Friday, December 18, 2020

 4th Grade - This class did very well with the SET game and found all six sets within 6 minutes. We watched a video that was part of the Regions and Resources project. Students then played a breakout room and were able to "breakout"!

5th Grade - Students completed the game of SET for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the qualities we find in our friends and how we look for the same qualities in our leaders. After completing some missing work, students participated in a breakout room.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

 2nd Grade - For the warm up activity students got to play the game of SET. We spent a few minutes working on some Canvas assignments. Our final activity was to participate in an escape room. 

3rd Grade - For the warm up activity today, students played SET where you have to make sets from the cards you are given. Students then worked on some of their Canvas assignments. We then played an escape room.

4th Grade - This class played the SET game and successfully found all six sets.  We watched a video that was part of the Regions and Resources project and completed some missing Canvas assignments.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

2nd Grade - For the warm up activity students got to play the game of SET. We spent a few minutes working on the Exploravision project. Our final activity was to participate in an escape room. 

4th Grade - This class did very well with the SET game and found all six sets within 6 minutes. We watched a video that was part of the Regions and Resources project. Students then played a breakout room and were able to "breakout"!

5th Grade - Students completed the game of SET for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on the qualities we find in our friends and how we look for the same qualities in our leaders. Our final activity was to participate in a breakout room.

Monday, December 14, 2020

Due to the snow and remaining ice from yesterday, we had a virtual school day. Here's what we did in GATE through Google Meets. 

3rd Grade - For the warm up activity today, students played SET where you have to make sets from the cards you are given. Students then thought about one of our weekly focus people and explained how each of them demonstrated the five characteristics of successful people. We then played a breakout room.

4th Grade - This class did very well with the SET game and found all six sets within 6 minutes. We watched a video that was part of the Regions and Resources project. Students then played a breakout room and were able to "breakout"!

Friday December 11, 2020

 4th Grade - This group tried to move the "space craft" too. They were able to life it off the ground but could not move from the original spot. Their affective lesson focused on the various tests we have to take and why. We spent the rest of class time watching videos about the Great Lakes which are a part of the Midwest region of the United States.

5th Grade - One class was able to move away from the lift off point, and get the spaceship into the space station. Their affective lesson focused on looking and finding leadership skills in one another. The rest of class time was spent working on our space brochures.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

2nd - Congratulations to this class for being able to accomplish the task of getting a "spacecraft" docked to the International Space Station. In Crystal Pond Woods students were given the characters of the woods to put into four different puzzle situations.

3rd Grade - For the warm up activity this week, students try to move a "space craft" (a small bowl with a ball) to the "International Space Station" (another small bowl) without loosing the "astronauts" (a ball larger than the bowl) using string as the way to move the "space craft". This group was able to move the "space craft" a few feet. The affective lesson focused on people who were/are successful and had students reflect on how they thought the people were successful according to the five traits we have studied. We quickly reviewed the Oklahoma Road Trip. By next week, I would like students to be at the shopping list.

4th Grade - This group tried to move the "space craft" too. They were able to life it off the ground but could not move from the original spot. Their affective lesson focused on the various tests we have to take and why. We spent the rest of class time watching videos about the Great Lakes which are a part of the Midwest region of the United States.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

2nd - Congratulations to this class for being able to accomplish the task of getting a "spacecraft" docked to the International Space Station. In Crystal Pond Woods students were given the characters of the woods to put into four different puzzle situations.

4th Grade - This group tried to move the "space craft" too. They were able to life it off the ground but could not move from the original spot. Their affective lesson focused on the various tests we have to take and why. We spent the rest of class time watching videos about the Great Lakes which are a part of the Midwest region of the United States.

5th Grade - One class was able to move the "space craft" and were able to move away from the lift off point, but could not get it to the space station. Their affective lesson focused on looking and finding leadership skills in one another. The rest of class time was spent working on our space brochures.

Monday, December 7, 2020

3rd Grade - For the warm up activity this week, students try to move a "space craft" (a small bowl with a ball) to the "International Space Station" (another small bowl) without loosing the "astronauts" (a ball larger than the bowl) using string as the way to move the "space craft". This group was able to move the "space craft" a few feet. The affective lesson focused on people who were/are successful and had students reflect on how they thought the people were successful according to the five traits we have studied. We quickly reviewed the Oklahoma Road Trip. By next week, I would like students to be at the shopping list.

4th Grade - This group tried to move the "space craft" too. They were able to life it off the ground but could not move from the original spot. Their affective lesson focused on the various tests we have to take and why. We spent the rest of class time watching videos about the Great Lakes which are a part of the Midwest region of the United States.

Friday, December 4, 2020

4th Grade - We worked together to complete a Drop Quotes puzzle. There was a lengthy discussion about the fact that parents, teachers, and even our friends expect too much of gifted kids. Finally, we spent time watching videos that are part of the Regions and Resources project.

5th Grade - Both classes completed a Drop Quotes puzzle. The affective lesson focused on having students think about people who have touched their lives and what they can learn from them in order to be good leaders. The final activity had students working on their Space project.

