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1st Grade- Jan 27
1st Grade- Jan 27
The 1st graders continued their work on getting acquainted with each other and with the GATE environment today. We started with a classroom reset and celebration of June and July half birthdays. Then, we practiced the names of classmates with a game. During Choice Time, lots of students were introduced to the game MonsDRAWsity a game purchased through the class Amazon Wishlist. The main work of the day was logging on to the Google Classroom and learning how to work in Book Creator, the platform used for our digital portfolios. We were so fortunate to have a couple 6th grade students help us out for this portion of the class! The portfolios will always be linked at the bottom of the weekly newsletter, and I'll let you know whenever students add photos, videos, and reflections to their portfolios to share with you. We enjoyed finishing the day with a few rounds of reverse charades, which gets the students up and moving and using teamwork to communicate the secret word. What a fun day with a fantastic group of students!
5th Grade - Jan 21+28
5th Grade - Jan 21+28
***I am in the super busy GATE referral season, so I am anticipating only posting every other week until Spring Break. I should still be able to post on Instagram each week. Thanks for understanding!***
Last week, the 5th graders worked on a microscopy research project exploring the relationships (hey, that's this year's theme!) between the microscopic and visible worlds. Topics included Covid-19 virus, slime molds, bacteriophage, tardigrades, malaria, tuberculosis, parasites, and more! This week, students presented their research to their classmates and practiced giving positive, productive feedback.
Today we also learned the basics of leaf stomata and conducted a lab where students created impression slides of the backs of leaves and viewed leaf stomata and cells using their Foldscopes. Next week, students will learn the basics of experimental design and plan to create and conduct a stomata experiment the following week.
4th Grade - Jan 29
4th Grade - Jan 29
***I am in the super busy GATE referral season, so I am anticipating only posting every other week until Spring Break. I should still be able to post on Instagram each week. Thanks for understanding!***
Today the 4th graders started a new unit, The Hero's Journey. The students learned the basics of the hero's journey story structure and then completed a mini assignment where they wrote postcards from the perspective of a hero from a familiar tale. They will add this work to their digital portfolios for you to see next week and learn about archetypes as we move toward the goal of writing and performing original hero's journey stories.
3rd Grade - Jan 23+30
3rd Grade - Jan 23+30
***I am in the super busy GATE referral season, so I am anticipating only posting every other week until Spring Break. I should still be able to post on Instagram each week. Thanks for understanding!***
Last week the students finished their Invention Convention projects and showcased them for their classmates and visitors. The students practiced giving positive, productive feedback and took their projects home. Two of our classmates placed at the regional competition and have the opportunity to advance to the state competition in Moscow, ID in April! Congratulations to the inventors of the Leaf Blower Shoes and the Cone-a-Bowl!
Today we started a new unit that we are calling the "I'm Stuck!" unit. We will be tackling a handful of unique crafting challenges with the aim of transforming (hey, that's the year's theme!) simple craft and recycled materials into cool art and transforming our minds to be more resilient when faced with struggle. We are starting with origami and will try out numerous other arts like kumihimo weaving, graphic design, and hand sewing.
Portfolio Library Link (fixed!)
2nd Grade - Jan 24+31
2nd Grade - Jan 24+31
***I am in the super busy GATE referral season, so I am anticipating only posting every other week until Spring Break. I should still be able to post on Instagram each week. Thanks for understanding!***
Last week the 3rd graders finished their research and built interactive museum displays for their wonder of the world. Today the students installed their Natural Wonders of the World Museum! After adding finishing touches and plotting their wonder on a world map, the class rotated through each of the exhibits. After exploring the museum, each student shared something they learned or a positive piece of feedback for a classmate. Next week, we will start over with researching the Modern Wonders of the World. You can find photos and videos of the students' work on their digital portfolios linked below.
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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