friends of johnston elp newsletter winter 2015 2015.pdf · friends of johnston elp newsletter...
TRANSCRIPT
Supporting the Needs of High Ability Students in the Johnston Community School
District
Friends of Johnston ELP Newsletter Winter 2015
2014-2015 Board Members Our board members represent all schools within our district, as indicated below. Feel free to contact us with any questions, suggestions, or to volunteer to help with any of our activities.
Amy Johnson, President JMS, Wallace
Amy Lucas, Past President JHS, JMS, BC
Beth Frantum, VP & Secretary Lawson
Jill Boeschen, Database Coord JMS
Jane McDowell, Co-Treasurer JHS
Valerie Thacker, Co-Treasurer JHS, JMS, TR
Christine Brittain, Ass’t Newsletter TR
Leslie Pross, Communications BC
Hena Guo, New Member Liaison Horizon
Kathy Paul, ELP Coordinator 515-278-0476
2014-2015 ELP Staff Kathy Paul JCSD ELP Coordinator
MS 8-9 ELP, Assessment, training
515-278-0476 [email protected]
Easiest to contact by e-mail
Sue Cline ELP Teacher at JHS Advanced Placement
515-278-0449 [email protected]
Contact after 3 pm or via e-mail anytime
Mitzi Hetherton
ELP Teacher at Lawson and Timber Ridge
515-278-0478 (Lawson) 515-331-4379 (Timber Ridge)
Contact by e-mail or Phone
Nancy McGill Part-time ELP teacher at Beaver Creek 515-278-6228 [email protected]
Call between 3 and 4 pm or e-mail for a
convenient time
Kristen Hartman
Part-time ELP Teacher at Horizon 515-986-1121 [email protected]
Contact by e-mail or phone
Colleen Ites ELP Teacher at Summit 515-986-0318 [email protected]
Contact by e-mail or phone
Kate Florer Part-time ELP Teacher at Wallace 515-278-6977 [email protected]
Contact by e-mail or phone
Your Membership to Friends of Johnston ELP
Matters!
Currently, Friends of Johnston ELP has 50 members for the 2014-15 school year. This is the lowest number of members since before 2004. Membership to our group is only $15.00, with an optional membership to ITAG for an additional $25.00. Last year, our administrative cost was only 1.65%, so 98.35% of membership dollars go directly back to our ELP educators, along with 100% of the donations we receive. We were fortunate to provide the Johnston ELP teachers with a $4000 check this year to assist in the purchasing of materials for our advanced learners. Donations received so far for this school year are $2,656.00. A large, unified voice supporting the needs of our high ability learners is extremely important, so please join today! You can find a copy of the membership brochure on our website at: http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/schools/elp/membership.html. Please feel free to contact our treasurer, Jane McDowell, if you should have any questions.
Spotlight on Differentiation
Want to highlight the work your child’s classroom teacher is doing? We’re looking for nominees for our Spotlight on Differentiation program. See Page 3 for more details!
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Friends of JELP Board News
$4000 donated to Johnston ELP program
Our Johnston ELP educators were provided with $4000 on behalf of the Friends of Johnston ELP at the October 6th parent program. This money comes from donations and membership to Friends of Johnston ELP. Educators uses these funds to provide our students with additional classroom materials throughout the year. Thank you to our membership for helping out our teachers!!
Friends of JELP Parent Program Update
Thank you to everyone who has attended our first two Parent Programs of the school year! Our first presentation, “Differentiation in the K-12 classroom and the Teacher Leadership Grant” on October 6th was well attended. Our presenters, Dr. Bruce Amendt (assistant superintendent of the Johnston Community School District) and Mr. Matt Robie (President of the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association) provided some great information. Links to their presentations are provided on our website at www.johnston.k12.ia.us/schools/elp/programs.html. Mary Schmidt (Gifted Education Consultant at Heartland AEA) presented at our 2nd Parent Program on January 12. “Best Practices for Parenting High Ability Students” was informative and also well attended. The website, Maryschmidt.pbworks.com provides the presentation as well as links to various materials referenced during the program.
