End of MP #2 Update

 

We’ve made it through the holidays and into the midst of these winter months.  I don’t know about you, but I was beginning to wonder if we’d ever have a full week of school again!  I know the snow can inspire wonder and awe and be magical for our children (& for Katie, my yellow lab above), but as a parent and teacher I am always happy once we get past the interruptions of possible snow days.  We’re not quite there yet!

During gifted support time throughout the second marking period, students have been busy with various challenges.  Briefly, 3rd & 4th graders were working together to create their own “company” that proposed a new bridge in an imaginary/real space.  Students not only had to apply what they had learned about types of bridges, but also had to work collaboratively, problem-solve, and create digitally.  I think this was a fun series of lessons for my small groups of students in grades 3 & 4.

In the upper elementary realm, 5th & 6th graders completed “Bridge to Terabithia” and took their first WordMasters Challenge.  We’ve also been connecting with eachother across buildings during Google Hangout lessons.  This is a great way for students to begin to associate with their peers across the district.

As I mentioned in your Goal Achievement Update, the 4th Annual Elementary Gifted Expo is scheduled for May 21, 2018 at Blue Ball Elementary.  Save this date as your child will be expected to present his/her long-term investigative project at this event.  Having an authentic audience to share what they’ve studied is an important part of the process.  Within the next week or so, your child should bring home their Learning Contract — which I will ask you to sign.  This will be a reflection of the topic area they have chosen and that has been approved by me.  Although work for these projects will mostly be done in school, your encouragement at home is appreciated.

From time to time I have the opportunity to invite students to special events.  These may be Special Enrichment Experiences (SEE seminars)  or special competition opportunities offered through our IU13.  Please know that when inviting students to specific opportunities I am selecting students based on several factors — first and foremost includes a matching of student strengths with the activity/opportunity being offered.  There are also grade level parameters and schedules to consider.  It’s great that our district supports attendance for our gifted students at such events.  If your child has not yet had the oppportunity to attend (it’s usually 5th & 6th graders first), please know that I will try to give everyone a chance to attend at least one of these activities during their elementary career.

Finally, I wanted to share a link to a blog that I follow by gifted guru Lisa Van Gemert.  This article is on how to get your kids to read quality books.  It’s a bit lengthy, so settle in or skim for the main points.  Either way, it’s some great advice for encouraging our children to read more and read well.

11 Tips to Get Kids to Read Good Books

Enjoy!

Cherie

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