Thursday, December 3, 2020

2nd Grade - This class had fun working as a class to complete the Drop Quotes puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on Responsibility and Respect because successful people demonstrate kindness. Today students shared their inventions for helping the Covid pandemic. They then selected which team they would like to work with for the Exploravision project. They also learned some basic information about Exploravision. Next week we will research the history and current technology of their inventions. 

3rd Grade - Our Drop Quotes puzzle was quite a bit shorter than the 4th Grade puzzle and we were able to solve this one very quickly. The affective lesson reviewed Task Commitment and then moved on to Caring. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had several logic elimination grid puzzles to complete.  

4th Grade - We worked together to complete a Drop Quotes puzzle. There was a lengthy discussion about the fact that parents, teachers, and even our friends expect too much of gifted kids. Finally, we spent time watching videos that are part of the Regions and Resources project.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

 2nd Grade - This class had fun working as a class to complete the Drop Quotes puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on Responsibility and Respect because successful people demonstrate kindness. Today students shared their inventions for helping the Covid pandemic. They then selected which team they would like to work with for the Exploravision project. They also learned some basic information about Exploravision. Next week we will research the history and current technology of their inventions.

4th Grade - We worked together to complete a Drop Quotes puzzle. There was a lengthy discussion about the fact that parents, teachers, and even our friends expect too much of gifted kids. Finally, we spent time watching videos that are part of the Regions and Resources project.

5th Grade - Both classes completed a Drop Quotes puzzle. The affective lesson focused on having students think about people who have touched their lives and what they can learn from them in order to be good leaders. The final activity had students working on their Space project.

Monday, November 30, 2020

 It was good to be back in school today with students in the classes. Here are some things we did today:

3rd Grade - Our Drop Quotes puzzle was quite a bit shorter than the 4th Grade puzzle and we were able to solve this one very quickly. The affective lesson reviewed Task Commitment and then moved on to Caring. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had several logic elimination grid puzzles to complete.  

4th Grade - We worked together to complete a Drop Quotes puzzle. There was a lengthy discussion about the fact that parents, teachers, and even our friends expect too much of gifted kids. Finally, we spent time watching videos that are part of the Regions and Resources project.

Friday, November 20, 2020

 2nd Grade - For the warm up activity, students watched a video about geometric pies. Each student will now design their own geometric pie and bring a picture of it when we return to school. The affective lesson for this week focused on the understanding the successful people are creative. After listening to Hooray For Diffendoofer Day, student were to design a lesson plan telling me how they would teach a subject at school. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given a special set of dominoes. After rolling a dice, students had to change the attributes from one domino to the next based on the roll of the dice.

4th Grade - These students also watched the geometric pie video and are designing their own pie to share. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe#6 of gifted kids, "Our friends and classmates don't always understand us, and they don't see all of our different sides. We then spent time working on our Regions and Resources project learning about the Southeast Region of the United States.

5th Grade - This class watched the geometric pie video. One student even made his own geometric pie and shared a picture with us. In person would have been more fun so we could share. Our weekly leadership lesson had students thinking about specific qualities of leadership. Students then had to write the name of someone they knew who demonstrated those qualities. The final activity was to review the Space project and see where students were making progress.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

2nd Grade - For the warm up activity, students watched a video about geometric pies. Each student will now design their own geometric pie and bring a picture of it when we return to school. The affective lesson for this week focused on the understanding the successful people are creative. After listening to Hooray For Diffendoofer Day, student were to design a lesson plan telling me how they would teach a subject at school. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given a special set of dominoes. After rolling a dice, students had to change the attributes from one domino to the next based on the roll of the dice.

3rd Grade - This class also got to watch the video about geometric designs and are now designing their own pie. Their affective lesson focused on Task Commitment. The weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods had students designing their own logic elimination grid puzzle. Since we are doing school virtually this week, we played a logic game and will same the game creations for when we return to school.

4th Grade - These students also watched the geometric pie video and are designing their own pie to share. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe#6 of gifted kids, "Our friends and classmates don't always understand us, and they don't see all of our different sides. We then spent time working on our Regions and Resources project learning about the Southeast Region of the United States.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

2nd Grade - The affective lesson focused on Task Commitment. We discussed different types of motivators and how we want to get away from tangible rewards to intangible rewards when completing a task. In Crystal Pond Woods, students helped me work some logic puzzles with manipulatives. Our final discussion was about taking some materials and making something from them that would help during our pandemic.

4th Grade - This group also worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle. This week's affective lesson focused on Gripe #5 of Gifted Kids, "When we finish our school work early, we often aren't allowed to work ahead." We also worked to complete activities for the MEE contest.

5th Grade - Together we worked to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle. Our affective lesson focused on the importance of leaders paying attention to those they are working beside. The rest of "class" time was spent working on the MEE competition.

Monday, November 16, 2020

3rd Grade - This group worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle. Next, students demonstrated courage as they gave a one minute impromptu speech about a topic that was randomly given to them. In Crystal Pond Woods students played a game similar to Master Mind as another method of solving a convergent thinking puzzle. We finished some activities for the MEE Contest then said "goodby" until after Thanksgiving.

