Target

Week of October 24, 2011 (10/26/11)

Unfortunately due to conferences we had another short day this week. However, even with our limited time together students were able to exercise their cognitive, divergent, and evaluative thinking skills. Students completed a challenging logic puzzle to solve who stole the Halloween candy. The class read further in Chasing Vameer, and shared various opinions on who, what, when and where are involved in the painting theft. Classmates needed to justify their opinions with current information from our reading. If time allowed students used their divergent skills for a pentomino transformation.

Time was spent on explaining the mystery project. For homework students are to decided on their project choice and presentation, and can begin working on it. Next week students need to return signed project note.

The Week of October 24, 2011

Another short day due to early dismissal for conferences, but second graders still accomplished a great deal.  Students were introduced to a new logic number puzzle "Number Junctions."  Students used their deductive reasoning skills and math computation skills to complete the puzzles.  New information on our case was reviewed, however, students realized in order to be good detectives they need to avoid dangerous generalizations that may lead them to invalid conclusions.  Therefore, the second grade detectives decided they could not eliminate any of the suspects and created a new list of needed information .

The mystery project assignment was  explained and reviewed.   For homework, students must decide what they will do for their project, either read a mystery novel and creatively share the story, or research a real life unexplainable mystery to share.

Week of October 24, 2011

Due to conferences this week, our day is shorter with our fourth and fifth graders but still full of fun and exciting learning! This week we are continuing to differentiate our Hands-on-Equations program. The students are learning challenging algebra concepts, but the way they are learning it gives them the base they need to be successful in middle school and beyond. In our Middle Ages unit, we are finishing our lessons on knighthood. We learned that their shield provides knights more than just protection; it gives them identities when dressed in full armor. Students also learned about a knight's Code of Chivalry and have been asked to write one of their own. We will be discussing the Crusades and the progression of weapons in Medieval Times as well.

**If you have not returned your child's permission slip for the field trip to Medieval Times, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you!**

 

Week of Oct.17, 2011

It was great to be in Target for a whole day again.  We are glad 3rd grade testing is done!  Our day began with stretching our logical convergent thinking skills with math balance activities or exploration of geometric concepts with our pentomino sets, and a grid logic problem "The Broken Window."  We used our divergent thinking skills with our Gotta Think activity "Pickle Power."  It was fun challenging  friends to assemble our homemade puzzles. 

Our mystery Chasing Vermeer is pulling us deeper and deeper into the unique series of events to a climax today. "The Lady Writing,"  Vermeer painting, is missing, and the thief has left a strange letter. Our vocabulary 4 square words are: obscurity, sinister, intriguing, and subdued.

 

Week of October 17, 2011

We are happy that testing is over, and we have our fourth and fifth graders for a full day again! This week we further discussed the stages in becoming a knight in the Middle Ages (page, squire, knight, and the duties of each). Also, our students will begin researching the topic they chose or were assigned. They were given a sheet with guidelines, an example drawing, and a note-taking page to help them. Students are also creating a shield that showcases their lives and/or personalities and writing a blazon (description) for it.

** Please return the field trip permission form if you have not yet done so. Thank you!**

The Week of October 17, 2011

Our Target  day started with a fun math puzzle challenging our convergent thinking skills. We then proceeded with our study of forensic science to prepare for the new evidence Mr. Van Feisty sent us.  We learned about the history of fingerprints, as well as using our careful observation skills to identify prints.  Once we were certified fingerprint experts, we examined the prints found in Mr. Van Feisty's office.  We concluded the day having fun with our prints and creating fingerprint art.

 

Eligibility Presentation

Download Gifted Eligibility Presentation parent powerpoint

The Week of October 10, 2011

    We had a very short day this Wednesday due to third grade ITBS testing.  We had just enough time  for some to stretch their deductive skills with a logic puzzle, a word plexor, or with the pentominoes. 

     Our mystery with Calder and Petra (Chasing Vermeer) keeps becoming more and more intriguing.  Like Calder we are perplexed by  the many events that are trying to connect like puzzle pieces.  We were able to begin creating our own puzzle before the end of the day.  Homework is to finish your puzzle, then divide and cut it into 10 puzzle pieces.  Return next week with your puzzle pieces in a baggy to challenge a friend.

Week of October 10, 2011

Due to testing for 3rd and 5th grade this week we had short days in Target. This week we are introducing knighthood, and students will create their own shield, or coat of arms. We will also be introducing possible topics on which your children will complete a research project (more details to come).

Field Trip!! We will be visiting Medieval Times on Thursday, November 17 (Fourth grade will have Target on Thurs., not Tues. that week). Please find the permission form in your child's Target folder, and send it back as soon as you are able. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please let your child's Target teacher know.

                                    

The Week of October 10, 2011

Due to testing for 3rd and 5th grade this week we had only short day in Target.  But we received big news.....Mr. Van Feisty sent us a list of suspects that the detectives are questioning.   We spent time delving into the evidence and deciding which suspects had a motive to harm Mr. Van Feisty's company.  Out of 9 suspects we have a list of 6 suspects we want to investigate further.