The Gifted and Talented Resource Teachers visit Kindergarten classrooms three times a year to conduct whole-class lessons. This year's first lesson focused on the book Scribbles by Rebecca and James McDonald. Students learned that even simple scribbles can represent signs, symbols, and pictures when viewed with imagination. They created their own scribbles and, using critical thinking and creativity, identified numbers, letters, and images within their designs.

Our Kindergarten students were thrilled to share their discoveries and explore the creations of their classmates.

In the first quarter of the school year, the Gifted & Talented Resource Teachers engaged with 1st grade classrooms across all five elementary schools. They kicked off their lessons with the book They All Saw A Cat, guiding students to explore how illustrators express emotions through shapes, lines, and colors. Students then showcased their creativity by drawing in four different boxes, using critical thinking to visualize their artistic ideas. Their enthusiasm was obvious as they proudly shared their impressive creations!

We’re off to an exciting start this school year at Baldwin Intermediate! I’m thrilled to be teaching new grade levels while also reconnecting with many familiar faces from previous years.

Currently, both grade levels are diving into a fascinating genetics unit. Students are exploring DNA and using Punnett Squares to predict genetic outcomes, whether they be recessive or dominant. We’re having a blast creating new generations of creatures—everything from monsters and dragons to pigeons!

To make learning even more engaging, we’ve incorporated gamification into our lessons with tools like decoders, board game packets, and technology. This approach not only enhances understanding but also adds a fun twist to our studies. Plus, students are practicing their collaborative skills through interactive warm-ups in class.

Looking forward to an incredible year of learning and discovery together!

As we approach the holiday breaks, we’re excited to kick off our next unit of research! Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of topics that spark their interest, including animals, ancient civilizations, historical events, and more.

During this unit, they’ll learn essential research skills, including how to properly cite sources to avoid plagiarism. Students will also develop their ability to create engaging presentations based on their findings. This research will ultimately pave the way for our symposium project at the end of the year.

We can’t wait to see the creativity and knowledge our students will bring to this project!

We’re off to a fantastic start this fall at Mayfield Intermediate! Each class begins with a fun challenge—either a “red herring” (a mix of a riddle and a game of 20 Questions) or a level from the Zahada puzzle website. It’s wonderful to see students thinking outside the box!

Fifth-Grade Highlights: In our language arts and social studies classes, fifth-graders have been diving into the Lincoln assassination conspiracy. They've been examining documents adapted from original 1865 primary sources. After uncovering the fates of the conspirators, students will collaborate to write and perform a short play based on their findings, with the option to explore different historical topics if they choose.

In math and science, we’re exploring genetics! Students are learning about dominant and recessive genes, and how traits can be inherited even when not visible in parents. Currently, they’re using Punnett squares to determine the traits of a selected dragon couple’s offspring, who will “battle” against dragons created by their classmates.

Sixth-Grade Projects: Sixth-graders in language arts and social studies are busy preparing for the National History Day competition in Fairfax on March 1. We will host a mini history fair at Mayfield in January to select projects for submission, which will also be showcased at our GT Showcase event in May. Students can work individually or in groups and choose to create an exhibit, website, documentary, or live performance. Topics include Pearl Harbor, the Black Death, the Trail of Tears, and the Titan submersible disaster. I’m thrilled to also work with a few 7th- and 8th-grade alumni after school at Metz, as they prepare to enter the competition again!

In math and science GT, students are participating in the MATHCOUNTS National Math Club. Some are creating instructional videos on math concepts using official MATHCOUNTS problems, while others prepare lessons to teach at local elementary schools. We also have groups focused on a “Math in Art” project and planning a math solve-a-thon to raise funds for charity.

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

The 8th-grade Integrated Research class kicked off the year by looking at misinformation. With the prevalence of misleading claims and faulty statistics online, our 8th graders put their research efforts to setting the record straight, investigating various instances of misinformation and uncovering the truth behind commonly circulated myths. Our students had a unique opportunity to participate in a virtual visit from an epidemiologist who works for Booz Allen Hamilton who had several contracts with the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control. They engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about the pressing issue of misinformation in the real world.

Throughout the project, students honed their skills in verifying sources, emphasizing the importance of credibility in research. By utilizing MLA format for their citations, they not only learned how to properly attribute information but also gained insights into effective presentation techniques. This process allowed them to articulate their findings clearly and persuasively, fostering valuable communication skills that will serve them well in the future. Their enthusiasm for critical thinking and inquiry into the complexities of information dissemination has been truly inspiring. Students are equipped with essential research skills and have also heightened their awareness of the role they play in combating misinformation in our digital landscape.

