We are very excited to start the new year with new units of study. Target classes will resume in January and the units each grade will be studying are listed below.
FIRST Grade - "Stepping Into Target"
“Stepping Into Target” is designed to welcome first grade students into the Gifted Program and to acclimate them to the vocabulary used in these classrooms. Students will “learn the lingo” so that they can intelligently deal with the types of challenges that are required. Students will become familiarized with the major “gurus” who wrote the theories on which our teaching strategies are based. They will likewise understand the concept of “Multiple Intelligences” as well as the learning progression expressed in Bloom’s Taxonomy. Students will become aware that when they are in their gifted classes the focus will be on higher level thinking and problem-solving using fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration.
SECOND & THIRD Grade - "A Journey Through Space and Time"
This is a multidisciplinary unit in which we teach higher order thinking skills through use of both Georgia and National Standards.
Since the dawn of time, mankind has looked to the heavens in wonder. In prerecorded history stories were told to explain what was seen in the night and day time skies. As man became more scientific, discoveries were made that increased man’s reach beyond the blue planet we call home. Today we continue to make new discoveries with only a miniscule amount of the universe being revealed. We are able to learn things about our planet as we look back at ourselves from space. A Journey Through Space and Time Through the Eyes of Different Cultures is an interdisplinary unit which travels through time and space beginning with the first astronomers and early telescopes culminating with the Hubble Space telescope and satellites. The focus is on how we view cosmic bodies beyond the planets in our solar system as well as satellites which allow us to look back at ourselves. The study of stars, including our own sun is also a focus area. Students will investigate the constellations and the mythological stories that surround them from around the world. This unit is designed to broaden the students’ awareness of astronomy and the impact it has on ancient and modern cultures. This unit provides the learner with opportunities to work both independently and cooperatively on research, problem solving, creative thinking, and inquiry based learning activities. The concepts are taught through a multi-disciplinary approach using content that has been accelerated for the primary grade student. They will never look up at the night sky and think the same way again.
FOURTH & FIFTH Grade - Castles, Keeps & Kingdoms"
"Castles, Keeps & Kingdoms" is a language arts and social studies based unit on life in medieval times. While students learn about the history and culture of this period, they can recognize a source of language, technology, literature, and traditions in our lives today that originated in the Middle Ages. Students evaluate the feudal system and compare it to government today. Students also read about characters from classic literature, including Robin Hood, King Arthur and Beowulf. The unit gives students the opportunity to explore a topic in depth and to use critical reading skills and research skills as they explore and conduct independent research.
