Brenner's Blog

Meet Mrs. Debra Brenner

Welcome Brenner’s Beasts or Beasties

About myself:  This will be my 27^th year to teach.  I have been at Bells Ferry for 20 years and I taught in Texas for 6 years.  I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  I have been married for 27 years and have two daughters.  Allison graduated from Georgia Southern and recently got her first “grown-up” job.  Andrea is beginning the ninth grade at Walton High School.

 

 

Here we are at Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home. This summer, we took a 16 day driving trip through Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Washington DC.

I am looking forward to this school year. This will be a new adventure for everyone.   I will try to update this web page frequently.  You may contact me through notes or e-mail. 

Please do not send transportation changes via e-mails.  I may not check my e-mails until after school.

Please check your child’s folder every night for notes from me or from Bells Ferry.

Two New Beasts

We are pleased to announce two new Beasts have joined our class!

        

We now have 21 Beasts in our class!

Holiday Party

We had a great time at our winter party.  Thank you to the Moms, Dads,  and Jeremy's sister for coming and helping us.  This party was a success because of your help! Also, thank you to everyone who donated food and drinks.

             
     
   

     

 

 

 

Safety Village

We had a wonderful time learning about safety.

We first learned that we should all be riding in booster seats!  For many of us, the shoulder strap still hits our necks and putting the shoulder strap behind  us, is not safe.  We would not be properly protected in case of an accident.

   

We then practiced, "Stop, Drop, and Roll".  We also got to hold a firefighter's helmet, glove and coat.

 

       

We then went into Sparky's house and learned about safety in the kitchen, living room, and a bedroom.  We learned how to exit a bedroom with a ladder.

                      

We also learned about bicycle safety.  Wear a helmet!

           

After bike riding lessons and lessons on how to fit a helmet properly, we went to another building and learned about germs.  The interactive board and floor were really cool!  We were able to pretend to wash off germs and stomp out germs.

         

 

Newsletter for December 19, 2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter:  December 19, 2011

It is very important that your child be at school on time and well rested.  This week, I will be administering many “end of the nine week’s” tests.

There will be no Spelling, Homework, or Math timed test this week!  It is my gift to you!!   As always, please read, read, read! 

This is also a great time to have your child enjoy the First in Math program!  We are ranked second among our third grade classes. Mrs. Oria’s class may soon pass us…..Beasts, play First in Math every day!  I will be checking who has played every day during vacation and I will try to send out an e-mail every morning. 

Bells Ferry second graders are ranked third in Cobb County! 

Bells Ferry second graders are ranked third in Georgia! 

Bells Ferry second graders are ranked twenty-third  in the United States!

TOP FIRST IN MATH PLAYERS:

Jeremy     8614 points               Michael   4204 points

Nevin        4559 points              Alex        3266 points

Danilo        4553 points

Top AR Readers:

1.  Amoi

2.  Michael

3.  Josh

4.  Jeremy

5.  Alex

 

Upcoming events:

December 21:  Winter Party – I have several children who do not celebrate Christmas.  I have purchased snowflake paper plates, napkins and table coverings.  I am trying to keep the theme of the party “winter”.   I have parents sending in cupcakes, fruit, chips and drinks.   I have a “beast” craft for them to do and a game. 

**Change in time**The party time is from 1:00-2:00**

I have three parents coming to help and bring food.  Please come at 12:30 to set up, and then we will begin.

 

 

Newsletter for December12, 2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter: December 12, 2011

It is very important that your child be at school on time and well rested. This week, I will be administering many “end of the nine week’s” tests.

*Remember to study math facts, spelling list and to read and record 20 minutes or more in your reading log DAILY.

Your child should complete 3 or 4 of the spelling activities. The pages with the choices of activities will remain in your child’s folder. Your children have been doing a fantastic job on our weekly spelling tests.

This week’s spelling words: jeer   dear   peer   rear   germ

                                       good    new   our   write   me

                                       Bonus word: holiday

This week in class we will focus on:

Writing: The children will be writing a “Response to Literature” paper. This will be their end of the nine week’s writing. I will read them a book and they will have one hour to fill out an organizer and write their paper. We have practiced this many times, so they should know exactly what to do. The children have done a fantastic job editing my writing and their own.

Language Arts: We are reviewing many standards and the children will be completing a Cobb County assessment on these skills. Many of these skills/standards are the same ones we practice every day on our morning work.

Math: We will review many standards and take assessment tests. Every morning one of the first questions the children ask is who gets to wear the First in Math badge necklace. Please continue to encourage your child to practice on First in Math and myskillstutor.com 

Health: Personal Safety – fire safety We had a fabulous time at Safety Village. A homework sheet will be stapled to the front of our homework packet. This page must be completed because we have to tell the firefighters how many children had their parents sign the form.

