September 2015

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. =)

     Our first graders are being introduced to one of the most notable geniuses in history – Leonardo da Vinci! Students are discovering the work, times and continuing impact of the ultimate Renaissance man. They will read, write, discuss, observe, draw, analyze and create as they learn how to be successful Target students!

     Second and third grade students began the year with a mini-STEAM unit called “Storm the Castle’. We learned how simple machines could help propel a catapult. We also learned about life in the middle ages and how catapults have been used throughout history. We’re looking forward to creating our own cardboard castles based on the construction techniques of medieval engineers. We’ll also be hosting a medieval feast as we test and present our catapults!

     Following our STEAM mini-unit, we’ll begin our Problem-based Learning Unit: Audrey Aims. 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!

    Our 4^th and 5^th grade students have been hitting the slopes in our STEAM mini-unit, Survivor: Colorado! Students used their knowledge of simple machines to design working ski-lifts. The competition to be the winning tribe is heating up as we near the end. Who will outwit, outlast and outplay?!?

   For our Fall semester unit, 4^th graders will be partnering with the Alliance Theatre in Reinventing Shakespeare! This unit is an interactive introduction to Shakespeare - his work, his times, and his continuing impact. It is also an exploration of the 21^st Century 4 C’s – Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity.  Students will actively engage in Shakespeare’s works and creative responses to his work. They will read, write, discuss, recite, perform, and create.

  We’re very excited about the upcoming opportunity for 5^th 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!

   4^th and 5^th grade students were given information about a math camp being held at Walton High School over September break. Please consider this opportunity for your child.

    As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

                       Thanks for your support,

                                        Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders

 

Welcome Back!
     We are so excited for the 2015-2016 school year! We have been hard at work selecting units and planning for a challenging and fun year in Target.
    Target classes will begin on August 10th. Please be on the lookout for our beginning of the year letter and supply list.
    We will host a parent orientation meeting on August 12th at 8:30 am in the Media Center.
                  We hope to see you there!
                                Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders

News from Target

Hello, Parents and Students!

We are busy in Target!  We have been trying to make up for lost time due to our snow days this year.  Each grade level had some kind of time loss so every minute counts in Target each week.

 Mrs. Sanders welcomed her baby son, Cedric, into her family!  Miss K. is working hard to be here while Mrs. Sanders enjoys this special time in her life. Welcome, Miss K!



First Grade News

First Grade continues to work hard in the PACE unit using their critical thinking skills each week to problem solve and by using their divergent thinking skills.  Target traditions such as the I Can, Box about Me, and the Multiple Intelligence songs and activities are being enjoyed by all.  First Grade will be presenting their Genius Hour Jr. Projects very soon.  Can't wait to see them!




Second and Third Grade News

Second and Third Grade Target are enjoying the Gizmo and Gadget Plus Unit this season.  We have studied inventors, inventions, and creations.  We have had our own Invention Convention and have been pushing ourselves to work collaboratively during STEAM activities, Zoob Challenges, and with our mini robots!  Genius Hour presentations begin in April.  All Genius Hour materials have gone  home for completion.



Fourth and Fifth Grade News

Fourth and Fifth Grade Target classes are sharpening their evaluative thinking skills in Nothing But the Truth.  This study has allowed many class debates and mock trials.  Did  you know that we have our Fairy Trials this week?!  Students have been preparing for this important class activity.  We definitely have some future lawyers in our classrooms!  Fourth and Fifth Grades are also looking forward to presenting their Genius Hour Projects.  All materials have been sent home for completion.



Other News

Target schedules will change in May due to Kindergarten Target Testing.  Stay tuned for more information as we solidify our testing schedule.

Spring Fever has hit!  Help us in Target by reminding students to be self-directed learners who remain hard working, organized, and responsible until the last day of school.


Have a super Spring Break!

Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Sanders and Miss K.

