Students Explore Interests Through Mini Courses
Students in the Neuroscience mini course began learning about the parts of brain by constructing clay brains. They also made neon neurons and can tell you about synapses and how important it is for our brains to work on difficult tasks in order to get stronger. An athletic trainer from Pearland High School came to speak to us about the importance of protecting our brains from concussions. These future neuroscientists have performed virtual brain surgery and will dissect a sheep brain as they travel to the Houston Health Museum on a field experience.
The Sablatura patio is looking good, thanks to students in the Horticulture mini course. They have learned about proper watering techniques, pest control, fall vs. spring gardens, and the challenges of gardening unique to our area. They will visit Maas Nursery in Seabrook to learn more about varieties of plants and the science behind gardening.
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” - Thomas Edison
Students in Junk Box Wars are taking Mr. Edison’s advice, studying engineering and learning how to work in cooperative groups. The challenges we have attempted so far are Paper Towers, The Weakest Link, Puff Mobiles, and Pumpkin Chuckin’. Our current challenge is Magnificent Mini-Marble Maze!
Mrs. Stenvall's Atoms - Sixth grade students love using toys to learn about the Periodic Table of Elements! Students used colored plastic balls to demonstrate how electrons zoom around the nucleus of an atom. They also used Legos to demonstrate how elements bond to make compounds. Students later used pipe cleaners and plastic beads to model the atomic structure of various compounds. The chemistry unit is fun!
Reading With Mrs. Sisk - Sixth graders are investigating summary and elements in a work of fiction using “fractured” fairy tales. Amazing visuals are emerging from the creative and gifted students here at the academy.
Mrs. Boyd's Sunken Ship - Fifth graders took on the role of underwater archaeologists swimming through the room to examine objects from the remains of a sunken European explorer’s ship. Students worked together to research various artifacts. They categorized the artifacts as navigation tools, motives for exploration, or new products from the Americas.Many connections were made between exploration in the 1400s and 1500s and exploration today.
What is a flipped class?
In short, a flipped classroom takes the traditional model of teaching where Mrs. Cybak and Mrs. Needler teach and your child goes home and does homework, and flips it! It allows for students to receive a more individualized math education where the teachers' actual face-to-face time with students is being used effectively. Because of this difference in teaching, students end up learning the material at a much deeper level. In addition, it challenges students to learn how to take charge of their learning. It is also going to provide us much more time in class to have discussions and really dig deeper into the learning through hands on, projects, and inquiry based learning!
How do I access the lessons?
How can parents help?
1) Provide your child with a quiet place to watch the video (preferably with headphones to limit distractions). If internet access is not available at your house, provide your child with the time to come before or stay after school to watch the video.
2) Remind your child that it’s ok if they need to pause or rewind the video if the instruction feels like it’s going by too quickly!
3) Encourage your child to write down any questions he has about the lesson.
4) Watch the videos with your children so you can learn along with them.
Tips for Success:
- Knowsys - Knowsys systematically improves college readiness by focusing on building a solid foundation in academic vocabulary. Students are introduced to new words every two weeks and are encouraged to study the words using flashcards or the Knowsys App. Knowsys tests are part of students' ELA grade.
- ALEKS - "Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained." Students are expected to work on ALEKS at least one hour each week, outside of class. A grade will be taken every two weeks.
- Tutoring - Students are encouraged to come to tutoring before school to make up work, redo an assignment or ask questions about assignments. Teachers are available to help most mornings at 8:00.
- Corrections / Late Work - Graded work is sent home each week in Tuesday Folders. Students have until Friday of that week to redo assignments for a maximum grade of 70. Students should get in the habit of checking Skyward periodically to make sure all assignments are turned in. Points will be deducted each day for assignments turned in late (-10 points if one day late, -20 points for two days late, etc.)
- Binders / Agendas - Students have been taught to keep a colored folder for each class and their agenda in zipper binders. They should be writing objectives, assignments and homework reminders in agendas daily. Don't forget, 5th grade Reading Logs are due each Monday! Papers should be filed into the proper folders each day, and binders should be cleaned out once a week. But do not throw those papers away! Keep them in a box or tub at home "just in case." You can then get rid of them at the end of the semester. Mrs. Mueller likes to do random "Binder Checks" to see who is staying organized.
It Takes GRIT!
- Middle school is an adjustment for many students, especially at the GT Academy. Students must keep up with assignments from more classes and teachers than elementary school, the pace is faster and the curriculum is more complex. Throw in locker combinations, usernames and passwords, online assignments and working collaboratively in groups, and some days can be quite challenging! It is important for students to remember what they have learned about GRIT (Gumption, Resiliency, Integrity and Tenacity) as they develop into responsible, independent learners.
Team Purdue Picnic
GTA fifth graders took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and enjoyed eating lunch with friends. New friendships are developing as students are finding that their classmates have many things in common with them: playing chess, being an awesome doodler, having a fascination with nature, difficulty getting organized, an interest in physics or being really creative or funny. We have a great group of students at the GT Academy, and its going to be a great year. Buckle up and hold on tight... here we go!
* Parents can read more about gifted students' friendships in the article linked below.
Cam the Spectacled Caiman
Save the caimans! Spectacled caimans are hunted for their skin and they are on the endangered list in many countries including El Salvador, though they can be found in Central and South America.
By: Caleb Williams
Contact Us:
Email: muellers@pearlandisd.org
Website: http://www.pearlandisd.org/domain/420
Location: 2201 N Galveston Ave, Pearland, TX, United States
Phone: 281-412-1500