GT Newsletter
January 2023
This Month in GT / Stretch:
This month was all about the debate! Students in grades 3-5 worked on debate skills. We listened to a podcast called Smash-Boom-Best, taking notes on arguments, evidence, and rebuttals. The following week, students picked a topic and held a debate against a classmate. Debate participation promotes problem solving and innovative thinking, and helps students build links between words and ideas that make concepts more meaningful.
Also this month: Third graders are continuing to present their lessons to their classmates. We also learned about the Lunar New Year. We studied Chinese and Vietnamese customs while creating paper lanterns.
Chess Club
3rd Chess Club - We read about Tani Adewumi, a Nigerian refugee who won the NY State Chess Championship while homeless. We also studied different middle games and practiced playing offensively instead of defensively.
4th/5th Chess Club - We learned about popular (and quick!) openings- the Scholar's Mate, Fool's Mate, and the difference between a draw and a stalemate.
Benefits of Debating
Students who participate in debates will discover and develop many skills. Debaters flex their analytical muscles, learning to find the weak points in opponent’s arguments. They learn to explain their own ideas and assess different viewpoints, whether in a debate round, a political discussion, a classroom, or a written essay. And debate requires students to research their ideas and support them with evidence, teaching them to conduct research and assess sources.
CCSD Gifted & Talented Resources:
- CCSD District GT Webpage
- SAIL Snapshot
- Profile of a SC Graduate
- Follow me on Instagram @mrs_eliz_biggs
Elizabeth Biggs
Email: elizabeth_biggs@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.ccsdschools.com/giftedandtalented
Location: 103 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC, USA
Phone: (843) 724 - 7750