Mythology Jeopardy (for those who were absent)

Mythology Club Competition of Beginning and Olympians

If you have PowerPoint, you can print off the first slide, and fill in answers for the questions on that print-off.  Those who were unable to attend, may still submit their answers.

Mythology Club: Competition One

Approximately 20 Thurston students are participating in this year’s Mythology Club. It meets at lunch on Mondays in Ms. Cochren’s classroom throughout February. Our first competiton focused on questions from pages 1-70 of D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. This section covered “the beginning” and the Olympians.

Knowledge was impressive as 4 contestants scored a perfect score on our Jeopardy competition. The following students should see me to claim their prize. Congratulations to:

Vicki M.

Alex B.

London C.

Chantele C.

Honorable Mention: (small treats)

Joey R.

Max B.

Rosie M.

Emily B.

Our next competition is during lunch on Monday, February 6th.

December 15th: Spelling Bee Top Competitors

Congratulations, top spellers!

1. Ariadne F.
2. Mason R.
3. Larsen M.

 

Sixth Grade ILP Packet Distributed

Sixth grade GATE students received a packet on December 13th during their language arts class. It included a letter, possible goals, a Howard Gardner multiple intelligence survey and description, course opportunities, and the individual learning plan.

Students are asked to take home the information and share it with a parent/guardian. We ask that you work with your child to set a goal for an area of need and a goal in an area of strength. Please sign the learning plan, and your child should return it to Ms. Schaeffer or myself this week if possible or by Tuesday, January 3rd.

Ms.Schaeffer and I will conference with students on Wednesday, January 4th and make additional suggestions to the ILP. We will browse your child’s twelve week progress report together, and we will also encourage your child to take advantage of the clubs and events available here at Thurston.

Sleep Research: National Sleep Association

How many hours of sleep does your student get each night? Did you know that research shows that middle school students need a little more than 9 hours of sleep each night?

What time does your teen fall asleep most nights? If your child is not falling asleep until 10:00 pm, he or she would need to sleep until 7:00am in order for a healthy mind and body to develop. It is suggested that television, computer, and cell phone use are restricted prior to bedtime hours. I’ve recently read from a variety of resources that the light given off by these devices causes the brain to be reluctant to release the natural hormones needed for sleep.

Disturbances to sleep patterns due to weekend and holiday activities cause students to have stress and memory difficulties. Even illness, causes irregularities to our sleep. So, although occasional sleep patterns are disturbed, repeated interruptions of needed sleep can cause difficulty in your child’s growth, self-esteem, and progress.

We all skimp here and there, but is your child able to feel alert during the school day? Promoting a good sleep routine can make a difference.

Band Concert: Monday, December 10th

Thurston musicians will be performing their winter concert on December 10th. These students dedicate many hours to their practice, and we know that studying music provides great opportunity and challenge for all students but especially our gifted. Thank you, Thurston musicians and families, for having the discipline and desire to excel in this great learning opportunity. We know it takes time and patience.

We are pleased to offer an exceptional program of electives here at Thurston. During difficulty economic times, some schools are experiencing cut-backs in these areas, but we are blessed to be able to continue to provide an education in music and the arts.

Spanish Club Fieldtrip: Wednesday, December 14th

Mr. Dixon is offering a Spanish club field trip this Wednesday. Approximately 100 Thurston students will be attending the Olivera Street experience. I cannot tell you how many amazing opportunities Mr. Dixon offers our students. The clubs and trips that he offers are invaluable to Thurston students, and these are novel and enriching ways to meet our various students’ needs and interests.

Clubs and trips require a good deal of planning and our teachers’ personal time, so I wanted to remind our Thurston families how lucky we are to have such a fantastic foreign language program with teachers who are willing to go above and beyond. Both Spanish and French classes and clubs provide differentiation, fun, and new learning experiences. Laguna Beach Schools is fortunate to have an investment in these programs. Thank you to our school board, families, PTA, and School Power for investing in our foreign language program.

Mythology Club deadline extended

I still have a few more spots for our Mythology Club!  Students that are interested may see me prior to winter vacation. Please check with your gifted child to see if he or she has interest.

December 15th: Thurston Spelling Bee

Announcements were made three days last week, and all language arts’ teachers were given an update about our upcoming school spelling bee. Interested students were to submit their names by Friday, December 9th, but if there are still interested students, I ask that they give me their names no later than Wednesday, December 14th so that I may plan accordingly.

We’ve had a successful Spelling Bee Club in which we have met and practiced the word list over pizza and prizes. Thank you for all students that have participated! I actually have more non-GATE students than GATE participating, so please encourage your gifted child to get involved.

Our school bee will be this Thursday in the library during ESP. We have several strong competitors, but I have encouraged all interested students to participate. I’ll post our top three on Thursday!

December 12th: Sixth Grade Update

I met with sixth grade students during our last ESP. At the meeting, I encouraged them to continue to develop their dedication, desire, and discipline, and I reminded them that giftedness is a gift that needs to be actively used. I want our GATE students to invest in their organization, study, and communication skills so that they are at times stepping outside of the zone of what is comfortable and easy.  At our meeting, I reminded students to listen to the morning announcements for Thurston opportunities, and that they could follow up on the school website, GATE blog, or with me for additional information.

We also took time to discuss multiple intelligences, and students completed a Howard Gardner survey.  Most turned it in at the end of the meeting, but some wanted more time, and I asked them to submit it to me or Ms. Schaeffer by Friday, December 9th.

Although Ms. Schaeffer and I planned to meet with students to create their ILPs this week, I have decided it may be better to send an informational packet home so that parents/guardians may take a look at their child’s survey and suggested goals. We ask that the ILP goals are completed and returned this week OR the first day of return, January 3rd. Upon return from vacation, Ms. Schaeffer and I will meet on Wednesday, January 4th with each sixth grade student. This will take place during their language arts’ class. We hope to follow up on the home goal setting and make additional suggestions.