A Must-Read for Gifted Parents

I just read (skimmed) an excellent article tonight! It is called "A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back our Nation's Brightest Students." Go to www.nationdeceived.org or google "A Nation Deceived" to download the pdf file. It was written in 2004 by three well-known researchers in the field of gifted education and addresses many current topics affecting gifted students in America today. It is long (83 pgs. total) but well worth your time - very easy to skim for the main points. If you read it, I would love to hear your opinion on some of the topics it addresses.

Mythology Ball

Third graders had a blast this week at TARGET as they participated in our 2nd Annual Mythology Ball! We began the event with a costume parade, during which each student introduced themselves on the stage, telling who they were dressed as and details about their costume. At the end of the costume parade, each teacher presented "Most Creative" and "Best Overall" awards to some students; all students received Participation Awards. Next, the students rotated to each teacher to partcipate in mythology activities, including creating their own mythological creatures, decorating (and eating!) a cupcake to look like their creatures, figuring out the morals myths teach us and creating a spider to show what they learned, and watching a video about mythical monsters. We had so much fun celebrating what we have learned about Greek mythology!!!

4th Grade

Hear ye, Hear ye! We have begun our Middle Ages rotations, and I have been teaching "Those Who Pray," the great impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the lives of people in the Middle Ages, to my homeroom class. During this four-week rotation, students learn about the role of the church in the lives of the people who lived at that time, cathedrals, and calligraphy. They will select a project to complete, and their score will help to earn them a rank for the Medieval Feast. They will also rotate to three other courses - Those Who Work, Those Who Entertain, and Those Who Fight.

In our Art Mini-Course, we had so much fun learning about Edgar Degas and creating sculptures that showed movement, just like him. This week, students will rotate to their second Mini-Course - Science - taught by Mrs. Wallace.

3rd Grade

Two weeks ago, my third graders began our Ancient Greece Values and Beliefs Unit. We have really been enjoying learning about Greek mythology, including the Greek gods and goddesses, Greek myths, and mythological creatures. We are in the process of writing our own myths, which we will eventually "publish" into a class book, as well as an e-book (online book), which will be posted on our website. Next week, we will read the myth of Pandora and create modern Pandora's boxes. We are eagerly anticipating our Mythological Ball, which will feature a costume parade, monster goodies, and some fun, creative activities! It will take place October 29-31, on your child's TARGET day.