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1st Grade- Jan 13
1st Grade- Jan 13
We had a great start to GATE with the 1st graders today! We began by going through the morning routine and allowing students to ask questions about the classroom and the class. We then took a tour of the school so students were oriented to the bathrooms, office, lunchroom, and playground. After morning recess, the students got to know their table mates and practiced conversation skills. They practiced listening as well as talking, asking follow-up questions, and looking at the person who is sharing.
The main piece of work for the day got the students into their Maker Boxes. Hopefully all students can bring a shoebox-sized Maker Box by our next class on January 27th, but if that is too much for your family's plate right now, just let me know, and I'll work with your student to put together a Maker Box with the copious amounts of crafting and recycled supplies I have here in the room. With their Maker Box supplies, the students crafted a sculpture that represented at least 3 things about them. This was the most resilience group of 1st graders I've had in 4 years! Even though the task challenged their creativity, they were able to come up with something to share with their classmates.
After sculptures, the students had their first Choice Time where they get to choose what work to pursue in the classroom. We had students build Lego sculptures, learn the game Cat Crimes, play chess, experiment with gears, draw, and more!
I am so thrilled with how kind and inclusive this group was today. It is really hard to adjust to a new classroom, new people, and a new style of learning, so they should be really proud!
5th Grade - Jan 14
5th Grade - Jan 14
Question of the Day: When is it valuable to look at things from different perspectives?
Today, students built and learned to use their Foldscope origami microscopes! First they made their own slides of fibers, hair, and skin cells. Then they got to view glass prepared slides and learned to couple their Foldscope to a phone or iPad in over to take photos and zoom in on specimen. As the unit progresses, students will learn about the Western scientific process, research the microcosm, complete a leaf stomata lab, and design their own experiment conducted with their Foldscope! Students may take their Foldscope home after the unit ends.
4th Grade - Jan 15
4th Grade - Jan 15
Today was dissection day! All but 4 students chose to fully participate in the dissection process. The student who decided it wasn't for them this go around read brain books and played brain-themed games and experiments in the hallway during the dissection. The other students got to make connections between the parts of the human brain they have been studying and those in a sheep's brain. All students completed a reflection in their portfolios linked below. Next week, they will take their post-assessment and get started on the next unit all about the Hero's Journey.
3rd Grade - Jan 16
3rd Grade - Jan 16
This week, most of the 3rd graders finished their Invention Convention project boards. Next week, they will write a final summary of their project to add to their binders and set up their projects for a public viewing (in the classroom/hallway). Feel free to visit and check out the projects between 11:45-12:25 next Thursday January 23rd.
Please reach out if you have any other questions about Invent Idaho! The students have worked hard and seem to be proud of their work. If you attend the Regional competition, please don't be discourage if some of the projects look like they were done by professional scientists and graphic designers. Some families don't take the "no adult help" rule as seriously as others, but I have been told that the judges really do value truly student-centered work. We have had students from our class advance to the State level every year!
Parent Information FLYER 2025.docx2nd Grade - Jan 17
2nd Grade - Jan 17
Today the students were introduced to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. The 7 they will be researching are:
Mount Everest
The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
The Great Barrier Reef
Victoria Falls
Volcan Paricutin
The Grand Canyon
Aurora Borealis
The students learned about how to select good research sources and guidelines for taking research notes, then they got to work. I love this age of students because for most of them, research is fun and exciting! Next week, they will finish up their notes and start crafting a museum display about their Wonder.
Donation Link & Amazon Wishlist
Donation Link & Amazon Wishlist
If you would like to help fund our tech needs, supplies for students, brain puzzles, etc, please click on the link below to donate to my Boise Foundation Account. You can also check out our Amazon Wishlist.
Secure quick link to the class Foundation Account donation page
Parent Lending Library
Parent Lending Library
The Boise School District has a Parent Lending Library to help educate, inform, and support parents as they raise gifted children. If you are looking for my information related to parenting gifted children, please reach out to Helga Frankenstein, GATE Supervisor, (helga.frankenstein@boiseschools.org) for more information.
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