Cal's big day

Callahan's

 gifted class, Project Expand has been working on endangered and threatened species found in DuPage County for the last 5 weeks. As a team, they brainstormed how to present reasons for endangerment/threats and formulate recommendations on how to educate DuPage County citizens and prevent extinction. Their findings and recommendations were presented to representatives from the DuPage County Forest Preserve District today. I left work early and joined the superintendent of Dist 44 schools, our Principal, and other parents at the District Administration Building.

There are 7 students in Project Expand and they took turns presenting. The kids used Power Point on the Smart Boards. Let me tell you, these smart Boards are the coolest thing ever! They are giant touch computer screens and all the classrooms have them

The two in the middle were from the Du Page Forest Preserve (in khaki shirts) and the school officials sat in a horse shoe of tables....a little intimidating for the 10 year olds? The kids did Fantastic and were able to answer all questions from the peanut gallery...WOW! All the officials were super impressed with the kids presentation as was I. I am so thankful that my child can be a part of this wonderful program and school system. That concludes Block 1 of Project Expand until February.

Here is a quick peak at Block 2

The 5th grade P.E. will be learning about and analyzing the impact of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  They will start the unit jigsawing parts of the Declaration of Independence and then presenting their part to the rest of the class.  They will learn new vocabulary words and realize how hard the road to freedom truly was. The need for a constitution will be addressed and students will become knowledgeable about how our founding fathers formulated this very important document.  The Bill of Rights will be analyzed and the many rights of citizens discussed.  With that knowledge in hand, the students will be researching hot topics or current issues and the laws that apply. Then, using Photo Story software, they will design a show that explains the topic and connects it to the Bill of Rights. They will also be recording vocabulary words, people and events from the late 1700's for a contest, which will be scored at the end of the unit.  WHO will be the Constitutional champion?

Cal will be ready for his Constitution Test come 7th grade