March and April continue to be very busy in the gifted class with several trips and projects planned. Our junior and intermediate debates went very well last month, and our class mural walk of downtown Midland was a good introduction to the planning for our Heritage Fair project.

Gifted Class Open House Postponed until further notice

The Gifted Class Open House was postponed on February 29 due to inclement weather and rescheduled  for March 20.   Due to unforseen circumstances, it is being postponed again until a date later this spring.  We will keep you posted when this date is scheduled.

Skiing in the Schoolyard is cancelled:  The Skiing in the schoolyard activities which were scheduled for tomorrow, Friday March 9 have been cancelled due to the lack of snow.

Forest of Reading

By now, you should have read at least one book for Forest of Reading.  You will need to read 5 novels by April 24 when we have a special trip to the school board office to see one of the Red Maple nominated authors.  The cost of this trip will be about $15.   I will continue to give you about 30 minutes daily to read your novels, but they will also need to read a bit at home in order to complete all the novels in the assigned time.

Heritage Fair  April 25

We continue to prepare history projects to present at the Simcoe County Heritage Fair on April 25 at the Simcoe County Museum.  By now you should have your project topic chosen and your research and notes should be well underway.  When we get back from March Break, you will need to focus on writing, building and preparing your display and presentation.

Robotics Revolution- March 30

On Friday March 30, we will be attending the annual Simcoe County Robotics Revolution.  The day consists of teams of 2-3 students solving a series of challenges using the lego robotics kits with some time to get to know students from the other county gifted classes.  Students will need to bring their lunches with them or arrange to purchase their lunch at the school board cafeteria. More information and a permission form is attached.

Simcoe County District School Board Grade 8 Cardboard Boat Races April 3

On April 3, from 9:00-2:20 pm.   I am accompanying a team of four Grade 8 students to the SCDSB Grade 8 Cardboard Boat Races at the Midland YMCA.

 

The cardboard boat races are for students who have an interest in design and construction.  Working in teams of four, students are given two hours to build their boat with the supplies provided.  Teams then proceed to the pool for the speed and weight competitions.  The challenge for the team will be to come prepared with a plan to build and race a cardboard boat in the YMCA pool, using materials provided.  Lunch will be provided at this event.  Full rules for the competition are attached.   Your child will need to bring a swimsuit because several of the activities are in the pool.  There is no cost for this event.  I will send home a permission form with the Grade 8 students who are attending.

GO Conference: May 4-  Information about the GO conference in Orillia will be sent home closer to the event date.

Stratford Trip:  May 8

It has been a tradition in the Gifted class to make an annual trip to Stratford to see a Shakespeare play.  The preparation for and watching of the performance touches many areas of the curriculum: from Language Arts, to Drama, Visual Arts and Music.   This year we will be going to see Much Ado About Nothing,  on Tuesday May 8 at 2:00 pm.     Mr. Trumpour and I will each be driving a carload of students to the performance.

The cost of the trip will be $25.00  per student.  More details and a permission form are attached.

 

Grade 8 Ottawa Trip:  May 22-24.   Final Payments due by March 23.

 

I am also arranging for a couple other projects and special events this spring, and there will be field trips in the integrated classes as well.   This spring is proving to be a very busy and active one for the students in the gifted class. I will also post this newsletter and our upcoming events on the class blog at http://mcgaughey.edublogs.org.

Thanks,