Nurturing Gifts: 8/26/12

Sunday, August 26, 2012

What's the Big Deal

3rd-5th Grade Homework for the week of 8/27/12

Homework Task: For homework , students will write, illustrate, or use technology to describe events in history that have impacted them in a positive or negative way and tell why. The events can from U.S. or world history (3 events for 3^rd, 4 for 4^th, 5 for 5^th grades).

Discussion Question: What are you most excited to learn about history? Post your answer below.

The Earth's Spheres

1st -2nd Grade Homework (The week of 8/27/12):

Homework Task: As a human in the biosphere, share how you interact in another one of the earth’s spheres while you are on vacation. You may choose to write a story, illustrate a picture, or use technology to show your interaction.

For example: On a trip to the beach, you might swim in the ocean. You are then in the biosphere interacting with the hydrosphere of the ocean water.

1. Choose one of the spheres below and complete task. You will be graded with the rubric you

were given.

Geosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere

Discussion Question: Which of the earth's spheres do you find most interesting? List 3 reasons to support you statement from the information you read in class on your fact sheets. Post your answer below.

Welcome to Challenge Class!

Congratulations students for completing two successful weeks of Challenge class! You're off to a fantastic start. During the last two weeks we learned about gifts and viewpoints. Please share what you found most exciting or what you learned. Before you post your comment be sure to read the directions at the top of this blog. Be sure to check the blog weekly to post responses to the discussion questions.

Teacher Bio

Certification: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University, Master of Education in Educational Psychology (Gifted & Creative Education) from the University of Georgia

Teaching Philosophy: For students to be successful in a global 21st century environment, teachers must ignite students’ passion for learning while transforming them to become critical thinkers, advanced communicators, creative problem solvers, and advanced researchers of the future.

Special Interests: Mrs. Dickson enjoys reading, decorating, arts and crafts, family activities, traveling, and spending time with her family and dog.

As your Gifted Teacher, you can expect the following: I will provide students with meaningful and engaging opportunities to develop their abilities and explore academic subjects and interests with both rigor and creativity.

My Focus: Creating opportunities to expose all learners to gifted and talented pedagogy in an effort to improve achievement and increase the identification of underrepresented students in the program.

About This Class

Click here for the Atlanta Public Schools Office of Gifted and Talented Website

Welcome to our class blog

Class Overview

Welcome parents and students to the Gifted/Talent Development Program! I am Mrs. Dickson and I will provide Gifted and Talented as well as Talent Development instruction beginning the week of August 14th. The classroom will be a place the gifts, talents, multiple intelligences, and learning styles of both gifted and Talent Development students alike are embraced, while critical thinking and problem solving skills are better developed. Classroom curriculum is developed from interdisciplinary, differentiated, and standards-based lessons and activities for high ability learners. Units of study are aligned with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, as well as the Atlanta Public School’s Gifted and Talented Program Standards, which focus on advanced communication skills, advanced research skills, creative thinking and problem solving skills, and higher order critical thinking skills.

Curriculum

Supplies/Student Expectations

To ensure academic success, all students must come prepared every week on their assigned Challenge day with 1) a 2-inch wide three ring binder (new or recycled) with paper, 2) pencils, and 3) a composition book for journaling. Without these materials students will not be able to complete tasks, assignments, or the end of the unit project. The projects require students to synthesize all learning gained through note taking, handouts, discussions, research, and experiences documented in the binder. One project will be expected at the end of each large unit of study. Projects related to the mini units of study will be completed in class. Although homework tasks will be reviewed in class weekly, students may also visit the class blog (QR code linked below), to retrieve assignments and participate in any posted tasks or discussion questions. EdModo will be a classroom collaboration tool. Students will be expected to retain their login information and abide by the Edmodo Code of Conduct whenever they are utilizing this tool to collaborate about learning tasks, either at school or home. All behavior standards and expectations in the gifted and Talent Development classroom reflect and mirror those of the school.

Lastly, the class newsletter will keep you abreast of what is taking place in the classroom, celebrate student successes, such as becoming student of the month, and share essential gifted education news and resources. As always, I look forward to having a successful year of teaching and learning with our students. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.