3rd Grade Math - Week of September 28th

• Find That Object! (measurement activity)
• Hands-on Equations (algebra)

Practice multiplication facts at home.

5th and 6th Grade Language Arts - Persuasive Writing Guidelines

Using the list of prompts from the book 50 Debate Prompts for Kids (provided in class), you will be writing five-paragraph essays on those topics.  You will not have to write 50 essays in all.  You may choose your topic, provided it comes from the list.  Choose a prompt for which you feel you can write a five-paragraph essay.

To Avoid:
•    Contractions, slang, and clichés
•    The words “get,” “stuff,” and “things”
•    Second person (the word “you”)
•    Phrases such as “I believe,” “I feel,” and “I think”

Each essay must contain:
•    An introduction that is at least two sentences long.  The last sentence of the introduction must be the thesis sentence, the one sentence that sums up your entire essay.
•    Three body paragraphs, each of which contains at least five sentences (one of which is the topic sentence).
•    A conclusion that is at least two sentences long.  Do not begin your conclusion with the words “In conclusion.”

Tips:
•    Follow the writing process – PREWRITE, write a rough draft, revise (make content stronger), edit (grammar/spelling/punctuation), publish.
•    Vary sentence length (have some short sentences and some long ones)
•    Have strong details – good reasons to support your opinion
•    Use (but don’t overuse) transitions – “in addition,” “furthermore,” etc.
•    Topics about schools (such as #31) can be written about schools in general or specifically about Dunham
•    Get feedback – parents, friends and teachers cannot write this for you, but you may ask them to proofread it.  You can send drafts to me via email at Dan.Rosenberg@dunhamschool.org or drop them off in the morning for pick up at the end of the day.

Grading
•    Writing about a topic on the list of debate prompts and stating a clear opinion (5 points)
•    Sentence and essay requirements (such as the sentence and paragraph lengths) (5 points)
•    Grammar/spelling/style – proper grammar, correct spelling, appropriate style (such as avoiding slang and contractions) (10 points)
•    Content (what you say in your essay) (25 points)

Due Dates (every other Wednesday):
•    October 14th – first essay
•    October 28th – second essay
•    November 11th – third essay
•    December 2nd – fourth essay
•    December 16th – fifth essay

Essays must be typed.  Prewriting and rough drafts may be typed, but do not have to be.  You may not choose the same topic twice.  Please include your topic number on your essay.

4th Grade Math - Week of September 28th

• Math Olympiad sample contest
• Problem-solving strategies
  

6th Grade English - Week of September 28th

• Wednesday: Make-up projects due; field trip essay due
• Wednesday in class: Review of diagramming and selected parts of speech (nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs); blog on a poem for Mrs. Lee
  
• Optional homework: Grammar book pages 38-39 as review of Chapter 2 grammar content
• Thursday: Grammar packet assigned last week due
• Thursday in class: Additional strategies for essay writing
• New five-paragraph essay due Wednesday, October 14th

5th Grade Reading - Week of September 28th

• How to write a five-paragraph essay
• Field trip essay discussed on Wednesday; due on Thursday (10/1)
• Second essay discussed on Thursday; due on Wednesday, October 14th

6th Grade Math - Week of September 28th

• Chapter 2 Test on Monday 9/28 (from Mrs. Kerner)
• Chapter 4 pretest
• Practice Math Olympiad contests - Contest 1 as homework due Tuesday, 9/29; Contest 2 as homework due Monday, 10/5
• Discussion of Math Olympiad practice contests and problem-solving strategies in class as time permits
  

5th Grade Math - Week of September 28th

• Math Olympiad 2007 sample contests
• Problem-solving strategies
• Contests 1 and 2 discussed in class
• Contest 3 to be done at home (time limits not required) for Monday (10/5)
  

2nd Grade Reading - Week of September 28th

• Read aloud and discussion of Sideways Stories from Wayside School
  

2nd Grade Math - Week of September 28th

• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
• Flash Masters (multiplication)
• Bump: The Sneaking Numbers Game
  

