Welcome Back to the Gifted and Talented/Talent Development Program!

Gifted/Talent Development Class Syllabus

M. A. Jones Elementary/ Cascade Elementary Schools

August 5, 2013

     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 19th.  Classes will meet for students in first through second grades on Monday (M. A. Jones)/Wednesday (Cascade) and for students in third through fifth grades on Tuesday (M.A. Jones)/Thursday (Cascade). The Challenge classroom focus is on differentiated standards-based lessons and activities that promote advanced communication skills, advanced research skills, creative thinking and problem solving skills, and higher order critical thinking skills.
     In “Symbols”, the first unit for first and second graders, students will become scientists who  will understand that symbols surround people in their daily lives, they provide a means of universal communication, and they preserve their meaning over time. As a part of the performance task, students will become design team members and will create their own symbols that represent themselves.
      In the first unit for third through fifth grade students, The World’s Greatest Travel Agent, they will learn to appreciate the geography and culture around the United States. Students will make connections between all academic disciplines to help run a successful travel business. Using data retrieval charts, graphic organizers, writing itineraries, creating budgets, and sharing information learned through research projects and persuasive writing are some of the unit requirements.
     Students should come prepared on their Challenge day with 1) a 2-inch wide three ring notebook (new or used), 2) notebook paper, 3) pencils, and 4) a marbled cover composition book for journaling. One project will be expected at the end of each unit of study.  As a part of weekly homework, students should visit the class blog (QR code linked below), which is listed below to retrieve assignments and participate in discussion.  Discussion topics will change weekly and homework assignments will be posted weekly. Edmodo will be another technology tool students visit regularly to collaborate with the teacher and peers. All student participants must adhere to the rules and guidelines for posting comments.
     Upcoming newsletters from me will keep you abreast of what is taking place in the classroom as well as celebrate student successes. 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.

Challenge /Talent Development Class Responsibility Plan

Class rules:
1. Come prepared to learn
2. Listen and follow directions.
3. Respect yourself and others.
4. Be responsible for your own learning.
5. Do your best.
6. Be kind to the school and its property.
7. Keep your hands to yourself.
8. Be safe and fair.

*Please remember that kindness is contagious!!!

Teacher modeling, curriculum that enhances self-awareness and character development will serve to reinforce positive citizenship qualities among students.

Consequences:
1st = verbal warning
2nd = separation from group Class Dojo point(s) taken away
3rd = silent lunch
4th = notify parents
5th = discipline referral

Positive Reinforcements:
Class Dojo points
classroom managers
stickers on conduct chart
“class cash”
tokens (stickers, erasers, pencils)
notify parents

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dickson

Gifted/Talented Development Teacher

M. A. Jones Elementary and Cascade Elementary 

(404) 802-3900                             (404)802-8100

ldickson@atlanta.k12.ga.us

http://www.nurturinggifts.blogspot.com 

Please keep reading for our classroom Expectations. For information regarding the Gifted and Talented Program Screening and Referral Process click here.

Gifted and Talented Expectations 

1. Come to class on time
• Unless you are ill, you should be at school every day.
• Arrive before the first bell rings to give yourself time to get organized and take care of personal business. Do not be late.


2. Be prepared for class
• Think ahead to be sure you bring to class the items you will need throughout the year.
• Inform your parents if you do not have the materials you need, or if you need help getting them, talk to your teacher.
• Bring all projects and presentations on or before the due date.


3. Do the assigned work
• Plan ahead so you have sufficient time to complete work thoughtfully.
• Establish a routine time and quiet place for completing assignments.
• Make good use of every moment while in class and doing homework.
• Work hard to learn to focus and concentrate on your work. The amount of effort you put forth will directly impact your learning, grades, confidence and future! Work hard, get smart!!

4. Respect yourself and others
• Treat others the same as you would want them to treat you.
• Work hard to understand how your actions affect the feelings of others.
• Be sure to tell the school staff and your parents if someone is making you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or upset.
• Our class has NO TOLERANCE for bully behavior, harassment, threats or violence.


5. Stewardship: respect property and the environment
• None of us have the right to take, touch or damage other people’s property without permission from the owner.
• We will not litter, mark up, mess up or break property or living things, as it is disrespectful to all of us who care about this school and our earth.
• We will be responsible stewards of our building, the playgrounds and fields we use, our community, our earth and its resources.

Xanadu Summer Enrichment

                                  Sponsored by

                          Atlanta Public Schools'

               Office of Gifted & Talented Education

                 Registration opens April 16, 2013

                                  9:00am - 3:00pm


                            Xanadu 2013

             to INFINITY and BEYOND!

                                2 ∞ & <!

Summer hands-on and innovative adventures are just around the corner. For more info go to www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/911

You can find the flyers here.

End of the Unit Test Prep

Congratulations 1st and 2nd graders! We are almost to end of our unit.

