1. Welcome to MOSAICS!

2. “The miracles of nature do not even seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.” - Unknown

3. New this year… 4th grade meets twice per week
Push-in lessons within the classroom
EU’s and EQ’s
Our location
Class pets

4. The numbers ( as of Aug. ’10)

5. Our Schedule Mondays – 4th (Berneking & West), 3rd
Tuesdays – 2nd, push-in block
Wednesdays – 4th (both groups separately)
Thursdays – 1st, 4th (Massey & Weis)
Fridays – 5th

6. Beginning Units 1st – Amazing Oceans 2nd – Endangered Animals
3rd – Our Global Village
4th – Ancient Egypt
5th – Creative Producers

7. What goes on in MOSAICS? Hands-on learning Student choice in projects
Curriculum that caters to student interests
Differentiated lessons
Affective needs lessons
Lots of thinking skills and high math
Fun experiments

8. Math Curriculum 1st: various problem solving strategies
2nd: order of operations, negative numbers
3rd: begin the fundamentals of algebra
4th: Real World Algebra, Ed Zaccaro math
5th: Real World Algebra, Ed Zaccaro math

9. Thinking Skills Curriculum
Logic puzzles
Critical thinking scenarios
Strategy games
Scavenger hunts
Building challenges
And more!

10. Research Component
Choice in topics (most of the time within a specified subject)
Choice in final products
Student presentations
Utilize technology for a great final outcome
Note-card method (4th and 5th)

11. Science and Social Studies Curriculum
Our specially-themed units focus heavily on these two areas, but also span into others at times.

12. Writing Curriculum We focus on… Writing creatively
Using “sparkle” words
Poetry, interpretation and writing
Grammar
Sentence structure
Metaphors, similes, etc.

13. Spanish Curriculum LOTS of nouns! Conversational phrases Alphabet
Numbers
Verb conjugation (upper grades)
Months, colors, days of week, etc.!

14. Assessment Creative and critical thinking Work habits Communication
Research skills
Affective thinking/responsibility

15. Common characteristics of the gifted
Sensitivity
Trouble transitioning
Very curious
Preoccupied with fairness
Interested/worried about world issues
Funny sense of humor, “gets” jokes
Perfectionism
Sensory issues

16. Continued Prefers adult company Good guesser
Enjoys self-directed learning
Rushes through work or refuses to do it
Complains of boredom
Gets upset if they don’t understand quickly
Elaborate and creative work

17. Make-up days Are scheduled for the following…
Tuesday Feb. 22 will be a MONDAY
Tuesday Oct. 5 will be a FRIDAY
Wednesday Nov. 10 will be a FRIDAY
Thursday Feb. 17 will be a FRIDAY
Wednesday April 27 will be a FRIDAY

18. Class Rules Be respectful, responsible, and safe.
Don’t talk over the teacher.
Always follow directions.
No inappropriate words or stories.
Share your ideas knowing that we are all friends.
Have fun!

19. Behavior System 1, 2, 3 system
Starts on a green light, moves to yellow, red, blue, and parking spot (hopefully not!)
Consequences:
Yellow: thinking sheet
Red: thinking time, lose choice
Blue: 2nd thinking sheet
Parking spot: talk with Mr. Dutton
Stickers for exemplary behavior/green light!

20. Parent Communication Weekly “Today in MOSAICS” report
Frequent and for good behavior too!

21. Supply List 2 spiral bound notebooks with holes for binder
1 two-pocket folder
Pack of pencils to share
Small pack of erasers to share
Flash drive with name on it (optional!)

22. Parent Organizations GAM (Gifted Association of MO) www.mogam.org
NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children)
SAGE (St. Louis Association for Gifted Education)
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) www. Sengifted.org
Parkway PAGE (Parents Advocating for Gifted Education) Contact me about joining!!!!

23. Open Door Policy
My classroom door will always be open to parent visitors. No appointment is necessary!
If you wish to visit us and introduce a special lesson, please contact me and I would be thrilled to include you in our school day!

24. Thank you…
For your continued support!