This week in math we are working on Challenge Math problems from the book with the same title by Edward Zaccaro. This book was written with the gifted math student in mind and if a great resource to help the students really get their "math brains" working. We will always go over the homework the next day in class, so if they don't "get" it in at home, we will review it the next day. I have told them that it's not about getting the "correct" answer, but learning to look at the problems in different ways and learning ways to solve them.
In science we are beginning our S.O.S. unit! In this simulation, each group is given a bottle and they are told some basic information about a missing family. They will then use salvaged clues to put together a presentation so that the G.E.T.U. team can decide if they have enough information to go rescue the family. This is one of my favorite things that we do all year! I introduced it today and the students seem to be very excited about it. Ask them to fill you in on the details of what their group is doing when you see them. I am hopeful that we will be finished and ready to present on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. As we move through the unit, I will keep you informed so that if you are able, you can come watch the presentations.
In writing, we are on Week 2 of the homophone study. I have given the students four more options of working with the words this week. Beginning next week, they will have a tic tac toe choice board with the nine options that they can choose from. We have also finished our comics and they are hanging in the hall. They are really great and it really helped the students get a clearer grasp on narrative elements and figurative language. We are working on a "big" opening with a prompt.
I also wanted to pass on some information that I received about some 2014 Saturday Enrichment Programs offered by the University of Virginia. They are offering Saturday Enrichment classes on the following dates for gifted students in grades K-5: January 25, February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22. March 1 is a make up day for snow. Some sample classes offered include: Cell Biology; Create a Mobile Phone App; Greek Theater; Meteorology, Fluid Mechanics; Abstract Art; Architecture. For program times and more information you can visit the following link.