Our last Parent Program of the year will be on March 23rd at 7pm in the Johnston Middle School Library. Don’t miss “Sex,
Gender and Gifted Kids: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know”!
Friends of Johnston ELP purchases books for Johnston School Libraries
With the assistance of donations from members and attendees at our parent programs, Friends of Johnston ELP was able to purchase 21 books to add to the libraries of Johnston schools.The following books were given to the libraries to serve as a resource for classroom teachers. Elementaries: A Collection of Math Lessons Gr. 1-3 and A Collection of Math Lessons Gr. 3-6 by Marilyn Burns Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom by Susan Winebrenner Joyful Reading by Sally M. Reis Summit Middle School: Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom by Susan Winebrenner Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom by Diane Heacox Joyful Reading by Sally M. Reis Fair Isnt’ Always Equal by Rick Wormeli Johnston Middle School: Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom by Susan Winebrenner Johnston High School: Differentiating in the HS Classroom by K. Nunley Thinking through Quality Questioning by Walsh and Sattes Self- Regulation for Academic Success by C. Germeroth and C. Day-Hess Fair Isnt’ Always Equal by Rick Wormeli
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Spotlight on Differentiation
According to the National Association for Gifted Children, differentiation is:
Modifying curriculum and instruction according to content, pacing, and/or product to meet unique student needs in the classroom.
Do you have a recent example of how your student’s classroom teacher differentiated curriculum? We would like to spotlight these K-12 educators and exemplary teaching practices in our upcoming Friends of Johnston ELP quarterly newsletters. The names of classroom teachers submitted will be eligible for a drawing for two $50 gift certificates to The Learning Post at the end of the school year. If you would like to make a submission, please print THIS PAGE and return to your student’s school office in a sealed envelope to:
“Spotlight on Differentiation”; Friends of Johnston ELP c/o Kathy Paul, Johnston Middle School
Classroom Teacher Name: Grade: School: Example of Differentiation: Your Name (Optional):
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ELP News
8th Grade Belin-Blank Summer Program Nominees
The following students represented Johnston Middle School as nominees for this year’s University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Summer Institute: Will Henrichsen—Advanced Science Gary Li—Math Anjali Dhawan—Social Science Lydia Thomasee—Creating Writing Katelyn Winkler—Global and Cultural Studies Students underwent a rigorous nomination process from the school district and will be submitted along with students across the state for an opportunity to be selected for a week-long summer residential institute held in Iowa City. Each student selected will receive a partial program scholarship, as well as a scholarship towards future admission at the University of Iowa. The students work with specialists in the chosen area and have an opportunity to take advantage of many opportunities on campus. Students will learn in late March whether or not they are selected for the opportunity.
Congratulations and Best of Luck!
Scratch Programming
“In fifteen years, we'll be teaching programming just like reading and writing, and wondering why we didn't do it sooner. “ —Mark Zuckerberg
There is a huge movement to teach computer programming to kids. Not only does programming prepares kids for tomorrow's careers, but it is a very powerful tool in teaching logic and problem solving. “Hour of code” is an initiative designed to demystify computer science and show that anybody can learn the basics. Scratch and Scratch Jr. are tools that were developed at M.I.T to teach programming to all, even elementary kids. Scratch Programming has been occurring in our district, and the children who participate are eager to learn and excited about the program. You can encourage your kids to participate by visiting hourofcode.com/us or Scratch.mit.edu. Scratch classes are offered as part of Johnston Community Education's after school Program throughout the school year. Class information can be found Community Education website at https://apm.activecommunities.com/johnston.
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News from Johnston Elementary Schools Submitted by Mitzi Hetherton, Nancy McGill, Kristen Hartman, Kate Florer
Lower Elementary Advanced Language Happenings
Whole class lessons in some kindergarten and first grade classrooms. These lessons are designed to help identify gifted and talented behaviors in young children.
Some kindergarten and first graders are learning about different types of thinking: convergent/deductive, analytical and/or evaluative.
Some first and second graders participated in National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo. Students were challenged to write a novel during the month of November. This was not an easy task, but the students showed great perseverance. Together they wrote 15,298 words!
Some second graders explored how language changes over time and presented their learning with a PowerPoint.
Ever wonder how words become part of our language or end up in a dictionary? Some second graders are reading the book Frindle to find out.
Some second graders have read The Chocolate Touch and have been learning about chocolate’s history and where it comes from.
Some second graders are learning about figurative language while reading the book, Punished. While they can’t play with their food, they are having fun playing with language!
Upper Elementary Advanced Language Groups
Most third graders across the district received their first exposure to Michael Clay Thompson’s advanced language arts curriculum while reading Grammar Island. Students have learned what grammar is and how we can think about our language in four different ways: parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases and clauses. Their study will continue with Sentence Island. Third graders will learn how to apply the grammar concepts they have learned about to a well-written sentence.
Fourth and fifth graders are continuing their study of Latin and Greek stems and classic vocabulary. They will continue to have regular quizzes.
Most fourth and fifth grade groups have completed their grammar study and will be learning how to apply them to a well-written paragraph or essay.
To build background knowledge for the book Esperanza Rising some fourth graders researched the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, Mexican Immigration or the Mexican Revolution.
Some fifth graders have been studying the elements a mystery by reading an anthology of short stories, poems, articles, and an essay in order to discover the essential questions: What makes a mystery?; Investigating “whodunit?”; How to solve a
mystery; and synthesizing all parts to create their own mystery.
Some fourth and fifth graders participated in Letters About Literature, a reading and writing contest. Students read a book, poem or speech and write to the author about how it affected them personally as a reader.
Math
Some first graders have been exploring measurement concepts including length and area. They have also been learning about the different methods and tools used to measure objects in the real world. They are currently designing a car seat and seatbelt for an egg passenger.
Some second graders are working on logic problem solving.
Some second graders have been working with coin clue puzzles, tangrams, and Nursery Rhymes in Disguise to go along with a visual problem solving unit.
Some 3rd graders are practicing making generalizations and looking for and describing patterns as they explore some introductory algebraic concepts.
Third graders across the district have been learning about the concepts of multiplication and division. Some worked on multistep story problems using several chapters from Ed Zaccaro’s book, Primary Challenge Math.
Math Olympiads
Fourth and fifth grade students across the district continue to put their problem-solving skills to use. They have completed three of the five contests so far. Recently some students have been learning about the language of algebra. They have also learned the steps needed to solve algebraic equations and how to turn various problems into the language of algebra.
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News from Johnston Elementary Schools Submitted by Mitzi Hetherton, Nancy McGill, Kristen Hartman, Kate Florer
TR 5th graders Gus A. and Sara L., doing independent research on Fibonacci Sequence
Lawson 5th graders Elise H., Katie S., and Anna L. creating a new edition of the class newsletter
Lawson 4th graders Emma L., Alain G., Sophie E., and Regan V. are excited to start their new literature circle book Esperanza Rising.
Horizon 2nd graders working on their Angle Aliens they discovered on Planet Geo as part of their geometry unit
Isaac S. and Nikolay S.
Nikolay's acute angle alien
Sidney P., Mia B., Zak H., and Maddox C.
Wallace 3rd graders playing a grammar game!
Wallace 3rd graders working on Try—A—Tiles
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Summit Middle School News Submitted by Colleen Ites, ELP Teacher
Humanities Summit sixth and seventh graders who are high on the humanities have been very busy this fall. Students enrolled in the Research I and Research II classes have completed research into a chosen historical topic, created annotated bibliographics about that research process, and have written process papers explaining their research process in preparation for the Regional Iowa History Day Competition on April 11, 2015. As a class and individually students have learned how to utilize a variety of on-line resources including EBSCO and Gale searches, The Smithsonian, Cowles Library at Drake University, Google Books, and even Wikipedia. Students who wish to participate in the contest communicate via a website in the jdragonmail domain and will be invited to stay after school on Mondays starting in Februrary as they prepare for the event on April 11th. This year's Iowa History Day event will take place at Grand View University.
