Mrs. LeClaire's Feb. 2016 GE News
Gifted Education News for Fernbrook Elementary
CoGat Testing is complete and pull out groups for grades 3-5 have started this week! Results of testing will be sent out end of April or early May.
3rd-5th Grade Pull Outs
3rd Grade
Quantitative NBC: Math Patterns and Geometry/Fermi Math
Students will know:
· A pattern is a sequence that can be described by rules
· Geometry is a section of math that studies how the shapes and sizes of things go together can be measured, and what they are like.
Students will understand:
· The study of how numbers or objects are arranged in some kind of sequence is a pattern.
· The study of triangles, squares, pentominoes, trapezoids, angles, flips, slides, and glides is all about geometry.
· A sequence is a repeating pattern that can be used to predict and extend patterns.
· The use of a table to describe patterns of change and solve problems.
Students will do:
· Use a chart/table to display data sets.
Fermi Math
Students will know:
- Process of mathematical estimation.
- Fermi process for problem solving.
Students will understand:
- How to generate questions that must be answered in the solution process.
- The importance of estimation when using logic to solve a problem.
Students will do:
- Utilize the creative thinking skills of fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, and evaluation.
4th Grade
NON-VERBAL NBC: Constructive Problem-Solving: LEGO Machines
Students will know:
· How specific principles of simple machines simplify work for humans
Students will understand:
· The purpose of each simple machine
· A complex machine is made up of two or more simple machines
Students will do:
· Modify the design of a simple machine in order to simplify human effort
· Successfully work as part of a team to complete assigned investigations
· Use problem solving to design and build a working LEGO machine.
5th Grade
Quantitative NBC: Introduction to the Stock Market and Fermi Math
Students will know:
· Factors that indicate that a stock is desirable for purchase.
· The rich intrigue of cool math problem solving
Students will understand:
· Reasons for the volatility of the stock market.
· Significance of research prior to investment.
· How to think deeply within the context of problem solving to find varied and complex solutions.
Students will do:
· Locate necessary stock information online.
· Read/use stock quotes.
· A varies of problem solving with and without a group
· Create their own original problems that will be modeled after ones we solve in class.
Fermi Math
Students will know:
- Process of mathematical estimation.
- Fermi process for problem solving.
Students will understand:
- How to generate questions that must be answered in the solution process.
- The importance of estimation when using logic to solve a problem.
Students will do:
- Utilize the creative thinking skills of fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, and evaluation.
Young Scientist Roundtable
YOUNG SCIENTIST ROUNDTABLE for K—12 & their parents
Monday, February 29, 2016
7—8 p.m.
Dr. Catherine French
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota
“Shake, Rattle and Roll: Designing Structures to Resist
Earthquakes ”
And don’t forget . . .
8:10-8:40 p.m. Teen Roundtable
Students are invited to meet with the speaker after the presentation to discuss the topic in more depth.
Wayzata Central Middle School Auditorium
305 Vicksburg Lane Plymouth MN 55447 www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/ysr
Architects and engineers design buildings with the potential for an earthquake in mind, but did you know that their structural designs vary by the
type of earthquakes a region is prone to? For example, a building in a region prone to frequent but mild earthquakes has different structural considerations
than one in a region where earthquakes are rare but more powerful.
In this talk, you will learn about the overall design philosophy as well as some novel systems for seismic protection. You will also learn about experimental
testing methods used to investigate structural behavior including component tests, shake table tests and field studies.
West Suburban Summer School Information
The West Suburban Summer School brochure is available to preview online beginning February 17th at: http://www.district287.org/page.cfm?p=519
Registration begins February 24, 2016. West Suburban Summer School is a program of Intermediate District 287's Gifted Education Services. The program serves identified Gifted and Talented in our district as well as others. Instructors design classes in their area of expertise to provide gifted students with unique experiences to challenge their abilities. Classes are held for one week (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at 2 different sites.
Access to the brochure requires a code printed on a postcard. I have sent the postcards home with any students that have or will participate in a pull out group this year. The URL to access the brochure online, plus directions for registration, will be included on the postcard. If your child did not get this home to you and you are interested, I have extras. Returning registrants will not need a postcard.
Summer Sessions for 2016: June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22, & July 25-29
Minnesota Institute for the Talented & Gifted – MITY
Grades 1-4 Spring Classes for MITY are now open for registration. Classes are held on Saturdays: 2/27, 3/5, 3/12, & 3/19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Parent Seminars are available during that time as well. Tuition is $175.
GE Monthly District Parent Forums
Join us for monthly Gifted Education parent meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to provide parent support for students participating in gifted education needs based classes. There are monthly meetings throughout the year with various topics – see schedule below. These sessions will be facilitated by several of our #279 Gifted Education Teachers. All meetings will be held at Oak View Elementary and will be from 6:30-7:30 pm. Childcare for children 4+ and a light snack will be provided.
February 9th, 2016-See link below
6:30-7:30 PM
Idealism, Unhappiness and Depression
March 29th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Communication: The Key to Relationships
April 12, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Not Just Gifted? Twice-Exceptional Children, Organization Issues
May 10th, 2016
6:30-7:30 PM
Advocating for Your Gifted Child Gifted Child