students will be solving Linear Equations and Inequalities. Kids will be practicing rewriting equations to Formulas. We will also solve Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities. Students will review functions and writing equations of line in different forms. Correlation, best fitting line are few topics that will be reviewed. Students will be introduced to new concept of Piecewise Functions and Absolute Value Functions.

Mrs. Kelley

Mrs. Laura’s Rockets

We have been very busy in our English classes this month. The 3rd/4th grade class finished a short story unit and is now reading A Wrinkle in Time. It's a wonderful book that keeps them engaged and allows them to use their imaginations. They've also studied grammar and vocabulary, and they've completed multiple writing assignments. The 5th/6th grade class also finished a short story unit. They're now reading The Outsiders, a book about two rival groups of teens in 1960's Tulsa. This is an excellent book for this preteen age group because it explores important social issues, such as bullying and discrimination, that are still prevalent today. They have written multiple essays and are now working on a script exploring several of the characters from The Outsiders. This class will also continue to learn new vocabulary and grammar every week.

Our students are enjoying learning about the seven continents. We have been using fun motion and play to understand North, South, East, and West along with a fun jingle to learn the seven continents. Our fun friends from the land down under are experiencing their spring, and we are experiencing our autumn. We have been learning more about Australia and focusing on their abundant resources and our lovely furry friends the Koala bears. They enjoyed learning about these amazing animals and about their ability to live on a diet of Eucalyptus leaves and how they get to sleep for 20 hours a day. We will still be exploring more about Australia this month, so any trivia questions they bring to class will only spice up this learning adventure from down under.

October is a great time to learn about the Texas State Fair and all the fun activities that celebrate Texas. We will continue learning about different animals and their abilities to survive. We will be learning how a number line represents numbers and how to use it when we count. We will also continue working on understanding the days of the week and how to look for different dates.

Ms. Jessica

Happy Fall Pinnacle Prep School students; I’m ready for cooler temperatures and the outside activities that go with it! We have been working on a variety of review items such as spelling, grammar, and handwriting. Every morning students work on D.O.L. (Daily Oral Language) or pre-cursive handwriting. We have also been reviewing nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs. Soon, the students will be working on identifying the comparative and superlative forms (-er, -est, more, most). Students are still enjoying our “making words” lessons and our “mini sight word” books. They look forward to the books every Thursday! Also, we are reading short stories every day in class as well as dissecting poems. You can find these poems, and other activities, in their journals. The students are writing every day in their journals for D.O.L., story responses, spelling, and other word lists and charts. We will have a prompt every week or every two weeks. The students really enjoyed the robot prompt and made a paper robot to display their writing. We are currently working on “If I Could Fly” and “I’m Happy When.” For Columbus Day, we will be doing several activities including “Things to Take on a Boat Trip,” Pirate Proofreading, and poems. Of course for October, we will be having several related themes such as cats and spiders. Students will enjoy a variety of “spooky” poems, writing prompts, and crafts.

Please be reading at home with your child every night. Students need to be doing a combination of reading aloud to you and reading to themselves. You can have students write a short summary or write about their favorite part after reading to assist with reading comprehension. Please be filling out the reading log that has been going home. A new book is sent home on Mondays and they are due back to school on Fridays.

Super Stars

Super Stars of the week are posted every Wednesday and Friday on Facebook! Check Facebook for updates.

Mrs. Hozie

Science Lab News

We had some Fall Fun to start off our September. Students acted as civil engineers designing and building newspaper towers. “Winter is coming,” so students had to pay attention to designing the tower to withstand the forces of high winds, a problem that students may not have considered in the construction of tall buildings. Student groups were given limited supplies including newspaper and tape, paralleling the real-world limitations faced by engineers, such as economic restrictions as to how much material can be used in a structure. The goal was to build their free-standing towers for height and stability, as well as the strength to withstand a simulated lateral "wind" load.

Along the same theme, students were challenged to design, build and test a prototype structure using ONLY index cards. Since in some climates, winter brings heavy snows, the students’ free-standing structures had to be strong enough to hold 7 carriage bolt washers on its roof. Students collaborated and supported each other so that ALL the structures were able to withstand the carriage washer criteria.

