GT LEADers in Action!November I edition

Thank you, veterans and family members, for your honored and selfless service!

SAGE Parents Organization is hosting a special lunch TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 15 at 11:30 at the PDEC (Professional Development Center) with Becky Manning, Director of GCISD Advanced Academics.  She will share the E2 Initiative:  Enrichment and Extension efforts of GT specialists in the district supporting regular classroom teachers.  Please make plans to bring your sack lunch for this informative session.

GT LEAD KINDERGARTEN TESTING INFORMATION: 

There is a video of the parent information meeting from Nov. 10 on the Advanced Academics website for those who were not able to make it.  The deadline for parents to refer their child(ren) for gifted testing is November 30.  Please contact your child's homeroom teacher if you are planning to do so.  Classroom teachers will contact me about sending parents a digital parent inventory and permission-to-test.  

Kindergarten testing will occur January 4-13th. 

5TH Grade GT LEAD/ASPIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT INFO MEETING: 

Tuesday, December 6 at  6:00 pm 

Professional Development Center, 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville  76034

This meeting is for parents who are interested in Middle School GT program for their:

• current 5th grader (non-GT identified) student testing for the gifted and talented program
• current 5th grader (Identified GT) student testing for the Aspire Academy
• current 5th grader (Identified GT) student looking for their placement options for Middle School 

There will only be one district-wide meeting, but then a video of it will be put on the Advanced Academics website for those who cannot make it. 

The referral window for parents to refer their child(ren) for gifted testing is December 1-12.  

Please contact your child's homeroom teacher if you are planning to do so.  Classroom teachers will contact me about sending you a digital application to test.   

The actual Fifth Grade testing will occur January 4-13th. 

Grades 1-4 GT LEAD/Aspire Academy Testing Information:

First, Second, Third, and Fourth Grade parents, please stay tuned for more details. However, below you will find dates for GCISD's GT testing windows. 

• 1st - 4th GT Identify Parent Info Night, February 2, 2017 
• 1st- 4th Parent Referrals, February 13 - February 28, 2017
• 1st- 4th Gifted and Talented Testing, February 27 - March 10, 2017 

Here's the blueprint of our classroom:

1st grade is the only crew I know that can complete a draw start, transfer it to a puzzle board, and then challenge their classmates to solve their puzzle.  Scholars also focused on logic challenges with deductive reasoning from clues.  And math problems kept their brains fully active!

2nd grade showed their thankfulness by considering the "perspective" from a non-living thing.  For example, microscopes are thankful for soft eyelashes that brush against the eye piece.  3D printers are thankful for filament to print models.  Scholars drew double draw-starts to reveal the connection and wrote thank you letters showing that appreciation.

Apparently, Legos can be thankful for solar energy, primary colors, flat surfaces and clean toddler hands.

3rd grade opened their hearts and talents to creating holiday cards for the seniors at GRACE.  Scholars were challenged to add something original or innovative to their design.  They painted lovely watercolor messages that I know will warm hearts.  They also concluded their academic discipline study by writing a letter to their future self.  

4th grade studied critical elements of famous monuments, like the Statue of Liberty.   They recognized that she portrays liberty, freedom, enlightenment, etc.  Students then self-reflected on critical characteristics of their own identity.  Please talk about that list with them to help narrow it down. 

Really cool Jack and Rowen photobomb

5th grade is thrilled to announce that it's SPARK Talk time!  Dr. Robin Ryan, Superintendent of GCISD School District, created a video for these students, encouraging them to better the world through their independent study.

Ask your child what this "messy web" reflects when one student forgets their responsibilities.

3D puzzles

HAVE A FANTASTIC THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
WITH YOUR FAMILY!

GT LEADers in Action

November I edition

GT LEAD KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
Thursday,  November 10  at  6:00 pm
Professional Development Center, 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville  76034

This meeting is for parents who are interested in having their kindergarten child(ren) tested for the gifted and talented program.  There will only be one district-wide meeting, but then a video of it will be put on the Advanced Academics website for those who cannot make it.

The deadline for parents to nominate their child(ren) for gifted testing is November 30.  Please contact your child's homeroom teacher if you planning to do so.  The actual testing window for Kindergarten is January 4-13.  


Parents, please always feel welcomed to email, meet or call me if you have any questions or concerns about how things are going in the LEAD classroom.  I'm happy to help you any time!   
-Melanie Gable

What a proud welcome this mighty mustang was to the scholars at Cub Dash!!!
#GHSMustangs

1st Grade took its first attempt at grid logic, and the results were impressive.  These scholars brilliantly focused on given clues and inferred the information masterfully.  To reward their awesome efforts, they were challenged with creating a jigsaw puzzle from a simple draw start challenge.

Boo!

2nd Grade experienced critical problem solving where they were faced with "archeological artifacts/remains" and had to analyze which extinct species they might have belonged to.  Students considered the species' structure, natural tendencies and how it might have become extinct.  Which of its needs was eliminated....water, food, shelter, air, sun.....to cause the extinction?

