YMCA Literacy International Project thanks Clark PP Students

The YMCA of Greater St. Louis is an active member of the World Alliance, the World Urban Network, and the YMCA of the USA. They were in need of inserts to be used as a part of their YMCA Literacy volunteer training manual. These inserts will be used to teach their volunteers about the counties the YMCA of the USA supports.  This manual will be seen by hundreds of individuals who provide literacy services to St. Louis families. Some Clark PP students researched the following countries: Belize, Columbia, Porto Alegre, South Africa, Ukraine and Temuco, Chile for the Y's inserts. Students researched and included information about the countries demographics, celebrations, foods, challenges, schooling and other interesting facts.

Michelle Peeler, the committee chairperson of the organization, wrote the students thank you letters.

WGHS Gifted Field Trip By J. Smith -Gifted English 10th Grade

Recently, on the gifted field trip, we were able to experience various forms of art. Our first stop on the trip was The Fox Theater of performing arts. We were given an expert performance of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ and an explanation of its many uses and detailed history. After hearing the Webster fight song played on the organ (which replaced the sounds of every band instrument by itself!), we took a tour of the entire building. We saw everything from the very top balcony seats down to the stage, the signatures from past performances to the dressing rooms, and the ornate restrooms to the exclusive members’ dining club.

After the extensive tour, we got back on the buses and headed for Laumeier Sculpture Part. It was a little chilly, but we could still enjoy an outdoor picnic lunch followed by a tour of the part. We experienced different forms of physical art from a multitude of artists. Also, we explored the ideas of functionality versus looks and the varying balances of these ideas in different pieces of art. “The Way,” one of the most popular sculptures in the park, is more for the looks and less for functionality, while some of the other sculptures served as pavilions or chairs (they’re more on the functional side).

   





  Overall, we had an exciting trip on which we were able to explore and admire art. It was a pleasant escape from the everyday classroom setting that still involved critical thinking and acquiring some artistic knowledge!

Edgar Road WINGS Greeks & Reefs

The Coral Reef board was completed by the  2^nd grade WINGS students.  The Greek Mythology board was completed by the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade WINGS students. Mrs. Bergheger shared, "The students went with their own creativity" to design each bulletin board. This project wrapped up weeks of learning about both subjects.   

 

For more information about coral reefs click here

 

 

For more information about Greek Mythology click here

 

WGHS Gifted "Congratulations"

* Lonita Benson (12) was Friendship Court queen!

* October 26,Grace Muldoon, Anna Petersen, Anna Cooke, and Travis Williams (10) assisted with garden work at Ruhe Park with the Women's Webster Groves Garden Association for Make a Difference Day in Webster Groves.

* Webster Challenge student Sam Craig (11) was selected from a very competitive pool of applicants to be part of the Diversity Awareness Partnership with Ameren Business Externship Program.

* Sam Craig also represented WG DECA at this year’s fall leadership conference

* The alumni office was grateful toj azz students Eric Grumke (12), Ben Steger (12), Lucas Eberhard (11), and Gus Knobbe(12) for their wonderful performance for the WGHS Class of 1948 65th reunion.

* Congratulations to National Merit Commended Students Gus Knobbe, Alex Puricelli, and Monica Smith (12)!

* Anna Bird (11) was selected as an alternate cellist for the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

* The following band students were selected for the All-Suburban District Honors Band: Ben Steger – Trumpet & Jazz Trumpet, Gus Knobbe – Jazz Piano, Eric Grumke – Jazz, Drum Set

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Wishing all of our Webster Groves

families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Nomination Deadline Reminder

Nomination Deadline Reminder

Gifted and Talented Program

&

Gifted Fine Arts Program

(GFA Group Interviews are March 29, 2014)

Dec. 16, 2013

 

Note: Nominations received after the deadline may not be evaluated or placed

until the 2014-15 school year.

The Pickle Autopsy

As we have been learning about Ancient Egypt, we researched the history of autopsies and a famous mummy, Gebelein, at The British Museum. The museum did an autopsy on the mummy. http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2012/11/16/virtual-autopsy-discover-how-the-ancient-egyptian-gebelein-man-died/

Students read about the history of autopsies and learned about the y-incision. Using masking tape, students practiced the y-incision prior to dissecting their pickles. After discovering the organs (buttons, staples, spaghetti, puff balls, pipe cleaners) and "cause of death", they closed the incision with needle and floss. They are now completing their final autopsy report using Scratch and will present to their peers in PP. 