Students also studied convection and density of fluids. One investigation had students comparing salt water, cold water, and hot water. The differing densities created a colorful hands-on experience.

Some of our students are using a time machine to lead an expedition to Texas' Pre-history. To successfully complete this task, students will plan an excursion into their assigned time period. They will anticipate the conditions and look for evidence to answer some burning questions about this portion of the Earth’s (and Texas’) history. Students are also constructing dioramas showing the conditions and life forms that were living during each time period.

Our themes for the coming weeks will be weather, climate, atmosphere, moon phases, and plate tectonics.

Warmly, Tricia Hozie

“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possly be.”

Rita F. Pierson

Mr. Oliver

We are in the midst of the wettest September on record, so Mr. Oliver’s fourth graders took to the patio to write some nature poetry. The haijin practiced observing without judging and recording their observations- essential skills for all writers. We’ve also begun the plunge into the (yes, somewhat boring) world of grammar. The fourth graders were shocked to learn that they masterfully use prepositional phrases every day, without ever knowing what they even were! Between essays, poetry, grammar, SRA and ReadTheory, we’re busy as bees. The eighth grade class has been slowly but surely chugging through Pride and Prejudice. We’ve been learning about the different social and financial structures of the time, which set a unique problem before the Bennetts: marry or starve! We’ve concurrently continued our study of American history- and we’re almost to the Declaration of Independence! I’ve also included some SAT vocabulary, and some SAT test-taking strategies for our students who will, in only a short few years, encounter their first PSAT.

Please make sure that your students have the required materials for class. I’ve had many students forget pens, pencils, or essential reading materials prior to coming to class. Also, please check in with your students and make sure that they are on top of their work, and that all of their work is original. I’d rather them try their hearts out, and write something deficient, than come in with a pre-written paper designed to appease me. I’ve seen some strong written progress from my students this month, and I hope to see it sustained!

“To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves.” Virginia Woolf

Mrs. Griffin

Mrs. Griffin’s English classes have been focusing their time and energy on reading A Wrinkle in Time. The students are enjoying the unique setting and characters that have made this classic so well loved. They are also working on learning the parts of speech, grammar, and vocabulary. Mrs. Griffin believes that focus on language skills helps to guide future success in her classroom and in the future.

The students enjoy the writing prompts associated with the book which challenge and encourage them to think more deeply about the motivation of the characters. Recently they wrote about privilege and how Meg (in the book) had privileges. The students then had a chance to write some very well thought out essays about privileges and blessings they have in their own lives.

The students are a joy, and Mrs. Griffin is so happy to be working with them!

Mrs. Bagbey

We have experienced a great September with reading various resources of Fiction. It is exciting as Fall is just around the corner! We are going to be exploring the natural world around us. This is a lovely time of year as the leaves turn brilliant earthly colors and fresh air with a soft breeze brushes through the trees. We will learn to use our knowledge of sensory language to further develop our imagery skills by writing with more descriptive words, new weekly vocabulary and spelling words! As we transition from Fiction to Nonfiction (Expository, Autobiography, Biography, etc.) we will identify how to glean and use information text to identify point of view, sequence of events, cause and effect, inferences, and to draw conclusions. Columbus Day is coming and this will be a great opportunity to explore the new world of Writing from familiar experiences and personal discoveries in our learning environment!

Mrs. Kennedy Our Morning Circle Time continues to be a time where we share with each other, develop friendships, and learn as a sweet little community. The students have learned five songs and we keep practicing those to grow confidence and memory. The kids are really taking command of the alphabet and its sounds, as well as the calendar and ordering numbers. We’ve wrapped up September by studying the change of seasons. We’ve made human models of the earth rotating around the sun and how it’s related to the cooler temperatures and shorter days of fall. We’ve also talked about the colors of fall foliage and animal behaviors like migrating and hoarding food.

In October we will talk more about the colors of fall, spider, snakes and silly “scary” things, pumpkins, apples and corn and finish up with dress up and costumes. We use story time, creative play and hopefully they’ll be ready for a craft project or two. In the morning Pre-K class, the students are working hard to gain control of their pencil grip while coloring or writing. Everyone is nearing mastery of letter names and their corresponding sounds. We’ve started blending sounds into words. I will be introducing Sight/High Frequency Words in October. Please be looking for those and practice them at home.

