Carson EAGLE/ GT Program

Can you believe we are back in school? It has been great seeing all of you this week. Either you guys are getting taller or I am shrinking!

Our EAGLE classes will start the week of September 8. We want to make sure you all get settled and know the expectations and routines in your regular classrooms before I start pulling you for GT. We will have some new faces in our GT class. My classes got very large, so 3rd and 4th graders will come on different days. You may come on a different day than your buddy! Let’s all remember WHY we come to GT class, and try not to worry about WHO is in the class.

How is your school year going so far? Blog and tell me the positives!

Hello bloggers! I hope you have had an incredible summer of relaxing and learning! Yes, learning! Did you travel? Did you read? Did you meet someone new? We can learn at any time and place.

My family traveled several places this summer. One of my favorite places was Jamaica.  I learned a lot about Jamaica- specifically about the old sugar plantations where slaves worked, how mongoose prevent snakes from living in the rivers, and about how people there live. Did you know that most kids in Jamaica have never been to school? That may sound cool, but the sad thing is they cannot afford to go to school. We are so lucky to live in the United States…we have many opportunities other people do not have!

Blog and tell me what you have learned this summer!

The 1st and 2nd graders are working hard on a Reader’s Theater called A Trip Through the Solar System. We have learned about the 8 planets (Pluto is no longer considered a major planet!). We are working on props and costumes in class in order to present the Reader’s Theater to an audience. Unfortunately, time is not on our side! Will we make our end of the year deadline? Just 2 GT class days to go! Doesn’t Travis make a        great astronaut? Creative costume!

4th graders have learned the 3 Laws of Motion, and worked in teams to build cardboard boats based on those laws. On May 8, we will take our boats to the Fit N Wise swim center and “race”.

Click HERE to see pictures of each team/ boat.

Good luck to all teams! May Newton’s force be with you!

1st and 2nd graders have finished their community simulation. Congratulations to Emily B, Abbi, and Chryslyn for saving the most money in their bank accounts! Be sure to share your resume, real estate ad, town improvements, etc. with your parents.

I won’t see 2nd grade for awhile, due to their field trip and my TAKS scheduling…keep in touch by using the class blog!

Today the Kindergarteners prepared seeds for our classroom greenhouse. We talked about how a greenhouse helps plants to grow. We also walked to the high school and walked inside the BIG greenhouse. Those high schoolers really know how to care for plants! We learned the nutrients plants need to live, and also compared a plant stem to a human skeleton.

Do you care for plants at your home? What is your favorite plant?

The Kindergarten group has been learning about living things. We learned that the brain is the “boss” of an animal’s body. We also learned two new words- molt (the spider lost his skin and gained a new one in our book) and habitat (where a living thing needs to live). We found several “pets” to observe during our bug hunt. Does anyone know an interesting fact about insects or spiders?

3rd and 4th graders- have you brought your disposable camera yet? We will be learning about 7 different forms of photography beginning in March: Architectural, Candid, Food, Headshot, Nature, Portrait, and Sport. We will learn the form and techniques, then go on assignment to shoot the photographs ourselves. We should have a wonderful portfolio to share when we complete this unit.

Did you know that you have gifts and talents to use ALL the time, not just in GT class? Many of you were on a UIL or Destination Imagination team this year…that was a great way to exercise your brain! I hope that all of you are thinking about the Carson Science Fair. You have until March 25 to bring your project. I will be happy to help you, and we will also be practicing the steps of the scientific method in class.

1st and 2nd graders are creating a new town. Today we established businesses for our town, and learned how to balance a checkbook to show income and expenses. Next week we will have to pay taxes!

We need help naming our town. Does anyone have a creative name for us?

Remember, 1st and 2nd graders, you may receive extra income (a bonus!) for blogging! Keep it up!