2nd Grade Gifted and Talented ProgramPurl Elementary

2017-2018

G/T Extension: G/T Extension is an interdisciplinary, project-based class designed specifically for gifted learners. The lessons and projects consist of all academic areas: English/Language Arts, Social Studies & STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.) Below are some of the exciting projects and lessons we are working on in 2nd grade. STEM & Computer Programming: Coding: Students are learning to computer program (aka “Code”) using robotics and code.org. This site is an amazing program and opportunity for students to learn how to code in elementary school using “Blockly.” Some students may even progress to learn the beginning concepts of JavaScript and Python while still in elementary school.

Dash & Dot Robotics: Students have been working hard on mastering beginning programming concepts including loops, conditionals and variables. We are having so much fun programming complex algorithms while using Dash & Dot that students forget this is educational. Not only are we learning programming concepts and complex algorithms, but we are also learning how to debug these algorithms when we make one of our many mistakes. Developing a growth mindset is a requirement for coding!

Ozobots: We are beginning a project utilizing our Ozobots and a story about the “Hemulen Who Loved Silence” from a selection of stories written for gifted learners. Students will begin to create and design a theme park based on their interests. Their design will be created for Ozobots to attend. Students use their creativity and artistic expression, while developing logical reasoning and in turn, actually learning high level coding concepts. You can check out Ozobots at http://ozobot.com/stem-education.

Robotics Olympics:We will be researching and designing our very own Olympics using a variety of robots while programming these robots to compete in student-designed Olympic events. I’m anticipating needing

lots of parental help for this event, so please look for more information coming out for our Robotics Olympics in February, the same time as the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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All Things Google: There is so much more to Google than Google Search! We are utilizing Google Classroom for many of our lessons and projects. GISD students are training to use Google Drive (file storage), Google Docs (similar to Microsoft Word), Google Slides (similar to Power Point), Google Sheets (similar to Excel), Google Drawings, Google Forms (quiz) and Google Sites (website creations) to aid our curriculum and design processes. The benefit to going all thigs Google is not only that it is FREE, but Google also allows us to collaborate on each of these. As a class, we have worked on the same document at the same time! We can’t wait to see all we can do with Google!

Lego Education: We are fortunate here at Purl to have multiple Lego Education options. We began our year learning about simple machines

using the Lego Simple Machines Set. This experience prepares students for upcoming projects in later grades; such as creating their own invention, simple & powered machines using renewable energy, and more advanced designing and robotics. Next semester, second graders will be designing with Lego WeDo. Each of these Lego kits comes with an amazing curriculum.

LOOKING FORWARD:Here is a peak at a few projects coming up in other grades in the G/T program at Purl Elementary:

“Innovation Celebration” with Shark Tank“Culture Shock” with green screen video blog.Lego Engineering with Simple & Powered Machines using Renewable EnergyPhysics Unit with an iFLY Field Trip (5th graders only)

Lego EV3 Mindstorm Robotics. . . and so much more!

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Jeanna JonesPurl G/T Teacher512-943-5080 Ext 6836jonesjea@georgetownisd.org

To access links to the sites, you can find the newsletter on my school website.