Tangrams, A Giant Crossbow, Pentominoes,Codecombat, 

Power of 10, The Gettysburg Address, and EGGS! 

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SECOND GRADERS

  It's hard to get everything in when you do not have a grade level for the whole day, but we manage to make the best of our time. The students spent the morning making designs using tangrams while following along to Grandfather Tang's  Story. Later they  were able to use the Osmo Tangram  app on the iPad, which they  thoroughly enjoyed. Parallel lines were introduced and a walk around the room to identify them was fun too. We spent the later part of class learning about arches. Below you will see them having  fun making arches with their bodies.  We ended the class by  reading  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. 

Arianna, Madalyn,and Sephora moving their tangrams around to form an animal's shape.

Eugene, Cody, and Colin  finding parallel lines on the filing cabinet and on the iPad cabinet. 

    Madalyn, Sephora, and Cooper find the lines on a poster and the classroom floor.

Building an arch with our bodies.

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4th graders

Today was a good day like all G.T. days. Fun, exciting, and challenging. First, we went to the computer lab and played code combat. I got passed 2 more levels and it was fun!! I think code combat is slightly easy so I am thinking about code academy. Then, Mrs. Horan posted a question for us on google classroom. The question was ... Da Vinci was a inventor, artist, scientist, and much more. Of these there things, what would you like to be known for? I chose a inventor because I am capable of inventing stuff that will help humans live a better life. I am thinking about hovering vehicles and all of those future stuff. After a while of that, we went back to the classroom and read a website about Da Vinci. The interesting thing is that the Ballista was 86 ft. long. I thought the Ballista was cool. We measured 86 ft. in a hallway. I over estimated it by a lot! A while later, we started drawing/painting for the school. I mainly did it for Veterans Day and some for the LEAD thing that the art teacher at our  school is making. That took awhile.Then we read some Chasing Vermeer which was good like always. Pentominoes!!!!!! Then we did some delightful math. The first one was hard, but after that, I started to get it. That was fun but unfortunately, it was time to go. We said are goodbyes as we walked to our normal classes.

 By Alexander

Aidan and R.J. measuring 86 feet, the size of Da Vinci's arrow. 

Estimating the distance of 86 feet. Boy, were they off! :-)

     Politoad, our class frog.

Alexander and Royce designing patterns for the Veteran's Day quilt.

Shloka preparing the background for the LEADER in ME design.

Making the covers for our Da Vinci booklets.

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                                                                    5th graders

This week in G.T. we accomplished a lot! We started our day by explaining  what was heavier - a mountain or -a mistake. Then we learned about the Gettysburg Address, which lead to us learning a lot about Abraham Lincoln - what he believed in,how he died,but most importantly about a 10 sentence speech he gave. Then we had a Socratic dialogue in the hall,about what was the most important thing Lincoln was trying to get across in his speech. It was amazing how he gave one of the best speeches in history, in only 10 sentences! Then Mrs.Horan showed us a picture book called Zoom. She asked us how it related to what we had just done. Sadly, none of us answered correctly.  After that, we read a little of the Giver. Lastly, we did something very cool...... WALKING ON EGGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They aren't supposed to break because of equal pressure. Sometimes this worked for us,but unfortunately sometimes it didn't, but it was TOTALLY worth the mess. I can't wait to see what we'll do next week in G.T.!

Gloria

Alexa and Bryson programming on Codecombat.

Mind Food: The students are given a few minutes in the morning to write their thoughts down on the question of the day. This leads to some thought provoking answers. 

Socratic Dialogue: Cognition: What was Lincoln's main point, the key thing that he wanted everyone to understand? Justify your answer with quotations for the Gettysburg Address.

The power of 10!

Egg video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xckhg7Ns8so

Tinkercad, Right Brain/Left Brain, Phantom Tollbooth,

                           The Giver, and  Rules

Tinkercad, PhaThis post was taken from a brilliant co-worker, Terri Eichols, blog https://engagetheirminds.wordpress.com/  

Engineergirl is an awesome site for young students who would like to know about engineering.

Obviously, the site is aimed at girls.  However, there is a lot of information that will appeal to both genders.  The "Try on a Career" page allows you to click on different types of engineering occupations to learn more.  The site also includes interviews with engineers, resources,  and information on "How to Get There."

