Actions in ALP

Week Ending August 26, 2011

Fourth and Fifth Grade

We began our day with a "get to know each other better" activity. Each student had to think of a word that would describe them, but the word had to start with the same letter as their first name. We learned many new things about our classmates as they described themselves through just one word.

Next, the students worked on building their convergent thinking skills by completing a Quote Fall. In a Quote Fall, the students have to figure out a famous quotation using letters to fill in boxes. Have your student share their work with you so you can get a better understanding of this activity.

To end our day, we completed analogies using a Target Tool Bag. Items in the bag included a sharpened pencil, rubber band, stick of gum, eraser, piece of yarn, ruler, paper clip, and a straw. Each student had to brainstorm how these items could describe the Ideal Target Kid.

*Please fill out the information sheet that came home and return it to your child’s teacher.  

Homework: Create yourself as an Avatar or Superhero. If you did not complete the Quote Fall, please do so and write a paragraph on what you think the quote means.

Second and Third Grade

We began our day with a "get to know each other better" activity. Each student had to think of a word that would describe them but the word had to start with the same letter as their first name. We learned many new things about our classmates as they described themselves through just one word.

Next, the students worked on building their convergent thinking skills by completing a Quotation Quizzler. In a Quotation Quizzler, the students have to figure out a famous quotation using letters to fill in boxes. Have your student share their work with you so you can get a better understanding of this activity.

To end our day, we completed analogies using a Target Tool Bag. Items in the bag included a sharpened pencil, rubber band, stick of gum, eraser, piece of yarn, ruler, paper clip, and a straw. Each student had to brainstorm how these items could describe the Ideal Target Kid.

Next week we will begin our journey as “River Kids”. A permission slip came home addressing our first field trip to John's Creek Environmental Campus on September 21^st and 22^nd. Also, please fill out the information sheet that came home and return it to your child’s teacher.  

Homework: Create yourself as an Avatar or Superhero

Welcome to Target - Fourth and Fifth Graders

Dear Fourth and Fifth Graders,

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to a new year of Target at Murdock. We are looking forward to getting to know you better this coming year, which promises to bring with it many new experiences and challenges. It is our goal to help you become a confident, independent learner, and we will do our best to help make this year a positive experience.

Together we will be exploring a unit called Ultimate Connections. The goal of this unit is to understand the technological development of bridges and the impact bridges have had on society throughout history. Working in cooperative groups, you will operate a simulated architectural firm and create a model toothpick bridge, judged on cost, aesthetics, and strength.

Your Target day is Monday (4th Grade) or Tuesday (5th Grade). Next week we will meet for a shortened day. Please bring your Target supplies with you at this time and make sure that your binder is put together and pencils are sharpened. A copy of the supply list can be found on the ALP blog.

We look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the coming year to provide the support and encouragement needed to help you excel in Target.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brown, Mrs. Hutto, and Mrs. Shaw

Welcome to Target - Second and Third Graders

Dear Second and Third Graders,

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to a new year of Target at Murdock. We are looking forward to getting to know you better this coming year, which promises to bring with it many new experiences and challenges. It is our goal to help you become a confident, independent learner, and we will do our best to help make this year a positive experience.

Together we will be exploring a unit called Life is a River. The goal of this unit is to transform you into a “River Kid”, making you a life-long guardian of the environment, and especially our most precious natural resource, water.

Your Target day is Wednesday (2nd Grade) or Thursday (3rd Grade). Next week we will meet for a shortened day. Please bring your Target supplies with you at this time and make sure that your binder is put together and pencils are sharpened. A copy of the supply list can be found on the ALP blog.

We look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the coming year to provide the support and encouragement needed to help you excel in Target.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brown, Mrs. Hutto, and Mrs. Shaw

Target Schedule

2011 Target Schedule

*This schedule may change in January as new students are added to the program.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4th  Grade	5th  Grade	2nd  Grade	3rd  Grade	Future   1st Grade

• Lunch will be from 12:57- 1:33 for 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades.
• Students will attend special area classes such as art, music, and physical education with their homeroom classes.
• Please make note of your child’s Target day. Because he/she participates in the program only one day a week, it is critical that students be in attendance as much as possible. Try to schedule appointments and vacations accordingly.
• Students will receive Target homework assignments on Target days. Regular classroom teachers should not assign homework on Target days. Students are responsible for knowing the material they missed in their regular classes while in Target, but they do not have to complete missed work. This is the policy of the gifted department.