Social Studies: We will reread biographies about James Oglethorpe, Tomachichi, and Mary Musgrove.

Upcoming events:

December 14: Stevi B’s night. Andrea, my daughter, and I will be there. We will arrive around 5:30.

December 21: Winter Party – I have several children who do not celebrate Christmas. I have purchased snowflake paper plates, napkins and table coverings. I am trying to keep the theme of the party “winter”. I have parents sending in cupcakes, fruit, chips and drinks. I also have two parents coming to help. If there is one more parent who would like to come, that would be great. I have a “beast” craft for them to do and possibly a game. If you would like to come and help, please let me know. The party is from 12:45-1:45.

Can-A-Thon

Here are some photos of us taking our cans to 11 Alive's Can-a-thon.

 

      
     

     
      
     
     









 

Newsletter for December 5, 2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter: December 5, 2011

*Remember to study math facts, spelling list and to read and record 20 minutes or more in your reading log DAILY. Your child should complete 3 or 4 of the spelling activities. The pages with the choices of activities will remain in your child’s folder.

Your children have been doing a fantastic job on our weekly spelling tests.

This week’s spelling words:   get   through  back   much  go

                                               sigh   bright    fight   high    night

                                               Bonus word: quadrilateral

This week in class we will focus on:

Writing: 6+ 1 traits of writing, organizing our writing using a new graphic organizer, adding details, handwriting, and punctuation. We will also have lessons on details, word choice, using strong verbs when writing and transitional words such as first, second, third, next, then, before, after, etc. We have begun to work on editing Mrs. Brenner’s writing and their own writing.

Language Arts: We will talk about combining sentences and pronouns. ( I you he she it they we)

Math: We will work on telling time to the 5 minutes. Another new concept will include using words such as “a quarter past” and “a quarter to” the hour. We will continue to work on two digit subtraction and addition with reqrouping. Every morning one of the first questions the children ask is who gets to wear the First in Math badge necklace. Please continue to encourage your child to practice on First in Math and myskilltutor.com . .

Health: Personal Safety – fire safety Please check your smoke detectors to make sure they are in working order. Also have a family fire drill to make sure everyone can get out of the house safely and choose a meeting spot once everyone is out of the house.

Social Studies: We will reread biographies about James Oglethorpe, Tomachichi, and Mary Musgrove.

Upcoming events:

December 6: Field trip to the ballet

December 9: Field trip to Safety Village

December 10: Holiday Shoppe 9:00-12:00

December 21: Winter Party – I have several children who do not celebrate Christmas. I have purchased snowflake paper plates, napkins and table coverings. I am trying to keep the theme of the party “winter”. I have one parent bringing cupcakes. Please let me know if you can provide other snacks. I would like a fruit or veg. tray with dip, water, maybe chips and something else. I have a “beast” craft for them to do and possibly a game. If you would like to come and help, please let me know.

Newsletter for November 14, 2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter:  November 14, 2011

Top 10 AR Point Earners for the Second Nine Weeks

Michael

Amoi

Jeremy

Austin

Josh

Alex

Nevin

Nyla and Ashley tied

Ellie

Danilo

*Remember to study math facts, spelling list and to read and record 20 minutes or more in your reading log DAILY.

Your child should complete 3 or 4 of the spelling activities.  The pages with the choices of activities will remain in your child’s folder.   Your children have been doing a fantastic job on our weekly spelling tests. 

This week’s spelling words:     long   little   very    after   words

                                              Next   week   teeth   team   treat  

                                               Bonus word: motion

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       This week in class we will focus on:

 long and short “e”  and cvc, cvce, cvvc, and oddball words  (c=consonant and v=vowel)

 

Writing: 6+ 1 traits of writing, organizing our writing using a new graphic organizer, adding details, handwriting, and punctuation.  We will also have lessons on details, word choice, using strong verbs when writing and transitional words such as first, second, third, next, then, before, after, etc.

Math:   We will introduce plane shapes and angles.  We will continue to work on two digit subtraction and addition with reqrouping.   Every morning one of the first questions the children ask is who gets to wear the First in Math badge necklace.  Please continue to encourage your child to practice on First in Math and myskilltutor.com .

*********Top Point Earners using First in Math:***********

Jeremy    4075 points

Danilo      2923 points

Nevin       2288 points

Alex         2205 points

Michael    1736 points

Science:   We will be writing books about Energy.  The children have already completed several pages.  .  After reading about heat, light, sound and motion, we will write a few sentences in our book.  The children will also write about experiments that we will complete with each lesson.   This week we will learn about motion.

