Welcome back! I hope to see many parents at Open House on Thursday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Clark gymnasium. I know the students are anxious to delve into the new topic areas this year. Classes will begin Monday, August 27th. The new school year brings some changes to the Project Plus program’s schedule and room.

The Project Plus classroom was painted this summer, and a new drop ceiling and light were installed in the alcove (closet). Opening up this area extends our classroom and adds to the brightness. The furniture and tables have been rearranged so smaller groups will have more table space, and even the largest group (4th grade) can all meet together. We also have a new video screen.

I’m very excited about the new “intervention block” in the Clark School schedule. Each grade level has a daily 50 minute block for pull-outs and small groups in the room. Students receiving any level of service, including Project Plus and WINGS, will leave the homeroom at the same time. This will assure that the Project Plus students never “miss” anything happening in the regular classroom. It will also allow for a very consistent and easy to remember schedule. See the daily schedule on the link at the left.

The theme this year for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be:

INQUIRE, INVESTIGATE, INVENT, IMAGINE

Units include: “The Power of Invention”; “Rube Goldberg, Who or What Is It?”; “St. Louis Architecture” and “Gargoyles”. Each grade will also cover the following mini-units: “Time Travel, An Advanced Geometry Adventure” in 5th grade; “Fabulous Fibonacci and His Nifty Numbers” in 4th grade; “Creativity Challenges and Teaming” in 3rd grade, and “Academic Challenge Games”. We will also continue problem solving, “Math Rules” and affective lessons in which students learn more about their selves, their learning styles, and their relationships with others.

The theme this year for 2nd grade will be:

DISCOVERY

Units include “Storytelling”; “Action Fractions” and “Kingdom Animalia”; along with a continuation of PETS (Primary Education Thinking Skills) which helps develop thinking which is convergent and deductive, inventive and analytical, logical and critical as well as creative. We will also continue problem solving and “Math Rules.”

I will be considering ideas for possible field trips that are directly related to our topics of study. If any parent is interested in volunteering to help with a field trip, to be a guest speaker in our classroom, or to be a gifted liaison representing the Clark gifted program, please sign up on the list posted at Open House on Thursday evening. There will also be a sign-up list for parent-teacher conferences posted. I have provided supplies for each student’s box in the Project Plus room. Occasionally, we could use a box of tissues or a roll of paper towels. If the need arises, I will post it in my newsletter.

I’m looking forward to a year full of exciting learning challenges for your child. Thank you once again for your support of the gifted program in the WGSD.

Mrs. Carol Anthony

Gifted Specialist

Clark School