WELCOME TO 5TH GRADE GATE

Another school year has begun, and I am looking forward to getting to know all the 5th Grade GATE students.  As of today, I have met all the GATE students and have gone over the highlights of the upcoming school year and my expectations for the students.  You should have also received a Welcome Letter from me which explains the 5th Grade GATE program.

Our first unit is the Artist Unit.  We will be studying 6 famous artists (Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, Picasso, Wood and Hopper).  They will gain an immense understanding of the artists' style, famous works, influences, favorite subjects and colors, education and family life.  They then will apply their knowledge to art projects and other activities to further extend their learning.  The students will also use their technology skills to create a movie using the iMovie program about an artist that they will research.  The whole unit will culminate with a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago in November.

I was reading a teacher magazine which gave some suggestions for parents/students for a great start of the school year.  I thought they were terrific ideas and thought I would share them with you.

• Read, Read, Read!  Read to your child, listen to your child read, and set aside time for your child to read alone every day.
• Get to know your child's teacher by attending as many school events as possible and don't hesitate to call with concerns.  If you have a question or concern, please email or call me at any time.  
• Look for signs your child does not comprehend schoolwork.  This is best done by assisting your child with homework (when necessary).  Since the GATE students are very bright, they may not have many academic difficulties.  GATE homework may be more challenging, but important in their development.
• Make sure your child is prepared for school by getting enough sleep and eating a well-balanced, healthy diet.
• Closely monitor the time your child is spending playing video games, watching television, and using the computer for leisure.  These hours add up very quickly!
• Carefully review how and when your child is using technology and teach appropriate uses of technology.  Talk with your child about the pros and cons of using social networking sites to stay connected to friends, but let them know that you will periodically sit with them to review their site.  Adults should never assume children automatically know the pitfalls or misuses of technology.
• Get your child involved in before and after school activities.  Children who participate in sports, service or scholastic clubs, and fine arts such as band and chorus enjoy school more and are typically more motivated to do well in their academic classes.

I hope these reminders keep us on the right track to a wonderful school year!!