Fourth and Fifth Grade PEAK
Mrs. Turner's February News
Independent Research
Showcase Date Set!
Our end of the year PEAK Showcase for students in grades 4 and 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th from 6:00-7:00PM. We know this is an especially busy time of year, so we hope you'll mark your calendars now!
PEAK Parent Survey Reminder
If you haven't taken our PEAK Parent Survey yet, please take the time to do so. It only takes a few short minutes! We really appreciate the feedback!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YYXLJSM
Note: This survey closes at the end of the day on Friday, February 3rd.
CALENDAR
Tuesday, February 14, students will leave at 1:15 in order to make Valentine Day Parties.
No PEAK:
There will be no PEAK on Monday, February 20
Like our FACEBOOK PAGE
Curriculum Updates:
THEME:
Students are learning the components of a feature magazine article.
- Feature Article Characteristics
- Leads
- Subtitles
- How to include depth into our writing
- Conclusions
MATH:
Students selected new Math topics. Depending on the day of the week, different choices were offered (based on number of students and teachers available to teach.)
Choices include:
- Hands on Fractions
- Hands on Algebra
- Competition - (link to learn more: http://www.noetic-learning.com/mathcontest/)
- Geometry
This year, PEAK teachers have worked hard to include more personalization and differentiation in math, specifically. We are really excited about the depth of math offered as well as the additional student choice.
TOPIC STUDY:
- Students have selected an independent research topic, written an essential question to drive their research, and selected a note taking method to engage with their research material.
- Independent research has allowed students the opportunity to apply the research skills they learned during theme study to a topic of their own interest. Most students are wrapping up note taking and planning a one to two minute video about their topic, showing that they are an expert on their selected topic.
CRITICAL THINKING:
Students will continue working on defining and applying critical thinking vocabulary. As we finish vocabulary we will examine critical thinking concepts such as "Math and Science will tell you the truth," "Occam's Razor", "Mistakes and Frustrations are part of the learning process", "Statistics can lie", and "Bias is everywhere."
SCIENCE: Students continue to conduct a variety of qualitative science experiments. Our focus is to apply the scientific method, draw conclusions from data and represent data visually through graphs. In February we will conclude our final class experiment and students will plan their own brain experiment to test out on classmates back at their home school.
PGD: We continue to focus on grit and perseverance as part of the learning process. Students will continue to conduct Personality Style Inventories (PSI) to learn more about themselves as people and learners. By the end of February, we have discussed the following personality traits and theories:
- Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
- Introvert vs. Extrovert Personality Trait
- Right Brain vs. Left Brain (Strengths)
- Maslow's Theory of "Hierarchy of Needs" and how to set priorities
- Optimist vs Pessimist (Realist)
Donations:
- We would love more colored model magic for upcoming projects!
The 8 Great Gripes of Gifted Parents
This blog entry, called The 8 Great Gripes of Gifted Parents offers a "therapeutic clearing of the air" for gifted parents. Sometimes it's just nice to know you aren't the only people feeling this way!
https://thefissureblog.com/2016/09/28/the-8-great-gripes-of-gifted-parents/
SENG - Supporting The Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Daily Schedule
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tX60KpGHdkgSfnGGpopEM__akSXV1_D_Ciz9IHCINhs/edit?usp=sharing
Team Challenge: Working Together to Accomplish a Goal
Stay Connected to Mrs. Turner:
Email: kturner@liberty.k12.mo.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/student.lps53.org/peakturner/
Location: Alexander Doniphan Elementary School, Clay Drive, Liberty, MO, United States
Phone: 816-736-5400 2674
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEAKADSITE/
Twitter: @TurnerKimberly5