Center for Talent Development

Check out the link on the right hand side for the "Center of Talent Development" through Northwestern University. Winter 2012 which is January 14 through March 3rd they have a Saturday Enrichment Program. Most classes are held in Naperville at North Central College.

2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades

After Thanksgiving Break all PA grade levels will begin their Literature Units. Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade focus on a theme of "Change". Students will read short stories, novels and poetry. We will break down the stories and analize the literature elements. Fourth and Fifth Grades have already begun with a Pretest after reading a short story/poem. Second and Third Grades will begin when they return from break.

Mayan Pottery

Fifth Grade students recently completed their interpretation of ancient Mayan pottery which is currently on display in the LMC. In February it will be on display in the Project Arrow room during Open House. Hope to see you there.

Conferences

Parents,

I will no longer hold Parent-Teacher Conferences in the Homeroom Teachers classroom. If you would like a conference, please contact me to set up a time during the scheduled conference days in November. Some parents have already signed up for conferences when they came to Curriculum Night. E-mail or phone.

Paul_Gaca@ipsd.org or 630 428-6147

Thank you!

2nd Graders Become Entomologists

Second grade PA students have been learning about Entomology, the study of insects.
Some of the Essential Questions that we are answering are:
What is an Entomologist?
Why do we need Entomologists?
Are insects valuable to our world?
How does the scientific classification of living things apply to science?
How do the life cycles of insects differ?
We are currently looking into the different classification of insects. Students are learning that insects can be distinguished by certain characteristics, habitats, food supplies, methods of camouflage, and defense mechanisms.

Third Grade

Third Grade PA students are having fun and learning some valuable lessons in solving pre-algebra equations.
Thursday's lesson will have the students solving this equation:
2X + * + 3 = 2* + 15

Students use a hands-on approach, using blue/white pawns and red/green value cubes to assist in solving the equations.

PA PTA is presenting Dr. James Delisle

PA PTA is presenting Dr. James Delisle on Wednesday 10/5. Please come and be inspired by his presentation.

Parenting Precocious Children and Teens: Understanding the Ups and Downs of Growing Up Gifted and How to Advocate for Gifted in a School Setting by noted expert Dr. James Delisle

Indian Prairie Project Arrow PTA (District 204) would like to invite parents to a presentation by Dr. James Delisle: teacher, author and speaker on gifted children.

When: Wednesday, October 5th 2011

Time: 7pm start (90 minutes - 2 hours)

Where: Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora, IL

Cost: $10 early bird via http://ippapta.eventbrite.com ; $15 at the door [cash or checks only]

Parents of gifted children and teens have many questions about how best to meet their intellectual and emotional needs. They want to know what giftedness is and the label’s impact on other family members. They want to know how to advocate for their gifted child in a school setting mired in ‘bringing up the bottom’ rather than ‘raising the bar’ at the top. They want to know how to set expectations that are appropriate and balanced. And they want to know how to juggle the wide range of emotional intensities that often accompanies growing up gifted. This session addresses these and other issues that come with the territory’ in parenting gifted kids. More information can be seen at: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/IPPC/Default.aspx/ProjectArrowPTA

Here is an interesting article on Jim Delisle: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creative-synthesis/201108/teen-survival-smarts

Geometry

Fourth Grade PA students have been working in cooperative groups with polydron pieces. These pieces help students to create two-, and three-dimensional geometry shapes so that students can describe, model, draw, and classify shapes; investigate and predict results of combining, subdividing, and changing shapes; develop spatial sense; relate geometric ideas to number and measurement ideas and recognize and appreciate geometry in their world.

Fifth Grade Archeologists

Fifth Grade students are learning about Archeology and the study of the Ancient Mayan.
We are currently reading a novel by Dorothy Rhoads, called "The Corn Grows Ripe" The story of Tigre, a 12 year old boy who must take on the work of planting the corn for his family to survive after his father is badly injured in an accident. Through journaling, small and large group discussions we explore the Mayan people of today and yesterday in their social and religious beliefs.
Students will later learn more about the Mayan people and Archeology through several movies, shorts texts, discussions and more.
They will have the opportunity to become archaeologists by excavating a site, an activity called, "Garbo logy".
Finally they will also create ancient Mayan pottery and explore the ancient Mayan glyphs and math.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night is this Thursday evening! Hope to see you here and I will be having a sign up sheet for Parent Conference Night in November, so please stop by to sign up.

Indian Prairie PA PTA General meeting

Indian Prairie PA PTA General meeting
Tuesday 9/13 at 7pm
Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.

Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. Patrick Nolten, Director of
Assessment, Research and Evaluation for District 204, presenting a
review of yearly progress through test scores for the group of
students indentified as gifted/talented and providing insight into the
testing process, interpretation of scores and ultimate placement in PA
curriculum.

4th and 5th Grades

Fourth and Fifth Grade students have been creatively thinking of new and innovative ways that they can use a binder clip. We discussed creativity and used a technique called S.C.A.M.P.E.R. (Substitute, Combine, Adapt/Adjust/Add, Magnify/Minify/Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse/Rearrange) to think creatively. They then used Microsoft publisher to create an advertisement to get the word out about their new product.

Third Grade

We have started our Algebraic Thinking, Math Unit. Students will use manipulative's to solve problems like the following:
4x - 3x + 9 = 2x + 6

Second Grade

We have recently begun our Science Unit on Entomology, or the study of insects. Upon completion students will be able to describe the body parts of an insect, define metamorphosis, describe some of the harm insects can cause, and describe some of the benefits that insects provide for nature and humans. We will answer the questions of how does the scientific classification of living things apply to science and how have insects survived in such a wide variety of climates and environments? Students will research an insect and create a book about their insects, some of this will need to be completed at home.

Project Arrow Starts on Thursday

We will begin Project Arrow, Thursday, September 1st. I will review with students what we will be working on this year at each grade level and discuss my expectations!

Second Annual Fall Chess Tournament

Second Annual Fall Chess Tournament

Sunday 10/23 from 9am - 1pm
Doors open at 8:30am
Neuqua Valley HS - enter/drop off at door 46 - pool entrance.

Bring a chess set please.
Cost is $5/player. IPPA PTA members are free.
Trophies will be given.

Sponsored by IPPA PTA and officiated by NVHS Chess Club.
Questions to ippa.pta@gmail.com

Dr. James DeLisle Speaks at Metea Valley

IPPA PTA will be hosting a presentation by Dr. James Delisle – teacher, author and speaker on gifted children

When: Wednesday, October 5th 2011

Time: 7pm start

Where: Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora, IL

Cost: $20 early bird via http://ippapta.eventbrite.com ; $25 at the door [cash or checks only]



Please buy your tickets early at: http://ippapta.eventbrite.com



Dr. Jim Delisle will be presenting *Parenting precocious kids: Understanding the ups and downs of growing up gifted. (90 minutes – 2 hours) Parents of gifted children and teens have many questions about how best to meet their intellectual and emotional needs. They want to know what giftedness is and the label’s impact on other family members. They want to know how to advocate for their gifted child in a school setting mired in ‘bringing up the bottom’ rather than ‘raising the bar’ at the top. They want to know how to set expectations that are appropriate and balanced. And they want to know how to juggle the wide range of emotional intensities that often accompanies growing up gifted. This session addresses these and other issues that ‘come with the territory’ in parenting gifted kids. More information can be seen at: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/IPPC/Default.aspx/ProjectArrowPTA



Any question, please contact ippa.pta@gmail.com

WELCOME BACK!

Parents and Students,

Welcome back to Cowlishaw for another GREAT year!
Project Arrow will begin next week on Thursday, September 1st.
Our schedule has changed dramtically this year.

9:15 to 9:55 Fifth Grade, Monday through Friday
10:20 to 11:00 Fourth Grade, Monday through Friday
1:30 to 2:00 Second Grade, Monday through Friday
2:30 to 3:20 Third Grade, Monday through Thursday

See you Soon!

PROJECT ARROW ORIENTATION

Thursday, June 2nd
Room 107
Mr. Gaca's Classroom

Mr. Gaca will be having an orientation program for parents whose child is new to the Project Arrow program and will begin next Fall.
The program will address the curriculum at each grade level, time out of the regular classroom, progress reporting, and answer any other questions you may have.

Again this orientation is for parents whose child is new to the Project Arrow Program.

Fourth Grade

Fourth Grade students continue to learn about our brain. They have been studying the neurons of the brain and now are learning about Howard Gardner's "Seven Multiple Intelligences" as they have a little fun along the way. We have covered three so far, they are, verbal/linguistic, logic/mathematical, and visual/spatial. Ask your child about them.

Third Grade

Third Grade students continue learning about the Ocean Floor. Recently they learned what makes up the ocean floor and how it is not much different from the land we live on, it has mountains, plains, trenches or canyons. They have worked on two projects in class diagramming the ocean floor. Next week we will continue with Currents, Waves and Tides.

Fifth Grade

Fifth Grade students have just completed watching "Voyage of the Mimi II" during the past few weeks they have been learning about archeology, and studying the ancient civilization of the Mayan people. They have learned about Mayan Math and are currently creating Mayan pottery. They will soon work in teams as acheologists and try to solve a puzzle from artifacts they have uncovered.

Fourth Grade Fun

Fourth Grade students had fun learning more about the brain as they explored several websites on this blog. Ask your 4th grade child to show you around, check out the optical illusion site, and see how a neuron works!

Third Grade

Third Grade students have been watching a movie called, "Voyage of the Mimi" It is about a ship called Mimi and the adventures of the crew. We are currently studying "Oceanography" and the group of scientists on the Mimi are studying whales. The movie has 13 episodes with 13 expeditions where students learn more about the ocean and the animals that live in it. We will continue to learn about the ocean floor, tides, currents, sea life.

Chess Tournament

IPPA PTA is hosting a Morning of Chess on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00 - noon.

Fischer Middle School
1305 Long Grove Drive
Aurora, IL‎ 60504

Admission is $1
Open to all children to age 18
Please bring your own chess set if you have one.
Parents are welcome to play.

Please email questions to ippa.pta@gmail.com

Spring Chess Tournament

Tournament Time
Spring Chess Tournament

The FRoG Spring Chess Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 5th at Hillcrest Elementary School in Downers Grove. The non-rated tournament is for children in grades 1 - 8.

Check in begins at 9:30. The first matches start at 10:00 and the tournament continues until approximately 3:00. Each player gets a participation medallion and the top players in each age group get trophies.

Registration is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Go to www.dgfrog.org/Chess_Register.html for more information and to register.

Center for Talent Development Spring 2011

Saturday Enrichment Program
April 9th through May 21st
Courses for academically talented students in PreK through 9th grade
Northwestern University Center for Development will soon be beginning there Spring Sessions.
The Saturday Enrichment Program application is only avalable online or by calling to ask for an application to be mailed to you.
Contact Information:
www.ctd.northwestern.edu/sep.
or
e-mail at, sep@northwestern.edu
or
by phoning, 847/491-3792, extension 4

Third Grade

Students have just completed reading a short, but powerful book called, "The Green Book" and will now be using their creative thinking skills to make boardgames based off of the book. The Green Book is a story of a group of people who need to leave Earth and travel to a distant planet that they will colonize as their own. It is a story of survival, friendship and more. The activity of game making incorporates learning concepts in the fields of math, science, social studies, and language arts, along with some physical challenges. In fact, games have proven to be an effective learning tool for kids who have had difficulty with other more traditional, learning methods. We incorporate the category of "Synthesis" from Bloom's Taxonomy of having the students create a new game from their knowledge of the story they have just completed reading and discussing.

Race To Nowhere

Race to Nowhere

IPPA PTA is hosting a screening of a film highlighting the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools. Q&A session to follow the screening. See this website for more information on the film: www.racetonowhere.com

February 24th at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WVHS Auditorium
Tickets are available at this link: www.rtnwaubonsiehs.eventbrite.com
Ticket prices are $10 online and $15 at the door, both prices at the discretion of the film distributor.

Questions on this event should be directed to ippa.pta@gmail.com

Project Arrow Testing

There will be NO Project Arrow Classes for students during the week of January 24th through to January 28th, so that I may conduct testing on students who may be eligible for Project Arrow next year. Testing takes place this week and next week for first grade and only this week for second, third and fourth grade students. Fourth and fifth grade students have projects that they can work on in their classroom. Third grade students just completed a writing assignment and will begin a novel study when they return to class. Second grade students can work on their project, as well as, an adjective worksheet packet we have been discussing. Classroom teachers will also have an opportunity to work with students, differentiating where they see fit.

Second Grade Project

Second Grade Project Arrow students have been discussing "Language" and how we communicate. Students currently have a project where they are learning how our language has changed over the years. Even in the short time they have been alive, words they used when they were a baby to communicate to you what their wants were, and words they use today to communicate the same thing.
In class students are creating self portraits using only words, adjectivies to be exact, that describe a little about who they are.

Research Project

Fourth Grade PA students are currently working on "Real World" problems, at least that affect them! Students will need to interview and survey, parents, teachers, children and others, as well as, research problems. Then write a report and come back to class to report their findings.

Some of the topics being researched are:

At what age should children get their own cell phones?
Should fourth grade students have a set bedtime on the weekends?
Should elementary schools have a uniform policy?
Should our schools lunch and recess time be extended?
Should students have to wear a seatbelt on a school bus?

So don't be surprised if your child begins questioning you or handing you a survey to complete.

Project Arrow Testing

During the weeks of January 24th through to February 4th I will be testing students in the building for next years Project Arrow participation. There will be no Project Arrow classes during the week of January 24th. Classes will resume the following week.