4th Grade - This group also worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle. This week's affective lesson focused on Gripe #5 of Gifted Kids, "When we finish our school work early, we often aren't allowed to work ahead." We also worked to complete activities for the MEE contest.

Friday, November 13, 2020

4th Grade - This group also worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle. This week's affective lesson focused on Gripe #5 of Gifted Kids, "When we finish our school work early, we often aren't allowed to work ahead." We then reviewed the Regions and Resources project they are to be completing.

5th Grade - We are holding classes through Google Meets for a few weeks. Due to technology issues this group was a little late connecting today. Our affective lesson focused on the importance of leaders paying attention to those they are working beside. The rest of "class" time was spent working on the MEE competition.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

 Wow! A lot has happened since my last post, but GATE is back in session even if it is virtual. Here's what we did today:

2nd Grade - The affective lesson focused on Task Commitment. We discussed different types of motivators and how we want to get away from tangible rewards to intangible rewards when completing a task. In Crystal Pond Woods, students helped me work some logic puzzles with manipulatives. Our final discussion was about taking some materials and making something from them that would help during our pandemic.

3rd Grade - This group worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle. Next, students demonstrated courage as they gave a one minute impromptu speech about a topic that was randomly given to them. In Crystal Pond Woods students played a game similar to Master Mind as another method of solving a convergent thinking puzzle. We quickly reviewed their Oklahoma Road Trip project and then said goodbye until next week.

4th Grade - This group also worked together to solve the logic elimination grid puzzle. This week's affective lesson focused on Gripe #5 of Gifted Kids, "When we finish our school work early, we often aren't allowed to work ahead." We then reviewed the Regions and Resources project they are to be completing.

Friday, October 23, 2020

4th Grade - This class followed directions to complete a Surprise In The Middle drawing. Their affective lesson focused on problem #3 gifted kids most often face - Other kids ask us for too much help. We then looked at the videos that accompany their big unit project called Regions/Resources.

5th Grade - They also got to draw the Surprise In The Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Their affective lesson focused on working together through an obstacle, communication, and teamwork needed in leadership. This group started researching planets as part of their Space unit project.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

 2nd Grade - These students listened to given, verbal directions to complete a Surprise In The Middle drawing for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on setting observable, measurable, and specific goals. In Crystal Pond Woods students reviewed sorting and organizing items with a two circle Venn Diagram. Today they sorted and organized items into a three circle Venn Diagram. We took a few minutes to look at the upcoming Erosion project that will be a big, ongoing activity for the next several weeks.

3rd Grade - These students completed the Surprise in the Middle drawing. In Crystal Pond Woods students completed logic elimination grid puzzles they had started before fall break. We then started working on the big GATE project-Oklahoma Road Trip.

4th Grade - These classes also followed directions to complete a Surprise In The Middle drawing. Their affective lesson focused on problem #3 gifted kids most often face - Other kids ask us for too much help. We then looked at the videos that accompany their big unit project called Regions/Resources.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

2nd Grade - These students listened to given, verbal directions to complete a Surprise In The Middle drawing for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on setting observable, measurable, and specific goals. In Crystal Pond Woods students reviewed sorting and organizing items with a two circle Venn Diagram. Today they sorted and organized items into a three circle Venn Diagram. We took a few minutes to look at the upcoming Erosion project that will be a big, ongoing activity for the next several weeks.

4th Grade - These classes also followed directions to complete a Surprise In The Middle drawing. Their affective lesson focused on problem #3 gifted kids most often face - Other kids ask us for too much help. We then looked at the videos that accompany their big unit project called Regions/Resources.

5th Grade - They also got to draw the Surprise In The Middle drawing for the warm up activity. Their affective lesson focused on working together through an obstacle, communication, and teamwork needed in leadership. This group started researching planets as part of their Space unit project.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

2nd Grade - For the warm up activity this week, students played 20 Questions in order to identify the Mystery Object. The affective lesson had students again focusing on things they do well. Today they created a storyboard about themselves and what they do well. In Crystal Pond Woods students had to analyze then sort some shapes.

4th Grade - Students in this class had an opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe #2 of gifted kids which is "We have to do extra work in school." Students also received tips on how to talk to their teachers when this happens. For the final activity, they completed their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic

5th Grade - This class also had the opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. The leadership lesson had students complete an activity then discuss what qualities of leadership they saw while completing the activity. Students finished their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic.

Monday, October 12, 2020

3rd Grade - This class also had the opportunity to ask 20 Questions in order to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on creativity. Each student was given a white sheet of paper and a black circle. They then had to create something using scissors, glue, a pencil and the paper items. In Crystal Pond Woods these students had an opportunity to try more challenging logic elimination grid puzzles.

4th Grade - Students in these classes also had an opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe #2 of gifted kids which is "We have to do extra work in school." Students also received tips on how to talk to their teachers when this happens. For the final activity, they completed their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic.

