Family Night for Gifted Students!

Don't forget about our 

End of the year celebration!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @ 6pm   

The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and we want to celebrate the work of our gifted students with a Family Gifted Night.  Students’ work samples will be on display.  We will also take a moment to acknowledge our 8th graders as they conclude their middle school years.  The finale of the event will be the brain piñatas!   

The event will be potluck style, so this will be a great opportunity for you to showcase a favorite dish. Use this link to sign up for a dish to bring. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094eacab2aaa8-family

Be sure to mark the date on your calendar; Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 6:00 pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!  As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

GLArts: Welcome to the BLOCK!

I know we will all take a while to get used to this very random BLOCK schedule (click to view the BLOCK).  By the time we are somewhat adjusted to it, it will go back to normal for a few weeks.  The good news is, that this schedule is great for doing projects.  The bad news is that if you are "not feelin' it" for a day, its like you get behind on 2 days worth of work.  We will also have to mix things up a bit during each period so we don't get burned out during the longer periods.

Here is the plan for today:
8:15-8:20 chill time/announcements
8:20-8:40 reflective writing/sharing
8:40-9:00 read theory
9:20          Break
9:30         begin writing project
10:00      vocabulary squares
10: 20     daily grammar
10:50      class ends

Field Trip Photo Journals

Each student who attended the field trip on Wednesday needs to write a short paragraph about something they learned or enjoyed from those who spent time guiding and teaching us at UNM.
Here is a reminder of names and activities:

• Dr. Dave Shahani (a doctor of neurology) gave us a tour of the children's hospital, taught us about the brain, answered questions, and showed us many models,  books, and images. 
• Dr. David Bashwiner (professor of music theory) showed us how the ear sends information to the brain, how some animals have amazing patters in their "songs," and shared some songs with us.
• Daniel Linver of the UNM Art Museum greeted you and arranged your viewing of the art exhibits.

In your paragraph, describe something specific that you learned, experienced, or observed.  Make sure you explain why you found the experience interesting or fun.

Post your paragraph and pictures in comments on this blog entry (please sign in to blogger first).

Text, color, and shape presentation

Here is the link to the template and example for today's assignment.

Gifted Seminar: Sub plans for Wed., March 16th

Continue Working on the Stress Relaxation Room Project.

• If you have more research to do, continue to document it in part 2.  
• be sure to think about windows and lighting
• it will be helpful if you can find specific products you would use rather than just "a couch" or "a lamp," etc.
• I know you do not have access to paper drawings left in the classroom.  Just find something else to work on for today:
• perhaps work on a google drawing for your final project
• or make a vision board combining pictures from a "room view" of your plan
• or start writing your proposal

My example of a vision board:

Gifted Language Arts: plans for 3/16

Today you will be meeting in the library.  Mrs. Hoover will set you up with the laptops.

Here are today's assignments:

• Writing prompt (respond to this prompt in a comment to this blog post):
• Think of an item that you have recently (or currently) owned to write a review of like you might see on Amazon.com and other similar sites.  
• Name the item and Rate it from 1 to 5 stars.
• Write 1-3 well written paragraphs describing . . .
• how you have used the item and how well it suits that purpose
• the positive characteristics of the item
• the ways the item disappointed you or needs improvement
• Do your best to sound like an educated young adult so people will take your review seriously.
• Take at least one passing quiz on ReadTheory.com
• Review words on Quizlet.com

Track and Field!

Those of you on the HMS Track & Field Team, please join the Remind.com group using this link:
https://www.remind.com/join/rdruntrack

Have your parents join too! Thanks.