Today your child will bring home their GT folder signifying the end of the 3rd quarter of learning for this school year! One of the many uniquely wonderful features of the Eanes ISD GT program is that students complete a self-report each nine weeks. By reflecting upon their performance in class, assessing their strengths, and identifying areas to improve upon, students become more in tune with their personal learning process. Please review the GT Report Card and Student Self-Report with your child. Then, sign the enclosed paper and return the signature paper and folder to school. The report card and self-report are yours to keep.
As always, please feel free to connect with me should you want to conference about your child's performance in GT class or any other concerns you may have! I'm here for you :-)
1st grade: The GT cuties are growing more confident and able in their SET skills! This is due to their high interest in the game coupled with our practice routine. The game requires committed focus and sharp critical thinking. It isn't easy to learn how to play - the mind must be in constant motion! These young students have embraced the challenge with fervor! Instead of getting frustrated or mad because it is difficult, they encourage one another and persevere until the find a SET. At home practice will certainly help foster these skills! You can practice at home by downloading the app called The Daily SET Puzzle. You can also visit this website for more practice and information about ordering a game for your home: http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle
2nd grade: The class is very excited to be learning origami, the traditional Japanese art or technique of folding paper into a variety of decorative or representational forms. This week the students are operating at their own independent pace of creative and critical thinking. Each student spent some time perusing the website and apps I selected for them. They selected a form to learn and began folding! To begin with, the students use an 8.5 inch square piece of copy paper. They must learn the form and successfully complete it at least two times. Then, they make their final copy using real origami paper. The website we are using is:
http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-for-kids.html
These are the apps we are using to learn this amazing art form:
Animals Origami
How to Make Origami
Advanced Origami "Universal"
3rd grade: What a focused and dedicated group of students! Each one of the GT cuties is putting maximum effort and diligence into the creation of their own unique board game. After they complete a rough draft version of the game the students test it with the help of their classmates. It has been lots of fun to witness these test sessions! That is because of the smiles, laughter, and friendly competition that ensues each time. It is also inspiring to hear the discussions after the test game where they give compliments as well as advice about how to improve the game. The students should be extremely proud of the depth of care and complexity of thought that they are investing into this project!
4th grade: The GT cuties are packing their brains with knowledge about castles! Most students transitioned from research to creation this week. After learning all they could about castles, the students began thinking about making their own unique castle. They brainstormed a list of elements they want to include in their castle. But, before they can make it, they must learn about the process by making a castle using a design made for them. This "practice castle" will teach them about the details of designing, drawing, cutting, gluing and attaching. Once this practice castle is complete the students will construct their own uniquely designed castle and build it out of paper and cereal boxes. Below is a picture of the practice castle.