“...failure to help the gifted child reach his potential is a societal tragedy, the extent of which is difficult to measure, but which is surely great. How can we measure the sonata unwritten, the curative drug undiscovered, the absence of political insight? They are the difference between what we are and what we could be as a society.”
James Gallagher Quote from AGATE Handbook
Primary Enrichment
Primary EnrichmentKindergarten--We have finished a unit on evaluative (judge) thinking, in which students learned to give objective reasons for decisions. In addition, we have built with spaghetti and marshmallows. First grade-- We have completed a unit on creative writing and are finishing out the year with visual (magician) thinking. We also got to build with spaghetti and marshmallows. According to Mrs. Kerley, the students loved it.Second grade--We finished our unit visual thinking and are now working on evaluative thinking, in which students got to decide what to do with a pretend windfall of $1,200 for the school. After evaluating possible solutions by specific criteria, they decided the money should be spent on new playground equipment. Third grade--We have been busy with testing. Our current unit is evaluative thinking, which includes defining a problem, brainstorming possible solutions, establishing criteria, and then evaluation each solution based on the criteria.
Intermediate Pullout Classes 4th Grade PulloutWe are working on a transportation unit trying to design and build a model of a Maglev train. We learned the definition of technology, the properties of magnets, the engineering process, and now we are trying to design a workable train. I think students are realizing it is harder than they thought it would be. .
5th-6th Grade PulloutWe had a team attend the “Invention Convention” at the O.U.R. Educational Cooperative in Valley Springs. We are rounding out the unit with some research, build-it challenges, and free-build time.
7th-8th GradeThis year I am privileged to get the 7th and 8th grade GT students for one period a week. We are using this time for build-it challenges, problem solving, free-build, and to practice for competitions, such as chess and Quiz Bowl.
Secondary Secondary students are primarily served through their content area teachers, but we do have a monthly meeting.
O.U.R Math CarnivalWhile the Math Carnival is not officially a GT event, many GT students participate. It is definitely a favorite student activity. According to Amarillo, “...it’s my favorite day of the whole year.”Our third grade problem-solving team won second place, and the third grade Jeopardy team won fourth place. Congratulations!
Upcoming events: May 18--Sixth Grade Graduation May 19--Last Day of School
Invention Convention We had two teams from our class compete for the privilege of attending the Invention Conventions. The boys’ teams won with “Marker Revive,” a method of rejuvenating tired whiteboard markers. Preparations were down to the wire. We finished up the board the day before, and practiced our speeches in the van on the way to Valley Springs. Here are some comments made by 6th graders who were able to attend the Invention Convention:“It was fun and we made new friends. I want to go back...It was the second best thing in GT.”“I made a friend….I might see her again at Math Carnival.” “We looked at everybody else’s projects...there were a lot of good things.”“We listened to a local inventor speak on her invention.”
Crystal Bridges Students who worked hard but weren’t chosen to attend the Invention Convention had the opportunity to visit Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. Montana and Presley participated in this opportunity.Here is what Montana wrote about the trip…”The paintings and sculptures were extraordinary! Then, the fun was ruined when the fire alarm started blaring...but our excitement still lasted on the way home. I hope other people will go there next year and realize what they missed out on!” And Presley said, “We saw a dirt block that had grass growing on it. There were sculptures...a lot of pretty cool paintings.”Crystal Bridges Museum is impressive, and definitely worth a visit.
Retirement It is with mixed feelings that I announce my retirement. This will be my last year as GT Coordinator for the Lead Hill School District. I am excited to begin this new chapter, but I have grown to love the wonderful children it has been my pleasure to teach, and I will truly miss them.In my opinion, teaching GT is the best job in the District, and my years in this position have been real blessing. I hope to come back and visit some next year.
Music Notes We didn’t have a composer of the month for the last couple of months. Instead, we listened to popular works by a variety of composers, including:
Triumphal March from Aida Mendelssohn’s Wedding March Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin Clair de Lune by Debussy Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa Summertime, Rhapsody in Blue, and I Got Rhythm by George GershwinSwing Music, including In the Mood performed by Glen Miller and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy performed by the Andrews Sisters Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds,
Evaluation Tidbits: 93% of intermediate pullout students last year said they enjoyed being in GT, and they all said they were willing to work hard in GT class. About half said their regular classroom teachers differentiated for them. All agreed, at least somewhat, that GT helps them develop their higher level thinking skills and creativity, and 86% agree, at least somewhat, that GT helps them understand themselves better. School board members strongly support the goals of Lead Hill School District’s GT program and recognize that gifted education is mandated by the State of Arkansas. They believe our gifted program helps students develop creativity and critical thinking skills. They support acceleration as a program option and understand the benefits of AP classes. They would like to learn more about our program.
Happy Summer! Have a wonderful summer vacation. Enjoy time with your family and friends, learn something new, and READ!