4th Grade GAT- The fourth graders began the year with a study of United States geography. Students worked in cooperative groups and used technology to learn about major rivers, mountain ranges, deserts, states and capitals. Currently, the students are working in small cooperative groups to research and create banners about regions of the United States. Students will present these completed banners to the class in January. In February the students will begin a unit on Ancient Greece and mythology.

Save the Date!

Cumberland Trace GAT Ruth Wix GAT Teacher

5th Grade GATIn September the fifth graders worked very hard to finish their Ancient Greece/Mythology projects and they were fantastic! In October the students chose to begin a new unit on Asian countries. We have focused our study on the history of the country, daily life, languages, religions, sports and recreation, holidays and foods. So far we have learned about Cambodia, China, India and Indonesia. We will complete our unit of study in January with a look at

Super SaturdaysJanuary 28th: WKU Super

Saturdays begin January 28th

and run every Saturday morning through the end of February. You can register your child on-line at http://www.wku.edu/gifted

Young Writers’ Camp

Students in grades K-6 are invited to a day of writing filled with fun activities on Monday, January16 from 8-3. This will be held at the WKU Faculty House. The cost of $35 includes lunch, and a few financial scholarships are available. We will have applications at school. Go to www.wku.edu/wp or call 745-6587 for more information. The workshop will be led by experienced teachers who are excited about helping children expand their minds and their literacy skills.

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Fall Activities

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6th Grade GATThis fall the sixth graders chose to focus their study on the Middle Ages. We began our unit with the fall of the Roman Empire and continued up through the plague and the beginning of the Renaissance. Students learned about William the Conqueror, Charlemagne, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lion-hearted. Students studied about daily life on a manor, feudalism, knighthood, weapons and castle design. We also discussed which methods of offense and defense were used to protect castles. Next, students studied heraldry and designed their own crests. Students are currently researching and creating their own Prezi or power point presentations on the Middle Ages. Students will complete these projects in January and then present 1st and 2nd Grade Primary Talent

Pool:In September we focused on completing analogies, Word Bogglers, higher-level classification games and Mind Benders. We also read several examples of various types of ABC books. The students then discussed characteristics of alphabet books and chose a topic of interest to research and write their own ABC book. Students then worked through the steps of the writing process to publish their own books. Next week the students will share their books with the preschoolers.3rd Grade Primary Talent Pool:The 3rd graders just completed a unit of study about United States Presidents. Each student chose a President to research and then each student worked diligently to create a newspaper with facts all about his/her President. Students learned about the interview process and brainstormed questions they would like to ask their President. Students are currently finishing their

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Duke TIPThe Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies students with strong intellectual abilities who are going into the 4th and 5th grades. They provide support to families through on-line newsletters, Duke TIP Book Club, writing contests and opportunities to take advanced testing. In early December I sent home letters and informational brochures to the students who had qualified to participate. To be eligible for the Duke TIP students must score at the 95th percentile or higher on a nationally normed test or state criterion-referenced test. We would like to congratulate and recognize the students listed below who scored at the 95th percentile or higher last spring on the Kentucky Core Content Test in reading, math or social studies or on a subtest of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills: (4th graders) William Baxter, Ellie Belcher, Kyle Brown, Sara Kate Bush, Jackson Clark, Torreon Coleman, Eli Combs, Caitlin Cook, Allison Croslin, Artisan Dolby, Ella Duryea, Peyton Eversole, Landon Gann, Kamrin Green, Patrick Handley, Yar Za Hein, Jackson Helm, Eli Hines, Noah Jacobs, Jonathan Kelly, Katie Levesque, Owen Mefford, Connor Nichols, Blake Packard, Ben Patterson, Anne Logan Perkins, Skyler Price, Logan Reynolds, Elizabeth Ring, Will Sanders, Zoe Slaughter, Cate Wells, Hailey Welson, Madeline Wix and Neal Wolfram. (5th graders) Cameron Arnold, Emmie Bender, Rachel Bunch, Emily Carter, Gunnar Causey, Baxter Fee, Elise Fenno, Macaylah Gidcumb, Jacelyn Grimes, Olivia

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Remember- For your child to participate in Duke TIP you must enroll them on-line or submit the paper application that was sent home in December. You can enroll your child on-line at www.tip.duke.edu/enroll . If you have questions, please feel free to contact Duke TIP directly at (919) 668-9100.

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