STEM Sixth graders who are strong in STEM fields have had an interesting fall analyzing world problems and organizing their potential solutions. Students have learned how to create and use a decision and solution analysis matrix, something often used by engineers in the real world. Students have also learned how to gather quality data from a variety of sources to provide factual supports to their arguments, including data-mining on the US Census Bureau, United Nations Statistical Commission, The Population Reference Bureau, National Geographic, U.S. News and World Report, and the World Health Organization websites. Students work in teams based on their problem identified or solution recommended and gather data to create a TEDxSummit video for each group. Seventh graders strong in STEM have been studying the science and logic arguments found in forensic science. Students have studied DNA utilizing archaeological and criminal forensics, especially at the University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center on-line learning center. Utilizing items found in most homes, students extracted DNA from frozen strawberries and reviewed expressed and repressed genes in humans and mammals. Students are also learning the basics of probability and the types of statistical analysis found in forensics and population data, forcing them to utilize exponents in their math knowledge. We had a visit from Terry Dippold, a civilian forensics training office for Urbandale and Johnston Police Departments, where students participated in a sample crime scene analysis for lifting and analyzing fingerprints and DNA. Students will complete the course by studying identification methods used with remains (bone) and in spatter analysis, both utilizing geometry and trigonometry.
Robotics The Summit FLL Robotics Team Draco and Team Incendia has stellar seasons! Team Draco was named a Regional Qualifier and Team Incendia was the Regional Champion at the Osceola Regional Competition in December. At the Iowa World Class Championship held in January at Iowa State University, Team Draco received an Honorable Mention for their Project recommending that medical schools utilize emerging 3D printing methods to make models of organs and bones (diseased and healthy) for use in surgeon preparation programs. Both teams handled themselves as gracious professionals throughout the day, and were excited when Superintendent Corey Lunn and his son arrived to cheer the teams on and experience the event. The students were able to work with quite a few individuals and groups in the greater community, including outreaches with the ISU Lunabotics Club and 3 girls from Gilbert Schools (who wanted to learn about starting their own FLL team), interviews with surgeons about the viability of 3D printing in medical schools and for doctor continuing education programs, receiving and using a rollable solar panel from Kelly Junge at SolarFilm, an Ames engineering firm, interacting with members of the Area515 Maker Space (both for the Incendia project Smart-Scribe), and working with several engineers to problem-solve the different aspects of the Project and Robot Game. Big thanks go out to coaches Kalyan Mysore, Dave Bailey, and Sanjay Shrestha for their hours of volunteer time, expertise, and support. Go Teams!
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Summit Middle School News Submitted by Colleen Ites, ELP Teacher
Team Draco
Honorable Mention—Iowa World Class Championship, Iowa State University
Osceola Regional Competition
Team Draco Team Incendia
7th grade mock trial team
STEM—Officer Depold and students lifting fingerprints
Mock Trial—Team J-Town Preparing for State!
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Work is underway on projects for the 2015 contest, coming up on Saturday, April 11 at Grandview University. Students have been working on topic and theme selection as well as initial research centered on this year’s theme: “Leadership and Legacy in History”. 8th and 9th grade Middle School students have conducted research at the Drake University library. Each student has chosen to work independently or in a small group and will decide which method of presentation best suits his/her needs. Some are trying out a new category, and others are refining skills in a particular area. Students are searching for a variety of primary sources, and 9th graders have created a first draft to their project. There are over forty students working on projects, so a “whole lot of research” is going on! Topics vary widely from political, technological, social, and human rights issues. Each student will present their unique spin on the topic and we look forward to viewing the results!