Today you used your Window Notes Organizer to generate facts, feelings, questions, and ideas about our learning in the Money Makes the World Go Round Unit. You then used this information to develop two test questions that you would like to see on the post test.

Task:  Post your questions here for others to study. Remember your post test may have some of these questions along with those I select. Use your notes, class handouts, and EdModo to help you answer the questions.

Good luck with your studying!

Financial Advice Presentations

Students at Cascade ES became financial advisors for a day. Click on the videos above to see them in action. Great job students!

Welcome to EdModo!!!!

Challengers and Talent Development Students

Join the class EdModo group!

Only those students who sign up by next Wednesday will be allowed into the group. Be sure you re-watch the video we saw in class if you are unsure how to join.
Before you join, read the EdModo guidelines you were given with a parent and sign the Code of Conduct. These will be collected next week. At any time this Code of Conduct is not followed you will be restricted from the group and will not be able to join again.
Directions to join the EdModo Group: Go to http://www.edmodo.com and click " I'm a student". Enter 0kkjhv (this is a zero) as the group code, an easy to remember username, challenge as the password, your first initial of your first name ONLY, and your last name. Do not type in an email address. It is not needed.

Click here to watch the video reviewing how to join the group and what to do next.


3rd-5th Grades ONLY
If you are in 3rd-5th grades you had some additional research to do (the Stock Market research page). If you do not have this page, simple research a company you are interested in. Be prepared to tell why you think this company should would be a good choice to buy stock (ownership) in.

  Remember there is no class until the week of March 1st due to testing. Be sure to research a few companies,  read over the EdModo Guidelines with your parent, sign the Code of Conduct, and be prepared to start the Stock Market Game when you are pulled with your team.

Entrepreneurs at Work Unit (3rd-5th Grades)

Last week you learned how the  costs and benefits of budgeting and money management can contribute to your financial well-being.

You also had the task of discussing household expenses with a family member. What did you learn from this experience? Was there anything that surprised you? Did you plan for the results of your discussion to turn out as they did?

Money Makes the World Go Round Unit (1st-2nd Grade)

Last week you learned about the origins of money, specifically all about bartering.

In your opinion, what is the difference between using barter and using money in exchange for goods and services?

Unit Reflections

Congratulations Students! We are arriving at the conclusion of our units on the Ocean and the Amazing Journey. You are finishing up your projects and preparing for you presentations in class.

1. What did you find most exciting about the unit you studied? 
2.  Do you think differently about any of the topics now than you did before the start of the unit?
3.  Is there anything you would like to change about class?
4.  What do you really enjoy?

Your classmates and myself are very interested to know.

Marine Biologists and Country X

For students in 1st-2nd grades (Marine Biologists)

Next week we will focus on completing your performance task. You learned all about what marine biologists do in their occupation.  Imagine if you were a marine biologist and had discovered a new ocean species. Be prepared to use this idea in class next week.


For students in 3rd-5th grades (Country X)

In class you got to start researching Country X. Next week we will complete our research and groups will present their findings. Be sure to bring in your projects. Late work will have points deducted.  Projects will be presented and displayed in class.

Arctic Ocean Webquest

Use your handout to write the answers to the Webquest questions. Do not type your responses here. Turn your paper into Ms. Burton.
                                   

Arctic Ocean Webquest

(For 1st-2nd grades, The Week of November 5-9, 2012)

Go to

Click here.

Play “My Ocean” to learn about food chains, ocean health, and conservation by adding organisms to different ocean ecosystems in this fun matching game.

List 3 facts you learned.

Then take the Arctic Adventure!

Click here.

Which animals call the Arctic Ocean home? Are they predator or prey? Explain.


BONUS: Check out the Magic School Bus in the Arctic!!!!
Click here.

Monument Research

Homework the week of October 29, 2012 (3rd-5th grades)

Class, this week you solved the mysterious case of the missing monuments. Congratulation! Next week we will fininsh up on your travel brochures that you started in the computer lab.

Homework Task - Students are to locate a monument in same state as their missing monument was located and compare/contrast it that one from the lesson. Students may present their findings in a poem, oral report or drawing, as well as the provided graphic organizer.

The case of the missing monuments included Grant’s Tomb, Fairmont Water Works, Signer’s Monument, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Indian Ocean Webquest

Grades 1-2
Homework for the week of October 29-November 2, 2012

Open the Power Point presentation to go on a webquest designed to help you learn more about the Indian Ocean. Record your answers on the answer sheet you were given in class.

1. Can you name 5 of the living things in the Indian Ocean seen here?

2. Learn about the Dugong here. List 5 facts.

3. What similarities and differences are there between the Dugong and the Southern Elephant Seal found here?

4. Based on this website’s text, what can you conclude about the diet and eating habits of the turtles found in the Indian Ocean?

5. Whales call the Indian Ocean home. See if you can put the whale in this puzzle back together!