EngineerGirl is currently sponsoring an essay contest for girls and boys in grades 3-12.  Students must propose a new technology that they think would help in at least one of these areas:

·         Safety

·         Health

·         Well-being, and

·         Environmental sustainability

Entries are due by 2/1/16. 

http://www.engineergirl.org/

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THIRD GRADERS

     "In GT this week we went to the fifth grade computer lab to try a new coding program called Scratch that everyone agrees is fun.  We can get onto our computers at home and play with it too. We also learned  about what the right and left hemispheres do. After last week's class where we took a test to see what side of our brain works the most, we put our % down to see what characteristics each side had. We then made a side profile of ourselves and  divided into two parts,  a right and left hemisphere. The things written in the lines describe what we feel are about us. . We listened to Bach for a little while as we were designing our project. Then  Mrs.Horan read us the Phantom Tollbooth after that we left to go home." by Marina 

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4th graders 

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5th Graders

This week in G.T, we learned  A LOT! We started our day by going to the computer lab, we had the option of going on Tinkercad (a site where you can build things) or Codecombat ( a site that teaches you how to program). Both sites challenged our minds. Then, we came back to the classroom and read The Giver (a really interesting book). After that, we talked about philosophy. Which led to us creating rules if we were in charge of a community. Then we voted on what we thought were the top five most important rules. There were some disagreements, but that helped us with our debating skills. In the end of the day we walked out of the room thinking just like philosophers!  By Gloria

Steel, Snap Circuits, Da Vincian Principles in Practice, and Cheese Grater. 

2nd graders 

It all began with a question.........  Last week a student asked the class if anyone knew how much steel was used to build our school.  Fortunately , I happen to have a  family friend, whose company was in charge of constructing  Wilderness Oak over ten years ago. The students decided to send Mr. Moeller a video asking him the question about steel and they inquired about the amount of wood that was in the school as well. When the students arrived the following week, I had the answers/numbers they wanted, but it didn't stop there. A great opportunity for a math lesson evolved and ,as you can see from the pictures, it was pretty challenging. The students converted tons to pounds, learned the word flammable, concrete, rebar, and so much more. They were so excited with their findings we went to Mrs. FitzSimon and Mrs. Robertson to share our results. 

Sephora smiling after solving one of the steps to our problem. 

Making use of our new iPads.

Finding words that "POP OUT" in out heads when we see the word "MAP". 

Dane and Eugene solving the game Lazer Maze.

*********************************************************************************3rd Graders
  The students did get an opportunity to play with all the neat activities that are new to our classroom, thanks to our generous family and friends who helped sponsor our Donorschoose.org. fundraiser. 

"In this GT class (during the morning) we learned some more algebra in our composition books and we learned and explained what factors and products were.  After that we went to the fifth grade computer lab to get onto Google Classroom.  We worked on our Google Classroom assignment and Mrs. Horan gave us homework to do for next Tuesday. She taught us all the ways to make a presentable slide show and how to insert pictures.   After that we went back to the classroom to learn some more about factors and products.  In the afternoon, we learned what squared means, we read the Phantom Tollbooth and lastly we wrote down the definitions of three words quagmire, flabbergast and upholstery. We had some free time to explore all the new games and fun toys that Mrs. Horan just got through donations. "  By Mariana 

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4th graders

We did a lot of stuff today. First we heard a story about one of Mrs. Horan's former students who changed his mindset and went on to become a football star.  I thought it was a wonderful story and I think other people will like it like me. Then, we talked about stations that are activities for the Principel's of Leonardo Da Vinci.( curiosita,dimostrazione,sfumato,sensazione,arte/scieza,corporalita, and connesione). I thought that it was great. We started off the day by doing  Yoga. It felt good to get all of my stress and worries out of me. It was great stretching all of my muscles in my body. Then we did the stations for Da Vinci. We tried to balance 7 nails( Budda's Temple), design a Wordle,assembly a double ring to make a rectangle "frame". We researched the artist Henri Rousseau, designed a nutrition plan, using our non-dominant hand, write a continuous story on 1 sentence strip, and much more!  It was a little challenging but fun! A little later, we ate lunch while presenting our G.T. homework. I thought everybody tried hard. After that, we read Chasing Vermeer. I love pentominoes. I think they are cool looking and are a fun way to learn. A bit later, We played with the stuff that Mrs. Horan got us. I mostly played Snap circuits. It was REALLY fun!!!! Then towards the end of the day, we did AMAZING math such as Prime and Composite. The first 5 Prime numbers are 1,2,3,5, and 7. The first 5 Composite numbers are 4.6,8,9, and 10 . After that, we gathered all of our stuff and headed back to are regular class.

