Target Tidbits

April 2, 2008

With only a few days left before spring break, I wanted to wish everyone a restful week which is well deserved by all.

Update on grade 1:  There are 14 first graders in our gifted program.  This is the largest group of first graders and I am so proud of them.  They are very bright and extremely motivated.  We are continuing with our unit, "Stepping into Target".  The children are learning about different continents, researching feet on the computer, and analyzing literature through the various Cinderella stories set around the world.  In additon, they are gaining knowledge of the gifted program and the expectations.

Update on grades 2 and 3:  We are continuing our study of archaeology.  Last week we went on a field trip to the Univ. of W. Georgia and participated in a "mock dig".  The children had the opportunity to see what real archaeologists do at an excavation.  Our studies include a "taste" of different ancient civilizations such as Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and several others.  The students have researched different archaeological wonders and are putting it together to present with Photo Story 3.  This is a wonderful program on the computer where the children can save pictures, add text, music and different transitions to enhance their presentations.  The students need to bring in magazines and pictures so we can work on "A Bridge to the Future" when we get back from spring break.

Update on Grades 4 and 5:  The sharks have been ordered and we are getting ready for dissection.  The children are finishing up with their big project, writing a research report on a shark .  We have taken notes, written outlines and completed the rough drafts.  Students will need to revise and edit at home as well as write their final draft.  The reports should include:  decorated cover, title page, outline in the correct form, final draft and a bibliography.  In addition, the children will be making a visual model of their shark to go along with the presentation.  Please remember to send in the materials requested.  The presentations should be creative!

I know the children are involved in various activities after school and projects in their regular classrooms.  Please encourage your student not to procrastinate when it comes to an assignment.  I know how easy it is to put things off but it only creates more stress in the end.  I remind the children that "not having time" is not an acceptable excuse.  School should be their first priority.  I appreciate all of your support.

Enjoy your vacation!!

Gail Jacobs

Target Tidbits - January 30, 2008

I did not do a posting in December because of testing so I wanted to update everyone on what is going on in the Target classroom.

The most exciting news is that our numbers have increased.  Dowell is serving 75 students in the gifted program.  Here is the current caseload and schedule:

Grade 1 - 13 (Monday)

Grade 2 - 6  (Friday)

Grade 3 - 17(Thursday)

Grade 4 - 13(Wednesday)

Grade 5 - 26(Tuesday)

First grade is learning about the gifted program in their unit, "Stepping Into Target".  Using the Cinderella books, we learn how to research and use higher order thinking skills.  This is a multi-disciplinary unit that the children enjoy.

Second and third grade are exploring archaeology and learning about ancient cultures in "Puzzled by the Past".  There is an exciting field trip planned for March 28 to the University of West Georgia.  I have borrowed a teaching trunk so that the students were able to look at authentic artifacts found in Georgia.

Fourth and fifth grade are exploring "Predators of the Aquatic Biome".  They are learning about sharks and exploring some of the myths of these amazing creatures.   Right now the students are working on an extensive research packet in the classroom.   The culmination of this unit is the dissection.  Students will have to pass several tests with a grade of 90% or higher in order to dissect.  They will be given two opportunities to do this.

Third, fourth and fifth grade students visited the Theatre in the Square.  We saw a play about Dr. Mae Jemison.  The  Dowell kids were well behaved and did a fabulous job representing our school.  I was proud of them.

An open house was held this morning for parents of new students and returning students.  Mrs. Parker and I showed a powerpoint about gifted children and went over the curriculum with the parents.

Target Tidbits - November 30, 2007

Our first semester of Target is over.  The units have been completed and classes will resume the week of January 7, 2008.  Target classes have been cancelled countywide to allow the Gifted  Ed. Specialists time to test children in grades 1, 3 and 5 for gifted eligibility.  There will be some schedule changes once the testing has been completed.  I will keep you advised as soon as I know the results.

Don't forget the website www.hoagiesgifted.com for ideas for gifts, books, games, etc. for your gifted children.

There is a field trip scheduled to Theatre in the Square for grades 3,4, and 5 on January 29th which is a Tuesday. 

