The 2014-2015 school year is off to an excellent start! We already have some great things happening in the world of TD and look forward to even more amazing things to come. Our teachers have welcomed us into their classrooms with open arms and our consistent collaboration and planning has allowed us to seamlessly integrate higher level thinking, gifted strategies, and TD curricular resources into daily instruction. Keep reading for grade level updates and to gain a glimpse into teaching and learning at Elon Park! Third Grade We have integrated lessons from Project M3 Math to supplement mathematical concepts students are working on, such as patterns and algebraic thinking. We have aso introduced students to differentiated learning contracts to help them build responsibility and extend their learning. We have even combined reading with math concepts by utilizing a selection from the Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program titled Geometry All Around Us. In reading, we are using the interactive read aloud text of Stone Fox as a basis for our mini-lessons. For example, we recently explored identifying character traits with specific evidence from the text. See some examples below! Fourth Grade Our mini-lessons in Reading have centered around exploring characters on a deeper level while reading fictional texts. We have used Number the Stars, their interactive read aloud text, as the basis for modeling strategies before students try them on their own. We have introduced students to a Character Trait Web and have showed them how to track changes in a character over time, or revise our initial thoughts about characters. Check out some examples below!
Fifth Grade Our fifth graders are deeply analyzing their texts. We have modeled how to apply a Teaching Model from the William & Mary Language Arts Units called the Literature Web with their interactive read aloud text, Hoot. The Literature Web allows students to dig deeper by considering the Structure of the text, Feelings & Moods, Concepts/Themes, Key Words, and Images & Symbols. Check out some student examples below! We have also really enjoyed individual reading conferences to learn more about our students and help them grow as readers. We have exposed students to ancient forms of multiplication to enrich their math studies, including Vedic mathematics. Our fifth graders have recently started their first PBL (problem based learning) experience of the school year, The Cupcake Conundrum. In addition to applying multiplication, division, estimation, and problem solving concepts, students will also utilize "soft skills" essential for 21st Century learning, such as creativity, communication, and collaboration. We can't wait to see what kinds of solutions & final products they develop! Kindergarten, First & Second Grade We recently completed CogAT testing for all second graders and scores will be available by the end of October. Parents will be notified of their child's performance on the CogAT and possible next steps with the Second Grade Screening Process once scores are received. If you missed the meeting about the identification process, please check out this link. We will begin "pushing in" to second grade classrooms soon to work with our identified gifted students and students moving forward with the portfolio process. A DEP Meeting for newly identified 2nd graders will take place later in the fall. Our identified Kindergarteners and First Graders will primarily receive indirect services. We are planning with their teachers and providing them with higher level resources and materials to ensure appropriate levels of differentiation are taking place. Individual Differentiated Plans will be updated soon. Annual DEP Meeting for 3rd-5th Grade--Mark your Calendars! Our annual Differentiated Education Plan, or DEP, Meeting for parents of Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders will take place on Thursday, October 23rd from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Media Center. The meeting will provide an opportunity for you to meet the Talent Development Team at Elon Park (if you haven't already, learn more about how we are meeting the needs of gifted & high ability learners, review the Differentiated Education Plan for students, and gain a better understanding of how the Catalyst Model is being implemented. An official invitation will be sent home with students next week, but we wanted to give families a heads up! All meeting information will be posted on our websites if your schedule will not allow you to attend. Thank You...
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog/newsletter! We welcome any and all feedback. Are there additional items you would like to see shared on our blog? For example, a section that details a specific curricular resource or a session about social & emotional needs? Would you like us to offer additional parent sessions? How can we better support you and your child? As always, please feel free to reach out to either one of us at any time through email or phone and be sure to visit our websites. We greatly appreciate your support and partnership. It's a great YEAR to be an Eagle! --Ms. Pagano & Mrs. Deegan
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |