Gold Rush Elementary
Principal's Message - March 7, 2025
“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,
Honor Differences & Care for Others”
EXPLORING CONTENT ACROSS CLASSROOMS
We are excited to share how our fourth graders are diving into the rich and fascinating history of Colorado! Their studies are not confined to the classroom; instead, they’re immersing themselves in Colorado’s past across various subjects, making the learning experience engaging and meaningful.
In their history lessons, students are exploring historical eras, key individuals, important groups, ideas, and themes in Colorado’s history, all while connecting these to major events in U.S. history. The students are uncovering the significance of these events and how they shaped the state and the nation.
What’s particularly exciting is how this history is coming to life in our music class! Students are singing songs that reflect Colorado’s past, such as tunes about the Gold Rush and the development of the railroads. These songs help bring context to their learning and provide a unique way to understand and appreciate the historical events they are studying.
Our third graders are next up! They are currently preparing spring classroom performances tied to their science units on weather. By integrating history and science into music, we are helping students develop deeper connections.
The enthusiasm in the classroom is contagious, and it’s wonderful to see our students engaged in these dynamic learning experiences. We thank our classroom teachers and music teacher, Ms. Rickard, for their collaboration.
STEMSCOPES & THE 5 E MODEL
We are excited to share that our students continue to make great strides in science using the STEMScopes curriculum, which fosters deep exploration of scientific concepts. As you may recall, STEMScopes follows the 5E model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—to guide students through their scientific investigations and help them gain a thorough understanding of the material.
Currently, our fifth graders are diving into the concept of solubility. They are conducting hands-on experiments to determine if and how unknown substances dissolve. This exciting experiment allows students to observe and compare the properties of different substances, including their color, texture, and size. They are actively recording their data and collaborating with one another to make observations and analyze their results.
This process helps students not only build their scientific inquiry skills but also learn the importance of careful observation and data collection. It’s wonderful to see them engaging in these experiments and building a deeper understanding of how science connects to the world around us.
THANK YOU PTO & PARENT VOLUNTEERS
A huge thank you to our wonderful PTO and parent volunteers for making the Daddy Daughter Dance a success! The luau theme was a hit! It was fun to see our girls and their fathers all dressed up for the occasion. The evening was filled with fun dancing, DJ-led games, and delicious treats that everyone enjoyed. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this night possible. We know our fathers and daughters created lasting memories because of our PTO and parent volunteers.