Friday, October 9, 2020

4th Grade - Students in this class had an opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe #2 of gifted kids which is "We have to do extra work in school." Students also received tips on how to talk to their teachers when this happens. For the final activity, they completed their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic

5th Grade - This class also had the opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. The leadership lesson had students complete an activity then discuss what qualities of leadership they saw while completing the activity. Students finished their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

2nd Grade - For the warm up activity this week, students played 20 Questions in order to identify the Mystery Object. The affective lesson had students again focusing on things they do well. Today they created a storyboard about themselves and what they do well. In Crystal Pond Woods students had to analyze then sort some shapes.

3rd Grade - This class also had the opportunity to ask 20 Questions in order to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on creativity. Each student was given a white sheet of paper and a black circle. They then had to create something using scissors, glue, a pencil and the paper items. In Crystal Pond Woods these students had an opportunity to try more challenging logic elimination grid puzzles.

4th Grade - Students in these classes also had an opportunity to ask 20 Questions to solve the Mystery Object. Their affective lesson focused on Gripe #2 of gifted kids which is "We have to do extra work in school." Students also received tips on how to talk to their teachers when this happens. For the final activity, they completed their inventions, described what the invention was, and how it would help during the pandemic.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

2nd Grade - Students partnered up to create a drawing for the warm up activity. One person would hold the pencil still while the partner would move the paper to create a snake. The affective lesson focused on liking ourselves. After listening to the book :I'm Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis, students created  a book about things they liked about themselves. We then traveled to Crystal Pond Woods to analyze and sort items. Then we used a logic elimination grid to put them in their proper place.

4th Grade - These students also partnered up to create a drawing for the warm up activity. One person would hold the pencil still while the partner would move the paper to create a snake. For the affective lesson, students discussed the first of the eight great gripes of gifted kids. Then they finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

5th Grade - After completing their snake drawing, fifth graders brainstormed vocabulary words that describe leaders. They then developed an acrostic for LEADER. These classes also finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

Monday, October 5, 2020

3rd Grade - This class also tried to draw a snake with a partner. It was a lot of fun. For the affective lesson, students are learning about the five characteristics of competent kids. Today's focus was Above Average Ability. In Crystal Pond Woods, students completed several different convergent thinking puzzles.we started last week.

4th Grade - After completing the snake drawing, this class discussed the first of the eight great gripes of gifted kids. Then they finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

Friday, October 2, 2020

4th Grade - Students partnered up to create a drawing for the warm up activity. One person would hold the pencil still while the partner would move the paper to create a snake. For the affective lesson, students discussed the first of the eight great gripes of gifted kids. Then they finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

5th Grade - After completing their snake drawing, fifth graders brainstormed vocabulary words that describe leaders. They then developed an acrostic for LEADER. These classes also finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

2nd Grade - Students partnered up to create a drawing for the warm up activity. One person would hold the pencil still while the partner would move the paper to create a snake. The affective lesson focused on liking ourselves. After listening to the book :I'm Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis, students created  a book about things they liked about themselves. We then traveled to Crystal Pond Woods to analyze and sort items. Then we used a logic elimination grid to put them in their proper place.

3rd Grade - This class also tried to draw a snake with a partner. It was a lot of fun. For the affective lesson, students are learning about the five characteristics of competent kids. Today's focus was Above Average Ability. In Crystal Pond Woods, students completed several different convergent thinking puzzles.we started last week.

4th Grade - After completing the snake drawing, this class discussed the first of the eight great gripes of gifted kids. Then they finished building their invention to help with the Covid pandemic. Once it was built they had to reflect and analyze their invention for possible ways to improve it.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

2nd Grade - Students were introduced to a visual thinking puzzle where they had to look at the pictures in a box and find the common word or phrase. The social/emotional (affective) lesson focused on the understanding that being gifted means different things to different people. Each week will take a trip to Crystal Pond Woods to explore critical thinking skills. Today's journey had students solving puzzles using a logic elimination grid.

4th Grade - This class also worked to solve the Word Boggler puzzles. Their social/emotional (affective) lessons for this semester will focus on the eight common complaints gifted kids experience. Students were then given a STEM problem and will work through the Engineering Design Process to create something that will solve a problem we have due to the Covid pandemic.

5th Grade - Fifth graders started their class with the Word Boggler puzzles. Leadership is the focus for the fifth grade affective lessons. Today was an introductory day where students discussed their ideas about leaders. Students were then given the Covid-19 problem in which they will design something that will help any aspect of our current situation.

Monday, September 28, 2020

3rd Grade - Started similar to second grade. For the third grade affective lesson, students were introduced to the five characteristics of successful people that we will be studying each week. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given several different types of convergent thinking puzzles to solve.

4th Grade - This class also worked to solve the Word Boggler puzzles. Their social/emotional (affective) lessons for this semester will focus on the eight common complaints gifted kids experience. Students were then given a STEM problem and will work through the Engineering Design Process to create something that will solve a problem we have due to the Covid pandemic.

Friday, September 25, 2020

4th Grade - This class also worked to solve the Word Boggler puzzles. Their social/emotional (affective) lessons for this semester will focus on the eight common complaints gifted kids experience. Students were then given a STEM problem and will work through the Engineering Design Process to create something that will solve a problem we have due to the Covid pandemic.

5th Grade - Fifth graders started their class with the Word Boggler puzzles. Leadership is the focus for the fifth grade affective lessons. Today was an introductory day where students discussed their ideas about leaders. Students were then given the Covid-19 problem in which they will design something that will help any aspect of our current situation.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

 2nd Grade - Students were introduced to a visual thinking puzzle where they had to look at the pictures in a box and find the common word or phrase. The social/emotional (affective) lesson focused on the understanding that being gifted means different things to different people. Each week will take a trip to Crystal Pond Woods to explore critical thinking skills. Today's journey had students solving puzzles using a logic elimination grid.

3rd Grade - Started similar to second grade. For the third grade affective lesson, students were introduced to the five characteristics of successful people that we will be studying each week. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given several different types of convergent thinking puzzles to solve.

4th Grade - This class also worked to solve the Word Boggler puzzles. Their social/emotional (affective) lessons for this semester will focus on the eight common complaints gifted kids experience. Students were then given a STEM problem and will work through the Engineering Design Process to create something that will solve a problem we have due to the Covid pandemic.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Today students from 2nd, 4th and 5th grade A groups met. Classes began by playing SET an online critical thinking game. They gave it a try in class and should be able to do another puzzle this week in Canvas. Students who had completed all of their inventories worked on a Behind the Mask activity sharing a little bit about themselves or they started working on a Breakoutedu activity about the Constitution.

There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Monday, September 21, 2020

Today all of the third grade A group and half of the fourth grade A group met. Classes began by playing SET an online critical thinking game. They gave it a try in class and should be able to do another puzzle this week in Canvas. Students who had completed all of their inventories worked on a Behind the Mask activity sharing a little bit about themselves or they started working on a Breakoutedu activity about the Constitution.

There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Friday, September 18, 2020

 We began the day playing SET an online critical thinking game. They gave it a try in class and should be able to do another puzzle this week in Canvas. Students in fourth and fifth grade completed unfinished inventories. They are worked on a Behind the Mask activity sharing a little bit about themselves. 

There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

We began the day playing SET an online critical thinking game. They gave it a try in class and should be able to do another puzzle this week in Canvas. Students in second, third and fourth completed unfinished inventories. They are worked on a Behind the Mask activity sharing a little bit about themselves. 

There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Friday, September 11, 2020

Today was my second day to have students. Students completed several inventories, got logged into the GATE Canvas Courses, and viewed what GATE would look like with the current school schedule. There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Next week will begin typical curriculum activities.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

 WELCOME BACK!

It was so good to see students again today. Although the schedule may look a little different, it is still the goal of the Edmond Public Schools GATE program to provide challenging opportunities for GATE students.

Today, all students completed several inventories, got logged into the GATE Canvas Courses, and viewed what GATE would look like with the current school schedule. There are activities for students to complete during their days at home. During a typical year, students would be in GATE class for approximately two hours a week. This year, they will spend an hour in the GATE classroom and approximately an hour completing activities through Canvas.

Next week will begin typical curriculum activities.

Friday, March 13, 2020

1st Grade - Students continued their Inventor Thinking today by turning a page of circles into different items. They then had to design a spicycle (bicycle for a Yolanda the Yarnspinner-a spider). Each student then designed a trap to catch a leprechaun and created a list of materials necessary to build it. They will build their traps after Spring Break.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

4th Grade - Our learning today began with the vocabulary word Candid which means someone who is honest and sincere. Their future thinker was Nolan Ryan who struggled with pitching but became a famous baseball pitcher. For the warm up activity, students had to think of words that sounded like air or contained the word. Then they were given three words and had to write one sentence containing all three words. The focus of our affective lesson was to think of ways they could make the world a more peaceful place. Lastly, students were introduced to the Road Rally Challenge which we will work on after Spring Break.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

1st Grade - These students learned that Proficient means someone who has mastered a particular skill.Their future thinker was Jim Carrey who had to drop out of high school to help support his family but became a well known actor. For the warm up activity, students wrote all the words they could think of that had the word "air" in them or sounded like air. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were introduced to Isabel the Inventor who has lots and lots of answers. Today the built their Brainfocals. On Friday we will test the Brainfocals to see if they can help us brainstorm what to do with a bunch of circles.

2nd Grade - Their word for today was Extract which means to get, pull, or draw out, usually with special effort, skill, or force. Their future thinker was Franklin Delano Roosevelt (our 32nd President) who continued to work hard after he developed Polio. The affective lesson focused on the understanding that no one is perfect and that we will struggle with some things. We attached our balloons to Beebots and had our version of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had to match the ends of dominoes as they developed their visual thinking.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

3rd Grade - Our learning today began with the vocabulary word Omnivore which means an organism, usually an animal, which eats both animal and plant foods. Their forward thinker was Ida Wells Barnett who bit a train conductor in protest of the segregated train. Students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle. In Crystal Pond Woods, students completed pictorial analogies as part of their visual thinking skills. After looking at a Rube Goldberg chain reaction contraption, students had to tell what happened at each step. They then drew their own chain reaction contraption which they will build when we return from Spring Break. We hope to use the chain reaction contraption to catch a mouse.

