Hello everyone,
Welcome to the end of the 1st trimester. Below you will find a summary of the activities and skills that we worked on in Thinking Skills in Grades K-2 and in Direct GTD Resource Services provided in grades 3, 4, and 5.
Kindergarten:
Kindergarteners have been working very hard on PROBABILITY. We first discussed the words ALWAYS, SOMETIMES, and NEVER and made personal connections to those words with events that happen at those occurrences. We then discussed PROBABILITY and the CHANCE of something happening by guessing what was in the secret bag of bears. We then made a chart/graph of what was in the bag and completed an experiment to see if our PREDICTIONs came true based on the information or data we had.
1st Grade:
1st Graders had the experience of meeting DOT at the beginning of the trimester and going on an adventure with DOT at school. We then transitioned over and met one of many characters we will meet from Crystal Pond Woods to teach us HIGHER LEVEL THINKING SKILLS. That friend was Dudley the Detective who teaches us to: GET ALL of the INFORMATION; DON'T JUMP to CONCLUSIONS, and unless we are being creative there is only ONE RIGHT ANSWER. We created badges to help remind us of these important skills and we then completed several logic activities. We are ending the trimester by working with ATTRIBUTE blocks and talking about ATTRIBUTES and relationships.
2nd Grade:
2nd Grade students have been working on Algebraic Thinking Skills and learning how to solve for unknowns using pictures and clues. Students learned that numbers can be represented with pictures and shapes, they learned that once a picture is assigned a value it stays the same throughout a problem, and they were encouraged to write number sentences to help support and prove their final answers.
3rd Grade:
Math:
Students who are pulled for GTD Direct Services in math were supported in their transition into 4th grade EVERYDAY MATH through mulitplication review and strategies, solving logic problems, and learning how visualization can help them solve a problem.
Literature:
Students read Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories" (How the Camel Got Its Hump, How the Alphabet Was Made, and How the Leopard Got Its Spots) and had activities to expand their knowledge of each of the stories. They had to create skits for How the Camel....using main idea and character as a focus, they had to create a 6 panel comic strip for How the Alphabet..., and for a final activity they are writing their own Just So Story using Google Docs.
4th Grade:
Math:
Fourth Grade math students learned about data collection and using a sample group to make prediction and applying those skills to predicting the winner of the Presidential election and the numbers. They did a great job. They also have been learning about different number systems and different strategies for compuation not found in EVERYDAY MATH.
Literature:
Students are continuing to read and discuss "The Westing Game". They learned some strategies for reading mysteries and continue to talk about important terms like MOTIVE, EVIDENCE, and ALIBIS. Hopefully we'll soon discover the secret of the WESTING GAME.
5th Grade:
Math:
Students have finished the first 3 units of 6th GRADE EVERYDAY MATH and continue to work into Unit 4. They completed data collection projects and created PowerPoint Presentations of their work and their findings.
Literature:
We have finished up our Unit on Edgar Allen Poe and are looking for a play to perform.
That's all for now. Happy Holidays to all.
Mr. Packer
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
October 9, 2012
Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoyed your Columbus Day weekend. I was able to work in my yard and get my Halloween decorations up and enjoy some of the last days of nice weather. Here's what's happening in the world of GTD Resource services at Irving School
Kindergarten
We had a great time figuring out what was coming up in "Tomorrow's Alphabet" a book which requires kids to use critical thinking skills and build background knowledge for what things are in the present and what they will become in the future. For example "A is for seed, tomorrow's ?" Apple
Next we will begin to work on probability and start discussing the important probability words of "Never", "Always", and "Sometimes".
1st Grade
1st Grade classes have finished up their adventure with "DOT" who is now on "Vacation" as the students are introduced to the residents of Crytal Pond Woods and learn strands of higher level thinking through these characters. First up, Dudley the Detective. Dudley teaches the kids to 1) Get all of the information 2) Not jumpt to conclusions and 3) There is only 1 right answer (unless we are doing something creative).
2nd Grade
2nd Grade students continue to work on algebraic thinking and solving for unknowns. They are currently working on building background knowledge for groups and multiples and drawing pictures to solve algebraic problems.
3rd Grade
Math
3rd grade math students have been working on multiplication strategies and problem-solving involving groups of numbers and breaking numbers apart and performing math operations and then adding them back up.
