Month of March 2020

We made it through February without a snow day, and it is looking like we will enjoy an extra-long Spring break if March stays mild!!!  Be sure to watch your mailbox for information about the next Gifted Parent Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 8^th at 5:00 am (note the time change from 5:30 pm).  We hope to see you there!

Some details on what enrichment groups are working on:

The 2^nd Grade Team has been working on learning about landforms, oceans, and continents.  They are each making a book about different landforms and will later use that book to construct 3-D models of different landforms.

The 3^rd Grade Team is the first group to start exploring our Hess Truck STEM Kit.  They are currently working on a Towing Lab in partner groups.  They are learning about different types of towing (hook, flatbed, and low tow) and how the size of the vehicle being towed effects the type of method that can be used.

The 4^th Grade Team is exploring a curriculum called Word Generation.  We have been having great discussions about using academic vocabulary to make your voice heard.  The group is very interested in starting our next topic, “Where do I belong?”  We will talk about communities and learn about interviews.

The 5^th Grade Team is continuing their research on goals that they have during all phases of their lives (Bucket Lists).  They are working on creating a podcast to share with the other members of the team detailing how they will accomplish some of their dreams.

They 6^th Grade Team is continuing their research on different world cultures.  They will be presenting information that is unique to certain parts of the world.  They will then use what they have learned to create a brand-new and original “realm,” including such information as language, customs/traditions, food, arts/literature, architecture, religion, history, government, geography, sports, education, fashion, climate and wildlife.

K'Nex

The Fourth Grade K’Nex Competition Team is down to the wire and putting the finishing touches on their design. They have chosen a name for their team, “NSE Carnival Constructors.”   This fits perfectly with their ferris wheel/carnival design.  Don’t forget the team will be competing against other local schools on March 17, 2020 for a chance to compete at the state tournament in Harrisburg in May.

Math 24

The top 12 students from 5^th and 6^th grade who participated in the 2^nd Annual North Schuylkill Elementary Math 24 Challenge Tournament are practicing regularly.  They are working together to help prepare our tournament team for the competition at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit in Pottsville on May 19^th. 

Gifted Support students traveled to North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School on February 27^th to sit in on some advanced classes and participate.  The students had a wonderful time. They enjoyed Public Speaking, AP English, AP Calculus, a fantastic lunch, the Library, Human Physiology, and the Newscast.  A big shout out to everyone who made this day possible!!!

I am also looking into the possibility of a Gifted Support trip to a local manufacturer to learn more about business and what our local area has to offer.  I will provide more details when the plans are complete.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns at nnestor@northschuylkill.net or at 570-874-3661 Ext. 3332.