Cassidy Gifted and Talented News
October 12, 2017
Announcements
New Students
We added several new students over the last couple of weeks so I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone! I will be sending service plans home to explain what GT services your child is receiving so be on the lookout for those. It is called a PEP for PTP and a GSSP for GT. I also send a weekly newsletter so you can look for your child's area(s) and see what we are doing! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Cassidy App
Make sure to download our Cassidy App! I will use the app to distribute newsletters and announce events. Here is a link to directions on how to get the app. When you click to add GT (this will pop up after you choose your grade(s)), you will need the following password: GTcassidy17
If you already set up your app and did not add GT, then you will need to go to Settings and click on Enroll in GT and then enter the password: GTcassidy17
Homeroom
Within the app, we will also have a Homeroom button where I will post pictures, videos, and notes about what we have been up to in GT. To link to our homeroom, you will click here and set up an account. It will then populate in your Homeroom button on the app. I have posted tons of pictures and videos of our robots and rockets projects!
If your child is identified in science, you may also want to add Mrs. Fehr's science Homeroom. She posts many community events, activities, and pictures there.
Cogat/IOWA Testing
Cogat testing started this week and IOWA testing will begin next week. These are the tests used for identification for Grades 4-12 Gifted and Talented reading, math, science, social studies, and general intellectual ability.
Screening for Drama, Art, Dance, and Leadership
Screenings begin this week for drama, art, dance, and leadership for grades 4/5. I will be having informational meetings during the school day for interested students and your child will be bringing home a packet with additional information. Please encourage them to return the interest form to me (located in the packet) if they are interested in drama, art, or dance. If they are interested in leadership, there will be a separate form that will be distributed at the leadership informational meeting. Please contact me with questions.
What We Are Up to This Week!
We will be beginning STEM units that teach students about a variety of different types of engineers and engage them in the Engineering Design Process. First and second graders are doing a unit on Designing Parachutes, third graders are doing a unit on Designing Lighting Systems, and fifth graders are doing a unit on Building Bridges. Fourth grade is doing an introductory unit on the Engineering Design Process to learn what it looks like and how to implement it by designing a satellite that can meet a set of criteria and pass a series of tests.
Math:
Students are engaged in Problem Based Learning connected to the content they are learning. For example, fourth grade students are working on a project called Algebra at the Mall. This week they solved math puzzles that taught them that variables can sometimes have the same value.
Language Arts:
1st graders are writing their own newspaper to encourage people to do something good for the world (stop littering, stop bullying, etc.). 2nd graders are writing their own Diary of a ... story based on the Diary of a Worm book where they have to research a topic and then weave interesting facts about that topic into a funny story told from the perspective of their topic (e.g., Diary of a Jellyfish). 3rd graders are writing their own historical fiction novel. They have selected the time period for their research and are digging in to find out what life was like back then. 4th graders are writing a myth based on Greek and Roman mythology. 5th grade students are designing their own utopia. They are currently reading novels about utopias/dystopias to investigate the variety of ways societies can be structured and who benefits and who doesn't so that they can use this to inform the development of their own imaginary society.
Art/Creativity/Dance/Music/Drama:
Students are working on self-selected projects where they can make a contribution to something going on in the school (e.g., making Work Hard Be Kind posters for our new school motto, designing advertisements for Boosterthon and Box Tops, writing a song to teach others to Work Hard, Be Kind).
Leadership:
Students are self-selecting projects where they can demonstrate leadership within the school. They can participate in an existing program or come up with one on their own.
Resources and Opportunities
2nd-5th graders can participate in Cassidy's Academic Challenge Team. Click here for the form.
4th and 5th graders can participate in Governor's Cup. Contact Mrs. Voss for more information at samantha.voss@fayette.kyschools.us or have your child pick up a form from her.
Contact Information
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Cassidy Elementary
859-381-3018 ext 21252