Language Arts
3rd grade math students have started to read "Just So Stories". We have read "How the Camel Got Its Hump" and we have written summaries and are going to perform skits of the story.
4th Grade
Math
4th Grade math students have been studying prime numbers and patterns as well as making predictions of how student voting will turn out at Irving School in the upcoming Presidential Election in November.
Language Arts
We continue to work on vocabulary, comprehension, and character study of the characters in "The Westing Game"
5th Grade
Math
Students are working on reading and writing extremely large and extremely small numbers with the powers of 10 and multiplying and dividing decimals.
Language Arts
We have finished our first Edgar Allen Poe story "The Fall of the House of Usher" and are working on activities to strengthen our depth of understanding of the story. Next up, "The Tell Tale Heart".
That's all for now. I look forward to seeing many of you at conferences next week. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Gifted/Talented/Differentiation Resource services at Irving School, feel free to contact me at ppacker@op97.org
All my best,
Mr. Packer
I hope you enjoyed your Columbus Day weekend. I was able to work in my yard and get my Halloween decorations up and enjoy some of the last days of nice weather. Here's what's happening in the world of GTD Resource services at Irving School
Kindergarten
We had a great time figuring out what was coming up in "Tomorrow's Alphabet" a book which requires kids to use critical thinking skills and build background knowledge for what things are in the present and what they will become in the future. For example "A is for seed, tomorrow's ?" Apple
Next we will begin to work on probability and start discussing the important probability words of "Never", "Always", and "Sometimes".
1st Grade
1st Grade classes have finished up their adventure with "DOT" who is now on "Vacation" as the students are introduced to the residents of Crytal Pond Woods and learn strands of higher level thinking through these characters. First up, Dudley the Detective. Dudley teaches the kids to 1) Get all of the information 2) Not jumpt to conclusions and 3) There is only 1 right answer (unless we are doing something creative).
2nd Grade
2nd Grade students continue to work on algebraic thinking and solving for unknowns. They are currently working on building background knowledge for groups and multiples and drawing pictures to solve algebraic problems.
3rd Grade
Math
3rd grade math students have been working on multiplication strategies and problem-solving involving groups of numbers and breaking numbers apart and performing math operations and then adding them back up.
Language Arts
3rd grade math students have started to read "Just So Stories". We have read "How the Camel Got Its Hump" and we have written summaries and are going to perform skits of the story.
4th Grade
Math
4th Grade math students have been studying prime numbers and patterns as well as making predictions of how student voting will turn out at Irving School in the upcoming Presidential Election in November.
Language Arts
We continue to work on vocabulary, comprehension, and character study of the characters in "The Westing Game"
5th Grade
Math
Students are working on reading and writing extremely large and extremely small numbers with the powers of 10 and multiplying and dividing decimals.
Language Arts
We have finished our first Edgar Allen Poe story "The Fall of the House of Usher" and are working on activities to strengthen our depth of understanding of the story. Next up, "The Tell Tale Heart".
That's all for now. I look forward to seeing many of you at conferences next week. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Gifted/Talented/Differentiation Resource services at Irving School, feel free to contact me at ppacker@op97.org
All my best,
Mr. Packer
Monday, September 24, 2012
September 23, 2012
Hello everyone,
Here is an update of what has been going on with GTD Resource services since the last post.
Kindergarten
Mr. Packer has gone into each of the Kindergarten classroom's and introduced himself and played a game using movement to help him get to know each of the student's names. Our first activity will be reading a book called "Tomorrow's Alphabet" in which the students have to think about what something will be in the future. We may do an activity where they will create their own page.
1st Grade
Dot has been coming with Mr. Packer to each of the 1st grade classroom. This adventure is "Dot Goes To School". We discuss varioius strategies for solving the problems and questions that arise as Dot continues on his/her adventure. Look for your child to create their very own Dot story.
2nd Grade
2nd Graders have had two thinking skills activities. The first, "How Old Are....?" was an activity that introduced the concept of solving for unknowns by working backwards. The 2nd activity "Number on a Hat" introduces solving for unknowns by using clues to narrow down our choices and reading clues carefully.
3rd Grade
Math
3rd Grade math students are getting acclimated to the 4th grade curriculum and their teachers. With Mr. Packer we have been working on logic problems (strategies for solving) and our multiplication facts.