4th Grade Language Arts - Week of September 21st

• Brainteasers
• Extension of landforms project: plan a trip to a region in the Rocky Mountains
  

6th Grade English - Week of September 21st

• Discuss project corrections
• Optional project corrections due Weds. 9/30
• Parts of speech overview - nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs
• Hamburger model for prewriting
• Writing a persuasive five-paragraph essay
  
• Homework (due Thurs. 10/1): Grammar worksheets 18-20, as modified (including diagramming of selected sentences)
• Homework (due Weds. 9/30): Rough draft (typed is recommended) of 5-paragraph field trip essay (specifics discussed in class on Thurs. 9/24)
  

6th Grade Math - Week of September 21st

• The metric system
• Metric prefixes
• Metric conversions
• Homework (due Weds. 9/23 in Mrs. Kerner's class): page 76, #3-26
• Homework (due Mon. 9/28 in my class): Finish Metric Mania worksheet
  

5th Grade Reading - Week of September 21st

• Create PowerPoint game relating to "The Daring Nelly Bly"
• Adjective project corrections due Wednesday 9/30, if assigned
  

5th Grade Math - Week of September 21st

• Discuss selected Math Olympiad (MOEMS) contest problems (more next week)
• Algebraic expressions
• Basic algebraic equations
• Monday's homework: page 6 from Real World Algebra (worksheet)
• Tuesday's homework: page 7 from Real World Algebra (worksheet)
  

4th Grade Math - Week of September 21st

• Math fact test for Mrs. Jacques
• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
  

3rd Grade Math - Week of September 21st

• Brain Games: calculator fun and money words
• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
  

2nd Grade Reading - Week of September 21st

• Making "sentence sandwiches"
• Sideways Stories from Wayside School
  

2nd Grade Math - Week of September 21st

• Flash Masters
• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
  

6th Grade English - Week of September 14th

• Way Beyond Description Project due Thursday 9/17
• Grammar Quiz (Unit 1) on Thursday 9/17 - compound and simple subjects, compound and simple predicates, basic diagramming, sentence vs. fragment
• Poem blog for Mrs. Lee
• Additional practice in diagramming sentences
• Transmogrifications, as time permits
  

5th Grade Reading - Week of September 14th

• Way Beyond Description Project due Thursday 9/17
  
• Character motives
• Practice book pages 14-15
• Transmogrifications

4th Grade Math - Week of September 14th

• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
  

3rd Grade Math - Week of September 14th

• Hands-on Equations
• Flash Masters

Homework: Practice multiplication facts.

2nd Grade Reading - Week of September 14th

• Sandwich sentences
  

6th Grade Math - Week of September 14th

• Multiplication of decimals
• Multiplying decimals by powers of 10
  
• Homework (due Tues. 9/15): page 58, #10-30 evens
• Homework (due Weds. 9/16 to Mrs. Kerner): page 63, #11-31, odds
• Quiz on Chapter 2, Sections 1-4 in Mrs. Kerner's class on Wednesday
  

5th Grade Math - Week of September 14th

• Brief review: adding and subtracting decimals
• Ordering rational numbers, including mix of decimals, fractions and percents (introduction)
  
• Brief review of numerical benchmarks
• Math Olympiad: 2007 Contest #1
  
• Homework due Tuesday 9/15: Challenge Math worksheet on adding and subtracting decimals
• Homework due next Monday (9/21): Practice Math Olympiad
  

4th Grade Language Arts - Week of September 14th

• No class (early dismissal on Friday)
  

2nd Grade Math - Week of September 14th

• Hands-on Equations (algebra)
  

Game Library

The following games and devices are available in the gifted center. While students may use them occasionally in class, they may also be borrowed for use at home, during indoor recess, and/or during aftercare.

