What is Gifted Education?
It's part of human nature to want to learn, to be in that place where we can grow intellectually, emotionally and creatively. We want to feel challenged, to move beyond where we are and toward our innate potential, to test our limits. Abraham Maslow, the well-known humanistic psychologist, called this the tendency toward self-actualization, and viewed it as an essential human drive.
Children need to feel challenged. In order to stay engaged, interested and excited about learning, they need the opportunity to explore, create, grow and go off in their own directions. Gifted programs exist to support students who need a different kind of learning experience - where they can work at an accelerated pace, on an advanced level academically, and to be around others with similar needs.
Giftedness has to do with how you approach things, how you learn, and your potential for learning. Giftedness means you are biologically wired to view the world in a certain way. Giftedness is about potential and attributes - "just viewing the world through a different lens". Therefore, a person's giftedness influences how they interact with the world.
Being identified as gifted is neither a good thing or a bad thing. It simply is. The label doesn't define you - the characteristics you display everyday do. The key is to learn how to manage those things - especially hard things such as emotional intensity, peer interactions, expectations - yours and from the people around you. Gifted education exists to provide students the tools they need for a successful journey.
Supplies, Events, Permission Forms:
The Joplin Elementary Gifted Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Memorial Education Center at 8th and Pearl. It services grades 2nd - 5th. When visiting, please come in the West entrance.
Faculty:
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Wendee Hughes - 2nd/3rd
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Miranda Hembree - 4th/5th
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Kasey Pliler - Director
Supply List:
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Upcoming Events:
*Elementary Read-a-thon!/TBA
Lunch Menu:
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August 30, 2018
Ready or Not!
Elementary Gifted Open House for 2nd-5th grades is Thursday, September 6th from 5:30-6:30 at Memorial Education Center. It will begin in the cafeteria. Learn about the Gifted Program, meet friends and staff, as well as finalize registration. We hope to see you there!
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 1: September
Wicked Words: cordial- warm and friendly
Students practiced greeting classmates in a cordially manner. The focus was really getting to know each other and building that community here at Gifted.
Biodiversity- the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem
We discussed the biodiversity in our world.
Homework: This week homework was really for parents :) Your child should share a purple Volunteer Sign Up sheet that went home in the connection folder. If you're able to help out, we appreciate it. If not, we understand. If you weren't able to attend Open House I sent home the parent packet to complete as well. I would like to send out email reminders once I receive the majority of the packets back.
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 2: September
Wicked Words:
*environment - surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives or operates.
Students practiced greeting classmates in a cordially manner. The focus was really getting to know each other and building that community here at Gifted.
*interdependence - the dependence of two or more things or people on each other
We discussed the biodiversity in our world.
Homework: This week's homework was really for parents (again) :) We would like your insight into your child by answering important questions. Thanks for your input!
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 3: September
Wicked Words:
*habitat-
noun
the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
*giftedness - Giftedness isn’t something you choose. It’s how you are hardwired. Just as every individual is unique and exhibits his or her own personality, “giftedness” manifests itself differently in every child.
Homework: Illustrate what the Gifted poem means to you
Wicked Words:
*habitat-
noun
the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
*giftedness - Giftedness isn’t something you choose. It’s how you are hardwired. Just as every individual is unique and exhibits his or her own personality, “giftedness” manifests itself differently in every child.
Homework: Illustrate what the Gifted poem means to you
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 4: October
Wicked Words:
*adapt
noun
to become adjusted to new conditions
*bioluminescence- light produced by living organisms
Homework: Logic or KenKen puzzle
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 5: October - Ocean Animal Research
Wicked Words:
*adaptation - noun -the action or process of an animal adaption to survive showing behavioral or physical changes.
*self-directed- the ability to regulate and adapt behavior to the demands of a situation
Homework: Read Fall Park night flyer to a paren
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 6 & 7: October - Shark Week!
Wicked Words:
*awareness - knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
*countershading - protective coloration of some animals inwhich normallly in the shadow are light and those exposed to the sky are dark.
Homework: Genius Hour form - get topic approval from a parent/guardian
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 8: October - Ocean Pollution
Wicked Words:
Apathetic- adjective
showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
The class listened to the story One Plastic Bag and we discussed the difference one person can make. It's a true story about a lady from The Gambia in Africa who saw a problem with plastic bags and took action.
Biodegradable-adjective
capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms
We looked at biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials.
Our essential question was what effect do humans have on the oceans?
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 9: October - Ocean Pollution
Wicked Words
determination-noun
overcoming obstacles in order to reach a goal
I read a story called, "Talking Leaves," and students had to pull out which character trait was most prevalent and explain.
Quote-
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Thomas A. Edison
algae-noun
plant-like organism
Our unit study focused on "red tides." Then, the class participated in a hands on project removing "harmful" algae from the ocean.
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 10-11: October - Moon, tides, gravity
Wicked Words:
Reliance (noun) - dependence on or trust in someone or something
Both classes practiced relying on each other while working to complete puzzles.
Gravity - the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth or towards a body having mass
Students went on a scavenger hunt in the cafeteria to learn about the moon, tides, and ocean waves.
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 12: October - Amazon Rainforest/Gifted t-shirt orders!
Greetings! If you are wanting to order a Gifted t-shirt, I sent the order form home today in your child's connection folder. I'm including the picture of the options below. There are some oldies but goodies on there from last year as well as some new designs. The form didn't have the price for the 3/4 sleeve shirt (number 8), but it's $15. All orders are due by December 7th here at MEC. Cash or check must be attached. If ordering, please indicate the number corresponding to the t-shirt or hoodie etc. that you want on the order form, since there are multiple t-shirts. Let me know if you have any questions.
Wicked Words:
confluence - the junction of two rivers
integrity - the quality of being honest
Quote: "Do the right thing even when no one is watching." CS Lewis
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 13: October - Biomes
Wicked Words:
*efficiency - working in a well organized manner
*epiphyte- a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic
Homework: Genius Hour resource retrieval & t-shirt form
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 14: October - See, Run, Do
Wicked Words:
*
Ecology, EQ, and Planet Earth
Week 15: October -
Wicked Words:
*awareness - knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
*countershading - protective coloration of some animals inwhich normallly in the shadow are light and those exposed to the sky are dark.
Homework: Genius Hour form - get topic approval from a parent/guardian
