BES GT LEADers November News
Learning Experiences for Academic Discovery
Lori Kirkhuff
Email: lori.kirkhuff@gcisd.net
Location: Bransford Elementary School, Glade Road, Colleyville, TX, United States
Phone: 817-305-4920
Twitter: @BESGTLEAD
WELCOME to GT LEAD
Upcoming Dates and Events:
November 1-30th
Kindergarten referral packets available/Nomination window for testing
5th Grade (new students only) Nomination packets available
* Current students do not need to apply!
December 6th @ 6:00-7:00pm
5th to Middle School GT Parent Information Meeting @ PDEC
(new students- get information on how to apply)
(current GT Lead students- information on choices for GT classes in middle school)
January 4-13th
Kindergarten ID Testing
(New 5th Graders) Testing for Middle School Program
*Note: Current 5th-grade LEAD students already qualify and will not need additional testing to enter into middle school GT classes. Applications for Aspire Academy at CTMS will be accepted during this testing window for those that would like to apply. Additional testing will be needed for those applicants.
GT LEAD Class Schedule 2016-17
Monday & Tuesdays 11:50-12:15pm *Starting January 2017
First Grade:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00-10:45am
Second Grade:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays1:15-2:00pm
Third Grade:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays 8:00-8:45am
Fourth Grade:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays 8:45-9:35am
Fifth Grade:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Duke and Floyd) 2:05-2:50
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Hockenbrough) 2:05-2:50pm
*Due to the number of GT students in 5th grade and the upcoming projects for this class, this group has now been divided into two seperate classes to get more instruction time. All classes will continue to meet as a whole group on Wednesdays on most weeks.
Join us on our journey to greatness!
First Grade LEAD
First grade is currently researching customs, holidays and celebrations around the world.
Students had to find information on who, why, when and how their holiday is celebrated. Next, they had to compare their holiday to another celebration that their partner was researching. The groups came together to use their research to create a new holiday using pieces of what they have learned through research. The students were required to have a digital product to share in an upcoming presentation after the holiday break. This project focussed on leadership, language to communicate and using technology to find, store, design, and present new knowledge.
Second Grade LEAD
Second graders are learning to use divergent thinking by using the SCAMPER techniques. Students analyzed products and describe how the product was improved with a SCAMPER strategy. SCAMPER is a mnemonic device which stands for substitute, combine, adjust, magnify/minify, Put to another use, eliminate/elaborate, Reverse/rearrange. After learning about these strategies, the students used these steps to generate unusual ideas and evaluated solutions in order to change and/or improve a product. They were challenged to take a classic toy (rubber duckie, spinning top, slinky, wooden blocks and a teddy bear) and scamper it to create something new. They were required to use an app of their choice to create a digital product to share with the class.
Third Grade
Third graders have just completed their "Think Like a Disciplinarian" project. The students were able to self-select a discipline for exploration through research. We discussed "Language of the Discipline" where students were asked to develop a profile of their discipline, seek an expert in that field and research the education/degrees needed to obtain this career. This project supports our district's focus on the "Portrait of a Graduate". Students then shared their new knowledge with the class through a digital product of their choice. Third graders were then given feedback on their performance on content clarity, product development, product creativity and performance effectiveness. Look for their evaluation to come home after the holiday break.
Fourth Grade LEAD
Fourth grade has completed their "Be and Explorer" project. Students explored the mindset of an explorer and how it took being a risk-taker, having perseverance, and showing courage to venture into uncharted areas of the earth. The students were divided into research teams where they learned about the Mariana Trench, Sahara Desert, Yucatan Cenotes, Greenland and the Mayan City of Lagunitas. The teams generated questions to guide their research. Many chose to focus on prior expeditions of their area, the culture of the people, climate, location and why this area has yet to be fully explored. Group presentations followed as teams shared their new knowledge and chose a creative piece of technology to enhance their performance. Your child may be asking for a trip to their area they researched as this project sparked quite an interest with several students. I was very impressed with the depth of their knowledge and the focus on this project!