National History Day Johnston Middle School
Allie T. searches a Drake University database
Allie A. views a primary source document on her topic, Sally Ride
Katelyn W. meets with Hope Grebner, Political Papers Archivist at the Harkin Center, who showed
her some artifacts not yet on display related to the
Civil Disabilities Act
Katelyn got to view the archival storage area where 800
boxes from the Harkin collection are being sorted.
Jen F. works with Karl Schaefer, who will retire from his long-held position as Research Librarian at
Drake next month. Mr. Schaefer gave the students a
lesson on how to access materials through various databases, which resulted in many more sources.
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News from Johnston Middle School Submitted by Kathy Paul, ELP Teacher
The ‘ART’ of Persuasion
Both the 8th and 9th grade language arts teachers are working on units related to persuasion, with each grade taking a different twist. Some 8th graders have tested out of parts of the unit and will be developing an activity or product to demonstrate their knowledge. 9th graders are working on persuasion in both speaking and writing. They are giving feedback to each other and pointing out fallacies in logic. They will also be giving a speech after collaborating with a partner. They are working on increasing sophistication in persuasive techniques. This is background for their next unit, “status quo” which will culminate in contacting a state legislator to attempt to persuade him/her to support a cause or issue.
8th graders demonstrating their mastery of ethos,
pathos and logos in advertising using a product of
their choice: a skit, poster, flyer, etc.
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News from JHS Submitted by Sue Cline, ELP Teacher
Room 403 Update
We have completed our first semester of the year with a wonderful set of projects accomplished. Students completed ACT/SAT preparation, learned some new languages or extended study of languages already begun, wrote novels, computer programs, and graphic novels, and researched career and college interests. Two of the most unusual pro-jects this semester were Erik F.’s design and construction of cardboard furniture for the ELP room, and Katie B.’s internship with the 9th grade band. Room 403 was especially busy during the week of final exams. The final activity for ELP class was to design a vehicle which could stand up to the force of a wind tunnel. Students were provided paper clips, paper, plastic wrap, tooth picks, straws and 18 inches of masking tape. Class members spent approximately 2.5 hours creating and testing their designs while dealing with significant frustration. It was a learning experience for all! In addition to the ELP class final activity, the classroom hummed with students preparing for various final exams, finishing projects for their classes, and trying to determine their course requests for the 2015-16 school year. Never a dull moment in room 403!
Final exam constructs
Glen N. studying for finals
Erik F. and his cardboard furniture
A page from Isabel G.’s graphic novel
Nicole H. showing her alpaca puppet
Luke S. working out his course requests
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News from JHS Submitted by Sue Cline, ELP Teacher
Academic Decathlon
The members of the Johnston High AcDec team competed in the Regional tournament on Jan 29 and 30. In a very exciting development, we have 6 freshmen who earned spots on the three high school teams, as well as several students who are served as alternates. This is the first year we have had more than four freshmen involved in the program and hopefully signals a growth trend moving forward. Congratulations to The Monks as won the entire regional, as well as the group Superquiz event! Individual winners will be announced in the next newsletter. Since it’s such a good time, almost every student who plays AcDec returns each year to play again.
The Monks of the Mediterranean Sea
Honors Jack Dolde
Afshan Chandani Aditi Jithendra
Scholastic Ethan Niu Dennis Xu
Aubrey Soderlund
Varsity Connor Smith
Bobby Bailey
The Bishops at Baffin Bay
Honors Caroline Aldrich
Anna Xiang Kayla Davis
Scholastic David Lass Daniel Xu
Alexis Pottebaum
Varsity Xavier Leonard
Saints at Sea Of Okohotsk
Honors Rahul Kumar
Katelyn Kempkes Jimmy Le
Scholastic
Elea Kaptain Emily VanWiel Molly Hauser
Alternates Honors
Aditya Somisetty Senad Besic
Autumn Askew
Scholastic Bradley Qin Hayley Signs