• Rush Hour
• Pay Day
• Pizza Fraction Fun
• Checkers
• Make n Break
• Monopoly
• Clue
• Risk
• Make 7
• Bump: The Sneaky Numbers Game
• 1-2-3 OY!
• A-B-C- OY!
• 24 Game (multiple levels)
  
• O'NO 99
• 1-2-3 Think!
• The Ultimate Crazy Maze
• Equate (including junior and advanced tiles)
• Stock Market Tycoon
• Spy Alley
• Multi Flyer
• Stay Alive
• Tip Over
• Equations
• LinguiSHTIK
• Set
• Quiddler
• Labyrinth: The Card Game
• Tic-Tac-Chec
• Chess
• Clue Suspects
• Safari Rush Hour
• Smart Mouth
• Pick Two!
• Blurt!
• Apples to Apples Junior
• Blokus
• Flash Masters
• Geoboards
• Tangrams
• Play money
• Sudoku and other puzzle books
  

Webinar for Parents of Gifted Children

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is offering free webinars on selected Wednesdays between now and December. Next Wednesday (the 16th), a session will be offered for parents of gifted children entitled Back to School, Back to Gifted Ups and Downs. The session will be led by Robin Schader, NAGC's Parent Resource Advisor. For more information or to register, visit http://www.nagc.org/wow.aspx.

4th Grade Language Arts - Week of September 7th

• Adjective list iMovies
• Apples to Apples
  

3rd Grade Math - Week of September 7th

• First in Math
• Begin Hands-on Algebra unit
• Calculator math puzzles
• Saying and writing large numbers
  

6th Grade English - Week of September 7th

• Time to work on "Way Beyond Description" project (due Thurs. 9/17)
• Poem blog for Mrs. Lee
• Sentence fragments
• Diagramming sentences
• Homework: Grammar packet (as modified) due on Weds. 9/16
  
• Grammar test (Chapter 1) on Thurs. 9/17
  

6th Grade Math - Week of September 7th

• First in Math
  
• Ordering rational numbers using inequality symbol
• Homework (due Weds. 9/9 for Mrs. Kerner): page 46, #11-25 (odds)
  

5th Grade Reading - Week of September 7th

• Finish "Line Drive" and Practice Book page 8 (if needed) from Tuesday's class with Mrs. Hazey
• Figurative language - idioms and onomatopoeia
• Plot stages and type of conflict for "Line Drive"
• Time to work on "Way Beyond Description" project (due 9/17)
  

5th Grade Math - Week of September 7th

• First in Math
• Additional topics relating to exponents
  

4th Grade Math - Week of September 7th

• First in Math
• Flash Masters
  

2nd Grade - Week of September 7th

Math

• First in Math website
• Brainormous software

Reading

• Adjective poster
• Additional parts of speech, as time permits
  

Contact Information

Phone: 225.767.7097, x367

Email: Dan.Rosenberg@dunhamschool.org

First in Math

In the coming week, all students in the gifted math program will be given individual IDs to access First in Math. Students may use this site, www.firstinmath.com, both at school and at home. A parent welcome letter from the First in Math site can be found at http://firstinmath.com/welcomeparentsflyer.asp. Students are encouraged to use this site on a weekly basis. Their progress will be monitored and certificates will be awared upon completion of the various activities within the site.

5th Grade Reading/6th Grade English Project

Way – y – y – y – y – y Beyond Description!

We know, we know – you are unique. No one in the world who has ever lived is exactly like you and, unless cloning becomes popular, that is the way that it will be.

There are qualities, though, that each of us has that other share – like athletic or kind-hearted or thoughtful or spirited. Maybe some qualities are truly individual to you – perspicacious, pedantic, or idiosyncratic (look them up). In fact, if you try really hard, I bet you can come up with 100 adjectives that describe the person that you are.

…And that will be the first of your three tasks to complete this assignment: finding 100 adjectives that describe who you are. Create a numbered list (hand written or typed) and try to locate some words that your classmates don’t know. Make sure you know what all the words mean, though!

