Dear Parents of
Gifted Students,
I would like to take this
time to express to you how much I have loved having the opportunity to teach your
creative and caring children! It has truly been an honor.
On the last day of gifted
class, we will have a fun day themed as the “Classroom Olympics”! Information
can be found below regarding donations that will be needed for this event.
To our lovely 5th graders-
Happy graduation! I’ll miss you and I wish you the best in middle school!
Last Days of Gifted
MONDAY, May
21st- K-2nd Grade
TUESDAY, May
22nd- 3rd Grade
WEDNESDAY, May
23rd- 4th Grade
THURSDAY, May
24th- 5th Grade
Classroom Olympics- Students
will compete in teams to participate in activities that mirror the Olympic
Games, such as cotton-ball shot put, straw-javelin throw, paper plate discus,
and more!
Items needed for Classroom
Olympics
- Cotton Balls
- Round paper
plates
- Straws that
do not bend
- Small
Plastic containers of all shapes (cylinder, square, rectangular) (holds
1-3 oz)
- Plastic
cups, plates, napkins, plastic-ware for party
- If your
child wants to bring sports gear (like headbands, team shirt, etc.)- cool!
Food for the Celebration!
Of course we’d appreciate any snacks, but here are
a few Olympic-themed ideas that might be fun!
- Gold Medals-
Golden Oreos for Medal, Fruit by the Foot as the Chain
- Torches-
Small Ice Cream Cones with Cheetos or Popcorn inside for the flame
- Pretzel
Javelins- pretzel sticks, maybe even chocolate dipped
- Ring-shaped
Treats- like donuts, bagels, or candy
- Veggie/Fruit
Tray- in the 5 colors- black (olives), green (celery, cucumbers), yellow
(pineapple), red (watermelon, strawberries), blue (blueberries) etc.
- Rehydration-
drinks like water, Gatorade, fruit juice
Of
course anything else from your imaginations would be great too! Please let me
know if you can bring in anything! Volunteers are also welcome to help out in
the classroom on the special day of festivities. A sign-up genius will be
sent home shortly!
THANK
YOU! J Have a great summer!!!!!!!!
Unit 6: March
Dear Parents of 3rd Graders,
We are winding
down to the end of the year. Even though we are coming off a nice Spring Break
it is important to maintain our focus on the last weeks of school. I know we
have a lot planned so let’s bring our best game!
Project Based Learning-
Canada
Students will
embark on an international journey to explore our neighbors to the north-
Canada. They will study the geography of the giant country and become experts
on some of the most well-known provinces in the nation.
Students will
role-play as travel agents trying to entice customers to visit one of the
following provinces- British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and
Quebec.
The learners will conduct
research in order to create brochures to persuade vacationers to spend time in
their particular province. They will research land features, language,
population, attractions, historical background, and more!
Unit 5: Feb.
Dear Parents of 3rd
Graders,
Right
here in our very own classroom, we have a number of little “stars” who will be
performing this month in Oasis Arts’ production of “Madagascar Jr. – A Musical
Adventure”! We hope you will all be able to see this wild journey come to life
on stage! The dates are: Feb. 7, 8, & 9 at 6:30 PM at Ida Baker High.
Tickets will be sold at the door or they can be purchased online right now at
showtix4u.com. Just search “Oasis Arts” and you will find the event! We hope to
see you there!
Project Based Learning- Emperor
Penguins and Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Students will toboggan into an Emperor
Penguin unit, studying the Antarctic residents and Richard and Florence
Atwater’s Mr. Popper’s Penguins. We
will research the biology of these majestic creatures, observing climate and
living conditions. In our literature unit, we will read about a daydreaming man
who is given a pet penguin and his life becomes mayhem. The unit will culminate
with the viewing of March of the Penguins, with a Venn diagram
comparison and contrasting.
The learner
will identify scientific characteristics of Emperor Penguins including size,
habitat, survival adaptations, and hatching procedures.
Students will
compare and contrast characteristics and behaviors of Antarctic Emperor
Penguins with the fictional Mr. Popper’s Penguins.
The learner
will analyze data on the same scientific subject through non-fiction and
fiction resources.
Students will
categorize story elements such as characters, predictions, sequencing, etc and
use the text to observe and practice creative writing elements such as
alliteration and similes.
Literature- Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Unit 4: Jan.-Feb.
Dear Parents of 3rd Graders,
Welcome back from
winter break! I hope you all enjoyed your time off and made amazing memories
with your family and friends! Now that we are all well-rested and full of
positive hopes and aspirations for the future, let’s dive into the second half
of our school year!
Project Based Learning: The Solar System- SPACE
RACE Simulation
Students form
Space Exploration Teams and begin a journey through our Solar System and
beyond. The adventure takes us to the sun and all of the planets. We also make
short stops to visit comets, meteors, and asteroids. At each space stop,
mission teams will read about the location and share facts. Then they will be
challenged to think creatively and critically. Enjoy lively discussions as your
travel mates and you make a variety of project. So climb aboard your
spacecraft!
