Photos, updates & Important information

6/3

Coding

The students have been working on various coding projects the last few weeks using the two websites listed below. They've been having a great time and have worked hard to brainstorm any problems they've run into along the way. At the end of the year the students will take their login information home with them. I will not be deactivating their accounts, so they may continue their work if they choose to over the summer.

Google CS First

Scratch.mit.edu

3/20

The pinball machines are all but finished! Most students have moved onto our final unit of the year: Computer Coding. Students were offered two topics to choose from, Game Design or Fashion and Design. Most have selected Game Design.

Please try to check out our completed pinball machines at our GATE Night/Science Fair. More information will be available in May :)

2/25

The first few students have completed their pinball machines! We have Sanay's snowman themed machine, a Playa Bowls themed machine by Tyler, a space machine by Owen and Vinny's pirate ship machine! Be sure to stop by GATE Night in May to try out our creations!

1/17

Pinball Party!

The students are working so hard on their pinball machines. While we still have a long way to go, here are a few samples of their design plans :)

12/20

Happy Holidays!

As we wrap up our first trimester of the school year, I wanted to wish you all a happy holiday season. The 4th grade students have made some awesome comics. I've included links to some of their comics below. Feel free to check them out!

When we return in January, the students will begin designing and engineering their pinball machines. I will be holding onto these until GATE Night in May. They will be able to bring them home following this event. I'll post pictures of their progress whenever possible!

9/28

Pixton Link

Our Pixton accounts are valid until January. If the students want to work on personal projects at home, they may use their account until January. Pixton is developing a free version, which hopefully will be up and running by the time our paid account expires. Students should "log in with google" and to access the school account. Use school email and password.

Pixton link

9/14

Back to School Night

I will be attending the 3rd Grade BTSN on September 27th. Feel free to stop by the Media Center at 6:30 to learn about the program, what you can expect for your student and what is expected of them :)

If you're attending the 4th/5th Grade BTSN, I will have fliers with information available in the Media Center that you can pick up :) You can always reach out with any questions (jmcandrew@tfschools.org)

9/5

Classes are scheduled to begin on September 17th. Students will meet in the Media Center in groups of roughly 5-7 students TWICE a week.

**GATE students are expected & required any material they miss in their regular classes**

Occasionally situations may arise that will require class to be cancelled. Examples of such situations include: teacher illness, assemblies and school holidays.

Please note that at the end of the year GATE classes will be suspended for about two weeks while GATE testing is being completed. As soon as testing is complete, classes will begin start back up.