Stories from the Specialists

Explorers from Mrs. Taranto:

I am meeting with 3^rd grade Explorers groups to make up for Explorers ending early in the Fall. The students are practicing their critical thinking skills and problem-solving in both Language Arts and Math.  

In addition, I am also currently reviewing the CogAT and IOWA scores to prepare the data, work samples, and paperwork for AIG identification.   

This process will continue throughout the third quarter.  Any students that qualify for AIG services will receive paperwork for parents to review and sign.  We anticipate that the final paperwork will be completed near the end of the third quarter.  AIG classes for third graders will begin in the fourth quarter.

I am looking forward to getting to know the students!

4^th & 5^th grade AIG and Talent Development classes - Mrs. Joyce:

All of the students are working very hard, and we are thrilled to see their growth!

The 4^th grade reading classes have completed their realtor research and presentations.  We learned to analyze information to use for a specific audience, as each group created a realty company and received a fictitious real estate client.  The students researched information about North Carolina counties for their clients from various websites, and created a persuasive presentation that highlighted and explained the most important information.  Each student also looked back at their Habits of the Mind information, wrote a mid-year review of how they are doing with their goal, and set a new goal for the 2^nd half of the year.

At the beginning of the quarter, the 4^th grade math groups completed their bat wing designs, tested them, analyzed data from the tests, and  wrote about a possible redesign.   The groups used multi-step and multi-operation strategies in order to analyze the data.  Students also analyzed basketball coaching data in order to choose the "best" team to coach, in an open-ended math challenge.  We have wrapped up the quarter by writing original multi-step and multi-digit multiplication and division problems to fit a specific answer and context, and honing accuracy and efficiency with multiplication and division strategies during an enrichment challenge involving either the skeletal system or a logic puzzle about peoples' ages.

In 5^th grade reading, the students completed an epilogue or alternate ending narrative writing, from a perspective of their choice.  They were incredible pieces of writing - the students learned a great deal about how to "hook" their reader with an Entertaining Beginning, and how to use precise, descriptive language.  During writing conferences, I helped students with writing endings, and also how to use "Show Don't Tell" - a technique for describing words.  Currently, the students are drafting an expository piece of writing from the perspective of an environmental expert, about the areas of clean air and/or clean water.   The students are writing for a specific audience as well.   They are incorporating sensory details, research information, precise vocabulary, anecdotes, quotes, and statistics in order to engage the audience.  We may be creating some Flipgrids with these - stay tuned!

The 5^th grade math students have completed an activity involving multi-step multiplication and division with fractions, and decimals.  We have also explored how percentages relate to these concepts.  Students did a hands-on activity with a variety bag of chocolate, in order to determine if/how the candy companies use math to create the large variety bags of chocolate.  We also compared 2 variety bags to see if there is consistency in the math application.  Students then used their math skills, critical thinking, and creativity to design the "perfect" variety bag of candy.  Each group also made a presentation, business plan, or advertisement.  These projects showcased the students' creativity and math skills, and they came up with bags of candy that I would love to purchase!!!!  

PTA News & Updates

PTA Meeting

WOES PTA will hold a budget update meeting via Google Meet on February 8, 2023, 7:00-7:30pm. More details to come. 

Save the Date: Spirit Night!

The next Spirit Night will take place at Mellow Mushroom Cary on Thursday, February 23, 2023, 11:00am - 11:00 pm. 

WOES PTA Website

Stay in the know: Visit the WOES PTA website to learn more about Spirit Wear, PTA events, and more! https://woespta.membershiptoolkit.com/home

Spirit Wear

Purchase your Spirit Wear and show your WOES spirit! 

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