RMES Gifted Monthly Happenings
November and December 2021
Enrichment And Extensions In Our Cluster Classrooms K - 5
Mindfulness Morning Meeting ~ Grades 2-5
In November, students learned about #13 Taking Responsible Risks. We read Jory John's "The Smart Cookie" to see how the character was able to find a hidden talent after getting the opportunity to try something new. Students reflected on times when they also felt like a smart cookie.
In December, students also learned about #11 Creating, Imagining, and Innovating. We read Tony DiTerlizzi's "The Broken Ornament" to see how the character was able to turn a broken ornament into a new, cherished treasure. Students created an ornament that was special to them.
Kindergarten
First Grade
Students also read “Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving?” by Jerry Pallotta. After only reading a few pages, they had to determine the pattern in the book in order to create a page for the story.
Students also read "Santa's Stuck" before Christmas. They had to complete a STEM task to help free Santa from the chimney; however, they could only use two materials.
Second Grade
In November, students read "The Happy Lion" for our first Junior Great Book. They had several opportunities to explore the text for multiple purposes, such as asking questions, thinking about characters' feelings throughout the story, and summarizing. They also had a Socratic Seminar, where students were able to help one another understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text in a group discussion format. Students had great conversations while practicing how to listen to one another and use accountable talk strategies.
In December, students researched six places in the United States - James River, Mississippi River, Rio Grande, Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, and the general area of the Great Lakes. With their background knowledge on these given locations, students had to create a logical route on a map for Santa since his GPS was broken. Students had to provide their reasoning for their order in a Flipgrid recording.
Third Grade
To introduce the Ancient Civilizations unit, students read "Weslandia" where a boy named Wesley made his own civilization structure. They brainstormed our own civilization that would have its own language, staple crop, shelter, and economics. Students also created our own maps based on specific geographic features.
Fourth Grade
In November, students analyzed the impact of plants and animals native to Virginia. With a celery stalk and food coloring investigation, students were able to see how plants absorb the pollutants we put in the water.
In December, students used the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) framework to critically think about plate tectonics. This model encourages students to develop a claim that answers the question, gather evidence, and provide reasoning that describes why the evidence supports their claim. Students had to determine the world's worst volcanic eruption. Overall, they determined that the Tambora eruption in 1815 was the worst!
Fifth Grade
In December, students used the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) framework to critically think about holiday light consumption. This model encourages students to develop a claim that answers the question, gather evidence, and provide reasoning that describes why the evidence supports their claim. Students had to determine whether or not holiday lights are worth the investment using provided articles. Groups either read an article that proves holiday lights make you happier or an article that explained how holiday lights are expensive and create light pollution.
As a continuation, students had to think like a business person to determine which type of lights were the most cost-effective for the KOA light display - incandescent or LED. Overall, students agreed that although LED lights were expensive upfront they would last much longer than incandescent lights.
GRT Updates for Parents
Please check out the latest RMES Gifted Information Updates from December. It will help you understand the next steps of the application process for your rising 1st graders and students in grades 2-5.
Cynthia Housianitis-Johnston, Gifted Resources Teacher at Red Mill Elementary School
Onward and Upward 2021-2022 ~ Helping Your Child Reach Their Peak!
Red Mill Elementary School, in partnership with our families and community, will provide a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment where every child reaches his/her fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally in order to nurture and empower caring leaders, life-long learners, and confident problem solvers.
Email: cynthia.housianitis@vbschools.com
Location: 1860 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-648-3560 (54649)
Twitter: @RMES_Gifted