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5th Grade - Jan 7
5th Grade - Jan 7
Today the 5th graders wrapped up their personality study by transferring their understanding to a teamwork challenge. The students started by designing superheroes (with strengths and weaknesses) that represented highlights of their personalities. Next, the students were randomly put on team for a challenge, but first they shared their teamwork strengths and weaknesses based on their personalities. Finally, the groups were challenged to build as tall of a tower as possible using only 10 sheets of paper.
After the challenge, we discussed the benefits to teamwork when you understand your own personality traits and those of your teammates. Students noted that it helped them to be more empathetic toward their teammates because they realized that what they may see as a flaw is actually just how a perfectly normal and good personality trait may manifest in a high stress situation. By recognizing everyone's strengths and weaknesses, we can highlight others strengths and support their weaknesses.
Later in the day, we got a taste test of the next unit, Microscopy! The students watched a TED Talk by the founder of Foldscopes, an innovative origami microscope that makes diagnostic work accessible in remote areas of the world. Next week, the students will each build and learn to use their own Foldscopes as we kick off a unit on experimental design and the microscopic world.
4th Grade - Jan 8
4th Grade - Jan 8
Today the 4th graders got back in the swing of things and wrapped up their brain study before next week's big dissection! They gave peer feedback on brain brace map posters, reviewed their brain morphemes, and crafted brain hats. They also were able to take a look at the brains they will have the options to dissect next week, asked questions, and viewed a video of a dissection. For students who do not want to participate in the dissection next week, they will play a brain anatomy game, check out some brain books, and build a clay model of a brain.
3rd Grade - Jan 9
3rd Grade - Jan 9
This week many of the 3rd graders finished typing out their Invention Convention boards, which will leave time for them to design and assemble them next week! We will have the projects set out for viewing by parents on Thursday January 23rd from 11:45-12:25, so if you would like to come by, feel free!
I surveyed the students to see who wants to "definitely", "maybe", and "definitely not" participate in the regional competition at the JUMP Center on January 25th. Please check out the schedule posted here to see if the drop-off and project pick-up times will work for your family and whether or not your child will be participating. It is completely optional, but please let me know what you decide by next week so I can update the program coordinator on our numbers.
Definitely want to participate: LC, LP, AK, RK, HH
Maybe want to participate: EA, PH, MD, LH, ZW, SS, BD
Definitely don't want to participate: GH, PW
Typing and revising doesn't make for great photos, but you can check out some photos from our brain break game of Reverse Charades below.
Parent Information FLYER 2025.docx
Click here to check out some snapshots from Ms Gabrielli's winter break!
2nd Grade - Jan 10
2nd Grade - Jan 10
Today we started our new unit about the Wonder of the World by exploring the noun "wonder." Students knew about the verb "wonder" but the noun was a new concept to most. After establishing an understanding of the word, the students set out to brainstorm and write a poem about a wonder they have experienced in their life. Topics ranged from beautiful beaches and caves to Disneyland and a rock shop. The students posted their work on their digital portfolios linked below.
For the rest of this unit, students will be researching the natural and modern wonders of the world, creating museum displays and activities, competing in a best wonder of the world bracket competition, and building an agamograph of their two favorite wonders.
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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