Cassidy Gifted and Talented News
September 15, 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!
Services
All students' service plans are up and running! This week, I sent home the PEPs (Primary Enrichment Plan) for PTP students and the GSSPs (Gifted Student Service Plan) for GT students. These plans contain information about the area(s) of identification and the service plans for your child, so look for that in their take home folders.
What We Are Up to This Week!
Students will be working on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects. Right now they are learning the Engineering Design Process and are designing a rocket with certain parameters that must pass a 1 meter drop test. Once they successfully complete the drop test, they will have to attach their rocket to a balloon rocket and make it travel as far as possible down a fishing line. Students are also working with Mrs. Fehr on science boxes where they will store the items they need to work on independent projects. They will meet with her periodically to check in and get next steps.
Math:
Students are engaged in Problem Based Learning connected to the content they are learning. For example, 3rd grade students are working on an economics project where they are helping to design a tennis shoe company.
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. 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 to encourage people to bring in coins for the Hurricane Harvey Adopt a Classroom Project, 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
Here is a flyer about a community Gifted and Talented Support Group for parents.
Make sure to sign up for after school clubs! These are excellent opportunities for enrichment for your child. Information will be coming home about these soon. Here is the link to the STLP form for 3rd-5th graders which is the team that does the morning news show and other technology projects around the school.
UK is hosting a BioBonanza for families to celebrate biology! Info is below:
WHAT UK BioBonanza – the 2nd Annual
WHEN Saturday, October 14th from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm
WHERE University of Kentucky Jacobs Science Building (if you haven’t seen the new science building it is pretty awesome!)
600 Rose Street – Lexington, KY (FREE PARKING in the Rose Street garage)
Contact Information
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Cassidy Elementary
859-381-3018 ext 21252