Target Tidbits

Target Tidbits - December 2006

Nov. 7, 2006

I can't believe it is already November!  I just returned from the NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children) conference in Charlotte, NC.  There were some interesting speakers and I was able to purchase some new materials for the classroom.  Here is a website that I learned about which is free and also very informative:  www.hoagiesgifted.org   This website was created by a parent and has lots of articles, products for gifted kids, books, etc.  It is worth checking out.

The units are starting to wind down.  All units will be finished before the winter break.  January is the month where I do all of my testing to bring in more children to the program.

Sat., Dec. 2, 2006, two teams will be competing at the qualifying tournament at Wheeler H.S. in the FLL competition.  The topic this year is nanotechnology.  It has been very challenging for the students and myself.

This is also the time of year that some students slack off because of the holidays.  They are excited and school is not always the priority.  I don't want to see the children go on probation because of poor performance in the Target class or the regular classroom.

Mr. Araki, the Japanese principal, had a wonderful time here at Dowell.  I know our partnership with Onominami will continue.

Please remember to sign the Target Tally and check to see if your child has homework.   I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming holiday season.

September 29, 2006

Where has the time gone?  Here is an update of what is happening in the Target classroom:

Grade 1 - Talent Development - I am going to all of the first grade classes and working with the students on critical thinking skills.

Grade 2- We are continuing with our study of bats.  There are a lot of misconceptions out there regarding these flying mammals.  The children have chosen individual bats to research.  They are using webs to help organize and break down the topic.  We plan on making masks of our bats and wearing them when they present their information.   Several parents are unable to help in class to build the bathouses, we most likely will have to cancel that activity.  Each child really needs a parent to assist.

Grade 3 - We are just about to discover who stole the chocolate recipe.  The children have narrowed down the suspects and are examining the final pieces of evidence to discover who the culprit is.  They are also beginning to work on writing a mystery book which will be published.  Look for further information.

Grade 4 - What a hilarious group!  We are learning about humor, how it affects our bodies and different examples of humor.  The children have also begun to learn pre-alegebra using hands on equations.  Ask them to solve an equation like 2x+1=5.  Fourth grade students also took part in a videoconference with Japan on Sept. 26.  We had 13 students accompanied by their parents.  The children made introductions in Japanese.  It was very impressive.

Grade 5 - We have two robotics teams - Megabots and Nanobites.  The field is almost completed and then we are ready to begin programming our robots.  The students are researching nanotechnology to come up with some solutions to present to the judges.  They children are also having fun with learning new vocabulary like expedient, dogmatic, etc.  Since we started hands on equations last year, the children are now solving equations using both positive and negative numbers.

Finally, I have started a Japanese Friendship Club that meets on Friday afternoons.  We are having fun learning some Japanese language and history.  We are also trying some origami.

Upcoming events - Mr. Araki, the Japanese principal from Onominami, will be at Dowell the week of Oct. 30.  Please say konnichiwa when you see him.

Update 9-5-06

A new year is underway and things are going very well.  Here are a few reminders:

Open House will be on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 PM in the Target Classroom

Please help your student remember to come prepared with his/her Target binder and a SIGNED Target Tally. 

There are a few students who do not have all of their supplies.  Please let me know if you are unable to get them.

Units:
Grade 2 - Shadows of the Night
Grade 3 - The Great Whodunnit
Grade 4 - The Joke's on You
Grade 5 - Gadgets & Gizmos & Robotics

Grade 3 parents:  Please make sure your child has a mystery book to read and brings it to class on 9/12 along with their homework.
Grade 5 parents - We need some empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls.
Grade 4 parents - Your students are thinking up ways to teach the other students the meaning of their vocabulary words.  They have a partner and two words to teach.

I look forward to seeing all of you on Thursday evening.

Meet and Greet

Aug. 11, 2006

It was fun to see all of the students during meet and greet.  If I didn't see you, I'm sure I will see you soon.  Classes will begin the week of Aug. 21.  If you can come prepared with your supplies that will be helpful.

Target Tidbits

Welcome back to school.  I am excited to see everyone and share my experience in Japan this summer. 

Supplies for Target:

1 large 3 ring binder

Package of 5 dividers

Package of notebook paper, wide ruled

Several pencils and erasers

Box of colored pencils

Highlighter, any color

Glue, scissors, ruler

If I forgot anything, I'll let you know.

I am looking forward to a great year!