Nurturing Gifts: The Week of December 9, 2013

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Week of December 9, 2013

We are nearing the end of our first unit. Complete the Symbols Unit Performance Task for Homework. Presentations will be next week!

Due Date: December 16th (Jones) and 18th (Cascade)

Goal- To create a symbol that represents you.

Role- Member of a Design Logo Team

Audience- Kindergarten - Second Grade Students

Situation- A group of primary aged students would like to create a symbol that represents them. They have asked their teacher to invite a logo designer (you) to come in and show them how to complete their symbols. Your job is to present the students with “how to tips” involved with creating symbols. Provide students with a brief presentation about how this is done and give an example of a symbol you have created that represents you. Also, give an explanation on why this symbol is reflective of you.

Product, Performance, Purpose- Students will give an oral presentation on how to create a symbol and present a graphic image of a symbol that represents them.

Expectations (Criteria for Success)- Detailed information, image of symbol, explanation of meaning

3rd-5th Graders

Presentations will take place on December 17th (Jones) and 19th (Cascade)

Culminating Activity- You will pretend that you are a travel agent and you own your own travel agency. You need to plan a trip for a client who wants to travel various regions in North America.

Use the packet of directions and rubrics you were given in class.

You may use the following websites to research your information:

www.roadsideamerica.com/map.html

www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations

www.50states.com/city/regions.hym

www.planetware.com/national/us/OFFICES.HTM

www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/index.htm

www.nationalgeographic.com/geospy

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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.