Monday, May 2, 2016
May 2, 2016
Well it's finally here......the last few week's of school. A great time to reflect back on all of our accomplishments:
*my young precious young students have blossomed into critical thinking, decision making students. They can brainstorm, make decisions using criteria that THEY came up and then run with their great ideas.
*they learned what characteristics make a great leader, how to be a great leader and how to work collaboratively with others in a leadership role. They learned the difference between being a dictator and poor leader, to that of being a successful collaborator/leader and being a great role model to others, by talking the talk and walking the walk!
* they can elaborate their writings with great ease and 'nudging'......they know when they are complete, it must have elaboration and depth. They learned how to quote from the text, delve into the meat of articles and then extract they important and relevant information.
*they can 'talk' about important issues in our world. They know how to make informed decisions and take a stand on an issue.
*they know how important is to be a good citizen!
* they all have learned to appreciate ALL that is around them and that is offered to them.
*some of my 5th graders are truly a young Bill Gates, or Steve Jobs. They have the knowledge and thirst for being a financial success as well as being a kind, fair person.
*most importantly, they believe in themselves and everything they have to offer the world and vice versa. They are all hardworking, individuals with many a great talent/s, and the world is just waiting for them to conquer it! They will do it!!!!
As I retire from Spalding, I want everyone to know that it truly has been a joy for me to teach TAG for the last 20 years, and be a part of 'your child's life here. The joys, memories and relationships that have been formed I will carry in my heart forever! Thank you for the privilege of serving your children.
With much love and appreciation,
Amanda Shams
Monday, April 18, 2016
April 15, 2016
Whew, back from spring break and we are in the mist of testing!
Our TAG classes are going well. First and second grade are diving deep into the deep oceans and discovering all about what goes on down there.
Third grade has created a new society, with great classroom leaders. (Btw, they rotate every week) The decided the type of government they wanted as well as what type of society they would be. Look for THE GOLDEN STAR on your child. Every week 3 children earn this coveted award - nominated by their peers!
As part of our society, we will be creating a KID NATION CAFE. We have decided to sell breakfast items to all adults who visit our café. (our 3rd grade parents are helping with the food) All monies raised will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. Please plan to stop by and pick up a treat Friday, May 6, 2016 between the hours of 8:30 - 11:15am.
Forth continues to roam around various National Parks. They will begin to create their very own national park soon.
Our seniors are becoming very familiar with various types of artwork, national art museums as they research how history impacted art and vice versa - so interesting!
It is time for our annual TAG conferences. As I mentioned in the children's TAG TALLY, please let me know a time that works for you after school.
Please make sure that you check your child's TAG TALLY weekly, as there is important information in it:)
Thanks for all our care and support,
Amanda Shams
Friday, March 18, 2016
March 18, 2015
Dear Parents,
All grades have started their final unit in TAG - I can't believe that it's our FINAL unit! So exciting!
My first and second crew mates are off on the TAG Cruise Ship. We are taking guided tours of the oceans of the world. As we will delve into the various ocean zones, kelp forests, and coral reefs, we will be looking critically at all the oceans' inhabitants and conducting many science experiments! We will also look at the problems facing the ocean biome and brainstorm possible solutions.
Carrying our own passports, hopefully no one will get lost. Hopefully, we will not have a man-overboard! (we will of course have a drill to make sure that does not happen).
Third graders are examining the various types of governments around the world and will determine how they world like to set up their 'new country'. Welcome to KID NATION - a place where kids rule! As they determine the type of government their new country will have, they will have to ensure that all citizens are safe, what roles they will play in their new country and what their responsibilities are required of the citizens. They will discuss the 4 types of productive resources. (Do you remember a bunch of years ago, the TV show called - KID NATION......well it's alive and in our new country, I mean classroom).
We have packed our duffel bags as the fourth grade is taking a tour of many of our National Parks. While visiting each park, they will study human and physical systems, westward expansion, physical and manmade features and Native Americans. They will also study the changes in various ecosystems, animal adaptations and food chains. We are also going to Skype with a Park Ranger in the Badlands! Finally, they will create their very own National Park - stay tuned for more info!
Bonjour! Fifth grade is on a discovery of the arts. We will study many artistic movements in American History and align the art movements to American historical events. The students will have many opportunities to express their ideas in an artistic way throughout the course of this unit. Each day we will begin using the strategy of See, Think, Wonder, to explore a timeline of art history. We will be investigating art movement from Medieval Art through Pop Art by:
*analyzing pieces of art
*analyzing descriptions of art movements
*deciding on criteria that defines an artistic movement
*sorting art into movements based on our criteria and reasoning
*after the investigation, the students will choose the most polar artistic movements (in their opinions) and begin creating landscapes of the same image in the two movement styles.
*in the decision making lesson, the students will be challenged to answer the question: What is art?"