Monday, March 9, 2020

5th Grade - Today's classes learned that a Chaparral is a thicket of shrubs and small trees. Their future thinkers invented the Hula Hoop using plastic no one wanted and saved hundreds of jobs. For the warm up activity, students had to think of as many words as they could that contained the word "air" or the sound of air. The focus of the affective lesson was speaking for others. We spent time trying to determine the source of our mystery disease, how it is being passed from person to person, what can be done to prevent it, and what to do if you do get sick with the mystery disease.

Friday, March 6, 2020

1st Grade - Today students sorted some more items using a Venn diagram. We watch a video of a read aloud book How To Catch A Leprechaun. Then we began planning how to build a trap to catch one.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

4th Grade - Today's learning began with the word Idyllic which means something that's pleasant and peaceful. Their future thinker was Gloria Estevan who suffered a broken back in a bus accident but persevered to continue her singing and dancing career. We worked together to try to solve a logic puzzle for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on what students would do if they were in charge of the world. Our Systems lesson is focused on transportation. Students are studying about life on the plains as a man has left his family to lay tracks for the continental railroad.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

1st Grade - These students learned that Culmination means the end result or climax. Their forward thinker was Lucille Ball who's drama teachers told her she had no talent. For the warm up activity, students matched aviation terms with the definitions using puzzle pieces.

2nd Grade - This class learned that an Interruption means to cause or make a break. Today's forward thinker was Herber Hoover the 30th President of the United States who fed the people of Belgium during WWII. These students also matched aviation terms with definitions using puzzle pieces. The affective lesson focused on making and keeping friends to help alleviate stress. In Crystal Pond Woods students deciphered encrypted ciphers. Students then started programming a Beebot to get ready for our little parade next week.

Monday, March 2, 2020

5th Grade - Today students learned that Inception means the start or beginning. Their future thinker was Milton Hershey who persevered through many failures until he found success making caramels. For the warm up activity, students worked together to solve a logic elimination grid puzzle. The affective lesson focused on active listening. Today was Day 3 of our Mystery Disease. Students have to find the source of the disease and prevent further outbreaks. The final activity was to work some more on their choice boards.

Friday, February 28, 2020

1st Grade - We took our weekly trip to Crystal Pond Woods this afternoon and leaned about grouping with Venn Diagrams. Students took a couple of minutes to draw some patterns and we looked at some cool bugs that a man made from garden materials.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

4th Grade - Today we learned that Plausible means something that is reasonably true but may not be. For the warm up activity, students had to unscramble the aviation terms, then match them with their definition. Their future thinker was Condoleeza Rice who overcame many things to become Secretary of State for the United States. The affective lesson focused on recognizing that people are interdependent on one another. The final activity was to begin the study of the Transportation system.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

1st Grade - Students is this class learned that a Hybrid is a mix of different reeds or varieties. Their future thinker was Charles Dickens who only had a few years of formal education but became a well know author. Students learned how to complete a logic elimination puzzle as they solved one together in class.

2nd Grade - These students learned that a Variable is something that may or does vary or change. The future thinker was Warren Harding, our 29th President, who had a chair in cabinet meetings for his dog. In Crystal Pond Woods, students completed their figural nursery rhymes. Then they turned a favorite nursery rhyme into their own figural picture puzzle. The final activity was to spend time working on a balloon for our own balloon parade.

Monday, February 24, 2020

5th Grade - The students in these classes learned that Machinate means to plot or scheme. For the warm up activity students had to figure out words associated with aviation and then match the term with the definition. Their future thinker was Robert Goddard who is known as the Father of Modern Rocketry. The affective lesson focused on communication in leadership. Students role played county health department officials that had to figure out the source of the mystery disease outbreak.

Friday, February 21, 2020

1st Grade - These students played detective as they learned about attributes. They played a game where they had to change a certain number of attributes from block to block. The final activity was to learn the four scientific principles of flight.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Due to meetings today, GATE class was cancelled and will resume next week.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

1st Grade- These students learned that Coherent means someone who is clear and easy to understand. The future thinker was Roald Dahl who had trouble in school getting his thoughts on paper, but became a well known children's author. Students worked together to solve the mixed up letters and definitions that had to do with aviation.

2nd Grade - This class learned that a Shape is something seen in outline, as in silhouette. Their future thinker was Woodrow Wilson who had a stroke as President, but his wife carried out his duties for him. This group also worked together to solve the mixed up letters and definitions that had to do with aviation. The affective lesson focused on the qualities we look for in friends. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had to solve nursery rhymes that had been put into picture form.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

3rd Grade - These students learned that a Carnivore is an animal that eats flesh. The future thinker was Nellie Bly, after reading Around the World in 80 Days, went around the world in 72 days. For the warm up activity, students unscrambled aviation terms then matched the term to its definition. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had to fit pentominoes into particular shapes. The final activity was to think and see how potential energy and kinetic energy fit into a Rube Goldberg contraption.