3rd Grade previewed various pamphlets from universities across the country and took virtual field trips "across campuses" to locate schools that have programs in their selected academic disciplines.  Students were thrilled to find colleges that hosted engineering programs, medical schools, art and design schools, etc. in their own areas of interest.

Researching colleges to support our academic disciplines

4th Grade did not have LEAD class this week due to their field trip and half day for student conferences.  Not to worry...we'll accomplish twice as much next week!

Spontaneous creativity is the best.

5th Grade
Shark Tank came to Cannon, as classmates selected the top three app presentations, and visiting "sharks" evaluated the quality of the app and the pitch of their presentation.
Would you believe the winners won a 100 Grand???  (chocolate bar, of course!)

Presenting our Apps to the "sharks" in our Shark Tank simulation

Come on, Sharks, what will you offer me?

Is there any location these scholars won't work?  They are truly amazing!

GT LEADers In Action!

October edition II

GT LEAD KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Thursday, November 10, 2016

6:00 pm

PDEC (5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034)

This is for parents who are interested in having their kindergarten child(ren) tested for the gifted and talented program. There will only be one night for the district-wide meeting, but then a video of it will be put on Advanced Academics website for those who cannot make it.

The actual testing window for Kindergarten is January 4-13.

What's Growing On in the GT LEAD classroom?

1st grade focused on ways to enhance the "improve" piece of the Design Process.  We looked at SCAMPER strategies to cleverly make adjustments, or elaborations or rearrangements to improve upon an object or an idea.  We pondered how companies use SCAMPER strategies to design and sell their products more effectively.
First grade also considered how people share unique points of view, and not everyone sees us in the same way, particularly as gifted scholars.

Uniquely precious

2nd grade wrote goals centered around their Intellectual Traits, which are great ways to train your brain to think better.  Scholars also experienced Boo! and have been begging to do it each time they come.  (Who knew excellent listening skills and improv could be so enticing???)

3rd grade just blew me away with their deeply researched Academic Disciplines!  They finished their presentations this week, and the growth was clearly evident in their speaking skills. Students practiced eye-contact with the audience, referring to their notes when necessary, and even added personal touches to keep their listeners fully engaged.

Hey!  I match the classroom today!

Practicing our presentation skills

4th grade used their creativity and background knowledge of Texas to SCAMPER a Texas folk song in a small group.  "Deep in the Heart of Texas" is now "Tour'in the Great State of Texas" or "Mountains and Basins of Texas." Scholars made iMovies of their songs and lyrics, and later shared them with their regular classroom.  The teachers loved the social studies' extension from LEAD, and the students loved sharing their "voice."

Yea, it's pretty cool in this program.

4th grade Draw Starts

5th grade missed a week of GT LEAD due to Sky Ranch, but the memories they experienced are truly priceless!  We completed our Intellectual Trait Apps, and they're hanging proudly on the Gpad. Shark Tank takes place next week to find the next million dollar app.  

Designing apps is more complex than we first thought.

Mrs. D'Souza assisting the scholars through computer science

GT LEADers in Action!

September edition II

Curriculum Night is next week, Tuesday October 4 at 6:00 pm in the Cannon Library.  I will post the slide show presentation on my next blog in the event you are unable to attend the meeting.

Here's the blueprint in our classroom:

1st grade took great pride in sharing their first official drawstart with their classmates in LEAD.  It's not easy to look at a short curvy line and be able to "see" and then draw a helicopter or skateboard park or a cliff on the side of the ocean.

Aiden's great idea

2nd grade utilized their critical and creative thinking through brainstorming and writing about dissimilar elements.  Scholars had to use common words, like rock, ring, box and foot, and find a creative connection to develop a clever story that uses those words in an original way. 

Groups brainstorming ideas together

I love my peeps!

3rd grade jumped into research as they investigated their potential future careers.  After careful reflection of their own passions and talents, students looked at various academic disciplines that they saw themselves doing in their futures.  Let me tell you, the world of STEM looks very bright, as the vast majority of scholars predicted they would become engineers, particularly mechanical engineers.

We love puzzles, Mrs. G!

Surprise Minion photobomb

4th grade reflected on a critical piece of STEM....mistakes, and why they are  a valuable life experience.  They identified various kinds of mistakes they have made and what gifts were gained from them.  Ask them about how their double acrostic poem illuminated that life lesson!  Students also wrote goals that not only aligned with GCISD's Portrait of a Graduates expectations, but were also supported through forced connections in different draw starts.

5th grade got started on Computer Science (CS) with Mrs. D'Souza of Heritage Robotics Academy.  The scholars did a fantastic job of focusing on the value of computer programming and why this is such a necessary skill today.  Please remind your scholar to work on SCRATCH computer programming at home. The more they practice it, the better they will get!

We also focused on goal writing, centering around Intellectual Traits.  Students are creating an App that highlights the key elements of that trait, so that it can teach others how to improve in that area.

Students are engaged in the design process,
as they plan and create an App for their Intellectual Trait.

