GT with Mrs. G
August 1, 2018
Welcome Back!
My homeroom class was an absolute delight, even if I didn't get to talk about everything I wanted to today. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Margaret and gave the birthday girl (and July birthday kids) a candy bar. EVERYONE turned in Summer Reading. I was thrilled! Chromebooks have been distributed, lockers assigned, and the dreaded packet of Back to School paperwork has been handed out. Get those back ASAP!
It's just 10:30 and I've already had to change into my comfy shoes! That should tell you a lot about the day so far. Looking so forward to all of our tomorrows!
First Semester GT Classes/Activities
- Kindergarten: I will make identifications by January.
- Grades 1-3: Primary Talent Pool will likely meet on Wednesdays. I have been building our Maker Space this summer, adding Legos, Lincoln Logs, and more art supplies. I plan on having some exciting Maker Space challenges to go along with things we will read this year. We will start meeting on August 15.
- Grade 4: Identification letters will come home the first week of school. I'll be pulling 4th graders on Wednesdays, too. We will be doing some Genius Hour work, as well as Maker Space challenges. We will start meeting on August 15.
- Extensions for Grades 5-8: I will offer Future City for 5th and 6th, as well as 7th and 8th grades as my main extension offering. Students will imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that have energy sources that can withstand natural disasters. We will use math, engineering, technology, public speaking, reading, and writing skills. Once a week extension will be Journalism (school newspaper and quarterly literary journal) .
- ATLAS (Advanced Topics in Language Arts Studies): All identified GT (academic and GI) 7th and 8th graders as well as a few others who demonstrated above level ability will have me for their Language Arts teacher. I have so many exciting things planned. Our first quarter will focus on the theme of the individual in society. We will work toward answering the question, "Can freedom and compliance coexist in society?" We will be doing lots of reading and writing and discussing! Google Classroom Code is t5r7qm5. I sent home a packet of paperwork with the kids and it needs to be completed and returned ASAP!
- High School- The Google Classroom code is ai2629 and I would love for all FHS gifted kiddos to join. I will begin posting in the classroom next week. We'll have some ongoing assignments and discussions that are happening in the background of your regular classes. I would also like to plan a field trip or seminar each quarter.
Ways to Be Involved
Students:
- DRAMA at FHS- Mr. Tippett invites middle schoolers to join with high schoolers for productions this year. He's having a planning meeting for kids and parents on Monday, August 6 at 6 in the FHS Auditorium.
- I will be sponsoring KYA and KUNA for 6-8 graders again this year, along with Y Club, which is a year round service organization that goes along with those. We will start Y Club meetings in August. I plan on having those on Wednesdays after school. KYA is November 4-6 at the Crown Plaza in Louisville. Fees are about $250, so start planning for that!
- Middle School Academic Team will start in August as well. We will likely join the Bluegrass League and have some matches in the fall. I anticipate practices being on Mondays and Thursdays after school, in addition to morning "Breakfast Club" practices.
Families:
- I will need help with Y Club, Academic Team, Future City, and more! I will have a volunteer sign up once we begin meeting.
- I am also on the lookout for some supplies. Future City will require recycled materials to build our city. Scraps of building materials, old appliances, etc, will come in handy. I'm also always working on improving my Maker Space. I would love empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls or any other recycled crafty "stuff" you would like to unload! I also always need tissues, paper towels, construction or card stock paper, and pencils. Thanks to the Riley family, I think I'm stocked up on Legos!
- I am contemplating "rebranding" the Gifted and Talented program with a new name that does a better job of describing what we do. I will have some ideas ready to share within the next week or so and I would love some input from you guys!
Dates to Note
August 4- STEM Day at PSPL for girls, grades K-5, 10-11 a.m.
August 6- FHS Drama Club planning meeting, 6:00 in FHS Auditorium
August 8- SSS Y Club Officer Meeting in Mrs. Gilbert's room, after school until 3:30
August 11-Fun and Games for Teens, PSPL, 3:30
August 16- SSS Open House (I will have a GT orientation session!)
August 20- PSPL Duct Tape Extravaganza, grades 3-5, 4:30-5:30
August 23- PSPL Harry Potter Club, grades 3-12, 4:30-5:30
August 24- PSPL TAG meeting, grades 6-12, 4:30
August 25- PSPL Books for Dessert, all grades, 11:00
Mrs. Elly Gilbert
Elly Gilbert
Gifted and Talented Teacher/Coordinator
Middle School Academic Team Coach
Middle School KUNA/KYA/Y Club Sponsor
Frankfort Independent Schools
Email: elly.gilbert2@frankfort.kyschools.us
Phone: 502-875-8658
Facebook: facebook.com/GTwithMrsG
Twitter: @mrsellygilbert