Kindergarten Home Enrichment due March 19th or March 20th

Bunnell's Class should be prepared for class on Thursday, March 19th.
Finch, Masters, Todish, and Arnold's classes should be prepared for class on Friday, March 20th.

Look at the following paintings.  Observe carefully.  With your family, write down three similarities and three differences between the two paintings.  (three observations that are alike and three observations that are different.

Read the two definitions below.  With your family discuss which of these paintings is abstract and which is realistic.  Be prepared to tell what you think.

Abstract art is a style of art that is not realistic.  Unusual lines, colors, and shapes make the subject look unrealistic.  It is often characterized by the use of geometric lines and shapes and bold, bright colors.

Realistic art shows something, such as a person or a scene, as it might really look.

I can't wait to dig deeper into abstract and realistic art in class.

1st Grade Texas Performance Standards Project

It's research time!! We will be using our background knowledge on the seven continents to begin our yearly research assignment.  The Research on the continent will come first before the end product.

Each second grade student has a page protector in their binder with a research chart and at least three internet sources to use for research. The research chart needs to be completed AT HOME the Week of March 23, 2015 before they come to class. They have each chosen ONE of the seven continents to investigate further. When researching, I would like the students to use the sources I gave them first, THEN, I would like you to help your child find at least ONE, non-internet source - a book, a magazine article, an interview, brochure, etc. Students may NOT use WIKEPEDIA as a source.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

For your convenience, I have also included a link to a copy of the Research chart in case you should need another one. Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Lisa Pogue
poguel@rcisd.org

Copy of Research Chart

Second Grade Performance Standards Project

It's research time!! We will be using our background knowledge on the seven continents to begin our yearly research assignment.  The Research on the continent will come first before the end product.

Each second grade student has a page protector in their binder with a research chart and at least three internet sources to use for research. The research chart needs to be completed AT HOME the Week of March 23, 2015 before they come to class. They have each chosen ONE of the seven continents to investigate further. When researching, I would like the students to use the sources I gave them first, THEN, I would like you to help your child find at least ONE, non-internet source - a book, a magazine article, an interview, brochure, etc. Students may NOT use WIKEPEDIA as a source.

Second grade students have also copied links to their sources in digital form in our class google drive account. By having these links, your student can click on links, videos, pictures, etc from their internet source. I will send out the login and password via Remind as I don't want to publish it publicly. If you do not receive my Remind messages, please email me so we can get you signed up. Each student has a folder in the drive to share their work.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

For your convenience, I have also included a link to a copy of the Research chart in case you should need another one. Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Lisa Pogue
poguel@rcisd.org

Copy of Research Chart

4th Grade for the Week of March 2

Please have your fourth grade student spend at least thirty minutes, but hopefully an hour, on their research chart for their Genius Hour project.  They should have a chart in their Google Drive. Some students have already completed their chart and are working on their project plan.  We have been working on this in class.  I am encouring the children to dig deeper into their topic so they learn significant information and not just surface level facts.  Of course each child's topic is different and the depth and complexity of the topic also varies.  They should complete their time on their research chart by Tuesday, March 3rd.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Would You Rather . . .

Let's put on our thinking caps and solve some fun math problems.

Click here  to get started.  Be sure to show your math work.  Your work may be math problems or it may be mathematical language.  You also need to cite your sources showing where you got your information.

Have fun!

3rd Grade Classwork

I'm so glad that you are here today!

Today we will be:

• Practicing our fluency in writing
• Creating a word cloud using TagXedo
• Working on our Genius Hour Projects

We will be busy and I need you to be ON TASK!  and help each other!

When you arrive, please get your iPad.  On a new google document in your google drive, please type ten adjectives that describe you.  Think Character Traits.  These should be adjectives, not nouns.  It would also be beneficial to use a thesaurus to come up with powerful words.  If your parents responded to the survey, Mrs. Pogue will give you another word.  On your list, you should also type your name.

When you are finished typing your list, you will need to go to a computer.  On the computer, you will need to get on your google drive, look in your shared folder for the Tagxedo document, open it, and follow the directions.

Have fun!

4th Grade Classwork

Welcome back to GT class!  I've missed you all so much!

Today we will be:

• Checking our Math GPS 46
• Exploring measurment reasonableness
• Learn to do measurement conversions
• Creating a word cloud using TagXedo
• Working on our Genius Hour Projects

We will be busy and I need you to be ON TASK!  and help each other!

