CalcuSolve 2012

Congratulations to the NSIS 5th and 6th grade CalcuSolve teams.  A total of 24 school districts participated in the challenging math competition.  I was proud of our school's representatives. I will post this year's questions once they are released.

Duquesne CalcuSolve

Kyle, Atharv, Himanshu and Rachel working on a team problem.

Matthew, Justin, Jerry and Matt working on a team problem.

Matthew, Jerry, Matt, Himanshu, Justin, Atharv, Kyle and Rachel

W&J Field Trip Part 2

Our second trip to Washington and Jefferson College was another success!  Students glazed the masks they created during our first visit.  We hope to get the finished projects by next week. Professor Maloney was thrilled with this group's creativity, inquisitiveness and good behavior.  I am quite proud of our students!

Logan and Zach

Abby and Sarah

Anshu

Nathan, Logan, Ryan and Zach

Adam and Brady

Eric and Siena

Nathan, Arya, Ryan, Sarah and Liz

5-6 Fallingwater Field Trip

What a perfect day for a Fallingwater field trip!   We took the trip to help enhance the reading of Wright 3, by Blue Balliet.  One of the main characters in the mystery novel is Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. 5th and 6th grade students participating in this year's Lit Fest enjoyed touring Fallingwater and learning more about the architect and his designs.

Group photo at the visitor center

Fallingwater Fall 2012

Group 2 at the scenic overlook

Nick, Wes, Jerry, Kaleigh, Aiden and Megan

Hannah, Jenna, Michael, Zach, Himanshu and Atharv

Reading Wright 3

Gabby, Angela and Ashton

Ashton, Michael, Hannah, Zach and Gabby

Caitlin, Lily, Megan and Jenna

4th Grade Arts Field Trip to W&J

4th grade SCOPE students had the opportunity to attend a field trip to W&J College to learn about mask making.  Professor Pat Maloney studied in Africa and shared some of her experience with us. Students loved the hands-on experience and can't wait for the return trip to paint the masks! A special thank you goes out to Mrs.Freeze for sharing her Bendedum Master Teacher Grant with us and making this trip possible. We'd also like to thank Professor Maloney, Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Musser for organizing the wonderful experience.

4th grade SCOPE students at Washington and Jefferson's Olin Fine Arts Building

Abby, Anshu and Arya

Siena, Liz, Adam and Brady

Eric

Logan and Zach

Nathan and Ryan

Guess who?

Grades 4, 5 and 6 Lit Fest

4th, 5th and 6th grade students wishing to participate in this year's Upper Elementary Lit Fest will read The Second Mrs. Gioconda, Stargirl, Wright 3, When You Reach Me and The Shakespeare Stealer.

Grades 2-3 Lit Fest

Students have the opportunity to participate in this year's Lit Fest for grades 2-3.  Participating students will read, discuss and complete learning activities for the 5 selected novels. Readers then apply their knowledge  in a trivia-style competition with other Washington County school districts at Lit Fest.  This year's selections include: The Invention of Hugo Cabret, George's Secret Key to the Universe, Ben and Me, Love That Dog and Hate That Cat.

Grade 6: Bud, Not Buddy Extension Activities

Please use the Website Evaluation Checklist if you use a different website than one of the sites listed below.

Photo Essay

Select 4 photographs that came from the 1930s.  Choose pieces that you think paint an accurate portrait of the time period. Describe the photograph, research the topic associated with the photograph and defend your choice to include each photograph in your photo essay. Possible topics to explore: Dust Bowl, Riding the Rails, Migrant Workers, The New Deal, Pullman Porters. 

•  Photo Essay Research Project Rubric
• Great Depression Photographs
• Great Depression Photographs 2 

Persuasive Speech

Write a persuasive speech in favor of civil rights from the perspective of a Pullman Porter.  Include details about the job and reasons why you believe you should have equity. 

•  Persuasive Speech Research Project Rubric
• Pullman Porters
• Pullman Porters link 2

Political Cartoon

Choose a political cartoon to examine and explain.  Create your own political cartoon that carries the same message.

• Political Cartoon Research Project Rubric 
• Great Depression Political Cartoons
• Great Depression Political Cartoons link 2 

PAGE Information

PAGE advocates for gifted children, parents and educators. 

Books for Labels

Send in your SunnyD labels to our classroom.  The SunnyD Book Spree provides 20 books for 20 eligible labels. 

Portaportal

Visit my protaportal to access educational links for teachers and students.  Under Guest Access use the sign in "sillc" to enter the site.

Renzulli Learning

Canon-McMillan has invested in Renzulli Learning, an Internet-based educational tool that provides fun, engaging, and meaningful activities that are tailored to meet your child’s individual interests and needs. Students will complete the Renzulli Profiler to uncover individual interests, learning styles and expression styles.  Then, based on your child’s Renzulli Profiler results and grade level, Renzulli Learning narrows down its database of more than 40,000 enrichment activities to the 1,500–3,000 enrichment activities that best match how your child learns. These activities will provide enrichment options for students to complete in the gifted support and regular education settings.

Asynchronous Development

This is a terrific article about the asynchronous development of gifted learners.  I love the comparison between gifted students and superheroes!  

http://www.byrdseed.com/asynchrony-and-x-men/

Welcome Back

Please reference this blog for information about Canon-McMillan's gifted support program for students attending North Strabane Intermediate, Borland Manor, South Central and Wylandville schools.