October Newsletter
– John Dewey
INTRODUCTION
Calendar Note
No School: October 7th and October 10th
Report Cards: October 21st
WORLD PROJECT
OCTOBER
TEACHERS’ CORNER – WHAT’S HAPPENING AT PINNACLE?
MRS. LAURA: LOWER-LEVEL MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS
MISS JESSICA: LOWER-LEVEL MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS
PRESCHOOL
MISS MELISSA
MRS. ANU
The Pre-Algebra class is currently learning about multi-step equations and inequalities, GCF and LCM for monomials, and he Rules of Exponents. The Geometry class is currently focusing on the Two Column Proof for Congruence of the Triangle as well as Relationships within Triangles.
5th-6th Grade
MR. GONZALEZ
We have started with an introduction to chemistry. In week 1, we identified the different classes of substances: elements, compounds and mixtures. We learned that chemistry is the rearrangement of atoms to form new molecules, and the difference between a chemical and physical change. We saw how to use the periodic table to find basic structure of the different kinds of atoms. We looked at the properties and defining qualities of different groups of elements in the periodic table: metals (alkali, alkali earth, and transition), and nonmetals (metalloids, halogens, and noble gases), and learned the differences in their atoms that give rise to their characteristic properties.
In week 3, we introduced four kinds of chemical reaction and demonstrated a reaction with the “elephant’s toothpaste” decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, and the double replacement reaction of silver nitrate and sodium chloride to make silver chloride and sodium nitrate. We introduced covalent bonding and compared covalent compounds like sugar to the ionic compounds we have been working with. We also introduced the idea of solutions and solubility.
We covered the same material as class 1, but in somewhat more depth and with the addition of quantitative chemistry, i.e., determining how much product can be obtained from a given quantity of reactants.
This is general science for a younger group. In the first week we covered the cell and its organelles. The second week was an overview of tissues and organ systems such as respiratory and digestive systems. A microscope with excellent slides was used for illustration. In addition to individual viewing by students, we are able to project microscope images for class discussion. The third week covered the classification of animals into kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus and species, with many examples.
MR. ANDREW
MRS. JAYA
Every week we will have a Test or Pop Quiz.
MRS. ABEDI
Reading & Writing 7th-8th GradeWe started the term by writing about “Our Summer Vacation.” This has been a great opportunity for me to get to know them and for pupils to share their experiences with one another. At the moment, pupils are writing a creative piece of narrative entitled “The Unexpected.” Students are engrossed in the world of The Hunger Games this term. So if they can’t stop reading, you’ll know why.
Reading & Writing 5th- 6th Grade
Pupils have started a uni called “Me, Myself and I” which focuses on the different types of writing styles. So far we have examined diary writing and sensory descriptions. Pupils have also been learning about the Holocaust in relation to our first novel of the year, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.