Have a wonderful holiday and a happy and  healthy new year!

Target Tidbits - October 4, 2007

Here is an update of our Target program:

Grade 5 - We are currently working on programming our robots and researching energy.  There is a field trip scheduled for Tuesday, Oct.9 to the Theatre in the Square.  The students will be meeting with an energy expert and will conduct an audit of the theater.  They will then come up with creative solutions to solving some of the energy problems.

Grade 4 - The students are learning all about bridges.  They have formed companies and will be constructing bridges out of toothpicks.  They have a budget and assigned occupations.  This unit brings in math, science, engineering, social studies and language arts.  It is both challenging and exciting.

Grades 2 and 3 are studying about the contributions made by the Cowboys of the Wild West.  They are researching various trails and learing about the hardships the cowboys endured on the trail rides. On Oct. 18, we are visiting the Booth Western Art Museum.  I highly recommend visiting this museum.  It is one of the "hidden gems" that many people are unaware of.

Testing is taking place in grades 1, 3 and 5.  The results will affect the growth of our program.  If we need to switch days that the classes will be meeting, I will let you know.

Happy Autumn!

Email Notification Service

Parents
The service that we use to automatically notify you when the blog is updated has changed their terms of service in such a way that an ad will begin showing up at the bottom of the email that comes to you. Your email address is still not being shared with anyone other than the school! The mere placement of advertising in school communications is of concern to us, especially since we have no control over what the ad may be.

We are exploring other means of providing this service to you at this time. For now, we ask your patience as we work through the concern. In the meantime, if you receive an ad that is objectionable to you, we would appreciate your notifying the school, and holding onto it so that it may be forwarded to proper personnel.

Thank you for your patience!

Target Tidbits - September 2007

It is the middle of September and our program is  in full swing.  Here is an update:

Grade 5 - We are working on the First Lego League challenge - Power Puzzle.  The students are researching about energy and how it can be conserved in a building in our community.  The missions are very challenging and we are going to begin programming exercises next week now that our robots are built.  Dowell is planning on having one team that may go to competition this year.  We have a large class and will hold a competition play off in school.  More details will follow.

Grade 4 - The unit of study this semester is bridges.  Students are going to form companies and will be building bridges out of toothpicks.  The bridge that is strongest and holds the most weight will be the winner.  Students will assume different roles in the company such as architect, accountant, project manager,etc.  They will have to budget money and buy materials.

Grades 2 and 3 - Our combination class is working out well.  We are studying about cowboys and how they played an important part in the history of our country.  A trip to the Booth Western Museum is planned for October.  Parent chaperones are welcome.

We did not have a formal meeting during Open House this year.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.  My email address is gail.jacobs@cobbk12.org

Academic alerts will be sent out followed by report cards.  Remember the continuation criteria requires that students maintain at least an 80 in their academic subjects in grades 4 and 5 to be able to continue receiving services. 

Parents, please consider joining GAGC, the Georgia Association for Gifted Children.  They are a wonderful organization that looks out for gifted kids.  No Child Left Behind focuses on children who are struggling.  The children who are excelling have needs that should be met.  They also give you good information on Cobb's  magnet schools and news you should know.

Info. on the first lego league can be accessed at www.firstlegoleague.org

Target Tidbits - August 23, 2007

Welcome back to a new school year.  It is always wonderful to see the familiar faces of the children and also to see how much they have grown.

This year, Target has a new home - "Cottage" #7.  Fortunately, the air conditioner works very well so we are very comfortable.  The cottage does not have internet hookup yet so please be patient if you send me an email.  I may not be able to respond as quickly as I have in the past.

Here is an update on the units for the first half of the year:

Grades 2 and 3:  Cowboys of the Wild West.  We have combined grades 2 and 3 and they will be meeting on Thursdays.  There is a field trip scheduled for Oct. 18 to the Booth Western Museum in Cartersville.  The requested donation for children is $15.  The amount is higher because there are fewer students and we still have to rent a Cobb Co. bus.  If parents would like to attend, the cost is $8.

