ORMS GT Newsletter
March 2020
COVID-19 GT Update
The t-shirts that students paid for are ready and waiting to be distributed whenever we return to school. However, the money students put towards lunch is currently tied up in the business office and cannot be withdrawn to be returned at this time. If your child is a 6th or 7th grade student they can put that money towards next year's field trip lunch. If your child is an 8th grader please consider donating that money so we can do something fun with your child like an ice cream party when we return to school.
Below is a resource put together by Blake Haygood for all GT students to access and is completely optional. It is also being updated continuously so keep checking throughout this online learning time. Please make sure students are connecting with their advisory teacher when they set up Zoom meetings. If they can't attend live, please make sure they're checking Google Classroom, email and Remind to stay updated. Please reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns. I am also here if you need help of any kind. I have included a list of resources below for those 6th graders who still need to research for their Passion Projects, as well as ebook and audiobook options for those GT students who are voracious readers.
Digital Resources
New Braunfels Public Library — offers free access to eBooks and audio books. Find out what they are doing to hook you up with great reads. If your child doesn't have a library card, contact me or their ELA teacher to sign up by Friday for one!
Newsela — Great real world texts presented so that children can access the same text at different reading levels (currently free for schools).
Rivet — Free app that families can download with thousands of modern leveled readers.
Epic — Digital library of modern books aimed at children under 12. Always free for teachers and librarians (and students can access it during school hours).
ReadingIQ — Similar to Epic. There are thousands of modern digital books for readers under 12. Access is free for closed schools — learn more here.
International Children’s Digital Library –– A collection of international books for children aged 3-13 presented in 59 languages.
Project Gutenberg — Don’t be put off by the “old school” design of this website. There are 60,000+ eBooks that can be downloaded for all ages (most are older works with expired copyright).
Faded Page — 5000 plus eBooks that are completely free to download. Not designed for children but there are many classics for older students (like Project Gutenberg they are mostly older works with expired copyright).
Open Library — Catalogue where you can borrow books for free (lots of options for older students).
Lit2Go — A free online collection of stories and poems in MP3 (audiobook) format with accompanying text. Includes many classics with expired copyright.
Audible is free right now for everyone! However if your 8th grade child already signed up, they got 12 free credits to buy any audiobook they want! If they didn't sign up yet, they have until Friday to get their free account. Email me or your child's ELA teacher to add them!
Storyline Online - Books read to you by real people! This is great for you guys with younger sisters and brothers. Children's book count too!
Scribd: Thousands of the best books, audiobooks, and more. All in one app!
Scholastic Learn At Home: Lessons, games, books and more available through Scholastic NOW!
Adventure Academy (3rd-8th grades): use code SCHOOL7581
Reading IQ (PreK-6th grades): use code SCHOOL7581
Bound To Stay Bound: This book company has created a website of resources from books to authors to publishers and lessons! Check it out!
FirstBook.org--This link will take you to FirstBook.org's Coronavirus links for mental/physical wellness, internet help, and lessons in all areas of content!
Junior Library Guild— access to elementary, middle school and high school level ebooks! Use the usernames and passwords to access:
Elementary
Username: JLGELM
Password: JLGFREE
Middle School
Username: JLGMID
Password: JLGFREE
High School
Username: JLGHI
Password: JLGFREE
6th grade
Friday Meetings
6th grade is interested in hosting a virtual showcase of their Passion Projects and information on that is forthcoming.
Ms. Redwine
6th GT Advisory
830.627.6464
Ms. Beabout
6th GT Advisory
830.627.6453
7th grade
Friday Meetings
Ms. Brooks
7th GT Advisory
830.629.8514
Ms. Stanush
7th GT Advisory
830.629.8534
8th Grade
Personality Quiz
Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Cowan will meet with students on Zoom to discuss our findings. Students will receive Remind messages and Google Classroom announcements for when a meeting is scheduled. All other GT projects are suspended during this time.
Ms. Bryant
8th GT Advisory
830.629.8529
Ms. Cowan
8th GT Advisory
830.627.6458
Amanda Hunt, Librarian and NBISD Secondary GT Facilitator
Email: ahunt@nbisd.org
Website: http://bit.ly/ormslibrary
Location: 415 Oak Run Point, New Braunfels, TX, United States
Phone: 8306276449
Twitter: @libtechGT
Blake Haygood
Email: bhaygood@nbisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/nbisd.org/giftedandtalented/home
Phone: 830-643-5765