We will be taking the COGAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) next week on Oct 8-10th. This test basically asks your child to visually manipulate shapes and patterns to manipulate them according to a set of directions. You can read THIS article for more clarification. You can also look at this VIDEO if you'd like to see a sample of the types of question they will be asked.
We will also be taking ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Achievement Test) the following week from October 16th thru the 25th. The students will not test all of these days, however, this is the window for testing and make-up testing for absent students. The ITBS will test Math, S. Studies, Science, Reading and Language.
These tests are norm referenced tests that compare your child's abilities nationwide. They are used as indicators and data tools for the Gifted Program and tell us whether or not our children are knowledgable in each subject area in comparison with other children their age.
Please make sure your child is on time for school each day. We will begin testing promptly at 8:30 a.m. If your child is late he/she may be directed to sit in the Village Plaza while the class tests and then your child will have to make-up that particular section of the test. We cannot allow children into the classroom after a section of testing has begun. Once one section ends we can allow them in to take section 2. This is not the best scenario for your child since he/she will have been hanging out in the Village Plaza for 30 mins to an hour depending upon the test/test day.
Also, our children are very accustomed to having a snack around 9:30 am. We will not be able to eat snack at our regular time or even during breaks. Please make sure the kids have had a nice big healthy breakfast each morning. We don't want them to have growling tummies!
Science Experiment
We had fun transforming crayon shavings into the three types of rocks (Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous) on Friday. Thank you to the four parents who came to assist and enjoy the beautiful chaos that is Science with kids! I really appreciate the help and the clean up! :) Thanks to you all for sending in materials for the experiments. I am going to attempt the second experiment on Monday! Our little scientists were very creative in their quest to manufacture pressure and heat from their bodies. I'm definitely taking the Science instruction by the horns....and I actually really like it. Who knew?
New Friends
We have added two new friends to our class this week and we are so excited for them to be here! This means there are 21 students now!
I'll be posting in the next few days to update you on Progress Reports and Curriculum for the next few weeks.
:)
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