The halls were alive with the sound of music and holiday cheer the week before winter break. Band and choir performances were exceptional, as usual, and had a fun creative holiday flair thanks to our talented band and choir directors. Students enjoyed letting off some steam at the PJHW Winter Social after all mid term exams were finished. One of the December traditions for GTA students has been making fleece blankets for patients at Texas Children's Hospital. This year, fifth graders made almost 150 blankets and 50 hats for the children.
Students have many opportunities to collaborate and work as a team throughout their four years at the GT Academy. Although many students, especially gifted or high achievers, may prefer to work alone it is important for them to see the value in how others think.
Through the direct instruction of soft skills, GT Academy students will develop skills in conflict resolution, active listening, asking questions, respecting differences, DeBono's Thinking Hats and other areas to prepare them to successfully work together daily and in long term projects such as TPSP.
A few examples of teamwork and collaboration in December included:
- The Synergistics and Code Breakers mini course students put their teamwork skills to the test to escape rooms such as The Depths, Timeliner, The Heist, and The Playground at Escape Game Houston.
- Ms. Webb's Leadership mini course students worked together to prepare posters and presentations based on Stephen Covey's book The Leader in Me for 4th graders at Silvercrest and Massey Ranch Elementary.
- Eighth graders worked together to design posters to summarize book club discussions.
- Ms. Hart's students kept their brains active the day before the winter break as they worked together to design the tallest tree possible using a limited supply of items.
- Mrs. Pratt's mini course students worked in teams to survive the Oregon Trail and then tried their hand at a few of the tasks as they visited George Ranch Historical Park.
- Our Sab and PJHW robotics teams are preparing for upcoming competitions and are learning the engineering design process first hand. Students depend on the strengths of each team member as they plan, code, document, research, build, and present.
8th Grade Book Clubs
While book clubs are used for the academic purposes, the socialization aspects (motivation to read, evoking dialogue, & sharing perspectives) helps sharpen the students’ memory and cognitive skills, which leads to an increase in a sense of happiness, comradery, and well-being. The book club projects mirrored placing the cherry on top of a pie; it allowed students to connect their comprehension with creativity and most importantly learn to work collaboratively across a community (classrooms).
Storybook STEM
Oregon Trail
Photography
Yoga
Funko Art
Calligraphy
Art Smart
Storytellers
Assessment Opportunities:
Are you interested in an opportunity to practice for the ACT or SAT? Students can take the ACT through Western Kentucky University and/or take above level testing and develop talents through Baylor Talent Identification Program. Mrs. Mueller will be hosting a virtual meeting with Baylor TIP for parents soon. Click the links below for details and stay tuned for more information!
Mark Your Calendar!
January 10 - Students return!
January 11 - TMSCA Parent Meeting @ PJHW 4:00 p.m.
January 13 - Sab Robotics 9:00-12:00 / PJHW Robotics 9:00-3:00
January 15 - MLK Holiday
January 16 - PJHW Mini Course #3 starts
January 20 - FTC Robotics Competition
January 22 - Sab Mini Course #3 starts
January 24 - Sab Club Picture Day
January 25 - Hoopla talent run through @ Sab cafeteria 4:00-6:00 p.m.
January 26 - Sab Career Day
January 26 - PJHW Winter Social
January 27 - FLL Robotics Competition
February 1 - Sab Inventors work day 4:00-5:30 p.m.
February 2 - GTAB Winter Hoopla @ Sab cafeteria 6:00-8:00 p.m.
February 3 - FTC Robotics Competition
February 8 - Sab Inventors work day 4:00-5:30 p.m.
February 9 - Sab Inventor's Showcase 9:00 a.m. - 12:00
February 9 - Destination Imagination Run Through @ Sab cafeteria 4:00-6:00 p.m.
February 13 - PISD Spelling Bee
February 13 - Sports Marketing Mini Course to Minute Maid
February 16 - Sab Mardi Gras Social 4:00 p.m.
February 17 - Destination Imagination @ Dulles High School
February 17 - FTC Robotics Competition
February 19 - President's Day student holiday
February 24 - TMSCA Competition @ PJHW
March 1 - PJHW Color Run
March 1 - TCEA Robotics Competition @ Sab 5:00-8:00 p.m.
March 2 - Pearland ISD Robotics Exhibition @ THS
March 8 - Sab Field Day
March 11-15 Spring Break!
See you at the Winter Hoopla!
- This GT Academy fun family event will include a talent showcase, silent auction, baskets and teacher experiences to bid on. Don’t miss it!
- February 2nd @ Sablatura 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Each homeroom / advisory class will create a basket for the auction. Teachers will share suggestions for basket items through Amazon lists soon. It has become somewhat of a classroom competition to create the best basket. Please consider contributing items.
- Volunteers are needed to help assemble baskets and provide bake sale items. Contact April Teaff at atanguma1@gmail.com to volunteer.
Teacher:
Parent:
Student:
Brody is an excellent example of a GTA student. This fifth grader is a hard worker, has a great attitude, is a member of FLL robotics, and is a super star math student. He is always eager to help others, asks great questions in class and is not afraid of a challenge. Keep up the great work, Brody!