GT Newsletter
August-September 2017
Welcome Back!
I can’t wait to start classes!! We have been preparing for everyone’s arrival with great anticipation.
Thanks to our district’s amazing professional development before the start of school, I had the opportunity to hear Jessica Lahey, the author of The Gift of Failure. I noticed on her website that there are quite a few articles if you would like to peruse them to see if you are interested in her thoughts: http://www.jessicalahey.com/the-gift-of-failure/ .
I think this topic is particularly important for parents of gifted children. Gifted children often do not face real challenge till later in their school years and they may start to doubt their giftedness. Also, they may not face “failure” as often as other children and thus, miss the opportunity to develop the resilience that everyone needs at multiple points in their lives.
We will continue to offer Instagram as a way for you to follow happenings in GT! It is PRIVATE and only I can approve who sees what is posted. The only people I will approve are parents of students in GT and the other elementary GT specialists in Eanes so they can see what is happening in GT at BCE. It is a quick way to see what is happening in GT more frequently than the monthly newsletter.
I will still post slide shows after major events to share with friends and family members. You can click on the Instagram icon on my main page or search for bartoncreekgt on Instagam once you have downloaded the app. You will send a request to follow and please e-mail me your Instagram “name” so I can approve.
Events:
GT Assessment Information Meeting:
August 23, 2017 – 6:00 at the WSH – Performing Arts Center (grades 1-8 only)
Class Times: All classes meet Monday-Thursday
First Grade: 8:35-9:10
Second Grade: 12:10-12:55
Third Grade: 1:20 - 2:05
Fourth Grade: 9:15-10:00
Fifth Grade: 10:05-10:50
Dot Day
International Dot Day celebrates creativity, courage, and collaboration. This year they are anticipating more than 8,000,000 participants from at least 170 countries. We will celebrate on Wednesday, the 13th. We will be designing “dots” that reflect our creativity and interests. You can read more about International Dot Day at http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/. If you can help with your child’s class, or even a longer period of time, please contact me. I also need a man’s white dress shirt if you have one that is no longer being used. The children will leave their special mark on the shirt.
Student Progress
You will receive periodic GT Newsletters via e-mail and a progress report around the end of each grading period. The fastest way to reach me is via e-mail at mgreulich@eanesisd.net. I check my e-mail before school, at least once during school hours and in the evenings.
First Grade
The first unit of study, Thinker’s Toolkit, is intended to provide a foundation of thinking skills for future units. Four core areas of thinking are highlighted: divergent thinking, convergent thinking, visual thinking, and evaluative thinking. Students experience a venue of hands-on activities and meta-cognitive discussions to begin to build an awareness of the four areas of thinking.
Parents will be invited to a “Thinking Fair” in early November to provide an opportunity for the children to share what they have learned.
Second Grade
The children in second grade will begin the year with a focus on the design process and creative problem solving through Cardboard Creations. The video clip, “Caine’s Arcade”, the story of a child who built an entire arcade with mostly cardboard boxes, will serve as a spring board for this exploration.
Their first design challenge will involve creating something that has a specific function from a toilet paper roll. They’ll also experience the design process using paper plates, paper towel rolls, cardboard box lids, etc. This is such a great unit to highlight the gift of failure and how we can improve based on what we have learned.
Third Grade
The “civil engineers” will begin the year with an exploration of bridges, The Span of Time, focusing on the challenge of how to build a balsa wood span with limited materials that will hold the greatest load. Once again, we are thrilled to collaborate with UT students who are part of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). The UT students will mentor the engineers as they design and construct balsa wood spans for the UT Span Contest.
In this project based learning unit the children will explore elements that impact building, such as forces, loads, shapes, and materials. They will also investigate different types of spans and how they have changed over time. The truss design will be the focus as teams of engineers prepare for the design and construction of their own balsa wood spans.
Team skills and communication skills are emphasized during the many opportunities to solve problems together.
Fourth Grade
The fourth graders embark on a study of how culture influences architecture through the unit, Every Building Tells a Story. The purpose, style, and materials utilized in architecture throughout history have reflected the culture, especially the values of the culture. One could say that the buildings tell the stories of the people who built them.
The cultural component of the unit culminates in a Tour of Austin’s architecture. You are welcome to join us for one or more of our stops as we visit such locations as One World Theatre, City Hall, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Capitol. Details about the trip will be sent home later in September.
If you happen to know an architect who might be a guest speaker, please let me know.
Fifth Grade
Time flies! I will treasure this final year with these amazing children! We will start this semester with a review of creative thinking, Curiosities of Creativity. The children will examine definitions of creativity in order to synthesize them and create their own, review skills needed for creative thinking, and consider ways to become more creative. Infused throughout the study will be opportunities for them to practice their creative problem-solving skills and communication skills. I look forward to their creative ideas!
In addition, the students will participate in the Stock Market Game. You can read more about this virtual game online at https://www.stockmarketgame.org/ . The Stock Market Game promotes collaboration, virtual investing and real-world learning. The actual game runs for 10 weeks and children will collaborate with their teams to invest in stocks (using real time stock market prices) with virtual money. Thanks to Brad Nabors, Kim Voss and Steve Goel for volunteering as mentors during the fall game window.