We look forward to seeing how these insights will shape their future learning experiences and encourage a culture of informed discourse. Keep an eye out for more updates as our students continue to explore and engage with vital global issues!

IMS Science 7 has officially kicked off Unit 2: Cellular Heredity! Students had the chance to dive into research and create their own materials and procedures for extracting DNA from fruit. They enthusiastically selected different fruits, supported by their research on which would yield the best results and why. Looking ahead we’ll delve into inheritance and genetic probability, including Punnett Squares. Stay tuned for more updates!

The 8th Grade IMS classes have had a busy start to the year! So far, students have examined real-life examples of chemical and physical changes and classified them accordingly. They’ve also explored atomic properties, focusing on molecular motion, chemical and physical properties, and the distinctions between elements, compounds, and mixtures.

Recently, students completed a virtual lab investigating endothermic and exothermic reactions. Moving forward, we will begin studying ionic and covalent bonds and further develop their scientific reasoning skills by planning experiments to separate various mixtures, with the added challenge of using each tool only once. This approach encourages thoughtful and intentional planning as they engage with this exciting material!

Grade 7 students are set to embark on their first novel, La Linea by Ann Jaramillo, which follows the journey of Miguel and his sister Elena as they seek a better life. Throughout the year, students will engage in discussions about perspective, exploring various texts and activities. They'll also develop important skills such as debating, presenting, and annotating, making for an enriching literary experience!

Grade 8 students have been analyzing poetry and nonfiction texts and honing their writing skills through expository responses. Excitingly, they've begun an introduction to Shakespeare and have started reading his play, The Tempest. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to explore this timeless work!

During the first marking period, our Honors Art 7 students focused on mastering various drawing techniques. They are now applying their skills to an exciting self-portrait project, where they’ll create a detailed representation of themselves using only graphite pencil. Students are honing their shading techniques to capture depth and dimension, exploring how light and shadow can enhance their portraits.

Our Honors Art 8 students have also been working on their drawing techniques. They are currently engaged in a fun project creating Foil Balloon Letters using charcoal pencils and advanced shading techniques. This project allows them to experiment with texture and form, bringing their designs to life.

Students from CTE, IH, and IMS, had the fantastic opportunity to sign up to visit the Airbus Experience Center, where they engaged in hands-on learning about aerospace and engineering. This experience broadened students' understanding of the industry and also inspired them to think critically about future career paths.

On October 5 the IMS girls visited the Amazon headquarters in Arlington! Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed with gift bags filled with fun surprises, including a mini desk vacuum, a suction phone case, and other exciting items.

The highlight of the day was meeting C.L.Ai.R.A., Amazon’s groundbreaking AI figure and the world’s first woman of color AI. The girls also heard inspiring stories from a coding scientist at NASA and a female entrepreneur who launched her own startup with the support of her tech-savvy friends.

After these inspiring introductions, the students participated in various workshops, including “Grows and Glows,” CSI investigations, and even building race cars! It was a day packed with inspiration and hands-on learning, celebrating the contributions of girls in science.

The Gifted and Talented program at Osbourn High School is off to a great start! This school year, all GT students at Osbourn High are receiving direct services via pull-out meetings. Dr. Rebecca Small, the GT Resource teacher has divided students into small grade-level groups for the lessons. All students will be invited to four sessions this year. Each session provides students with a learning opportunity and time to collaborate. See topics student addressed by grade level during the first marking period below:

9th Grade: A Pythagorean Theorem challenge: students were provided with a set of shapes and in groups, had to use those shapes to develop a Pythagorean theorem proof. Students learned about two teens in Louisiana who were the first in hundreds of years to develop a proof for the theorem using Trigonometry. 

10th Grade: Cup and Quarter Challenge: students were provided a Jefferson cup and a quarter and had to figure out how to get the quarter over the cup without using external aids.

11th Grade: GPA Game: Students engaged in an exercise to mimic the qualities of a college applicant that both increases and decreases a student’s chance of college admission. After the simulation, students began searching for colleges that match their strengths using the Naviance platform. 

12th Grade: College Essay Seminar: Students engaged in an activity designed to personalize their college essays with a paper bag activity. Students decorated the outside of the bag with qualities well known to others on the outside, and wrote their lesser-known qualities on slips of paper placed into the inside of the bag.  Students were asked to select one of their qualities and begin writing their college essay. 

Dr. Small is excited to continue working with the GT students via pullout sessions! Future sessions will be communicated to students via Schoology and E Hall pass. Sessions will be communicated to parents via an announcement on Thrill Share.