Science in the News

Roundup Weed Killer Could Be Linked To Widespread Bee Deaths by VANESSA ROMO

Excerpt from article published in NPR Science.

The controversial herbicide Roundup has been accused of causing cancer in humans and now scientists in Texas argue that the world's most popular weed killer could be partly responsible for killing off bee populations around the world. A new study by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin posit that glyphosate — the active ingredient in the herbicide — destroys specialized gut bacteria in bees, leaving them more susceptible to infection and death from harmful bacteria. Researchers [have found evidence that Roundup] has been wreaking havoc on honey bees and native bees for more than a decade. They hope their results will convince farmers, landscapers, and homeowners to stop spraying glyphosate-based herbicides on flowering plants that are likely to be pollinated by bees. "We need better guidelines for glyphosate use, especially regarding bee exposure, because right now the guidelines assume bees are not harmed by the herbicide," Motta, the graduate student who led the research, said according to the university. "Our study shows that's not true."

The Power of Language by StacyGriffin

“The four necessities in language, commonly known as the four skills- reading, writing, listening and speaking all play a vital role in any language learning quest.” ~ Lorena Manaj Sadiku

Reading and writing are vital to success. While illiteracy in the United States is still a very real problem, the concern we should address is that a lack of reading and writing is leading to a loss of our language. The playwrights of the 1600’s were said to have vocabularies of 35,000 words, and even more words they knew, but didn’t use due to their fear their audiences wouldn’t know them. Fast forward to modern day where a truly educated person may use as many as 20,000 words, but a typical American adult only uses 10.000. Taking these statistics into mind is would be easy to say that we have lost half of our language. This is disturbing since the world is continuously developing and new words are constantly being created to define new technologies. One would think that the number of words in use would be increasing, not deteriorating.

It has been said that language is a living thing, and just like anything living, it can change. Understandably much of the extraneous language of the 1600’s sloughed off as English became a more clearly defined language. However, there is an obvious gap between the past and present. Much of this can be attributed to a loss of the four skills mentioned above. Language is learned by first listening, then speaking, then reading, and finally writing. Babies must listen to gain language and learn to speak, but society doesn’t lend itself well to the continued art of listening in teenagers and adults. This lack of attention to language is causing not only a loss of language, but also a kind of partial illiteracy. An illiteracy of the intellect.

“The four necessities in language, commonly known as the four skills- reading, writing, listening and speaking all play a vital role in any language learning quest.” ~ Lorena Manaj Sadiku

The Power of Language Continued For these reasons it is vital that institutes of education, especially for children, focus on all four of these aspects of language. Through encouraged listening students are better able to focus on instructions, learn new words and ideas from teachers, and begin to understand the respect given by truly listening to another person. A strong school environment allows children to speak about what they have learned through class presentations, speeches, and dramatic events. These opportunities help students to refine the way they present themselves to the outside world which in turn prepares them for their future careers.

Reading in classes helps students to focus their energy, learn new ideas, and see the world through the eyes of someone different from themselves. This view into another world lets children learn about other belief systems, governments, countries, and ideals. Writing causes a child to better understand their own thoughts, learn to focus them into stories, essays, and research papers. Writing is a sign of intelligent thought, and that is a strong reflection of future success in their adult lives.

There are also emotional benefits to all four of these skills. They allow a person to fully express their fears, joys, and determination. Language is the means of helping understanding to blossom, and a lack of effective communication has often been the cause of sorrow, loss, and tragedy.

Ultimately being fluent in these four skills creates a person capable of communicating effectively. James Humes said, “The art of communication is the language of leadership.” In order to set our children up for success, we need to encourage them to work on and excel in their language skills. Through attention to communication they determine success in the future. Wittgenstein was right when he said, ”The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”

CONNECT WITH PINNACLE PREP

Follow us on social media!

@PinnaclePrepSchool @PinnaclePrep @pprepschool Pinnacle Prep School