It is May and that means our GATE and TAGS students are completing their final engineering challenges! It is bittersweet as we look forward to what the next challenge brings and will miss them, yet some of us are anxious to determine the winning team! Third grade has been stranded on an island all year. Will they finally make it off the island with this last challenge? Fourth grade has been stuck in the Arctic trying to make it back to their research base. Will they succeed? Fifth grade has expanded westward in the days of covered wagons. Will they be able to create sustainable solutions for meeting their basic needs of shelter, food, and water? The whole year has been full of interesting challenges and the students have learned a lot about team work and the Engineering Design Process. Together is better!
It's Been A Busy First Semester!
The GATE and TAGS room at Bracken has been full of activity this school year. We started an ongoing Engineering Challenge that involves 5 separate challenges where the groups in each grade compete against each other for points. Be sure to ask your child about it! Each grade level is set in a different scenario. These challenges aren't very easy! Our fourth challenge will be in March!
Finally, all of the grade level pages for GATE and TAGS have been updated to reflect what we are presently learning. Go check them out!
First semester Progress Reports will be going home with the child's classroom report card. Please look out for it! I am available before and after school if you would like to set up a meeting. I am very happy to discuss your child's progress or anything else regarding the GATE/TAGS program at Bracken.
Engineering Supplies Still Needed for 2016-2017!
As we make our way through our Engineering Challenges, we are going through a lot of materials! We do a lot of hands-on work in the GATE and TAGS room. If you can provide any of the following at ANY point during the school year, we would appreciate it:
Yarn, string, ribbon
Clean cardboard (please, no pizza boxes)
Any kind of tape
Bubble wrap
Plastic wrap
Clean plastic lids
Clean bottle caps (please, none from alcoholic beverages)
Thank you for your continued support of our classroom!
WELCOME BACK!
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! I can't wait to see all of you! A few reminders and notes for the beginning of the year:
There is NO GATE or TAGS on the first day of school. This allows the children to get to know their peers in the classroom and learn their classroom's rules and procedures. Third grade GATE and TAGS begin the second week of school.
Most fourth and fifth grade GATE and TAGS students already have their folders and notebooks at school. If your child wants to replace their notebook and folder, please make sure they bring it to school sometime during the first week of school.
Incoming third grade GATE and TAGS students do not need a folder and notebook as I was able to provide them this year! However, I do understand some students prefer to have their own special ones, which is completely fine! Any pocket folder and notebook will be acceptable for use in the GATE and TAGS room.
Please check back to this website for updates on what is going on in the GATE and TAGS room.
Your child can turn in the summer packet anytime during the first week of school.
If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat about your child, please email me ([email protected]) or call the school at 702-799-7095.
I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year!
Big Changes!
Big changes are taking place in the GATE/TAGS room this summer! For kids that enjoyed using the Exploration Station, you will be pleased to know that it has expanded to include more flexible seating. Procedures have been modified to be more tech-based and efficient. There will even be a few classroom jobs available (other than Mental Math Manager) for students to rotate through. The entire classroom layout is changing, as well. I am very excited about these new things and hope you are, too! I can't wait for the new school year! Please email me if you have any questions: [email protected]
Hello, Summer!
Summer vacation is here! We had so much fun questioning, learning and creating! Thank you so much for making this school year unforgettable!
All of you received an optional summer packet to explore. If you do finish it, please put it in a safe place until the first day of GATE/TAGS. Bring it to school and you will receive a small surprise!
I hope you have a wonderful summer! Remember to read and keep up your math facts! Explore your interests and dreams! Please email me if I can help you with anything: [email protected]
Southern Nevada Summer Camps for Kids!
The Nevada STEM Coalition has put together a list of some really neat summer camps offered this year. Check it out here! Make sure to click on the events calendar.
GATE Supplies
GATE & TAGS supplies for the school year are listed below. Please contact me with any questions or concerns: [email protected]
* Composition or Spiral notebook (1 subject, any color) * Pocket folder * Pencils to share * 1 Box of tissues
The following supplies are always appreciated but are not required:
* Clorox wipes (or similar) * Hand soap
Donations
Our classroom always appreciates the donation of supplies. Below is a list of things frequently used in the GATE & TAGS room.