                                                           February 2015

Dear Parents,
    We're so glad to have our students back after a long testing season! We've also enjoyed welcoming our new Target students. The transition back to our routine has gone very smoothly.
    Our new first grade Target students have had a great start! We've been strengthening our Target community and learning convergent thinking skills. Next week, we'll begin learning about the multiple intelligences and how to identify and develop our strengths and weaknesses. They are already a great group of Target thinkers!
   We're excited to begin our new units for the Spring. In 4th and 5th grade, we're starting Nothing but the Truth, an evaluative thinking unit with elements of Democracy, law and debate. We held an art show with art critiques in January. In the coming weeks, we'll hold a debate and mock trials. We're also looking forward to a STEAM mini-unit in the Spring in which we'll build working solar-powered water heaters.
     2nd and 3rd graders have been working on a STEAM mini unit in which they are constructing umbrellas. Perfect for this nasty weather we've been having! Hopefully, our stuffed animals will stay dry during our test and present session. 2nd and 3rd graders will soon begin our new unit 'Gizmos and Gadgets'. They are fascinated by the new Recon robots and can't wait to start programming!
     As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
                     Thanks for your support,
                             Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders

December 2014

Dear Parents,
    We're continuing our Target testing! The testing window involves a variety of evaluations to determine eligibility for the Target program. We cannot share test results until all students have tested. Letters will be mailed the week of December 15th. Target classes will resume when the testing process is over. We look forward to working with our new students in January. Happy Holidays!
    Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders

November/December 2014

Dear Parents,

   We had a great Fall with our Target students! We are now in full-on testing mode, so we won’t see the students for at least a couple weeks.

    We wrapped up our Shakespeare unit with ‘Shakespeare is my Idol’ and our Shakespeare festival. The students presented modernized versions of a scene from Romeo and Juliet for the judges during ‘Shakespeare is my Idol’.  Students performed individual poetry readings (in costume, of course) for their classmates during our Shakespeare Festival. We really enjoyed our field trip to the Alliance, where we saw a modernized version of Red Badge of Courage and honed our acting skills with professional acting coaches. Special thanks to our guest acting coaches, Ms. Rachel, as well as one of our Target parents, Mrs. Perry. 

    We concluded our River unit with The Streammie Awards (like the Emmy’s but much more prestigious and based on our River Unit). The students wrote acceptance speeches to reflect on all they have learned. They gave their speeches as they received an award and edible trophy. We were disappointed that the 4^th graders weren’t able to make it to the stream one last time, but we brought the stream to us for some final chemical testing. All is well at Rubes creek!

     Second grade culminated their PACE unit of study with Multiple Intelligences projects. They have been working so hard on their primary algebra and critical thinking skills. We are looking forward to diving into their first content-based unit of study in the Spring.

    We are working hard on our Spring units – but we aren’t announcing them quite yet! Stay tuned!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders

October 2014

Dear Parents,

    We’ve had a great start to our Fall units!

     Second and Third Grade Target Students began the year with a mini-STEAM unit called Geronimo!  They learned how air dynamics powered parachutes so that they could create their own.  After designing and creating their group parachute; they had fun seeing how they working outside.  They learned a lot about how structure, elements, and materials can effect a smooth ride from air to ground.

      In our Life is River unit for 3^rd and 4^th grades, we’ve been learning about the natural and man-made water cycles. We visited a water treatment facility that uses innovative designs to clean wastewater to be returned to the river. Ask your child about the “spaghetti filter”. This week, we will be training for our creek water analysis. We are looking forward to our first creek visits on October 28^th and 31^st. Be on the lookout for a field trip permission form in your child’s Target folder.

    Our 4^th and 5^th Graders enjoyed visiting Yellowstone National Park in our mini STEAM Unit: Energy, Ecosystems and Eruptions!  Ranger Sanders and Ranger Parsons guided the students on a park adventure that kept everyone engaged.  They especially found the making and demo of our geysers exciting.  We finished our park adventure with  a “campfire” and smores while sharing cowboy stories and reflections.

    Our 5^th graders have traveled back in time for the Reinventing Shakespere unit. The Bard have been working on their acting skills through tableaux exercises and improv. The students did a phenomenal job on their Shakespeare Tic Tac Toe menus. We had some very creative presentations! We are looking forward to our upcoming field trip to the Alliance theatre on October 30^th and our Alliance In-school Imrov Workshop on November 6^th.  Watch for more information on both of these activities. 

    Second Grade Target Students have been enjoying our PACE Unit and STEAM activities. They have been working hard to master primary algebraic standards, understand thinking skills and thinking styles, and enjoying affective lessons that encompass making smart choices.  Second Grade knows how to use their divergent thinking skills to create and invent new and unique products.  They are strengthening their collaboration and communication skills during partner and team activities.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks for your support,

         Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Sanders