Cassidy Gifted and Talented News
November 5, 2018
Announcements
5th Grade LA Documentary Showcase!
The 5th grade Language Arts students are creating documentaries for their argumentative text project. The Lexington Public Library came to do a workshop with us on creating multi-media projects and graciously offered the Farrish Theater at the public library for our documentary debut! We will have our show on January 22nd at 5:30 so save the date!
Duke TIP
Duke TIP is a program for Gifted and Talented students in grades 4-6 that many Gifted and Talented students enroll in. This would be something that students would do outside of school time with their families. I will be sending paper copies of the enrollment form with all 4/5 graders in academic areas, but you can also click here for more information or to enroll your child online if you are interested.
3rd Grade STEM
After requests from parents and teachers, all 3rd Grade PTP Math students were added to the STEM group to assure we are best meeting the needs of students.
3rd Grade IOWA/Cogat Testing Dates:
All 3rd graders are finished with Cogat/IOWA testing. Score reports for these tests will be sent to me from the district and then I will distribute them to you during the spring semester.
4th/5th Graders:
If your child is interested in auditioning for dance, drama, or art, make sure to return the interest form to me (I sent them home with your child a couple of weeks ago). If you need a new copy of the form, let me know and I will send it to you.
Improbable Baubles
2nd, and 3rd grade art students created their Improbable Baubles for their art project. One project from each class was selected to showcase at the art show at the Headley Whitney Museum on November 17 for 1:00-3:00! Save the date!
Opportunities:
STEM Workshops for Grades 4-5 at Winburn Middle November 10 and December 1
Important Dates:
Fall Showcase, December 18, 5:30-6:30, Cassidy Cafeteria:
This event is an opportunity for PTP/GT students to showcase what they have been working on during the fall semester.
3rd Grade PTP Parent Night, 5:30-6:30, January 30, Library:
This is an informational meeting for 3rd grade parents about the process for exiting PTP (which ends at the end of third grade) and being referred/identified for Gifted and Talented (grades 4-12).
Spring Showcase, May 23, 5:30-6:30, Cassidy Cafeteria:
This event is an opportunity for PTP/GT students to showcase what they have been working on during the spring semester.
What We Are Up to This Week!
1st Grade LA/Math/Art PTP:
We started our new interdisciplinary unit on economics called Party Plan.
2nd/3rd Grade Art and Creativity:
Students are finishing up their Improbable Baubles Projects and will begin planning for some large artwork pieces that we will display around the school.
2nd Grade Language Arts:
Students are working away in their non-fiction book clubs and on researching for their own non-fiction books.
2nd/3rd Grade Leadership:
Students will be learning about the elements of what makes a good leader using the "Leader in Me" program (find out more here). Our first focus - beginning with the end in mind. Students are putting the finishing touches on their project plans and are beginning to implement them.
2nd Grade (GI/Math) and 3rd Grade (GI/Science) STEM:
Students will be exploring the Engineering Design Process (find out more here) to learn about simple machines and to design their own simple machine or Rube Goldberg machine.
3rd Grade Language Arts:
Students are working away in their non-fiction book clubs and are doing research to write their own non-fiction books.
3rd Grade Math:
Students are working away on learning multiplication and division facts. This is such an important skill to master! As math gets increasingly complex for students, they will need to be able to multiply/divide quickly. Here's a link to some great math apps for kids - look for the ones that are about multiplication.
4th Grade Language Arts:
Students are working on our unit on Greek Mythology. They will learn all about Greek Myths and write their own learning to read and write complex texts using a variety of literary elements (metaphor, theme, etc.).
4th Grade Math:
Students are engaged in learning algebra using a program called Project M3 specifically designed for gifted and talented learners.
4th Grade Social Studies:
Students are studying the history of government and different types of governments. After studying these topics, they will then develop their own government.
4th Grade STEM (GI/Science):
Students are doing a unit structure and function of the human body. They will engage in a STEM project where they will design a knee brace.
5th Grade Language Arts:
Students are working on planning their multi-media to put together their documentaries/podcasts. Students will also be learning about text features (infographics, charts, diagrams, photographs, etc.) that they can be using to enhance their projects.
4th/5th Grade Art/Dance/Drama:
The drama students are learning about the elements of effective drama to gear up for writing and producing their own dramatic performance. They have decided to do a sketch comedy piece.
The dance students are working on a comparative dance project where they compare and contrast two different styles of dance to explore how different elements of dance are used to convey meaning. The goal is to use this to inform the development of their own dance piece.
The art students are working on designing an art piece that they will display at our showcase and in the building.
5th Grade Leadership:
Students are rolling out their plans for the craft drive for the pediatric oncology unit at UK. They are making craft collection bins and are building their PR pieces.
5th Grade Social Studies:
This week, students will explore what it was like for people to consider moving to the New World and what life was like when settlers began to arrive there. They are started an online simulation called Mission US where they can explore what it was like to be in colonial times. Here is a link to our Cassidy's Catalog of Cool Current Events website where students will explore and write about what they are learning about current events.
5th Grade STEM (GI, Science, and Math)
We are continuing our unit on using the Engineering Design Process to build a bridge that can withstand several tests of strength, stability, speed, and cost efficiency. Students will begin designing their bridges this week and then the competition is on to see which group can build the strongest bridge!
Resources and Opportunities
Cassidy App
NOTE: I am having some issues with the GT portion of the app. I have put in a help request and am waiting for the issue to be resolved. Thank you for your patience while we work to get this fixed.
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 and load the group PTP/GT into your settings so that you can get info/dates/notifications from me about PTP/GT through the app. If you already have the app, just skip down to the part that says to add PTP/GT.
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 PTP/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. If you already had this setup from last year, it should be the same.
Seesaw
Seesaw is an online journal where students can make posts to document and share their learning with you and each other. They can take videos and pictures, make drawings, type notes, etc. I am beginning to use it in several classes and will roll it out to more as we go along. Right now, we have it all set up in the following classes:
5th Grade STEM (GI, Science, and Math)
If your child participates in one of these groups, you can sign up with Seesaw to view their work by clicking on the link for their group, choosing their name from the menu, and then signing up for an account. There is also a Seesaw app you can download on your phone.
Contact Information
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Cassidy Elementary
859-381-3018 ext 21252
angie.madden@fayette.kyschools.us
Email: angie.madden@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: www.cassidy.fcps.net
Phone: 859-381-3018