I am excited to share all of these exciting units with the students. They will be given the opportunity to express themselves and build upon their own ideas. I am looking forward to working with each of the children and watching what they produce!
I look forward to working with each of your children as we head into the last of school!
Amanda Shams Ed.S
Dear Parents,
All grades have started their final unit in TAG - I can't believe that it's our FINAL unit! So exciting!
My first and second crew mates are off on the TAG Cruise Ship. We are taking guided tours of the oceans of the world. As we will delve into the various ocean zones, kelp forests, and coral reefs, we will be looking critically at all the oceans' inhabitants and conducting many science experiments! We will also look at the problems facing the ocean biome and brainstorm possible solutions.
Carrying our own passports, hopefully no one will get lost. Hopefully, we will not have a man-overboard! (we will of course have a drill to make sure that does not happen).
Third graders are examining the various types of governments around the world and will determine how they world like to set up their 'new country'. Welcome to KID NATION - a place where kids rule! As they determine the type of government their new country will have, they will have to ensure that all citizens are safe, what roles they will play in their new country and what their responsibilities are required of the citizens. They will discuss the 4 types of productive resources. (Do you remember a bunch of years ago, the TV show called - KID NATION......well it's alive and in our new country, I mean classroom).
We have packed our duffel bags as the fourth grade is taking a tour of many of our National Parks. While visiting each park, they will study human and physical systems, westward expansion, physical and manmade features and Native Americans. They will also study the changes in various ecosystems, animal adaptations and food chains. We are also going to Skype with a Park Ranger in the Badlands! Finally, they will create their very own National Park - stay tuned for more info!
Bonjour! Fifth grade is on a discovery of the arts. We will study many artistic movements in American History and align the art movements to American historical events. The students will have many opportunities to express their ideas in an artistic way throughout the course of this unit. Each day we will begin using the strategy of See, Think, Wonder, to explore a timeline of art history. We will be investigating art movement from Medieval Art through Pop Art by:
*analyzing pieces of art
*analyzing descriptions of art movements
*deciding on criteria that defines an artistic movement
*sorting art into movements based on our criteria and reasoning
*after the investigation, the students will choose the most polar artistic movements (in their opinions) and begin creating landscapes of the same image in the two movement styles.
*in the decision making lesson, the students will be challenged to answer the question: What is art?"
I am excited to share all of these exciting units with the students. They will be given the opportunity to express themselves and build upon their own ideas. I am looking forward to working with each of the children and watching what they produce!
I look forward to working with each of your children as we head into the last of school!
Amanda Shams Ed.S
Monday, March 7, 2016
March 5, 2105
Dear Parents,
So much is happening in TAG just wanted to let you all know we are winding up our 2nd units and getting ready to roll out our last units (I can't believe where this year has flown) shortly. More information will follow on the next blog.
Our yearly trip to TYBEE with my 5th graders was a tremendous success! Even though is was a bit cold, we had a great time learning about Fort Pulsaki and Georgia's Golden Coast. A huge shout out to everyone for all their support, from helping pay for the trip to supporting our annual sidewalk sale in 2015 and to our PTA..
We are so lucky that TAG is fully funded. I just want you to be aware of the Jacob Javits Gifted Education Program. This article was written by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGA) Please see below
Jacob Javits is the Only Federal Program Focused on Gifted Education
February 9, 2016
WASHINGTON – The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the nation’s leading advocate for high-achieving and high-potential students, commends the Obama Administration for including $12 million for the Jacob Javits Gifted Education program in its Fiscal Year 2017 budget, released earlier today.
The Javits program, the nation’s only federal program focused on gifted education, funds applied or classroom-based research to help develop effective strategies for identifying and serving high-potential students from populations that have historically been underrepresented in gifted education.
“NAGC applauds the Obama Administration for recognizing that the Jacob Javits program works and that it has helped produce the tools and interventions to identify countless students as gifted, students who would have otherwise languished unidentified and unserved,” said M. RENÉ ISLAS, NAGC Executive Director. “By including the Javits program in its budget, the Administration sends a clear message that supporting the needs of gifted children is integral to our nation’s future.
Established in 1988 and reauthorized in the recently enacted Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Javits-funded research has yielded valid and reliable ways to identify gifted students from underserved populations, fair and equitable observation tools for identifying gifted and talented English Language Learners and strategies to help teachers improve the academic performances of high-potential black and Hispanic students as well as those with disabilities and from low-income families.
“NAGC is fortunate for our many champions and supporters in Congress who have been instrumental in reviving and subsequently growing the Javits program in recent years, and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure that at least $12 million is included for the program within the FY 17 spending package,” said Islas
The Javits program, the nation’s only federal program focused on gifted education, funds applied or classroom-based research to help develop effective strategies for identifying and serving high-potential students from populations that have historically been underrepresented in gifted education.
“NAGC applauds the Obama Administration for recognizing that the Jacob Javits program works and that it has helped produce the tools and interventions to identify countless students as gifted, students who would have otherwise languished unidentified and unserved,” said M. RENÉ ISLAS, NAGC Executive Director. “By including the Javits program in its budget, the Administration sends a clear message that supporting the needs of gifted children is integral to our nation’s future.
Established in 1988 and reauthorized in the recently enacted Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Javits-funded research has yielded valid and reliable ways to identify gifted students from underserved populations, fair and equitable observation tools for identifying gifted and talented English Language Learners and strategies to help teachers improve the academic performances of high-potential black and Hispanic students as well as those with disabilities and from low-income families.
“NAGC is fortunate for our many champions and supporters in Congress who have been instrumental in reviving and subsequently growing the Javits program in recent years, and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure that at least $12 million is included for the program within the FY 17 spending package,” said Islas
###
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is a membership organization whose leaders support and develop policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. NAGC invests its resources to train teachers, encourage parents, and educate administrators and policy makers on how to develop and support gifted children. NAGC’s State of the Nation in Gifted Education provides a biennial analysis of state laws and policies to support high-ability and high-potential students.
CONTACT: Cathleen Healy, chealy@nagc.org/202-365-4636
Friday, February 19, 2016
February 19, 2015
A huge thank you to all the grandparents for taking their time and coming to work with our students!!!!!
Fifth grade TAG is (hopefully) packing this weekend for our yearly trip to TYBEE, next Wednesday through Friday. Please remember to check the weather and pack appropriately. (remember to pack a few garbage bags) The bus will be here at Spalding at 5:15AM! Yep, be prepared to board as we are leaving by 5:35am for our trek to Georgia's Golden Coast for our culminating activity on this unit!
Fourth and third grade are completing their research projects for the end of each of their units.....research is a hard concept...."what do you mean, I have to rewrite again"?!?!?!?! The students are learning to brainstorm, then taking that to creating a rough draft, then edit and finally, ta da, the final copy. A great way to help your student. is to have them read aloud their rough draft.....they will see where some of their errors are and fix them immediately!
First and second grade had a great visit to the Circus Institute. Awesome performances by our students. I even walked the tightrope!
Just want to let everyone know that I will begin to test for possible new students for the TAG program February 29, 2016. That week there will be no TAG for your student.
If you have any questions, please let me know
Again, thanks for all your support,
Amanda Shams
A huge thank you to all the grandparents for taking their time and coming to work with our students!!!!!
Fifth grade TAG is (hopefully) packing this weekend for our yearly trip to TYBEE, next Wednesday through Friday. Please remember to check the weather and pack appropriately. (remember to pack a few garbage bags) The bus will be here at Spalding at 5:15AM! Yep, be prepared to board as we are leaving by 5:35am for our trek to Georgia's Golden Coast for our culminating activity on this unit!
Fourth and third grade are completing their research projects for the end of each of their units.....research is a hard concept...."what do you mean, I have to rewrite again"?!?!?!?! The students are learning to brainstorm, then taking that to creating a rough draft, then edit and finally, ta da, the final copy. A great way to help your student. is to have them read aloud their rough draft.....they will see where some of their errors are and fix them immediately!
First and second grade had a great visit to the Circus Institute. Awesome performances by our students. I even walked the tightrope!
Just want to let everyone know that I will begin to test for possible new students for the TAG program February 29, 2016. That week there will be no TAG for your student.
If you have any questions, please let me know
Again, thanks for all your support,
Amanda Shams
Friday, February 5, 2016
February 5, 2016
Whew, we've been very busy here in the TAG classroom!
First and second grade is off tomorrow (Saturday), to learn how to do acrobats in the air!!!! This is a culminating activity for our CIIRCUS unit - I wrote a grant for us to be able to go to this program. We are all so excited to do this, and YES, even I will try it out!!!!!!!
Third grade has been chosen to create a HERO HALL of FAME (wink, wink). They have been researching an inventor/hero and will present and persuade the Hero Hall of Fame Committee to choose their hero for a new addition to their exhibit! Will keep you posted!
Fourth grade has marched into the American Revolution! They are gearing up to create an IMOVIE in chronological order, to be presented to their parents. Can you tell us what the Beatles and the American Revolution have in common?!?!??!? My kids can - just ask them!
Fifth grade - wow, we are still awaiting results from the interactive Stock Market Game played by students in TAG 5th grade , middle and high schoolers throughout our state. Thank you to all who helped make our TAG SIDEWALK SALE so successful! The money we raised is helping fund out trip to TYBEE.
We are gearing up of our annual trip to TYBEE Georgia, February 24 - 26, 2106! Can you say BURRRRR!!!!!!!!
