This month, second graders will continue to practice making their thinking visible. Our What Do You Do With a Chance module uses a multi-flow thinking map to help students identify the causes/effects of taking chances. They will discuss how overcoming their fears and taking chances can lead to success. Second graders will also work through a Binary Numbers module. These puzzles are sure to challenge their thinking!

Third graders will begin the new year by starting the module Inspiration.

Did you know that the word, "inspiration" comes from the Latin word, “inspiratus”, which means “to breathe into or inspire”? In English, it has meant “the drawing of air into the lungs” since the middle of the 16th century.

Through this module, students will learn about inspiration to motivate them through critical thinking and problem-solving activities such as creating categories for famous inspirational quotes and pieces of artwork. In addition to that lesson, students will move into a math lesson working through multi-step word problems.

Fourth graders will begin the Snowman Construction Company module. This direct instruction module of our competency, self-management, challenges students to become business owners and create a snowman with two creative constraints; a weight limit and a budget to work within. They will “build” the snowman to sell the product in their community for the winter holidays. They will also be tasked with writing a sales pitch to record a commercial advertising their snowman product!

Fifth-graders will begin The Great Depression module. In this three-week study, students will analyze and annotate texts to identify the causes and effects of the Great Depression, determine FDR’s message to the American people during that time, and determine how the Great Depression affected the people who lived through it. They will finish the month by shifting into math with the fun, yet challenging, Fractions and Pattern Blocks lesson.

Click below to view the KCS Gifted and Talented website.