Language Arts
Groups have not begun, but will start in the coming weeks beginning with a read of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So"stories.
4th Grade
Math
We have been working on learning about Data Collection and landmarks, prepping ourselves for the upcoming election where we will take a poll of one class and make election prediction outcomes for the whole school.
Language Arts
We are reading Ellen Raskin's "The Westing Game". A great book to discuss plot, plot twists, and characters. Look for us to create Google Docs and create character snapshots for each of "suspects" in Sam Westing's final game
5th Grade
Math
We are working in Everyday Math. Having finished Unit 1 on data collection, we have started a project that should take us up to the end of the trimester (see side bar ). We have begun Unit 2, operations with decimals and Powers of 10.
Language Arts
We have started to read Edgar Allen Poe and are reading and discussing "The Fall of the House of Usher"
Hello everyone,
Here is an update of what has been going on with GTD Resource services since the last post.
Kindergarten
Mr. Packer has gone into each of the Kindergarten classroom's and introduced himself and played a game using movement to help him get to know each of the student's names. Our first activity will be reading a book called "Tomorrow's Alphabet" in which the students have to think about what something will be in the future. We may do an activity where they will create their own page.
1st Grade
Dot has been coming with Mr. Packer to each of the 1st grade classroom. This adventure is "Dot Goes To School". We discuss varioius strategies for solving the problems and questions that arise as Dot continues on his/her adventure. Look for your child to create their very own Dot story.
2nd Grade
2nd Graders have had two thinking skills activities. The first, "How Old Are....?" was an activity that introduced the concept of solving for unknowns by working backwards. The 2nd activity "Number on a Hat" introduces solving for unknowns by using clues to narrow down our choices and reading clues carefully.
3rd Grade
Math
3rd Grade math students are getting acclimated to the 4th grade curriculum and their teachers. With Mr. Packer we have been working on logic problems (strategies for solving) and our multiplication facts.
Language Arts
Groups have not begun, but will start in the coming weeks beginning with a read of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So"stories.
4th Grade
Math
We have been working on learning about Data Collection and landmarks, prepping ourselves for the upcoming election where we will take a poll of one class and make election prediction outcomes for the whole school.
Language Arts
We are reading Ellen Raskin's "The Westing Game". A great book to discuss plot, plot twists, and characters. Look for us to create Google Docs and create character snapshots for each of "suspects" in Sam Westing's final game
5th Grade
Math
We are working in Everyday Math. Having finished Unit 1 on data collection, we have started a project that should take us up to the end of the trimester (see side bar ). We have begun Unit 2, operations with decimals and Powers of 10.
Language Arts
We have started to read Edgar Allen Poe and are reading and discussing "The Fall of the House of Usher"
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Welcome Back
Hello ALL Irving Families,
Welcome to Packer's Post, a blog where you can keep up with the latest happening with Gifted Talented and Differentiation services at Irving School provided by Mr. Packer.
In grades K-2, Mr. Packer "pushes in" to the classrooms as does THINKING SKILLS with the whole class so everyone has the benefit of learning to become great problem solvers through the use of higher level thinking skills. Mr. Packer also works with the classroom teacher to help provide differentiated instruction and materials for those students demonstrating a need for enrichment and challenge in a specific subject matter.
In grades 3-5, Mr. Packer is responsible for "pulling" students out for DIRECT instruction in the subject areas of Math and Reading. Students are identified for DIRECT INSTRUCTION services based on criteria set forth by District 97. To learn more about GTD Services within the district follow this link: http://www.op97.org/teach-learn/Gifted.cfm
I look forward to working with your families and our wonderful school community in the upcoming year. You will find useful websites for all on top left of my blog and some really cool links below that.
Welcome Back!
All my best,
Mr. Packer
Welcome to Packer's Post, a blog where you can keep up with the latest happening with Gifted Talented and Differentiation services at Irving School provided by Mr. Packer.
In grades K-2, Mr. Packer "pushes in" to the classrooms as does THINKING SKILLS with the whole class so everyone has the benefit of learning to become great problem solvers through the use of higher level thinking skills. Mr. Packer also works with the classroom teacher to help provide differentiated instruction and materials for those students demonstrating a need for enrichment and challenge in a specific subject matter.
