GT Newsletter

This Month in GT / Stretch:

We hit the ground running this year with GT/Stretch classes starting on Day 1!

3rd Grade: Third graders learned about their fantastic elastic brains. They also made some amazing inferences about me and played a collabroative building game Tower of Terror!

4th Grade: Fourth graders were tasked with drawing what they thought was inside several mystery boxes. They could feel the weight of the item, and shake the boxes, but weren't allowed to peek inside. Fourth graders also learned about "magic squares" and brought home "magic triangles" to challenge someone at home!

5th Grade: Fifth graders competed in a puzzle challenge (100 pieces with no idea what the larger picture would look like) and without talking! We discussed collaboration norms and expectations as well.

My motto this year will be: This is tough, but you're tougher. Let's work together so that no child views a struggle as a weakness to be avoided, but rather as a learning opportunity and a chance to stretch those brains!

GT/Stretch at Buist

If you are new here, we use a special "push in" model where every student in 2nd -5th grade will have my class once a week, regardless of GT identification. Sixth graders will see me for one semester.

All CCSD students will take the CogAT test in second AND fourth grades. If your 3rd or 5th grader is not GT identified and you would like to nominate them for additional testing, you can fill out this nomination form. There is no need to nominate 4th grade students, as they will all be taking the test late September/early October.

Unsure if your child is identified as GT? Shoot me an email and I will let you know!

💡 Parent Tip 💡

Advocating for Your Child at School

Remain objective - be as specific as you can about your child's characteristics, needs, and goals.

Communicate - Know what your child is concerned with and discuss potential solutions with them ahead of time.

Work together - brainstorm, actively listen, be flexible where you can and firm on the points that matter most to you.

Learn more about advocating for your gifted child by going to this link: bit.ly/schooladvocate

🍎 Teacher Tip 🍎

Climbing Blooms

When working with gifted children, it’s important to focus on the upper levels of Blooms or DOK. This means asking them questions involving analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of the materials. Check out some awesome reading materials that are ready to implement below!