Target Tidbits

Target Tidbits - January/February 2012

Thank you for your patience during this testing period that classes have been cancelled.  We have added new students to the gifted program and that is always very exciting.  As a result, we have switched days of the week for some classes.  They are as follows:

Monday - First Grade

Tuesday - Second Grade

Wednesday - Fourth Grade

Thursday - Fifth Grade

Friday - Talent Development

We are beginning our new units and resuming our regular class schedule starting the week of January 30.

First grade will do "Stepping into Target", an introduction to the Cobb Co. gifted program.  There is also a math component that I'm looking forward to teaching.  This is brand new for first grade.

Second grade will be studying "Puzzled by the Past", a unit on archaeology.  This is a great unit that goes into the study of archaeology as well as learning about various ancient cultures.  We have a field trip scheduled for Feb. 21 that will be held at school.  The Michael C. Carlos Museum has an outreach program called "Dig It" which ties in with our unit.  More information will be forthcoming.

Fourth and fifth graders will be studying "Predators of the Aquatic Biome".  The focus of the unit is on sharks and culminates with the dissection.  There is also a field trip scheduled to the GA Aquarium on Thursday, Feb. 23.  We will send home details.

I'm excited to be back to working with my students and look forward to the second half of this school year.

Target Tidbits - December 2011

Happy Holidays to One and All!

I know how hectic this time of year is.   This is an especially busy time for the Target teachers because we are getting ready for testing and also finishing up our units.  Please note that Target classes will be cancelled during the period of January 10 through January 24 to determine eligibility for the gifted program for new students.  Classes will resume on Jan. 25.  If there are any changes in schedules, we'll let you know.

Second grade is finishing up our study of bats.  We have discussed echolocation and habitats.  The students have been working on putting their research into a powerpoint presentation.  I am impressed with how well they are doing and look forward to seeing the finished products.

Fourth and Fifth grade have learned a lot about the Middle Ages.  Our Middle Ages feast takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 6.  The students will present their character research, in costume, and will celebrate by eating authentic foods from that time period.

The children can clean out their binders during the vacation.  When we return, we'll start on our new units.

Have a safe and restful holiday season.

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Target Tidbits - November 2011

Target students have been very busy these past few weeks.  Here is an update:

Grades 4 and 5 - We had a wonderful field  trip to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit.  Thanks to all of the parents that chaperoned this trip.  The children have been studying the Middle  Ages and this trip was a great extension of life in the church.  We did a simulation where the children were monks for a day, including taking a vow of silence.  This trip gave the students an authentic experience of how monks live and the connection from the Middle Ages to our lives today.

Students should be preparing their costumes and props for the character they have been researching.  The research was done  in class and now we are writing our monologues to share on December 6.  It would be helpful to have your children practice their speech at home so you can offer them constuctive criticism as well as instilling some confidence in them.  I realize it can be unnerving to speak in front of a group however, this is something they will have to do in their educational careers as well as in their adulthood.  I would like them to have that experience in this class.    We will practice in class as well.  Remember the children are not turning in a written report.  Their evaluation is based on their presentation, content, costume, knowledge etc.  I sent home the rubric along with the parent letter.

*Fourth grade parents, Dec. 6 is a Tuesday so Target will be on Tuesday for that week.

Grades 2 and 3 - We are having a visit from "Batman" on Friday.  He is actually a college professor who has a specialty involving bats.   We are looking forward to this in school field trip to continue learning more about this misunderstood group of mammals.  Your children are becoming very knowledgeable about bats so please ask them to share what they have learned.  In class, we are researching specific bats and then working on a powerpoint presentation.  If you would like a copy, please send in a thumb drive.  If you are in the back hallway leading out to the trailers, please take a look at the bat poems your children have written.

Looking ahead, testing for new students that may be eligible for gifted services will take place in January.  During that time, classes will be cancelled.  I'll let you know specifics after my testing meeting next week.  After testing, it may be necessary to change the day we meet for our classes.  I will let you know  if and when  it is necessary.

I want to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you enjoy spending the time with your loved ones as I'll be doing.  Thanks for all you do for our program and your children.

Target Tidbits - Oct. 2011

The weather is glorious and Fall is here! 

What a great turnout at the Target curriculum night.  We talked about the new gifted standards and showed a powerpoint illustrating them with examples.  In addition, the curriculum for this semester was discussed.

Fourth and Fifth grade students have gotten their characters to research for the major project for this unit - "Hooray for Hollywood".  Students need to bring in material to take notes from.  We are asking for a minimum of 3 different types of resources - books, encyclopedias, magazines, internet, etc.  Please be sure that if your child is printing from the computer, it is on a level that they understand.  We are not permitted to have the students go to Google so the materials need to be brought from home.  All note taking and speech writing will take place in class.  The students will need to make a costume at home and any props that they might need to enhance the presentation.  Please do not go out and buy a costume, we want the students to use their creativity to come up with something.  The children will be evaluated on their monologue and their costume.  A rubric was sent home with the letter to be signed.  The goal of the project is for the children to become their character.  When they present their speech, it should be "I" did this, etc.  The due date is Dec. 6 which is a Tuesday.  The fourth graders will have Target on Tuesday for that week only.

Second grade is working on bats, "Shadows of the Night".  We have had some great above and beyond projects brought in.  The children are  using their scientific knowledge to write stories and poems.  We do have a guest speaker coming in and have asked for a donation of $1 per child to help cover his transportation.  The Chattahoochee Nature Center has an exhibit on bats that you may want to visit.  While the weather is so beautiful, it would make a nice day trip for the family.

The ITBS tests will be administered beginning the week of Oct. 10.  For fifth grade students, this is what the middle schools look at for placement in advanced content classes.  Please encourage your children to do their best and be well rested.