GT LEADers in Action

Learning Experiences for Academic Discoveries
September 2016 edition

SCHEDULE CHANGE!!!!!   Please note on your calendars the GT LEAD Curriculum Night Meeting has been CHANGED to October 4 at 6:00 pm in the Cannon Library, due to GHS Homecoming Parade in Grapevine.

SAGE Parent Group

Please be sure to join SAGE this year to further support gifted education and to remain informed as a parent of a talented scholar. 

What's Going On In LEAD Class?

Just a reminder to bring the classroom supplies as soon as you're able.  

Thank you to all the families that have already done this!

Class times are listed for each grade level (dual and nondual), as doctors appointments and absences come up.  (Between you and me, I don't think they like to miss the LEAD days.)

1st Grade –  Mondays and Fridays 10:00-11:00

First grade heard some terrific stories about different people that are gifted and unique. They reflected on how others might not always understand their individuality, but how precious and important it is to be who we truly are!

1st grade really loved the Dot Day story 4th grade created!

2nd Grade – Monday 8:00-10:00 (Nondual) and 
Friday 8:00-10:00 (Dual) Please try to eat breakfast at home on this day.

Second grade scholars showed their clever ideas, as innovative thoughts poured from their mouths during brainstorming. We figured out that that's how companies like Apple continue to think of new and remarkable ideas. We looked at cause and effect situations and solved challenges from a mystery.

These scholars are discussing possible solutions to a perplexing mystery.

3rd Grade – Tuesday 8:00-10:00 (Dual) and
Tuesday 12:30-2:30 (Nondual)

The third grade scholars focused on great thinkers and leaders in the world. They experienced a puzzle problem and had to reflect carefully on how they showed leadership to their teammates.  
We discovered that LEADership comes in many diverse packages.....some thinkers are bold and vocal; others are silent and encouraging; some give soft little nudges to help a group stay on task. All are assets!

4th Grade -  Thursday 9:10-11:30 (Nondual)
Thursday 12:30-2:55 (Dual)

Dot Day (September 15) was celebrated in the most unusual way. We combined the book Dot Day with the "splot" from the Big Orange Splot story and cleverly wrote an adventurous tale with students from group 4A imagining the beginning and the end of the story, and students from group 4B filling in the middle (plot)! There was no predicting how it would unfold, but these innovative artists and authors wove a masterpiece.
Students were also involved in a videotaped, group design challenge that forced them to recognize which identity they portrayed to their teammates. Were they a leader, or a follower, or an encourage, or a critic, or even a distractor?  
It's not easy to reflect on one's self and be completely objective.

5th Grade – Wednesday 8:00-9:10 and 10:00-11:30 (Nondual)

Wednesday 11:00-12:25 and 1:25-2:55 (Dual)

BOTH 5th GRADE LEAD CLASSES WILL HAVE COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASS EACH WEEK 11:00-11:30. Check out this link to learn more about the coding opportunity provided to our STEM LEAD scholars this year:

http://www.heritageroboticsacademy.com/community-outreach.html

The study of Intellectual Traits left fifth grade inspired to write goals around the trait they hope to develop further in LEAD. The Intellectual Trait of perseverance was the most commonly accepted goal, as the scholars realized sticking to a problem and finding innovative solutions is something that matters most in STEM.

"Ice-breaker" game of figuring out how to stand (as a group) on a quickly melting iceberg!

IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL YEAR!!!

Welcome Back!

GT LEAD…Learning Experiences for Academic Discoveries

I am so looking forward to working with your amazing children this year!  Classes will begin the week of September 5th, which will be a mini-schedule, due to Labor Day.  After that, your young scholar will go to GT LEAD on the following day(s):

1st Grade –  Mondays and Fridays

2nd Grade – Mondays (Nondual) and Fridays (Dual)

3rd Grade – Tuesdays

4th Grade -  Thursdays

5th Grade – Wednesdays

Your child will need to bring the following supplies as soon as possible:

1st Grade One paper towel roll Ziplock baggies box (any size)	4th Grade: One container of Bleach wipes
2nd Grade: Package of colored tissue paper Bag of wrapped candy	5th Grade: One package of a craft item to add to our community box of problem-solving items/product tools (i.e. rhinestones, twine, beads, stickers, etc. --the possibilities are endless ☺)
3rd Grade: Fine tip black Sharpie Bag of wrapped candy	All supplies will be shared by all GT LEAD students.   Thank you for sending them!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please sign up to follow my blog at http://cannongtlead.blogspot.com.  I will write bimonthly newsletters to let you know the incredible things happening in the classroom.  I also encourage you to follow me on Twitter @mmgable1.  

GT LEAD Parent Curriculum Night is on October 6 at 6:00 pm in the Cannon Library. Please enter the school through the front doors.  I hope you will be able to attend, and it should last about 30 minutes.  

I can’t wait for the adventure to begin.  It’s going to be a fantastic school year!

Melanie Gable

Melanie.Gable@gcisd.net

817-251-5680 ext. 3449