Second Quarter Newsletter
From Third/Fourth Grade One-Day G.A.T.E.
Dear Parents and Teachers,
First of all, I’d like to thank all the parents who chaperoned our field trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in December. It was a great trip and went smoothly thanks to all of you! You can check out my website at http://owensprimary.bcsd.com/girardik to see some of the photos taken that day.
“Plexers” – Our plexers are gradually getting more difficult, but in turn, the students are becoming more knowledgeable in how to think in different ways (multiple perspectives!) and we now have our first two sets of contest winners. Congratulations to them - I have their names posted on my website for the world to see!
Spanish – Everyone has their favorite games that they request. Learning a new language really can be fun! In addition to the games, we’ve begun a new workbook in which the students are learning to translate sentences.
Technology – Students continue to improve all of their skills, including touch typing, editing, and researching. We have spent a great deal of time creating a Powerpoint slideshow about the ocean. They have also learned how to use the “table” function to create an art card about artist, Paul Cezanne. This next quarter will be spent on some of the projects which will be included in their art portfolio for the G.A.T.E. Fair.
Science – SHARK WEEK! - This was the highlight of the past few months. Students spent time researching a specific shark and then got creative with a “foldable” to showcase their findings. Of course their report had to be based on Depth and Complexity elements, and the completed project was expected to have many scholarly attributes including professional workmanship! To help them think critically, I then asked them to complete a self-evaluation of their finished product.
We have also learned many interesting details about other sea creatures and have explored other aspects of oceanography such as the Hydrologic (water) Cycle and wave formation. Another fun activity was combining geography with oceanography. Using maps, globes and atlases, we had a contest to see who could locate the most bodies of water correctly.
*Art –During the second quarter we studied three artists and their various styles: Paul Cezanne, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Georges Seurat. Students are becoming proficient with oil pastels and watercolors and have added a Still Life, Poinsettia, and Sea Life Pointillism to their art portfolios for the G.A.T.E. Fair. They have also written two poems so far which will also be in the portfolio: a Haiku and a Cinquain.
*WE WILL BE TAKING AN IN-TOWN TRIP TO THE BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART IN MARCH!
Please feel free to call (631-5420) or write to me at girardik@bcsd.com if you have any questions or concerns about anything at all!
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September 2009
Hello Parents, Students & Teachers,
I would like to welcome you to Owens Primary and the One-Day G.A.T.E. program for the 2009-2010 school year. We have many interesting and enriching experiences planned and I am looking forward to working with all of my new and returning students. The information below will answer some of the “burning” questions you may have about our program.
District/School Policies, Procedures, Expectations
By now, you will have received the annual District discipline code booklet from your home school. All students are expected to observe the rules for a safe and productive school year in their home school, as well as at Owens Primary. As we are a "Uniform" school, we expect students to be dressed appropriately.
Program, Activities, Grading
Your child will come to Owens Primary one day a week. All activities are intended to extend and enrich your child’s knowledge and experiences. There will be no letter grade given for work but completion of assignments and the ability to work in an orderly matter and make the most of their time will be expected. Student work will be sent home periodically and parents will receive a progress report during BCSD grading periods.
In One-Day G.A.T.E. we focus quite heavily on science, integrating the “Scientific Process”, learning about equipment, science safety and a variety of experiments and investigations. Activities and assignments will be planned to help the students think and work creatively, analytically and independently. This year my students will study areas associated with Oceanography, Astronomy, Ecosysytems, Matter and Electricity. An enjoyable study trip related to one of our science themes will be planned for some time this year.
I will also provide instruction in Spanish, art history, geography, language arts, physical education and technology. Students will have the opportunity to do research and explore their individual interests in our Computer Lab. We spend approximately 40 minutes a day in Computer Lab.
Most importantly- Students will be taught how to think, act, and learn like “scholars”. Parents, this is an integral part of our program and you’ll find a list of the Scholarly Attributes attached.
Homework (None – unless classwork is not completed.)
Attendance
For the maximum benefits of our One-Day Program, regular attendance is required. If your child will be absent, please call the Magnet Office at Owens Primary.
Parents, I am looking forward to an exciting year with your children. Please feel free to call (631-5420), write notes or email (girardik@bcsd.com) if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Karen Girardi
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