Friday, February 14, 2020

1st Grade - Students finished sharing mistakes they had made and what lessons they learned from those mistakes. In Crystal Pond Woods, students continued being detectives searching for ladybugs and flowers. Then they had to be detectives and look for patterns in the classroom.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

4th grade - These classes learned that Unflappable means someone who has a lot of self-control and is not easily upset or frightened. The class worked together today to solve the Dropquote puzzle for the warm up activity. Colin Powell, former Secretary of State for the United States, pulled several men to safety with a broken ankle while he was in Vietnam. Our affective lesson focused on the things we learn from others. Finally, students finished some math involving electricity and had the opportunity to play with Snap Circuits.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

1st Grade - This class learned that Cull means to pick out from a group.Their future thinker was Dr. Seuss who was turned down by 27 publishers before To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street was published. Students solved compound word crossword puzzles for the warm up activity. The affective lesson focused on mistakes we make and the lessons we learn from those mistakes.

2nd Grade - These students learned that Constants arth things that do not change or vary.Their future thinker was William Howard Taft, our 27th President,  who has been our largest (by weight). Students solved the compound word crossword puzzles for the warm up activity. Their affective lesson focused on our anger and how to deal with anger. We began studying Visual Thinking in Crystal Pond Woods. Students fit tangram pieces into different characters from Crystal Pond Woods. The final activity was to design and begin building balloons for our own parade.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

3rd Grade - Our learning began with the vocabulary word Producer which means an organism, as a plant, that is able to produce its own food from inorganic substances. Their forward thinker was Mary Harris Jones who led a group of injured children on a 100 mile march to protest working conditions for children. Students worked together to solve a Dropquotes puzzle for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students had to color a map using only four colors which was the introduction to Visual thinking. The final activity was to complete experiments about simple machines as they prepare to build a Rube Goldberg chain reaction contraption.

Monday, February 13, 2020

5th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Nefarious which means evil, infamous. The future thinker was Robert Fulton who invented the steamboat. For the warm up activity students worked as a group to complete a Dropquotes puzzle. Communication in a large group was the emphasis of the affective lesson. Students started a simulation today where they were nurses who were presented with several people with similar symptoms. Students had to research possibilities for the illness. Their final activity was to begin working on Island Survival activities or a Passion Project.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

4th Grade - This class learned that Potent means something that is powerful and effective. There future thinker was Sandra Day O'Connor who overcame many things to become a Supreme Court justice. For the warm up activity students solved crossword puzzles that were compound words about aviation. The affective lesson focused on how we are all interdependent and treating others with kindness is important. The final activity was to do some math involving electricity so students could understand what happens when a circuit gets overloaded.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

3rd Grade - The forward thinker today was Susan B. Anthony who was a champion for civil rights during the 1800s. For the warm up activity students chose two aviation story starters to finish. We also worked together to solve a dropquote. In Crystal Pond Woods, students learned another form of brainstorming called webbing. We took time to reflect on our Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade entries. The final lesson was a quick review of simple machines. Next week students will have an opportunity to experiment with each form of simple machines.

Monday, February 3, 2020

5th Grade - Our learning today began with the vocabulary word Gregarious which means sociable. For the warm up activity students used available letters to complete compound word crossword puzzles. Their future thinker was Benjamin Franklin who only had two years of formal schooling yet invented many things as well as racked up a long list of accomplishments. The rest of the day was spent completing the Exploravision contest essays.

Friday, January 31, 2020

1st Grade - Students put on their detective badges to solve some mysteries with Dudley the Detective. They were then logged into my Google Classroom and Khan Academy which will provide them with extension activities while they are in their regular education classes.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Impersonate which means to mimic or pretend to be someone else. The future thinker was Hillary Clinton who was criticized for being too strong, too intelligent, and too outspoken. It was these qualities that helped her become the first woman senator from New York and the first woman to win nomination for President. For the warm up activity, students were given the choice to complete two very short story starters about flight. The affective lesson focused on helping students narrow down things that are of particular interest to them so they do not become overloaded with activities outside of school. In our study of the electric system, students learned about watts, volts, amperes, and kilowatts. They will use the information they learned today to figure out overloaded circuits next week.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

1st Grade - Today was the first time this class has met. First, we learned that a Pattern is a noun and something that repeats in a predictable way. The future thinker was Hans Christian Andersen who had difficulty at school, but became a famous storyteller. Since this was our first class meeting, we developed a class pledge/code of conduct to follow while attending GATE. Students were then introduced to Crystal Pond Woods and Dudley the Detective. We will do more with that on Friday.

2nd Grade - This group learned that Insulation means to cover, line, or separate with a material that prevents or reduces the leakage of heat. Theodore "Teddy" did not lead a charge up San Juan Hill. The affective lesson focused on the understanding that we experience a range of emotions every day. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given two words and some items and had to invent the new item that was a result of the two words.  For the Flight lesson, students observed a balloon blowing up as a result of baking soda and vinegar. We then discussed the properties of flight necessary to lift the balloon.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Due to second grade CogAT make up testing going on today, I was unable to meet with the third grade GATE students. We will resume our regular schedule next week.

