Gold!

There's gold in them thar hills! We had such a great time today! Our field trip to VT Ranch was amazing as kids got an upclose view into what it was like to live in the Gold Rush era of California. The guides stayed in character and provided the students with great information that mirrored our social studies lessons this week. Students were able to pan for gold, make candles, create adobe bricks (little muddy), churn (or shake) their own butter and do laundry using a washboard, press and clothing line!  Trips like these make memories that stay with kids much longer than some text book lesson -- so thank you - parents and families - for helping, arranging, and funding this wonderful day! And - thanks to C.D. for this great pic. Find more on our Shutterfly site! ;)

Chocolate milk

Students are really loving our new writing unit and are eager to get their arguments tight!

California Missions Project

California Missions Project

1/30-2/17

Today kids got a packet detailing everything about the upcoming Missions project and a rubric is included.  This project covers 3 weeks and lots will be done in class. The more kids do in class (filling out the research notes page, rough draft and speech outline) the less they have to do at home for homework.

There are 3 parts: Written Report, Project, Presentation

Due Dates:

Monday -Tell me which mission you’ll be researching.

1/30-2/3 - Research that mission in class and at home as part of HW.

2/6-13 - Write the rough draft of the report in class. Final draft in the most beautiful cursive ever or can be typed up at home as part of HW.

REPORT DUE 2/13

2/10 - Tell me what your project will be (model, poetry, painting/art, compare/contrast missions or different points of view, diorama - just about anything. Make it fun and meaningful). I don't expect elaborate - just something showing deep thinking about the subject.

2/13-16 - Work on the project and verbal presentation as part of HW

PROJECTS  DUE 2/17 and PRESENTATIONS will begin that day, too.

What's done at home?

w1 Some research

w2 Final Draft using the rough draft from class

w3 Project and prepare your presentation (speech) 

Really the most time consuming part is the project so start thinking about what you want to do - what you have time and resources to do - and start early ;)

GATE Resources

As we are enjoying the break and quickly moving into 2017, I wanted to just provide y'all with a few educational resources to peruse in your free time.  Many are geared toward GATE students and their families but provide great tips and information for all learners.

·       California Association for the Gifted 

http://www.cagifted.org

·       California Department of Education 

http://www.cde.ca.gov

·       California Gifted Network 

http://www.cagiftednetwork.com

·       Central Cities Gifted Children's Association 

http://www.centralcities.org/

·       Common Core State Standards Initiative 

http://www.corestandards.org

·       Davidson Institute for Talent Development 

http://www.davidsongifted.org

·       Greater Los Angeles Gifted Children's Association 

http://www.giftedchildrenla.org

·       Hoagies Gifted Education Page 

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org

·       Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth 

http://cty.jhu.edu

·       National Association for Gifted Children 

http://www.nagc.org

·       Smarter Balanced Assessment Constortium (Common Core assessments) 

http://www.smarterbalanced.org

·       Summer Institute for the Gifted 

http://www.giftedstudy.org/residential/ucla/

·       Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted 

http://www.sengifted.org

·       Twice Exceptional (2e) Newsletter 

http://www.2enewsletter.com

·       University of California, Irvine- Gifted Students Academy 

http://www.giftedstudents.uci.edu/gsa/

Thank you!

I am blessed.  I can't even get over how appreciated my students and their families have made me feel this holiday - and birthday - season!  I am just in awe of their generosity and so, so thankful for the partnerships and friendships created. To one and all, from the bottom of my heart - thank you for every note and every gift!

Writing

We did a very quick writing activity this week. It's funny - the most amazing pieces often come with little direction - just a high-interest prompt.  Check out this very vivid quick write...

Keith Haring

My fourth graders did an amazing job after my quick art lesson on Keith Haring. We used paint, construction paper and colored paper to create these works of art. Next time you're on our campus check out the hallway and I think you'll be impressed!