Mrs. Thompson's Dec. 2018 TAG News
Rush Creek Elementary
Greetings TAG Families!
DECEMBER NEEDS BASED CLASSES
3rd Grade Non-Verbal Class
Non-Verbal Class-K'Nex Bridges
Students will know the following:
- How “load” affects the strength of bridge structures
Students will understand the following:
- Trusses strengthen beam bridge structures
- The strength of a truss comes from its triangular shape
Students will be able to (do):
- Modify a structure to increase its strength
- Successfully work as part of a team to complete assigned investigations
- Use creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem solving to design and build load-bearing K’NEX bridges
4th Grade Quantitative Class
Quantitative class-Would You Rather
Students will know the following:
- Math can be used to answer questions of choice that are a part of everyday life.
Students will understand the following:
- Tables, bar graphs, timelines and diagrams that can be used to display data.
Students will be able to (do):
- Analyze data by organizing, displaying and interpreting it.
5th Grade NonVerbal
Non-Verbal-Lego Mindstorms
Students will know the following:
- Steps in the Scientific method.
- How to interpret LEGO directions that lead to the construction of a robot.
- Distinguishing characteristics of LEGO parts.
- Steps in sequential programming.
Students will understand the following:
- Details (parts and actions) in a schematic diagram are essential for creating a robot that is able to perform pre-determined tasks.
- There is a strong correlation between observed details and analysis for problem-solving.
- The robot developer is responsible for programming commands to activate a response in the robot.
Students will be able to (do):
- Systematically organize, maintain, and be responsible for parts and materials.
- Build a robot according to a plan.
- Program a LEGO robot for planned “work,” (i.e., the action events are not random.)
- Demonstrate persistence through the trial and error (empirical) process.
- Create a programming document demonstrating an increasing progression of complexity.
Parent Open Houses for Non-Verbal Seminars of LEGO Robotics and K'nex Bridges!
Grade 5 LEGO Robotics Open Houses -
Wednesday's Group: December 19th 12:20 - 12:55 (right after lunch)
Tuesday's Group: December 20th 12:20-12:55 (right after lunch)
*Both days will be in the back hallway - Room 302 (computer lab)
Grade 3 K'NEX Open House - Thursday, January 10th 1:20 - 1:50 Media Center
(Students recess time)
Please sign in at the office. Thank you!
Who Knew?!
Students who may need Gifted Education Quantitative classes may show evidence of the following abilities:
- Multiple Intelligence strength in logical reasoning/math
- Strong academic performance and/or potential, particularly in math (Evidence may include math RIT score, MCA score, classroom performance)
- Makes distinction between minute logical inconsistencies
- Pairs logical and creative thinking to solve problems
- Strong interest in math computation, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and/or complex patterns
Students who may need Gifted Education Non-Verbal classes may show evidence of the following abilities
- Multiple Intelligence strength in visual/spatial, logic, and/or bodily kinesthetic
- Sequencing skills
- Pattern recognition
- Constructive problem-solving
- Hands-on processing
- Communication with pictures, images and/or large gestures
- Makes distinction between minute visual differences
- Pairs logical and creative thinking to solve problems
Needs Based Seminars Beginning in January
Grade 4 - Verbal: Improv & Criticial Thinking
Grade 5 - Quantitative: Stock Market & Rubiks Cube
TAG Happenings in Grades K-2
First Grade: Our reading enrichment group meets every Monday. In December, I taught 2 creativity lessons to every classroom. I will be teaching 3 more creativity lessons in January and February.
Second Grade: Our reading enrichment group meets on Fridays. I did a math lesson with every classroom on grouping numbers creatively using the "Grapes of Math" by Greg Tang. A math enrichment group will begin right after winter break.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSH CREEK FERMI TEAM "CRAZY ATHLETIC SMARTIES" - 1ST PLACE IN THE GRADE 3/4 DIVISION OUT OF 43 TEAMS STATEWIDE! THAT IS INCREDIBLE!
Tanya Sai (Prin), Hadley Bakker (Westrum) and Lilah Resman (Faatz)
Grade 3 "Smart Troopers"
Grade 3 "Mad Math Monkeys"
Grade 3 "Math Myths"
Gr. 4 "The Arcs of Math"
Gr. 4 "Terrific Trio"
Gr. 4 "Math Machines"
Congratulations to these students who achieved top scores on the first WordMasters Challenge Meet!
Grade 3
Joanna Hustoft - Wolff
Henry Germscheid - Hritzko
Grade 4
Austin Bearce - Faatz
Lauren VanHeveln - Prin
Owen Breitenfeldt - Prin
Morgan Savage - Prin
Charlie Huynh - Prin
Grade 5
Madelyn Good - Diem
Julian Sell - Paulus
Elsie Erickson - Diem
Isabel Bauerly - Paulus
Luke Nelson - Paulus
Will Crawford - Frey
Eshani Yerri - Paulus
Outstanding Continental Math League (CML) Scores for Meet 1
*Denotes a perfect score
Maddie Ames
Hadley Bakker
Owen Breitenfeldt
Parth Desai
Ethan Hughes
Charlie Huynh
Brady J.acobson
Tanya Sai
Nathan Tsatsos
Grade 5:
Isabel Bauerly
Jeanette Bermudez
Madelyn Good
Kaden Harney
T.J. Hintzman
Grady Hubbard
Andy Huynh *
Henry Knutson
Cody Locketz *
Logan Lutner
Brady Marcus
Mady Nash *
Luke Nelson *
Brandon Pazandak *
Tommy Picconatto *
Brianna Ramberg
Gabe Sandberg
Julian Sell *
Grant Tanner
Eshani Yerri
Destination Imagination Important Dates!
February 23rd - Regional Competition at Maple Grove Senior (specific time to be determined)
Dates of Math Master’s Future Sessions (8:15 in TAG room):
1/10
1/24
2/14
2/28
3/07
3/14
4/04
4/11
4/18
4/25
Hour of Code
All my TAG students who are currently in seminars in grades 3-5 participated in the "Hour of Code" during the week of December 3-7. Check out the link and video below to find out more about the "Hour of Code."
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR GIFTED CHILDREN - (Repeat from Last Year)
Looking for a gift idea for the holidays, a birthday, or other special occasion? The following links have some great options for gifted, high performing, creative, and brainy kids!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/gifted-ed-guru/201212/great-gift-ideas-the-gifted
https://www.eroncohen.com/gift-ideas-for-brainy-kids.html
https://www.pinterest.com/terrieichholz/games-and-toys-for-gifted-students/?lp=true
If your kids like K'nex I would recommend this set instead of the roller coasters: https://www.amazon.com/KNEX-Education-Explorations-Building-Engineering/dp/B01B55C2CC/ref=sr_1_21?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1512671818&sr=1-21&keywords=knex
If your kids like the LEGO NXT MIndstorm I recommend getting the newer version that works with their iPads. They do have the APP - https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-MINDSTORMS-31313-Robot-Kids/dp/B00CWER3XY/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1512672114&sr=1-1&keywords=lego+nxt+mindstorm
My Non-Verbally GIfted students also love the KEVA Contraptions set: https://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44156W-KEVA-Contraptions-Plank/dp/B002V7YBNC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1512672669&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=keva+blocks&psc=1
K'nex Education: STEM Exploration Theme Park Rides
LEGO NXT MIndstorm EV3
Keva Planks Contraptions
Happy Holidays!
Contacting Laura Thompson
Phone 763-494-4549 Ext. 83131
Gifted Education Resources:
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: www.hoagiesgifted.org
National Association for Gifted Children: www.nagc.org
Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG): www.sengifted.org