Monday, January 27, 2020

5th Grade - Today we learned that Modicum means a moderate amount. The forward thinker was Conrad Hubert who developed the idea of a hand held torch from a flowerpot that would light up. Students spent some quality time developing their Exploravision projects. Many are just about complete. The final activity was to create a 3D vertical ring from Pringles potato chips.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

4th Grade - The morning class had a delayed start due to second grade testing. We did learn that Indignation means anger, especially over something that's unfair. For the warm up activity, the class worked together to solve some Plexer puzzles and left the rest for homework. Madeline Albright, the first woman Secretary of State, was today's forward thinker. The morning group completed the robots from the other Edmond school and evaluated how they wrote the directions. Those who were finished had an opportunity to learn about circuits with Snap Circuits.

The afternoon group had more time and used it to complete unfinished projects, work a little on Khan Academy, and play with the Snap Circuits.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

2nd Grade - Our vocabulary word for today was Skyscraper which is a relatively tall building of many stories, especially one for office or commercial use. The future thinker was Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th President of the United States, who developed a tumor in his jaw. Mr. Cleveland then had a dentist design a rubber jaw to replace the part of his jaw that had been removed because of the tumor. Very few people knew he had a rubber jaw until many years after his Presidency. Students worked together to solve the Plexer puzzles that were today's warm up activity. Handling stress was the focus of the affective lesson. In Crystal Pond Woods, students chose a common object, then SCAMPERED it to reinvent a new item. We then listened to Balloons Over Broadway the true story of Tony Sarg the puppeteer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade balloons.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

3rd Grade - After a long, restful weekend students began learning with the vocabulary word Environment which means, air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a given organism at any time. The forward thinker was Charlie Parkhurst who had been a stagecoach driver for over 50 years. Upon his death it was discovered that he was a she who had been the first woman to vote in California. Students worked to solve Plexer puzzles about aviation for the warm up activity. In Crystal Pond Woods, students were given three sheets of construction paper and approximately 40 inches of masking tape. They were to build a tower with a minimum height of nine inches that would hold the most encyclopedias. Finally, we had our own version of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

4th Grade - Our learning began today with the vocabulary word Pulchritude which means beauty. The future thinker was Jackie Robinson who broke the racial barrier to become the first African-American to play major league baseball. For the warm up activity students tackled the challenge of creating a vertical 3D ring from Pringles potato chips. The affective lesson focused on helping others and goal setting. Students wrote ways they could perform acts of kindness and put them on a calendar where they could see the goals they needed to complete. The final activity was to build the Northern Hills robots.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

2nd Grade - We learned that a Perimeter is the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure. Benjamin Harrison (today's future thinker) was called the Sandwich President because he was President between Grover Cleveland's two terms as President. For the warm up activity students tried to build a vertical 3D ring out of Pringles.We then completed our SCAMPERed invention with our friends from Crystal Pond Woods.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

3rd Grade - We began our learning today with the vocabulary word Liberty which means freedom from external or foreign rule: independence. The forward thinker was Nellie Cashman who traveled to different mining camps helping miners with food, boarding, and medical attention. For the warm up activity students worked in teams to solve the Pringles Ring STEM challenge. In Crystal Pond Woods students had to brainstorm the questions to the given answer. Our final activity was to program the Beebots which will be the floats to carry our balloons in the GATE version of Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Monday, January 13, 2020

5th Grade - Today's classes learned that Soporific means sleep inducing. For the warm up activity students matched aviation terms with their definitions.The Future Thinker was Thomas Alva Edison who also invented gummed paper. First impressions was the focus of the affective lesson. Finalizing the first three essays for the Exploravision took up the rest of our time together today.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

4th Grade - Today's vocabulary word was Ponderous which means something that is heavy and massive. Students matched aviation terms with their definitions for the warm up activity. Lance Armstrong joined a cycling team after winning the Iron Kids Triathlon at age 13. The affective lesson focused on goal setting. The rest of class time was spent writing directions for the robots we built so students in another school can build the robot from our directions.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

2nd Grade - These students learned that Dimensions means measurement in length, width, and thickness. Chester Arthur and Calvin Coolidge, our 21st and 30th Presidents, were not very good at forward thinking as they didn't like to work. For the warm up activity, students matched aviation vocabulary with the definition. The focus of our affective lesson was dealing with people that tease us. After listening to the story Chrysanthemum students created bugs as a reminder of what they should do if others are mean to us. In Crystal Pond Woods we reviewed the SCAMPER process and worked to redesign a familiar object.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

3rd Grade - Today was our first day back to school after the Winter Break. We began our learning with the vocabulary word Welfare which means the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity of a person, group, or organization; well-being. Their future thinker was Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary) who really should have been nicknamed "Lucky." For the warm up activity, students mathed airport terms with their definitions. In Crystal Pond Woods we continued learning about divergent thinking. Today we created chain reaction contraptions that would do a simple task such as cracking open acorns. In a few weeks we hope to actually build a Rube Goldberg chain reaction contraption. Our final activity was to build the balloon floats for our own "Macy's Thanksgiving Day" parade.