welcome to mosaics!. “the miracles of nature do not even seem miracles because they are so common....

Welcome to MOSAICS!Welcome to MOSAICS!

“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

Gender Ratio Gender Ratio (as of 4-26-11)(as of 4-26-11)

0123456789

10111213

1stgr.

2ndgr.

3rdgr.

4thgr.

5thgr.

BoysGirls

Our ScheduleOur Schedule

Mondays – 4th am(Berneking & West), 3rd pm

Tuesdays – 2nd am, push-in block Wednesdays – 4th (both groups

separately) Thursdays – 1stam, 4th pm (Massey &

Weis) Fridays – 5th

Beginning UnitsBeginning Units

1st – Amazing Oceans2nd – Endangered Animals3rd – Our Global Village4th – Ancient Egypt5th – Creative Producers

What goes on in MOSAICS?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

Student EvaluationStudent Evaluation

Student understanding will be assessed each trimester according to the following areas:

• Research• Communication• Creative and Critical Thinking• Affective Thinking / Responsibility• Work Habits

Math CurriculumMath Curriculum

1st: various problem solving strategies2nd: order of operations, negative numbers3rd: begin the fundamentals of algebra4th: Real World Algebra, Ed Zaccaro math5th: Real World Algebra, Ed Zaccaro math

Thinking Skills CurriculumThinking Skills Curriculum

Logic puzzlesCritical thinking scenariosStrategy gamesScavenger huntsBuilding challengesAnd more!

Research ComponentResearch Component

Choice in topics (most of the time within a specified subject)

Choice in final productsStudent presentationsUtilize technology for a great final

outcomeNote-card method (4th and 5th)

Science and Social StudiesScience and Social Studies

Our specially-themed units focus heavily on these two areas, but also span into others at times.

WritingWriting

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

SpanishSpanish

LOTS of nouns!Conversational phrasesAlphabetNumbersVerb conjugation (upper grades)Months, colors, days of week, etc.!

Common Characteristics of the Common Characteristics of the GiftedGifted

• Sensitivity Trouble transitioning Very curious Preoccupied with fairness Interested/worried about world issues Funny sense of humor, “gets” jokes Perfectionism Sensory issues

ContinuedContinued

Prefers adult companyGood guesserEnjoys self-directed learningRushes through work or refuses to do itComplains of boredomGets upset if they don’t understand

quicklyElaborate and creative work

Class RulesClass 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!

Behavior SystemBehavior System

1, 2, 3 system Starts on a green light, moves to yellow, red, blue,

and parking spot (hopefully not!) Consequences:

Yellow: thinking sheetRed: thinking time, lose choiceBlue: 2nd thinking sheetParking spot: talk with pricipal

Reward stickers for exemplary behavior/green light!

Parent CommunicationParent Communication

o Weekly “Today in MOSAICS” reporto Frequent and for good behavior too!

Supply ListSupply List

2 spiral bound notebooks with holes for binder

1 two-pocket folder to take papers home in

Flash drive with name on it (optional!)

Parent OrganizationsParent Organizations

• GAM (Gifted Association of MO) www.mogam.org• NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children)

www.nagc.org• SAGE (St. Louis Association for Gifted Education)

www.giftedsage.com• SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)

www. Sengifted.org• Parkway PAGE (Parents Advocating for Gifted

Education) http://parkwaypage.edublogs.org/ Contact me about joining!!!!

VisitorsVisitors

We love when relatives come to visit us! Just let me know when you would like to come in! We can even arrange for you to work on a special activity

with the kids!

Thank You…Thank You…

for your continued support!