Fifth Grade LEAD
Focus: Design Process, Research Skills, Brainstorming
Fifth graders are in the third week of our "Be the Change" research project where they will be developing a SPARK talk to share with an audience. During the first week, we watched a video by Dr. Ryan, our superintendent as he challenged our 5th-grade LEAD scholars to be the LEADers of change to make a positive impact on the world through their SPARK Talk presentations. (SPARK stands for Speaking Passionately About Real-world Knowledge) As a group, we discussed what are problems and the impact they have on others. They participated in a "yarn" web simulation activity where they analyzed how a simple act of forgetting our homework impacts others. Students shared ideas using multiple perspectives until we had a "messy" web. Next, student formed groups where we looked at problem scenarios such as wasted food, recycling, heavy backpacks and technology challenges. Teams looked at these problems from multiple perspectives such as self, parents, world and teacher and offered ideas for possible solutions. During each phase of this project we will be making a connection back to the design process steps of ask, imagine, plan, create, improve and share.
Students were given a creative challenge as we continued to look at the importance of finding solutions to problems. They were asked to brainstorm a list of possible solutions when given 4 draw starts to complete. Students reviewed the difference between metaphors and similes. Next, they selected an original idea to create a picture and then wrote an analogy to show a connection to the importance of being a good problem solver. Their creative projects will be displayed in the hallway next week following a group presentation. I am always impressed with this group's creativity. They always exceed my expectations! We concluded this week by completing an interest survey and practicing improv speeches to help improve our presentation skills needed for the next phase of this project. Stay tuned for more to follow!
Want to know more about raising a gifted child? Check out these resources!
GCISD Advanced Academics Website
PARENT'S Corner
Enrichment and Extensions in the Classroom
This year we are very lucky to have one GT Specialist at each Elementary School. Thank you to our BES leadership and SAGE parent groups for being an adicate for gifted students in our district.
One of the benefits to being at BES full-time is the opportunity to serve even more teachers and students! This year, when I am not teaching GT LEAD classes, I spend my time as a resource to classroom teachers by providing support and expertise for teachers who have students who have mastered the curriculum currently being taught in the regular classroom. Many of the resources shared with classroom teachers are stored together in a convenient online file we call E2. Teachers can access these resources to help meet the needs of their students. Many teachers are also participating in an afterschool program called TEA Time (Teachers Enriching ALL) where we spend time planning these enrichment opportunities for all students.
E2 stands for Extension and Enrichment. Many people have trouble differentiating between these two similar words. Here are two easy-to-understand definitions:
EXTENSION: activities and projects based on a subject currently being taught in the classroom that will lead to deeper understanding of the topic. These activities and projects are usually chosen by the teacher.
ENRICHMENT: activities and projects based on any topic the student is interested in that will lead to new in-depth learning. These activities and projects are usually chosen by the student.
Although your children may not be aware their teachers are using E2 to help further their learning, they are certainly reaping the benefits of the extra support available to Elementary teachers in GCISD!
Testing Update & Parent Information Meetings
Kindergarten
GT LEAD KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
Thursday, November 10 at 6:00 pm @Professional Development Center, 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville 76034
- The deadline for parents to refer their child(ren) for gifted testing is November 30.
FIFTH GRADE
GT LEAD MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00 pm
Professional Development Center, 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville 76034
This meeting is for parents who are interested in Middle School
GT program for their:
- current 5th grader (non-GT identified) testing for the gifted and talented program
- current 5th grader (Identified GT) testing for the Aspire Academy
- current 5th grader (Identified GT) looking for their placement options for Middle School
There will only be one district-wide meeting, but then a video of it will be put on the Advanced Academics website for those who cannot make it.
The referral window for parents to refer their child(ren) for gifted testing is December 1 - December 12. (new students only or Academy applicants)
NOTE: Current GT 5th graders will not need to be retested to enter into middle school GT courses.
FIRST- FOURTH GRADE
First, Second, Third, and Fourth Grade parents please stay tuned for more details.However, below you will find dates for GCISD's GT testing windows.
1st - 4th GT Identify Parent Info Night
February 2, 2017
1st- 4th Parent Referrals
February 13 - February 28, 2017
1st- 4th GT Testing
February 27 - March 10, 2017
Looking Ahead: GT Classes Cancelled for Testing
All GT LEAD classes will be cancelled from Jan. 2-13th to allow for identification testing in kindergarten and fiftth grade. Students will continue to have enrichment opportunities within their homeroom classes during this time. Regualr LEAD classes will resume on January 16th.