In grades 3-5, Mr. Packer is responsible for "pulling" students out for DIRECT instruction in the subject areas of Math and Reading. Students are identified for DIRECT INSTRUCTION services based on criteria set forth by District 97. To learn more about GTD Services within the district follow this link: http://www.op97.org/teach-learn/Gifted.cfm
I look forward to working with your families and our wonderful school community in the upcoming year. You will find useful websites for all on top left of my blog and some really cool links below that.
Welcome Back!
All my best,
Mr. Packer
Monday, January 16, 2012
January 9-January 20
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break, spending time with friends and family. Now that we are rested up, here is what's happening in our first several weeks back.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students are going to be playing with words and have been using their logic to figure out "Tomorrow's Alphabet", a wonderful book which teaches us that "A is for SEED, tomorrow's APPLE". A fun book and fun game to play at home which will help your child deal with sequencing and build their vocabulary.
1st Grade
1st Graders continue to work with DOT and will be finishing up in the next week or two using their logic and sharing the answers and reasoning for the specific answers they recorded on their DOT sheets.
2nd Grade
2nd Graders are being introduced to Max the Magician, who is teaching them to visualize and use visual-spatial reasoning to solve problems. Students learn to flip, rotate, and slide shapes to help solve visual problems, and use their imaginations to visusualize solutions.
3rd Grade
Reading students have finished up their respective rodent novels "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" or "Poppy". They have created and are now evaluating and judging each others board game projects that were assigned over break.
Math students have finished up Unit 4 and begin on Unit 5 in EVERYDAY Math 4th Grade. This unit focuses on extending multiplication skills, estimation, and multiplication strategies.
4th Grade
Reading students are finishing up "The View from Saturday" and our gathering information about the 4 areas of expertise of the main characters in the story. They are then taking that information and using technology to share with peers.
Math students are working on mathematical problem-solving from math competitions, are reading a mathematical theme novel called "The Toothpaste Millionaire", and as an extension will be exploring the Stock Market.
5th Grade
Reading students are learning various approaches for reading the works of William Shakespeare. They have been given short scenes from variouis plays such as The Tempest, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream and have auditions on Friday.
Math students are working on Unit 6th of EVERYDAY math which focuses on creaating compass and straight edge constructions, and using a compass to create circle graphs.
That's all for now. If you have questions about GTD Services at Irving School, I can always be contacted at ppacker@op97.org
All my best,
Mr. Packer
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break, spending time with friends and family. Now that we are rested up, here is what's happening in our first several weeks back.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students are going to be playing with words and have been using their logic to figure out "Tomorrow's Alphabet", a wonderful book which teaches us that "A is for SEED, tomorrow's APPLE". A fun book and fun game to play at home which will help your child deal with sequencing and build their vocabulary.
1st Grade
1st Graders continue to work with DOT and will be finishing up in the next week or two using their logic and sharing the answers and reasoning for the specific answers they recorded on their DOT sheets.
2nd Grade
2nd Graders are being introduced to Max the Magician, who is teaching them to visualize and use visual-spatial reasoning to solve problems. Students learn to flip, rotate, and slide shapes to help solve visual problems, and use their imaginations to visusualize solutions.
3rd Grade
Reading students have finished up their respective rodent novels "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" or "Poppy". They have created and are now evaluating and judging each others board game projects that were assigned over break.
Math students have finished up Unit 4 and begin on Unit 5 in EVERYDAY Math 4th Grade. This unit focuses on extending multiplication skills, estimation, and multiplication strategies.
4th Grade
Reading students are finishing up "The View from Saturday" and our gathering information about the 4 areas of expertise of the main characters in the story. They are then taking that information and using technology to share with peers.
Math students are working on mathematical problem-solving from math competitions, are reading a mathematical theme novel called "The Toothpaste Millionaire", and as an extension will be exploring the Stock Market.
5th Grade
Reading students are learning various approaches for reading the works of William Shakespeare. They have been given short scenes from variouis plays such as The Tempest, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream and have auditions on Friday.
Math students are working on Unit 6th of EVERYDAY math which focuses on creaating compass and straight edge constructions, and using a compass to create circle graphs.
That's all for now. If you have questions about GTD Services at Irving School, I can always be contacted at ppacker@op97.org
All my best,
Mr. Packer
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