Cassidy Gifted and Talented News
November 2, 2017
Announcements
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.
Screening for Grades 4/5 Drama, Art, Dance, and Leadership
We just finished dance auditions and will be continuing with art, drama, and leadership over the coming weeks. If your child is interested in one of these areas, they attended an informational meeting this week and will be bringing home a packet with additional information. Please contact me with any questions you have.
What We Are Up to This Week!
We are engaged in 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 are getting ready to do algebra problems with two unknown variables.
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.
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 school fundraisers, writing a song to teach others to Work Hard, Be Kind) or something that develops their particular talent.
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
Accelerated Program
If you are interested in having your child considered for the Accelerated Program (for students who will be fourth, fifth, or sixth graders next year), please complete the interest form by clicking on the following link: www.fcps.net/accelerated
This is the program at Ashland for grades 4/5 and Winburn for grades 6. This link should also come out in a district email.
Contact Information
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Cassidy Elementary
859-381-3018 ext 21252