Wrapping Up First Grade Screening

We have finished the process of screening all first grade students for the Webster Groves Gifted and Talented Programs.  The intent of the screening procedure is to be inclusive when identifying students who demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, a high level of performance. 

All first grade students  participated in classroom lessons taught by gifted specialists for the purpose of exposing students to activities that promote creative, analytical, and critical thinking. These enrichment lessons took place in the regular classroom during students’ regular school day.   

As part of the screening process, all first grade students were given the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2), a language free test of nonverbal reasoning. Based on the NNAT2 scores, the top twenty percent of the first grade students, district wide, will be considered for further evaluation. 

 

 

 


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What's Your Red Rubber Ball?!?

A few years ago, I happened upon a great little read ...Rules of the Red Rubber Ball by Kevin Carroll.

This book changed my personal and professional life. Kevin Carroll's delightful storytelling channels his childhood passion for sport and play into an appealing blueprint for life. Drawing wisdom from the playgrounds of his youth, where he spent hour upon hour sharpening his body and his mind, Kevin shares his Rules of the Red Rubber Ball — how to achieve maximum human potential through the power of passion and creativity. (http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com/books/)

His simple rules inspire youth and adults alike to use their "red rubber ball" as a katalyst to :
1) Commit to it
2) Seek out encouragers
3) Work out your creative muscle
4) Prepare to shine
5) Speak up
6) Expect the unexpected
7) Maximize the day




Last year COCA curated an exhibit that featured Kevin's work as an author, speaker and global connector. The exhibit displayed the balls that he had collected throughout his journey. When I learned about this event, I had to go meet Kevin.










Little did I know that this meeting would develop into a learning opportunity that I did not expect. I should have expected the unexpected! I shared this book with the gifted team and we now use it as a resource for our affective curriculum. Our students are learning how to utilize Kevin's rules to stretch their creative muscle. I also experienced the value of networking when, to my surprise, Dr. Jon Clark (WGHS Principal) attended Kevin's COCA exhibit with his wife, Vinisha. Little did I know that they would be hosting a reception for Kevin at their home later that evening . Dr. Clark invited me to the reception, which gave me the opportunity to talk with Kevin about his impact on our students. As one thing often leads to another, on November 13, 2013. Kevin Carroll visited Webster Groves High School to address over 800 students about how to chase their "Red Rubber Ball". 4th and 5th grade Project Plus students from Bristol and 8th grade GEMS students from Hixson were invited to attend.

Not only did our gifted students hear his motivational speech, but they had the opportunity to meet him in a special small group session where he answered questions and signed autographs.  Many thanks to Dr. Clark for inviting our students to be a part of this special day.

"The Gifted Learner" Student Talks

Webster University-“The Gifted Learner.”  November 12, 2013.

Webster HS students talked to an education graduate class at Webster University.  Mr. Kirschman spoke about the districts commitment to high school gifted students and the variety of programing around the country.  Alex Puricelli, Lonita Benson and Jessica Pierce spoke about their experiences in Webster’s gifted program.  One of the Graduate students afterward wrote “thank you so much for giving us wonderful insight into your world.” 

 

American Academy of University Women-November 14, 2013.

Colin Gilker and Dorothea  Lebeau spoke about our robotics program last night to the American Academy of University Women-Kirkwood/Webster branch.  They spoke about the team journey and their experiences as being a member of the Statesbots team:  learning various computer programing languages and basic engineering principals.  They also spoke about their future aspirations.  For more information about the robotics program, go to: http://hs.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/WGHS/Departments/Clubs_and_Activities/Robotics_Team

or http://www.usfirst.org/

 

Engaged in Professional Learning

The WG gifted department is commited to professional growth and learning. When we are engaged in our professional learning opportuites it strengthens our perceptions of how students learn and process  information. In additon, we are able to practice new strategies  before they are implemented into the gifted classroom. The Wordle below is an overview of some of the work and learning that we have participated in.



PBL

Problem Based Learing PD with Steve Coxen at Maryville University

Marzano Curriculum Work

Learning goals / Curricuulm

STEM Curriculum

Maker Spaces with Dr. Chris McGee and the Disruption Department



Shifting into High Gear

S. Craig Watkins

This week I am at the 60th anniversary NAGC conference being filled with new knowledge and perspectives from the national gifted community. I have curated a few quotes along the way...


Milton Chen

 

 

 



John Green