Grade 4:  Ultimate Connections.  Grade 4 meets on Wednesday.  We are studying about bridges and the impact they have on our lives.  Students are encouraged to bring in articles from newspapers or magazines to go "above and beyond the requirements".  This is a new unit for me to teach and I am very excited about doing so.

Grade 5:  What's NXT?  Grade 5 is a large group so we meet on Tuesdays with some children in my cottage and the rest with Mrs. Parker.  We are doing a lot of work together.  This unit relates to robotics.  I think it is a wonderful experience for the students.  The unit encompasses research, hands on activities, technology, science, math, creativity,  social studies and language arts.

I hope you will all be able to come see me at Open House on Sept. 6.

As always, please do not hesitate to call with any questions or concerns.

Standardized tests, ITBS and CoGAT are given beginning the last week in Sept.  These tests are very important because they will determine placement in middle school classes for the current 5th grade students.  Encourage your children to take them seriously and to eat a good breakfast and have a good nights sleep.

April 2007

The year is almost over.  There are a few reminders that I would like you to put down on your calendars.

Grades 4 and 5 are going on a field trip to the GA Renaissance Fetival on Thursday, May 3.  This will be an extended day trip.  We hope to be back by 3:30.  Please be on time when you pick up your children.  Students can bring a sack lunch or buy one from school.  Let's hope the weather is nice since this trip will take place rain or shine.

Grades 2 and 3 are researching occupations.  Please look for the due date that was sent home with your child.  Research is done in class.  Props and practice will be done at home.  I have included the rubric for evaluation.

Grade 1 students are learning about continents, how to research, various resources used in research and critical thinking skills.  The children are really enjoying the Cinderella stories from around the world.

CRCT's are around the corner.  Please stress the importance of these tests to the children.  The middle schools look at the scores to help determine placement in advanced content classes.

Target Tidbits - March 1, 2007

Where has the time gone?  Here is an update on what is happening in the Target classes:

Grade 1 - We are "Stepping Into Target" with 4 new first graders.  They are learning about multiple intelligences, research, continents, using the computer and many more things by studying the Cinderella stories from around the world.

Grades 2 and 3 - There is one new third grade student.  We are learning about money, the significance of managing it, making a budget, how it started, etc.  There is a lot of technology being used.  The students have done a project on a personal connection using pennies and linking the dates to significant events in history as well as their own lives.

Grades 4 and 5 are studying about the Middle Ages.  They need to bring in real estate ads next week for homework.  We have been researching the time frame of 500 AD until 1500 to learn about what was happening to cause the middle ages and what it is all about.  There is a field trip scheduled to the GA Renaissance Fest. in May.  Please return the permission slips and the donation.  This is an extended day trip.

A note to parents of rising 6th graders.  The CRCT as well as the ITBS is used to determine the advanced placement classes in middle school.  Please make sure your children are well rested and eat a good breakfast.

Target Tidbits - December 2006

As the winter break approaches, we are finishing up the units started in class. 

Grade 2 completed their studies of bats and are working on different higher level thinking skills during our breakaway days.  If your student comes home and tells you they had a BAD day, it is not what it seems.  This is an abbreviation for Breakaway Day.

Grade 3 is finishing the publication of their mystery books.  This has been a huge undertaking but it will definitely be worthwhile.  The children are proud of their writing as they should be.  When the finished books come in, we will have an author's teaparty to share their manuscripts.

Grade 4 is finishing up the study of humor by writing original comic strips.  The students are applying the techiniques they learned in cartooning.  Both Mrs. Parker and I are looking forward to the results.

I am proud of my Grade 5 students.  They won third place in the First Lego League qualifying tournament for research and presentation.  Out of 33 teams made up of elementary and middle school students, what an accomplishment!  They put in a lot of time and effort into the competition.  The missions were very challenging as well as researching nanotechnology.

January is reserved for testing of new students who may qualify for gifted services.  I am testing students in grades 1, 3 and 5.  Testing will continue throughout the month.  Classes are canceled until the last week in January.

I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!