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.