Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 21: February 8, 2019
This Week
Parents,
We have a new date for the DIA field trip - Feb. 28th! If you were a chaperone please email me and please confirm that you can still come on that day. Please read the information in our newsletter below and let me know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!
P.S. It's official! I was approved by the school board as the Avondale GATE Principal for the 2019-2020 school year!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Intent Letter for 2019-2020 School Year
Parents,
Please look for the Avondale GATE intent letter in your child's Friday Folder. This is an important form we need returned from every student currently in our program so that we can plan for next year at Meadows. Please return it as soon as possible. Thank you!
Positivity Project - P2
This week's character strength was: Social Intelligence
We had some great discussions about social intelligence this week and also learned about how this topic can often be an area of weakness for gifted students. We learned about asynchronous development, too.
Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships – and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. And, it assists a person against being taken advantage of. People with social intelligence can “read” other people’s faces and know what motivates them. Social intelligence builds over time and as a person ages. In this sense, it is similar to the character strength of perspective.
On a group level, social intelligence is what allows us to function as humans. We are social beings and rely on each other’s cooperation. By understanding ourselves and other people, we can find ways to collaborate for mutual benefit. Strong leaders often possess social intelligence in abundance. In order to motivate people, leaders must form relationships and inspire others to want to do what needs to be done.
Donors Choose Project - Funded in ONE day!!!
MAP Testing
Math: The students made UNPRECEDENTED growth on their MAP Math tests and we are all so proud of each other and ourselves. On average, students in our class made over 200% of their Winter goals.
Reading: Students also rocked our Reading MAP test. On average, students in our class made over 140% of their Winter goal.
So, what now?
The Winter MAP tests are really meant as a "check-up" for the teacher and the student. It doesn't count toward anything district-wise. I use the various reports to analyze data and determine each student's areas of strength and weakness in reading and math. I then create my lesson plans based on this information combined with other data I collect.
Things to Keep Encouraging at Home:
- Read, read, read, read, read, read....and did I mention READ?! Keeping up with the novel study at school, book club reading and job, and putting forth the most effort possible.
- Studying for root word quizzes and science/social studies.
- Khan Academy if there is no math homework.
- Being open to hard work! Growth doesn't happen without it.
This Week...
Math: Students will continue their in their math groups. We now have 4 math groups! Yay! I also introduced a new way of compacting the curriculum called "Hardest First". For some of the math groups I have assigned 4-5 practice problems to do after our lesson. If they get less than 1 wrong, they don't have to do the remaining homework problems. If they get 2 or more wrong, I ask them to complete all of the homework problems because it indicates they need more practice. This is an optional practice if I offer it to their group. (Yellow, Green and Purple will do this) So, if your child says they don't have math homework - its ok!
Yellow- I can understand constructions and scale drawings.
Green-I can understand equations and inequalities.
Orange- I can interpret algebra, patterns, and coordinate graphs.
Purple- I can understand equations.
Science (5th): Our class will continue our new science unit, Mixtures and Solutions.
Reading/Writing:
We completed our unit on Myths/Legends/Fairytales in reading, but will continue to work on the writing Anthology into next week because of the ice day and other factors.
The students also started a novel study that they will complete using a book that they chose. Here's the details - CLICK HERE! It's meant to be done in class, but the students can of course work at home, too if they choose. They have already planned out the amount of pages they'll read and have a calendar of due dates. (Integrating our executive functioning!)
Enrichment: Students will continue working on their 4th enrichment project. It's due on 4/20.
Photos of the Week
Science Phase Changes/Conduction
We Skyped Dr. Nemiah Ladd!
Peppermint 2.0 is still alive!
We had an amazing experience speaking with Climate Scientist and Geochemist Nemiah Ladd all the way from Switzerland! The students came up with some pretty awesome questions such as:
- What kinds of algae do you study, and what do they reveal about climate change?
- How do you get your old and new plant samples and how do you test them?
- What is the most interesting and important thing you have found in your research and why is it important to your studies?
Ask your child tonight what they learned!
Looking Forward to Next Week...
Positivity Project (P2)/Character Education: Love
Yellow- I can understand constructions and scale drawings.
Green-I can understand equations and inequalities.
Orange- I can interpret algebra, patterns, and coordinate graphs.
Purple- I can understand equations.
Science (5th): Our class will continue our science unit, Mixtures and Solutions.
Reading/Writing: We will finish writing our own fables/myth/fairytales/plays/legends and will continue a novel study! Here's the details - CLICK HERE!
Enrichment: Students will continue working on their 4th enrichment project. It's due on 4/20.
Valentine's Day Exchange
To celebrate Valentine's Day, we will exchange valentines and eat a small snack from 10:45-11:35 on February 14th. 2/14 is a 1/2 day, so it will occur right before dismissal. All parents are welcome to join if you'd like. If a student is choosing to exchange valentines, I ask that they bring one for every student in class. The class list is below - we have 20 students.
Annabel
Aapratim
Henry
Blair
Nicolas
Nevaehlee
Kayla
Isaac
Sarah
Aly
John
Preston
Luca
Carson
Claire
Georgie
Shahul
Koen
James
Xavier
Slight Changes...
Upcoming Field Trips
The Detroit Institute of Arts
RESCHEDULED - February 28th!!!!!
DIA Chaperones:
Ms. Billings
Ms. Broughton
Ms. Dolney
Ms. Suender
The Cranbrook Institute of Science - Chemical Reactions
February 21 from 9:20-1:30
Bring disposable sack lunch & a disposable snack
Cost = $16 for admission
Cranbrook Chaperones:
Ms. Lavallee
Ms. Nahass
Ms. Raymond
Ms. Jones
Avondale GATE School of Choice Application Window!
We had a FANTASTIC turn out for the Information Nights. The School of Choice application window is NOW OPEN until March 8th at 4pm. Remember, if you are a CURRENT GT school of choice family, you do NOT need to re-apply.
Upcoming Important Dates
Normal School Hours: 8:32 - 3:39 (GT dismissal 3:34)
Half Day Hours: 8:32 - 11:45 (GT dismissal around 11:40)
Early Release: 8:32-1:39 (GT dismissal around 1:34)
Late Start: 10:32-3:39
Feb. 6-Mar.8: SOC Application Window
Feb. 14: Valentines exchange @ 10:45; 1/2 day
Feb. 15-19: Mid-Winter Break
Feb.26: 4th grade concert
Mar. 14: Late start or early dismissal
Apr. 1-5: Spring Break
Contact Me
Email: kate.martin@avondale.k12.mi.us
Website: katemartingt.weebly.com
Location: 6465 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098, United States
Phone: (248) 537-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017787916756
Twitter: @AvondaleGATE