7th and 8th Grade Innovation Word Document

Junior Achievement Company Program

7/8th Grade Social Entrepreneurship Inspiration 

Most Impressive Innovations 

Sit With Us App

Malala Fund 

Bicycle For Hope

Young entrepreneurs tackling New Orleans' toughest problems

Dojo Inventors 

New Orleans Young Entrepreneur

 

5th grade Chumash

Fifth Grade Chumash Link

Update - Fourth Grade

Fourth grade just finished their study of astrobiology. They examined the possibility of life elsewhere in our own solar system as well as on planets in other solar systems. They are closing out their unit with a Makerspace design challenge. Using NASA’s Kepler Transit Space Hunt simulation, they identified an exoplanet and collected information about the exoplanet's environment. The challenge was to design a home for their planet. A requirement was that it must manipulate and blend stylistically with its environment, similar to the techniques of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are some photos of the design process in action! 

5th Grade Rubber Band Car Creation Inspiration

5th grade students, 

Below are a list of websites you are welcome to visit to get inspiration for your own unique Rubber Band Car. 

http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/rubber-band-car/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfiV1oTF-ks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXYVpAyYG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXzESA9yISM

4th grade Kepler Exoplanet Transit Hunt 

Click here to start the hunt! 

The Design Thinking Process 

Makerspace + Design Thinking

The Gifted students kicked off the year honing their problem solving skills. They utilized the Design Thinking process and experienced hand-on DIY approach to learning and play through the Makerspace. Since it was their first experience using the Makerspace, our problem prompt was fairly broad. "Create + Design something that will benefit someone in some way." The students needed to first identify the people or person for whom they were designing and then identify the need they wished to address. Check out below some of the innovative solutions they designed!

An underground bus system to eliminate school bus traffic in the morning + increase safety precautions 

The Girls Rule Team creating their rubber band car for our 5th grade race car competition! 

Buddy - a fully customized friend made with recycled iPhones for children who have experienced trauma 

A mobile restorative community center called HPO designed to reinvigorate high-need communities

6th Grade WebQuest Search

Sample WebQuests for students to choose from:

Bullard, H. (n.d.). WebQuest: Development of Early Civilizations: Created with Zunal WebQuest Maker. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=228969

Head, B. (n.d.). WebQuest: Creating Utopia: Created with Zunal WebQuest Maker. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=247787

Johnson, B. (n.d.). WebQuest: Sixth Grade Social Studies Expedition: Geography, History & Economics: Created with Zunal WebQuest Maker. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=241464

Keppel, K. (n.d.). WebQuest: Traveling the World: Five Themes of Geography and More: Created with Zunal WebQuest Maker. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=262070

Martinez, C. (n.d.). WebQuest: Modern Hunter Gatherers: Created with Zunal WebQuest Maker. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=219548

Other:

Dewey, C. (2015, March 24). True or false: The Internet can check for veracity. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/297439271.html

Price, K. (2009, February 12). Web Site Evaluation. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=edb3999e-e7ff-456b-b51f-63b78102312c

Class Starts

Gifted classes will begin September 6. Mrs. Gros and I can't wait! 

Gifted Schedule 2016-2017

Below is the schedule for gifted classes this year. It helps if kids get reminders from all sides!

2nd grade: Monday, Wednesday 12:30-1:40
3rd grade: Tuesday, Thursday 12:30-1:40
4th grade: Monday, Wednesday 9:50 -10:55
5th grade: Tuesday, Thursday 9:50-10:55
6th grade: Tuesdays, 1:50 to 3:20
7th and 8th grade: Thursdays, 1:50 to 3:20

Welcome!

Welcome to Belle Chasse Academy's Gifted program! Mrs. Gros and I are so excited to meet all of you and get the year rolling. Parents, please reach out to us if you need anything and be sure to scroll through our grade level tabs to see what we have in store for the 2016-2017 school year.

All the best,

Emma Mattesky and Catherine Gros 

Welcome!

Welcome to Belle Chasse Academy's Gifted program! Mrs. Gros and I are so excited to meet all of you and get the year rolling. Parents, please reach out to us if you need anything and be sure to scroll through out grade level tabs to see what we have in store for the 2016-2017 school year.

All the best,

Emma Mattesky and Catherine Gros 

Awesome online field trip!

For any kids interested in history, archaeology, and geography, this should prove exciting. I'm hooked!

https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/petra/#streetview

Great Role Model!

http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/09/03/432599376/this-teacher-wants-to-excite-your-inner-scientist

Some Inspiration from Skunk Bear.

Here's a fun video about megafauna. Maybe some inspiration for a research product?

 

And check out the Skunk Bear Tumblr, from NPR

Grade Level Pages Are Updated

Welcome back! Please note that the grade level pages have been updated for the 2015-2016 school year. These units are subject to change, particularly if students show an interest in a certain area of study. Independent study and exploration may replace any of the units outlined, particularly in grades five and up.

In addition to the units, students at all grade levels will participate in independent reading projects, chess instruction, and other critical thinking skills exercises.

What a great year!

I think we all learned so much this year, and I can't wait to start back up in August with my students again. I am particularly looking forward to some of the writing I know they plan on doing.

To those who aren't returning, I will definitely miss you! Each student had an important role in our classes, and it will be difficult to find the new rhythm next school year.

To one and all, have a great summer!

Exciting News

Our class pet, Kevin the hermit crab, moved on up to a bigger shell over spring break.