6 th grade GEP meeting Turn in signed notification of meeting forms (if you brought it with you). Pick up a pen and one folder. Grab a business card! Inside the folder—write your child’s name on the top of the WHITE GEP (please use given name). The blue copy is yours to keep. Sign the GEP at the bottom. When the meeting is over, please turn in the signed GEP form (and please return my pens ).

Helena Middle School Mrs. Alex Cox Blog:

Reading Logs and Independent Reading Projects In order to instill and promote the habit and love of reading, I have a two-fold program for independent reading. This includes a reading log and one-pagers. Reading logs will count as homework points (50) and one-pagers will count as project grades (200). Reading logs and one-pagers are generally the only homework I assign.

Reading Logs 1. Students are to read and document a MINIMUM of 100 minutes every week on a reading log. This is to be signed by an adult in order for the student to receive credit. 2. Whenever a student finishes a book, he/she may check a new book out from the school, public, or classroom library; regardless of whether we have started a new reading log or not. 3. Reading logs are collected every Friday.

One-pagers Example of one-pager is in the folder. ONE one-pager is due each nine weeks on a self- selected novel. This cannot be a book previously read. Two different formats of one-pagers will be available each nine weeks. One of the two formats need to be completed. One-pagers give the chance to reflect on the book and some specific characteristic about it.

Project-Based Learning 1. Research projects, including…inventions, debates, culminating projects, independent projects 2. Destination Imagination-creative problem solving and critical thinking skills

Invention Unit—Steve Jobs Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur, marketer, and inventor, who was the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. Student assignment: Read the Steve Jobs biography, Steve Jobs: thinking differently, and create an original invention to present with a group in a culminating project called “Shark Tank.”

Shark Tank

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, etc. Problem solving and critical thinking activities are an integral part of the gifted and talented program. Activities that focus on these skills include the weekly Minute Minders, as well as specified units of study; including Problem-Based Learning and Destination Imagination.

Destination Imagination Activities Students work in cooperative groups to solve given scenarios from the Destination Imagination book. Focus is on brainstorming, trial-and-error problem solving, and team work.

Build the longest bridge with the straws and given supplies. Roll a golf ball across your bridge without the bridge breaking or the ball falling off.

Build the longest spaghetti structure that will cantilever from the tube (without touching the floor).

Build the tallest spaghetti structure that will hold the most nails without breaking.

Destination Imagination-plays

Students designed, built, and painted the sets; designed and collected the costumes; and helped to block the plays.

Camp McDowell Environmental camp located in the Jasper, Alabama area Monday, April 14-Wednesday, April 16. Cost is $160 Objectives: Increase student’s appreciation, knowledge and understanding of environmental science Encourage a sense of responsibility for the environment Foster cooperation and a community feeling

Grading There are two categories of grades: class/homework and exams/projects A specific point value is given to each activity; based on the extent of time, effort, and energy involved in completing each activity At the end of the quarter an average is calculated based on the total number of points for that quarter. Progress reports will be sent home in the middle of the nine weeks and a nine weeks report card will be sent home at the end of each 9 week grading period.