Upcoming events:

November 15:  Thanksgiving Lunches   $2.75 for guests to Bells Ferry  11:50-12:20

November 18:  Hat Day and Spirit Day

November 21-25:  No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

December 1:  PTA  meeting and Art Night

December 10:  Holiday Shoppe 9:00-12:00

 

Newsletter for November 7, 2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter: November 7, 2011

*********** Congratulations Top AR Readers ***********

Top 10 Point Earners for the whole school year:

Alex

Amoi

Jeremy

Ellie

Nyla

Michael

Austin

Danilo

Ashley

Nelson

Top 10 Point Earners for the Second Nine Weeks:

Amoi

Michael

Jeremy

Josh and Austin tied

Alex

Ashley

Ellie

Nyla and Nevin tied

Ria Nelson and Dylan tied

*Remember to study math facts, spelling list and to read and record 20 minutes or more in your reading log DAILY.

Your child should complete 3 or 4 of the spelling activities. The pages with the choices of activities will remain in your child’s folder.

Your children have been doing a fantastic job on our weekly spelling tests.

Two free online puzzle makers can be used with our words:

http://www.puzzle-maker.com/

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=15234126&CFTOKEN=66397145

This week’s spelling words:  build  cute   suit  use   bruise

                                         may  water  bloom  find  way 

                                         Bonus word: autumn

This week in class we will focus on: long and short “U” and cvc, cvce, cvvc, and oddball words (c=consonant and v=vowel)

Writing: 6+ 1 traits of writing, organizing our writing using a new graphic organizer, adding details, handwriting, and punctuation. We will also have lessons on details, word choice, using strong verbs when writing and transitional words such as first, second, third, next, then, before, after, etc.

Math: We will be working on two digit subtraction with reqrouping/borrowing ones from the tens or hundreds. Every morning one of the first questions the children ask is who gets to wear the First in Math badge necklace. Please continue to encourage your child to practice on First in Math and myskilltutor.com .

******Top Point Earners using First in Math:*******

Danilo 2201

Nevin 1975

Alex 1633

Jeremy 882

Nelson 856

Science: We will be writing books about Energy. The children have already completed several pages. . After reading about heat, light, sound and motion, we will write a few sentences in our book. The children will also write about experiments that we will complete with each lesson. This week we will learn about motion.

Upcoming events:

November 8: No School

November 9: Stevi B’s Night

November 15: Thanksgiving Lunches

November 18: Hat Day and Spirit Day

November 21-25: No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

Weekly newsletter October 31,2011

Mrs. Brenner’s Weekly Newsletter: October 31, 2011

************* Congratulations to Michael! *************

He won our first spelling bee on Friday, October 28!

** Thank you to all of the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to come and visit with me at parent conferences. I enjoyed sharing with you how much your child has learned in our short 2 ½ months of school. I am looking forward to seeing how much more they will learn in our next 7 months of school.

*Remember to study math facts, spelling list and to read and record 20 minutes or more in your reading log DAILY.

Your child should complete 3 or 4 of the spelling activities. The pages with the choices of activities will remain in your child’s folder. Your children have been doing a fantastic job on our weekly spelling tests.

Two free online puzzle makers can be used with our words: http://www.puzzle-maker.com/

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=15234126&CFTOKEN=66397145

This week’s spelling words:

made   over   did   down    only    none   love    knock    float     groan

Bonus word: reflection

This week in class we will focus on: long and short “O” and cvc, cvce, cvvc, and oddball words (c=consonant and v=vowel)

Writing: 6+ 1 traits of writing, organizing our writing using a new graphic organizer, adding details, handwriting, and punctuation. We will also have lessons on details, word choice, using strong verbs when writing and transitional words such as first, second, third, next, then, before, after, etc.

Math: We will be introducing two digit subtraction with reqrouping/borrowing ones from the tens or hundreds. Every morning one of the first questions the children ask is who gets to wear the First in Math badge necklace. Please continue to encourage your child to practice on First in Math and myskilltutor.com .

Science: We will be writing books about Energy. The children have already completed the title page and table of contents. This week we will learn how to write a summary. After reading about heat, light, sound and motion, we will write a few sentences in our book. The children will also write about experiments that we will complete with each lesson.

Upcoming events:

Sunday November 6: Set your clocks back one hour

November 8: No School

November 9: Stevi B’s Night

November 15: Thanksgiving Lunches

November 18: Hat Day and Spirit Day

November 21-25: No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

Websites: When you click on these links you are leaving the Cobb County Schools website. We are not responsible for information provided on these external sites. Please see our legal disclaimer if you have any questions. http://www.cobbk12.org/legal.htm http://www.abcya.com/second_grade_computers.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks1bitesize/numeracy http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-2 http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skill_builders/punctuation_language_second_2nd_grade.htm http://www.softschools.com/grades/2nd_grade/math/ http://www.vocabulary.co.il/second-grade-vocabulary-games/ http://www.newton.k12.ks.us/tech/second_grade_internet_links1.htm

This website is a wonderful way to read books on line, take tests on comprehension and earn points and prizes: http://www.bookadventure.com/Home.aspx