Soaring Eagles
Mata Intermediate
September 2021
Greetings
Bertha Soto and Danielle Stovall, Counselors
Reading
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year! We have completed the district’s beginning of the year reading test, and we will use this test as well as the upcoming i-Station test to support student learning and growth during reading class. Your child has also been setting reading goals for our book challenge for the school year, so please encourage your child to read for at least 30 – 40 minutes per night. Reading a variety of texts like novels, newspaper articles, and magazines will help to expose your child to many topics that will help them achieve their reading goals.
In 5th grade, students are exploring the theme “Inventors at Work” to focus on reading skills such as author’s purpose, central idea, and text structure to better understand narrative nonfiction, realistic fiction, and science fiction. They will then focus on identifying characters, setting, plot, and conflict as they focus on how genre affects the way a story is told.
In 6th grade, students are currently exploring the theme “Eyes on the Prize” with the opportunity to focus on reading skills such as author’s purpose, central idea, text structure, and text features as they explore various forms of media (documentary, video, and photo essay), informational and realistic fiction texts. Then, they will have the opportunity to identify literary elements, theme, point of view, and figurative language to better understand drama and persuasive texts.
Barbara Wicks, ELAR/Social Studies Specialist
Writing
Our 6th graders are completing their personal narratives about a situation where a mistake turned out to lead to something good happening. After they’ve completed their narratives, they will begin using the writing process to create an imaginative story such as a fantasy, fairy tale or mystery to include descriptive characters, setting, and dialogue with clearly connected plot events.
Barbara Wicks, ELAR/Social Studies Specialist
Mathematics
Hello parents, the school year has started off nicely. The students have just finished their Beginning of the Year (BOY) testing so that their math teachers can know where they need help the most. Now the students are taking their i-Ready diagnostic test that will give the teachers even more information. Please speak to your student about the importance of doing their best and taking their time on the assessments.
The student’s are in the following units for the month of September:
5th: Finishing up Multiplication, Division, and Order of Operations ending on September 8, 2021 and beginning Fractions and Mixed Numbers on or about September 9, 2021.
6th: Starting Integer Operations beginning September 1, 2021.
Help your student use math daily by asking questions on how math relates to everyday life.
Mata’s Math Department Motto: Math Achievement Through Actions
Crystal Keelen-Edwards, Math Specialist
Science Department
Our students just finished taking the Science Beginning of the Year Assessment which will let us know where they will need the most help in the classroom.
On the first 4 weeks of school, we are focusing on Matter and Energy. In 5th-Grade students are learning about Classifying Matter and Mixtures while 6th-Graders are learning about Elements and Compounds, Formation of New Substance, Metal, Non-Metal and Metalloids, Density, Minerals and Energy Sources.
Please help your child by asking him/her questions about the world around them, for example: Why do you think that happens? What would happen if (color, weight, etc.) was different?
Natalia Nouel, Science Specialist
Social Studies
For Social Studies, fifth grade students will begin Unit 1: Exploration and Colonization. After which, they will begin a study of The American Revolution in Unit 2. By the end of the unit, they will know about ancient cultures, American Indians, European exploration and many other amazing topics.
6th grade students will review map skills and understand the culture, geography, history, and economy of different regions as they begin Unit 1: Foundations of Geography. After Unit 1, they will focus on the geography and history of North America.
Barbara Wicks, ELAR/Social Studies Specialist
Technology
Mary Bell, Technology Specialist
Library
AVID
“Organizing ahead of time makes the work more enjoyable.”
–Anne Burrell.
Our students have been preparing to have a successful school year using the lessons on organization by our teachers. Our students have been using organizational skills to achieve their goals by using their planners, notebooks, and by reviewing their class and school procedures.
We want to encourage you to review your child’s planners for daily objectives, assignments, goals, and/or communication about class or any upcoming school activities. Students are being encouraged to use their planners to review what they learn daily as well as their notebooks for column or Cornell notes. Our goal is to help every child take ownership of being responsible to achieve success using various organizational tools.
Family Engagement Center
Welcome Mata Families,
We are looking forward to an exciting year of learning at Mata Intermediate. Do you need assistance with Home Access, Schoology, community resources, etc. Then you've come to the right place, our Family Engagement Center is here to help you. Contact Mrs. Candice Barnett, Family Center Liaison at (281) 983-7800 Ext. 24003.
Be sure to check calendar for upcoming events. Virtual meeting will be held via ZOOM. This information can be accessed in your child's Parent Communication Folder in Schoology.
Thank you for partnering with us in the success of your children.
To learn more about Alief's Family and Community Engagement, please visit homepage at https://www.aliefisd.net/Domain/118.
Partnering together, climb aboard —
Destination…Student Success!
Amy Coleman-Diaz, Principal
Sheree Teague, Assistant Principal
Lizette Zeren, Assistant Principal
Our Mission:
Mata is committed to inspiring academic excellence for all learners by building meaningful relationships, fostering a growth mindset, and modeling integrity through our words and actions.