We have learned all our coastal region in Georgia and are debating as to whether we need to slow down growth or keep up the growth - what impact does it have on the region - plants, animals, environment, and people. A very hot topic in class!
If you have anytime, allow your kids to play on CODE.ORG. I was at a conference, and theya re predicting that by the year 202, there will be a million jobs in computer programming and not enough folks to fulfill the vacancies! Can you say chiching!!!!$$$$$!!!!!
Whew, we've been very busy here in the TAG classroom!
First and second grade is off tomorrow (Saturday), to learn how to do acrobats in the air!!!! This is a culminating activity for our CIIRCUS unit - I wrote a grant for us to be able to go to this program. We are all so excited to do this, and YES, even I will try it out!!!!!!!
Third grade has been chosen to create a HERO HALL of FAME (wink, wink). They have been researching an inventor/hero and will present and persuade the Hero Hall of Fame Committee to choose their hero for a new addition to their exhibit! Will keep you posted!
Fourth grade has marched into the American Revolution! They are gearing up to create an IMOVIE in chronological order, to be presented to their parents. Can you tell us what the Beatles and the American Revolution have in common?!?!??!? My kids can - just ask them!
Fifth grade - wow, we are still awaiting results from the interactive Stock Market Game played by students in TAG 5th grade , middle and high schoolers throughout our state. Thank you to all who helped make our TAG SIDEWALK SALE so successful! The money we raised is helping fund out trip to TYBEE.
We are gearing up of our annual trip to TYBEE Georgia, February 24 - 26, 2106! Can you say BURRRRR!!!!!!!!
We have learned all our coastal region in Georgia and are debating as to whether we need to slow down growth or keep up the growth - what impact does it have on the region - plants, animals, environment, and people. A very hot topic in class!
If you have anytime, allow your kids to play on CODE.ORG. I was at a conference, and theya re predicting that by the year 202, there will be a million jobs in computer programming and not enough folks to fulfill the vacancies! Can you say chiching!!!!$$$$$!!!!!
Monday, January 4, 2016
January 4, 2016
WOW! I can't believe we are halfway through school - time flies when you are having fun!
I wanted to let you know that there are some fun things happening in Atlanta that your child might enjoy. Know that there is a fee for everything listed, just check as I am not sure on all the prices.
*The Greatest Machines and Art Exhibition - it is at Perimeter Pointe (there may be a Groupon for it)
It is from Florence, Italy.
What it does: makes jaws drop, thanks to the legendary machines of Leonard DaVinci
How many it has: over 60, each one handcrafted using DaVinci’s 500-year-old designs
Some of the coolest gizmos: the “spring-powered car,” a hang-glider, a bicycle, the “air-screw” (a precursor to the helicopter), as well as two very important robots—a life-sized robotic drummer and the inventor’s remarkable robotic lion
What you can touch: numerous interactive machines
Sounds like a lot of fun - the only issue, it end mid January.
For grades 3 -5 the Sunshine STEM Academy Private School offers a Saturday STEM Workshop for students who are in grades 3-6. Workshop will be held on Saturday on January 16 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Students will be able to learn about;
• Building a mini-computer (Raspberry Pi)
• Working with computer peripherals
• Learning block-programming language (SCRATCH) on the mini-computers which they will build.
• Students will take Raspberry Pi computers home at the end of workshop. Students can continue to improve their skills after our workshop.
You may see details about the workshop in this email below .
Please visit http://stemworkshop.sunshinestem.org
They also offer Saturday classes.
As always, thanks so much for all your care and support and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know, (let me know if you attend any of the above and hoe it was...)
Amanda Shams Ed.S
WOW! I can't believe we are halfway through school - time flies when you are having fun!
I wanted to let you know that there are some fun things happening in Atlanta that your child might enjoy. Know that there is a fee for everything listed, just check as I am not sure on all the prices.
*The Greatest Machines and Art Exhibition - it is at Perimeter Pointe (there may be a Groupon for it)
It is from Florence, Italy.
Sounds like a lot of fun - the only issue, it end mid January.
For grades 3 -5 the Sunshine STEM Academy Private School offers a Saturday STEM Workshop for students who are in grades 3-6. Workshop will be held on Saturday on January 16 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Students will be able to learn about;
• Building a mini-computer (Raspberry Pi)
• Working with computer peripherals
• Learning block-programming language (SCRATCH) on the mini-computers which they will build.
• Students will take Raspberry Pi computers home at the end of workshop. Students can continue to improve their skills after our workshop.
You may see details about the workshop in this email below .
Please visit http://stemworkshop.sunshinestem.org
They also offer Saturday classes.
As always, thanks so much for all your care and support and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know, (let me know if you attend any of the above and hoe it was...)
Amanda Shams Ed.S
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