Students will
research planets, stars, comets, and asteroids to apply comprehension of
location in the solar system, atmosphere, climate, and much more.
Students will
utilize books and the internet to research information in order to participate
in critical thinking and creative projects that apply their knowledge.
Students will participate
in science experiments, art projects, poetry and creative writing, as well as
other authentic tasks that pertain to each planet, to complete the Space Race.
Literature-
Holes by Louis Sachar
Donations
Needed
If you could be so kind,
the following items are in short supply in our classroom and would greatly be
appreciated:
pipe
cleaners, pom poms, feathers, straws, glitter, googly eyes (any general craft
supplies)
small
prizes for the treasure box
Thank you!Unit 3: Nov.-Dec.
Dear Parents of 3rd
Graders,
Gifted
learners have varying levels of abilities and talents in different areas. Some
students are great readers and love music while others are good at math and
enjoy hands-on building projects. Most children will not excel in every aspect
of school either. If your child starts to waiver in a subject and needs extra
help, please remind them that gifted learners do not have to be “gifted” at
everything and we all have something to bring to the table. It is best to
appreciate ourselves and our children for what makes us special and help each
other in areas that need attention.
Have a great month!
Project
Based Learning- Classification of Animals/ Endangered Species
Students
will delve into the vertebrate groups: mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, and reptiles. We will compare and
contrast the groups, as well as look at invertebrates briefly. Students will
analyze how natural surroundings and environments have influenced the survival
tactics and adaptations of these animals. Students will also complete a
research report on an endangered species. They will learn research,
note-taking, and interview skills.
Students will identify scientific characteristics of vertebrate groups
including size, habitat, survival adaptations, and hatching procedures.
Learners compare and contrast characteristics of fish, mammals,
amphibians, birds, and reptiles.
Children become an expert on one of the endangered species and create a
research report as well as an oral presentation.
Needed
Items: Donations made
to our classroom are very much appreciated!
Once the student has chosen his endangered
species, it would be helpful for him/her to gather books and resources to bring
to class about that species.
Unit 2: Oct.- Nov.
Dear Parents of 3rd
Graders,
We had a… rocky
beginning of the school year, to say the least. With all of the crazy weather
our area has experienced, unfortunately it has taken us a little while to get
in a groove. However, amongst all of the interruptions we did get to learn
about the early Native American tribes and the explorers who settled the “New
World.” Meanwhile… our next unit has much in store.
Project Based Learning: Geology &
Geography- PELE’S PEAK
Students form Volcanology
groups to study the geography and culture of the archipelago of the Hawaiian
Islands, and become geologists studying the formation and eruption of volcanoes
as well as the classification of the types of volcanoes. They will create
travel brochures about Hawaii, posters explaining specific types of volcanoes,
read Hawaiian mythology and write their own myths, and build their own
volcanoes!
Students will
research and identify the different kinds of volcanoes (cinder, shield,
spatter, complex, composite) and understand the various types of volcanic
eruptions.
Students will study
the geography and culture of the Hawaiian islands and create a travel brochure
illustrating the tourist attractions, business and commerce, climate, and
scenery of a specific island.
Students will write
their own original myth to explain a natural disaster/phenomena such as a
hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, etc. as Pele’s Peak explains the formation of
volcanoes.
Luau: We are going to have a small Luau celebration on Tuesday, Nov.
7th, to celebrate the end of
our Pele’s Peak Hawaii unit. We will also be creating volcanoes. Please stay
tuned for a sign-up genius to send in materials for our volcanoes and treats
for the luau!
Literature: Holes by Louis Sachar
Unit 1: Aug.-Sept.
Dear Parents and
Guardians of 3rd Graders,
It is thrilling to
begin a new year of investigation, enrichment, and exploration! We have begun
our Interactive Notebooks. I want to reiterate the importance of having the
3-subject notebooks and what we will be doing with them. We are going to be
completing Interactive Notebooks in class. The purpose of the interactive
notebook is to enable students to be creative, independent thinkers and
writers. Interactive notebooks are used for class notes as well as for other
activities where the student will be asked to express his/her own ideas and
process the information presented in class. We will glue in diagrams, pictures,
vocabulary, and much more! It will also serve as an ongoing portfolio of all
their gifted work. Ours will be divided up into three sections: Critical
Thinking, Project Based Learning, and Reflections.
Project Based Learning-
Early Americans and Exploration Simulation
Students take on the roles first of Native
American tribes and second as Explorers from Europe and investigate their
relationships and the positive/negative aspects of the conquests.
The student will become an expert on a particular
Native American tribe (Aztec, Inca, Iroquois, Pueblo, or Algonquin) and
research the concept of civilization and population decrease due to diseases,
creating codices about their Native American tribes.
Students research and create profiles and
biography cards about a particular American Explorer (Columbus, Pizarro,
Cortes, Hudson) and present these in a “Grand Encounter” in which students will
give speeches. Students will also demonstrate geography skills as they trace
routes on maps of five major explorers.
Students will role play to express their expertise
on either their original Native American tribe or Explorer in a final debate.
Literature: Holes by Louis Sachar
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