When you arrive, please get your iPad.  On a new google document in your google drive, please type ten adjectives that describe you.  Think Character Traits.  If your parents responded to the survey, Mrs. Pogue will give you another word.  On your list, also type your name.

When you are finished typing your list, you will need to go to a computer.  On the computer, you will need to get on your google drive, look in your shared folder for the Tagxedo document, open it, and follow the directions.

I will be calling you in small groups to work on math.  We will also play Kahoot to check your GPS work.

2nd Grade College Research Presentations

The T-shirts were super!  The children were so excited to share their creativity and hard work.  I appreciate each family for working with their child to learn about the research process.

Yale University

Purdue University

Duke University

University of California at Berkeley

Harvard University

Michigan State University

Columbia University

Indiana University

Stanford University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1st Grade College Research Presentations

The students and families did did a great job!  I enjoyed seing their pennants!  Thank you for learning with your children.

Tarleton State University

University of North Texas

Midwestern State University

Texas Tech University

Stephen F. Austin University

4th Grade Family College Presentations

What a fantastic day of learning all about what these wonderful children hope to be when they grow up!  I hope they learned from the process and from each other.  I was most pleasantly surprised with how many out of state colleges were researched!  These kids can aspire to do anything they want as long as they work hard.

Below is a padlet showing the research topics from each student and some links to presentations and/or videos.  I've also included some pictures of the students presenting.

Created with Padlet

University of South Florida

Juliard

Ohio State University

TX A&M University at Corpus Christi

Kansas State University

University of Miami

Harvard

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Texas A&M University

University of Michigan

GT News for Parents and Students

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday,

I have a few important things to share this week.

1. College Awareness Week is next week at Scott.  We will have Spirit Dress Days all week.  You can find the information at the following link:  College Awareness Week Spirit Days
2. College and Career Research Projects are due next week.  Remember these are family projects.  If you need information for your child's project, you can revisit the following blog post:  College and Career Family Projects
1. First Grade Presentation Day is Thursday, November 20th
2. Second Grade Presentation Day is Wednesday, November 19th
3. Third Grade Presentation Day is Wednesday, November 19th
4. Fourth Grade Presentation Day is Tuesday, November 18th
3. Lunch in the Classroom Challenge.  Students who reach the following goals on Khan Academy will get to eat lunch in the classroom and play games the week before Christmas Break. 
1. First Grade - 50% of the Early Math Mission
2. Second Grade - 70% of the Early Math Mission
3. Third Grade - 50% of the Third Grade Mission
4. Fourth Grade - 50% of the Fourth Grade Mission

Have fun!

Fourth Grade Goal Setting - due Tuesday 11/11

Your main assignment at home this week is to work on your college research project.  By next week, you should be at least halfway complete if you are practicing Habit 1:  Being Proactive and using your time wisely.  Remember if you have any questions, please be sure to ask.

As you work on your college research project, I would like for you to also think about Habit 2:  Begin With the End in Mind - having a plan, goal setting.  In your GT journal, I would like for you to write two goals this week . . . .

1. A Reading Goal
2. A Math Goal

I would like your reading goal to be centered around how much time you plan to read each week during the month of January.  Remember, I recommended a minimum of 100 minutes of outside of school reading each week.  Make a plan for how you will get your reading done.  Sometimes my children get their reading done by reading in the car on the way to events.  

 For your math goal, I would like for you to think about your last unit assessment and ask yourself, what is my goal for my next test?  Is your goal to pass the test this time?  Is your goal to get two more questions right on this next one?  Is your goal to score a 90 or above for advanced performance?  Once you have your goal in mind, make a plan for reaching your goal.  Will you draw a strip diagram for each problem to help you determine the operation and steps?  Will you double check your computation?  Will you put stars by the hard questions and go back to recheck them?  Will you use grid paper so that all of your numbers are lined up?

To sum up your learning extensions this week:

• Work on your family college research project
• Write a reading goal
• Write a math goal

Optional Challenges:

• Complete at least three recommended lessons on Khan Academy
• Complete at least three mastery challenges on Khan Academy
• There could be surprises if you work extra hard.  Who will be the next 4th grader to master 50% of the 4th grade math skills?

Have a great learning week!

It's College & Career Research Time

Each grade level received a copy of the family college research project.  These projects are due in GT class the week of November 17th on your child's GT class day.   This is a family projects designed to give you and your child the opportunity to discuss their future plans.  Below is a link to each grade level's project.

1st Grade Family Research Project

2nd Grade Family Research Project

3rd Grade Family Research Project

4th Grade Family Research Project

Have fun!  Learn Lots!  Grow Dendrites!