GT Newsletter

This Month in GT / Stretch:

3rd Grade: We learned about Rube Goldberg's crazy contraptions, created stop-motion-animation films, and are currently filling out brackets for March Mammal Madness! MMM tackles the “Who would win?” question in a simulated, evidence- based, single elimination bracket like the NCAA basketball tournament.

4th Grade: Fourth graders completed the Superbowl challenge, designed new sports franchises, and are continuing our simulation through the Revolutionary War. We will soon be writing our own choose-your-own adventure stories!

5th Grade: Fifth graders have finalized their issues for our IB PYP Exhibition research projects. Students created group norms and expectations, designed a team logo, and are beginning to brainstorm ways their issue affects our community.

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Parents: Are you willing to share your expertise? We are compiling a list of parents and guardians with occupations, skills, travel experience, cultural knowledge, or hobbies that you'd be willing to share with our students. We would love for teachers to be able to pull up this searchable database and include you (via Zoom or school visit) to share what you know and are passionate about! If you are interested in being part of this database, please fill out the google form.

💡 Parent Tip 💡

Worry and Anxiety

Acknowledge the worry, without trying to solve it right off the bat.
Create an accepting environment where emotions can be expressed openly without judgement.
Learn about the worry. This helps develop coping skills and promote self-advocacy. Older kids may even want to do some research on it.
Find and implement coping skills. Some ideas include developing mantras or affirmations, muscle relaxation, music or art, and calming sensory items.

Check out these books for kids who worry: bit.ly/worrybooks

🍎 Teacher Tip 🍎

Have Options for Students Who Finish Early

I call them “sponge” activities because they soak up the extra time before moving to the next topic.

Listen to a podcast - see a list of recommended ones for K-12 below!
Virtual Enrichment Rooms or a website with extension options that are easy to access and do independently
Interactive Bulletin Boards - turn the puzzles you love into immersive bulletin boards. Love Sudoku? Make a huge one and have students place post it notes with numbers onto the puzzle to solve it.
What NOT to do: Don’t have early finishers tutor other students

Students finished early?

Podcasts can be a fun way to explore new topics and spark ideas for students of all ages. Check out these podcast recommendations for grades K-12 by going here: bit.ly/podcastgifted

CCSD Gifted & Talented Resources:

Elizabeth Biggs

Email: elizabeth_biggs@charleston.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.ccsdschools.com/giftedandtalented
Location: 103 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC, USA
Phone: (843) 724 - 7750

GT Newsletter

February & March 2026

This Month in GT / Stretch:

💡 Parent Tip 💡

🍎 Teacher Tip 🍎

CCSD Gifted & Talented Resources:

Elizabeth Biggs

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