As you probably know, you have become the person you are thanks to those with whom you have had contact, including friends, family, God, teachers, strangers, and even book characters. Your second task is to complete a short essay (one page or so, double spaced) describing both an individual and an incident that has made you the person you are. This essay, in effect, explains the adjectives you chose to describe yourself.

Then comes the most revealing, creative and interpretive part. For your third activity, you are going to take all 100 adjectives (or as many as you can fit) and create an illustration using only these adjectives that is connected, somehow, with the essay you just wrote. Perhaps it will be the image of a tree because the person who wrote about shared her love of nature with you. Maybe it will be a spiral, as the person about whom you wrote enters and re-enters your life occasionally and always teaches you something about yourself. Whatever you choose will be fine. No drawing is wrong because, after all, this is your life we’re talking about. You may create this picture on the computer using Word Art (or something comparable) if you prefer.

Think deep, find some big words in a thesaurus or dictionary, and start revealing your life. Have a great trip!


Rubric

Numbered list of 100 adjectives, handwritten or typed (20 points)

Including at least ten adjectives on the list that are new or unfamiliar words (10 points)

Essay (20 points)

Illustration (20 points)


Due Date: Thursday, September 17th

A Few Websites...

The National Association for Gifted Children: http://www.nagc.org

Cogito: http://www.cogito.org/default.aspx

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org

GT World: http://gtworld.org

Highlights of the Gifted Curriculum in the Middle School

Mathematics

• First in Math
• Probability and statistics
• Algebraic reasoning
• Challenge folders consisting of a variety of problem-solving activities
• Different number systems and number bases
• Graphing and the coordinate plane
• Jump Rope Geometry
• Number theory, including patterns of primes, squares and cubes
• Introduction to set theory
• Alice computer programming
• Exponents and logarithms
• Functions, including polynomials and trigonometric functions
• Problem-solving strategies
• Participation in Math Olympiad for Elementary and Middle Schools contest
• Units of study from Mentoring the Mathematical Mind, curriculum developed specifically for gifted learners

Language Arts

• Units of study developed by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary
• Elements of plot and literary analysis
• Extensions of novels read in class
• Creative and persuasive writing
• Storytelling (both oral and digital)
• Magazine/newspaper writing
• Drama and improvisation
• Marketing and advertising
• Mystery writing and forensic science
  
• Symbolism and figurative language
• Public speaking and debate
• Essay writing
• Mythology
• Poetry

Note: Not all topics will be covered in all grade levels.

Highlights of the Gifted Curriculum in the Lower School

Mathematics

• Hands-on Equations
  
• First in Math
  
• Muggins Math Games
  
• Fizz and Martina’s Math Adventures
• Probability and statistics
  
• Measurement Olympics
• Challenge folders consisting of a variety of problem-solving activities
• Different number systems and number bases
  
• Graphing and the coordinate plane
• Jump Rope Geometry
  
• Sir Cumference math series
  
• Number theory, including patterns of prime numbers and square numbers
  
• Participation in contests such as the Online Math League and/or the Math Olympiad for Elementary and Middle Schools
• Units of study from Mentoring the Mathematical Mind, curriculum developed specifically for gifted learners
• Problem-solving strategies
• Primary Education Thinking Skills
• Logic Safari

Language Arts

• Units of study developed by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary
• Wordless books
• Elements of plot
• Literary analysis
• Extensions of novels read in class
• Creative and persuasive writing
• Digital storytelling
• Magazine/newspaper writing
• Poetry
• Word Masters competition
• Marketing and advertising
• Symbolism and figurative language
• Storytelling and public speaking
• Word analysis
• Parts of speech and diagramming sentences
  

Note: Not all topics are covered at all grade levels.

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for the gifted program at The Dunham School! Class activities and homework assignments will be posted here beginning the week of September 7th.