I want to thank all of the parents for all that you do for your children.  I am fortunate to have your children year after year and so I've gotten to know many of you.  Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me with questions or concerns.  My email address is: gail.jacobs@cobbk12.org

 

Target Tidbits - September, 2011

We are off to a great start in our Target classes.  The children are doing an awesome job with our units and things are going well.

2nd Grade is studying "Shadows of the Night", a unit on bats.  They came up with a good assortment of animals that fly and made them from the clothespins that were given out.  We are learning about the anatomy of a bat, by doing research on the computer.  There is a guest speaker that is coming in November that is known as "Batman", no relation to the comic book character.

4th and 5th Grades are studying about the Middle Ages.  We have researched events that took place from 500 to 1500 and how they have influenced our lives today.  This is an exciting unit dealing with knights, castles and feudalism.

By now you should have seen the laminated copy of the standards that I have given to each student to keep in their notebooks.  We discuss the different thinking skills that we use for the various activities in the unit.  More about this will be explained at our Curriculum Night at 6:00 PM in the Media Center on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Please encourage your children to come prepared with all of their materials and the signed Tally.  It is easy to put things off until the last minute but I do remind them that they have a week between classes to get everything done.  A great research site is the Cobb Virtual Library.  I am happy to help students if they need access to a computer or a printer.  I am here everyday but they shouldn't wait until class to tell me.

Going above and beyond the requirements is an expectation.  This means that the children should bring in things (books, magazine or newspaper articles, information they researched)  and share it with the class.  If your children get bored at home, encourage them to do an "above and beyond" for their Target class.

Looking forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night on Sept. 22.

 

Target Tidbits - August 2011

Welcome Back to all returning students, parents, as well as students new to Dowell!  It is always exciting to begin a new school year.

With this being the first week of Target classes, you probably have noticed that our Target Tally looks different.  This will be explained when we have our Curriculum Night on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 in the Media Center.  It is difficult to attend our open house when you have children in both primary and intermediate grades so we have changed the date.  A reminder will be sent home with your students.

I hope all is going well this school year and look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night on Sept. 22.

 

Target Tidbits - May 2011

Another year is coming to an end.  It feels like school just started and here it is, May.  I always look forward to the end of school as being bittersweet.  Of course, a vacation is always wonderful and we can all use some R & R.  It is also a time to say goodbye to students that I have been privileged to teach, some for 5 years.  I have had the opportunity to watch them grow and mature into the young ladies and gentlemen that they are today.  I wish all of you the best of luck in the future.  Remember that change is sometimes difficult, but necessary - that is how you grow.  Look to the future and challenge yourself, be open to new possibilities and keep a positive attitude.

With only a few weeks left, we are wrapping up our units.  First graders have done a wonderful job "Stepping into Target".  They are eager to learn and rise to the challenges that I provide.  I look forward to teaching them again next year.

Third graders have just about completed our unit on the Heart.  They have been researching their ABC books and demonstrated what they have learned.  Their poetry writing has been amazing.  Next year will bring new units and new challenges ahead.

Fourth and Fifth grades, you have gained new awareness about the environment and its effect on the inhabitants of this earth.   Fourth grade, I look forward to seeing you in August to begin another exciting year.

Thanks to all the parents and their continued support throughout the year.  Have a great summer!

Target Tidbits - April 2011

It is actually March 31 but I wanted to get a jump on things as the next few weeks will be super busy.

First, I want everyone to enjoy their spring break.  We all deserve a rest before the end of the school year.  There will be Target classes held during the CRCT week of testing.  The students will test in their own classes and then will be picked up after testing to come to the Target classroom.

First grade is traveling around the world with the various Cinderella stories.  We have have been to Germany, Korea, China and Alaska.  The students have also learned about Japan while trying to arrange tatami mats to fill a specific area.

Third graders shared their heart models which are on display in the media center.  There are so many creative ideas, we enjoyed hearing about each and every one.  Now we will be working on the creative aspect turning prose into poetry.

Fourth and fifth graders continue to learn about frogs and the effect of their disappearance on humans.  We are doing extensive research and engaging in stimulating discussions.

Enjoy the time off to be with family and friends so we can gear up for the end of the school year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Target Tidbits - March 2011

Exciting News!!! - We have 80 students being served in the gifted program at Dowell.  Our numbers continue to grow and that is awesome.

First Grade - The children are familiar with the routines and are doing a super job with the unit, Stepping Into Target.  Each week we learn new things and read another version of the Cinderella stories.  The students have learned words from other languages that relate to the various settings of the stories.  They are already solving logic puzzles, using creative  thinking and going above and beyond the expectations.  We went to the media center and used the computers to research the continent of Africa.

Third Grade - We have been doing an intensive study of the human heart.  The children are researching and writing ABC books of the heart, blood and circulatory system.  We are also doing a novel study, Love That Dog,  by Sharon Creech.  Please remember that their project, a model of the heart, is due by March 24.  I do not want the children to go out and buy things, they can use common household items such as tissue paper rolls, boxes, etc.

Fourth and Fifth Grade - I hope you have  had an opportunity to look at the posters they made to Save the Frogs.  We have had amazing things brought in for "above and beyond".  The students are writing text to the picture books by Mercer Mayer as well as discussing the implications of the demise of the anurans on our lives.

Please remember to check Target Tallies weekly and encourage your children to prepare for Target with all of their supplies the night before.  Several students are telling me they are unprepared because they got up late and rushed out the door.  Target Tallies need to be signed each week so that I know you are aware of what is going on. 

Let's enjoy the beautiful weather and hope that winter is behind us - we shall see!