PINNACLE
PREP SCHOOL
NEWSPAPER
8February 5, 2021
1, 2019
We started off the new year with a lot of excitement here at
Pinnacle Prep School! In celebration of Black History Month
and Kindness Month, our lower school is learning about the
Civil Rights Movement and the importance of equality and
kindness. Our students are learning about of the
achievements and history of Black Americans in the United
States.
Inclement
Weather Policy
Keeping you informed is always
our priority. We will notify you
about school closure due to
inclement weather via Remind 101
on or before 7:00 a.m. on the
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All our holidays are on the
calendar:
February:
No school on February 12 and 15,
2021.
Ms. Laura’s Brilliant Stars
Giraffes and Pandas
In January we continued practicing our sight words and phonics, and rhyming words. We have some wonderful readers in our class! We have also learned about animals that hibernate.
On Groundhog Day, we learned about the fun American tradition of this animal that hibernates. According to Punxsutawney Phil, we will have six more weeks of winter this year!
We started off Black History month learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learned about his work in the Civil Rights Movement. We will also be learning about inspirational African American heroes such as Dr. Mae Jemison, Rosa Parks and many others!
Mrs. Hill
Pandas and Zebras
Pandas:During January, we completely focused our attention on a BIG narrative writing project...we learned all about going through the writing process:
brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and finally...publishing! Our Pandas just finished their beautiful projects, and I can’t wait to display their impressive final copies! Next, we will celebrate Black History Month beginning with a unit about Martin Luther King, Jr... this will also serve as an
introduction to our nonfiction unit. Pandas will soon be knowledgeable about all kinds of nonfiction text features!
Zebras:
In January, we learned four different methods to solve multi-digit multiplication problems: partial products, area models, lattice, and the standard algorithm. We’ll continue to work on critical thinking and problem solving with two or more steps...and then, we will dive into long division!
Lower Math/Spanish
Ms. Alma
Pandas: During January we have continued to
practice our subtraction facts, finished our unit on shapes, and fractions. In February we will review place value to 100 and learn counting patterns to 1,000.
Zebras: During January we have continued with
multiplication. We have learned multiplication patterns, multiplication strategies, and multiplication properties. In February we will continue practicing our
multiplication strategies and properties.
In Spanish we have continued learning vocabulary. We have learned the names for family members, and body parts. We have also learned two irregular verbs: doler and tener. We will continue reviewing our verbs and learn how to use the verb estar.
Lower English
Ms. Jessica
The themes for February include: Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and snowmen. The students will be learning about the two holidays this month. We will watch videos, read books and take notes. For Valentine’s Day, students will be doing several themed grammar and writing activities that focus on adjectives, nouns and verbs. For President’s Day, students will research presidents of their choosing and also write about “If I was President.” Third and fourth grade students will also be doing a comparison unit between Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. My younger students will also be reading and writing about presidents. They will also be playing games, such “Flip the Penny” and making graphs.
Upper Math
Ms. Anu and Ms. Jaya
Wolves
Wolves learned to plot different types of
graphs like Line Plots, Histograms, Line
graphs and Circle graphs. They will start
working on Geometry and learn to measure,
identify, and draw angles. Some of the
Wolves learned to find out Least Common
Multiple (L.C.M) and Least Common
Denominator (L.C.D) along with comparing
and ordering fractions. Now they are working
on adding and subtracting fractions with like
and unlike denominators and converting
mixed number to improper fractions and vice
versa.
Tigers
Tigers learned to write algebraic expressions
and equations. For algebraic expressions,
they worked on translating and evaluating
algebraic expressions. On algebraic
equations they focused on framing equations
and inequalities and learned how to add,
subtract, multiply and divide equations. They
will start working on Integers. Some of the
Tigers will be working calculating area,
perimeter, volume, and surface area of
different solid figures.
Pre-Algebra:
Black Panthers worked on collecting and
interpreting data and learned to compute
permutations, combinations, and probabilities for
disjoint, overlapping, independent and dependent
events. Students will start leaning monomials,
binomials, trinomials, and polynomials along with
addition and subtraction of polynomials followed
by multiplying monomials, binomials and
polynomials.
Algebra 1:
Black Panthers will continue working on Linear
Functions which will include writing linear
equations in slope intercept form, point slope form
and standard form, slopes of parallel and
perpendicular lines. Students will also work on
transformations (translation, reflections and
rotations) of linear functions.
Some of the Panthers will be working on
Quadratic Functions and Equations. Students will
be identifying and graphing Quadratic Functions.
Transformations (translation, reflection, rotation) of
Quadratic functions is another new concept that
the students will be learning. We will be solving
Quadratic Equations by using different methods
like graphing, factoring, using square roots,
completing the square and The Quadratic
Formula.
Upper English
Mr. Troxel
February is a month where we find important historical reminders for the country. Two of
America’s most influential leaders are remembered on President’s day and the month is set aside to provide special focus on the achievements of black Americans in advancing our republic. We will be exploring these as we continue our social studies work in class. In January we laid the foundation for societies and types of governments, now each class will branch in exploring different areas of world, Texas, and American history.
Wolves:
We are examining the very origins of the thinking, architecture, and cultures that led to modern societies. Many of us were taught about the cradle of civilization, but current thinking is several civilizations developed independently, with the Fertile Crescent (Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia), Ancient India, and Ancient China being the earliest. Each made unique and vital contributions to the thought and cultures that shaped our world. Tigers:
Texas history is the main 7th grade focus for state
educational standards and is supported by most private schools in the area. We are getting a head start at Pinnacle. After examining the ways
geography, natural resources, and technical innovations influence the Texas we see today, we are looking back to the influences of Spain and France whose explorers blazed the trails in
America. In the next month we will move forward to the independence of Mexico and the difficulties started by the mixture of US immigrant ideals in Mexican Texas. Historic struggles reflect similar problems in the world today. The times may seem different, but humans are essentially the same.
Black Panthers:
Today’s America goes back to the colonial cradle that fostered our brand of thinking, and we still go through the same political, moral and economic stressors that frustrated a people hungry for freedom. Likewise, we can imperfectly employ methods to achieve that freedom. We will be looking at the development of the original colonies and making connections to a world where we are constantly working to balance the concepts of freedom and order. We have had some very invigorating conversations in class, and I’m looking forward to our next debates.
We hope all are doing well as we continue forward in an exciting 2021. Again, thank you for sharing your amazing kids with us here at Pinnacle Prep.
Science Lab
Mrs. Hozie
Our Zebras have been learning the wonders of our
solar system. This month, they will be exploring the
wonders of the universe.
Wolves have been focusing on motion and the
energy needed to change it.
The Tigers are digging into classifying life and the
mysteries of invertebrates.
Finally, our Panthers are studying fluids and thermal
energy. This week, they will be using this knowledge
to solve some medical mysteries. After that, we will
move into kinetics and inertia.
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