GT LEADers in action!
The first week of regularly scheduled g/t classes have gone beautifully. The children are so excited to be a part of the program, and I am equally as thrilled to be discovering and learning with them! We were busy setting up some of the Google Classroom sites, setting up some of the classroom notebooks, and getting started with our curriculum. Though the content taught at each grade level is unique, the overarching skills addressed in the program are:
developing critical thinking,
enhancing creative thinking,
research skills,
independent study skills,
problem solving, and
leadership skills.
In 1st grade we focused on our personal traits and compared and contrasted those to unique and gifted characters in stories. We looked at ourselves through the lens of others, trying to understand how other people might view and/or understand why we are who we are. We also practiced problem solving through awesome challenges called XVO.
2nd grade was busy using FFOE skills to brainstorm ideas with fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration to generate ideas. Problem solving was utilized in challenges called Perplexors. Ask them how to play Alien, Tiger, Cow at a your next family gathering!
5 minute brainstorming in action
3rd grade showed their leadership skills by working cooperatively in a group settting. They used their FFOE skills in brainstorming a complex term. And they were challenged to evaluate clues to solve a problem. We also completed an interest inventory to get to know who they are better.
4th grade reflected on "mistakes" they've made in the past (and the lessons learned), and were invited to select one they felt comfortable blogging about on Google Classroom. Their brains were stretched when they were then faced with writing a double acrostic poem about their topic. Ask them how easy it was....not!
Noticing the stage in the classroom for the first time!
Fabulous 5th graders analyzed the term "expert" after creating a list of their most favorite passions and interests. They will design an App next week that encompasses their ultimate passion and their Intellectual Traits, as outlined in class. Additionally, they solved Quotation Quizzlers, and that was a class favorite!
Parents, I will try my best to update you weekly or so on the exciting things we're doing at Cannon.
Thank you to the families that have generously donated to my project on DonorsChoose. I am so grateful that you share the vision I have for an engaging and inspiring learning center for gifted kids. This is an amazing place, and I'm overjoyed to be here!
Melanie Gable
GT LEAD Teacher