This is the end of my blog. BY ALEXANDER YIANNOS

                                          Trying to solve Budda's  Temple. 

Ryan presenting his homework using Google classroom.

Snap Circuits are so COOL!!! 

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5th graders

This week in G.T. we accomplished a lot. To start off our great day we had to answer the question:What takes up more space-a frown or -a smile? Then we went to the computer lab ,- and worked on a new programming site called codecombat, it  was really fun! After that we talked about philosophy,and we listed the multiple uses of a cheese grater we had to get really creative.Next we worked on our inventions, and Mrs.Horan showed us a very inspirational Shark Tank video.Later we did a bit of algebra.We ended our day by playing some games that challenged our thinking. We were all sad that our lovely day  had come to an end,but we always have next week!!!!

Gloria :)

5th graders 

Shark Tank-farmers

PARENT ORIENTATION

            Welcome to a new school year!  I am excited to get together with you and talk about your child's year in G/T.  I will be holding my parent information meeting on Tuesday, October 27^th. Grades 2 to 4 will begin at 5:30PM and 5th grade will follow at  6:15. We will  meet  in room 200 located on the 2nd floor. Each session should only take about 30 minutes. I hope to see you!

Hello Parents and Friends,

   Exciting news from my GT classroom… we’re ready to start our Maker Space!  This school year (and for years to come), I want to ensure that my students have what they need to succeed, so I've created a request on charity website called donorschoose.org.

I'm writing to ask for any donations possible for my students - no matter the size (seriously, every little bit counts). This week only, any donation you make to my project will be doubled!

If you can't donate anything at this time, no worries... just share this information with anyone who you know is passionate about education. Your donation will have a direct impact on at least 70 students this year and you'll hear back from our class about your impact! My goal is to start this project with the GT students and eventually have enough materials for the whole school to share.

Here’s my classroom request: .  http://www.donorschoose.org/project/maker-space-creative-minds/1709960/?rf=email-system-2015-09-proposal_approve-teacher_400057&challengeid=112685&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=4252

     To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code SPARK on the payment screen. IMPORTANT: The promo code  SPARK will only double your donation until September 30, 2015.

Please feel free to send me any questions you may have, and know that my students and I greatly appreciate your support.

Thank you so very much !

Suzanne Horan

Suzanne Horan

Gifted and Talented Teacher

Wilderness Oak

“Wisdom begins with wonder” Socrates

 Here are some AWESOME websites for you to check out. There is something for everyone!  


http://www.cellsalive.com/

http://www.quarked.org/

http://www.sciencemadefunkids.net/index.cfm

http://www.seasky.org/

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/explore_by_topic/science_nature.html

http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/activities/

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/

http://www.windows2universe.org/

http://www2.epa.gov/students

http://www.strangematterexhibit.com/

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/

WELCOME BACK TO THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR!

We will start our first GT classes the week of September 21st.

2nd graders will come on Mondays from 7:50-10:00 & 2:00-2:30

Kinder and 1st grades schedule will be posted after testing is completed.

        3rd- All day Tuesday

    4th- All day  Wednesday

    5th- All day Thursday

All day= 7:50 to 2:30

We will eat lunch together in the classroom and you will attend your SPECIALS and recess at your regular time.   

All students are asked to bring on the first day of class , a new composition book, 5 pencils, and their assigned homework ,which will be given to them the week before classes are to begin.

Testing for 1st graders will begin the week of October 13th,2015

Testing for kindergarten will begin the week of January 11,2016.

I look forward to an exciting year full of fun and exciting new challenges!