Dear Parents,
We’ve had a great start to Target! We enjoyed seeing new faces and old friends at our parent meeting. If you missed it, we will hold another orientation meeting mid-year for new or existing Target parents.
Please be sure to check your child's tally each week. We often include assignment info or reminders and requests. You may want to check your child's tally as soon as your child gets home from their Target day to avoid those night-before surprises. =)
We are excited to have a new first grade unit for our youngest Target students - Amelia Earhart! Students will work in the cognitive and affective domains while building algebraic thinking skills and completing STEM activities. Of course, we will also be studying the science of flight and the legendary aviator, Amelia Earhart!
Second and third grade students began the year with a mini-STEM unit called ‘Pollution Solutions’. Students investigated the real-world problem of waste management and used the engineering design process to create solutions. We disposed of toxic popcorn, created a mini-landfill, made a litter-grabber and even cleaned up an oil spill!
Following our STEM mini-unit, second graders will begin a problem-based learning unit called Audrey Aims: Art Conservator. As an art conservator, Audrey Aims works to showcase objects from all over the world. But how do they get there? Why are they important? And what if the people whose lives they represent want them back? We’re about to find out! Students will investigate the art and science of art conservation while traveling the globe to learn about ancient cultures.
Third graders will explore the lands of castles and queens while learning the finer points of Chess in our new unit, Every Move Matters. We will learn about how to game of chess evolved over time and in different cultures. The affective component becomes important as students learn about how delayed gratification and patience can be the keys to a win! The unit also incorporates divergent thinking and STEM into a unit our students are sure to love!
The Solar Eclipse gave us the perfect STEM unit to start the year with our 4th and 5th Graders, Solar Survivor: Path of the Eclipse. Dr. E. Clipse and Dr. O. Ccultation led students along the path of the Solar Eclipse as they competed in teams to complete STEM challenges.
We even thought of our furry friends by designing eclipse glasses for pets. We finished our adventure with a “campfire” and solar snacks while sharing stories and reflections.
For our Fall semester unit, 4th graders will be using evaluative, critical, and affective thinking skills in a unit called Survivor- Where wit meets wilderness! We will explore what it takes to endure the wilderness through STEM activities, a novel study, and an exciting outdoors field trip. We will strengthen our critical thinking skills as we find our way through problem based learning lessons as well as recognize how important courage is in all facets of our lives.
We’re very excited about the upcoming opportunity for 5th graders in our InVenture unit. We’ll be partnering with Georgia Tech to participate in a program that allows younger students to participate in the InVenture prize competition. Students will work to design a unique product or invention, prototype and tri-board. They will then “pitch” their idea to a panel of judges in a series of competitions, beginning with our local school competition. We are excited to open the world of innovation to our fifth graders!
As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for your support,
Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders
