Search newsletters went home in Thursday folders on September 12. Check out what we’ve been up to in class!

Parents,

We are in need of replenishing some supplies. If you are able to donate any of these materials, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your support!

Materials Requested:

• markers
• hand soap
• snack baggies
• glue sticks
• liquid glue
• pencils
• folders
• notebooks

Fourth and fifth grade Search students started the school year with a special passion project focus called ‘Genius Hour’. Genius Hour was formed from the Google 20% project. Google permits their engineers to spend 20% of their time on a project they are passionate about. Ever heard of Gmail or Google News? These projects were developed during the 20% time offered by Google.

So what does this mean for your child? Search students have been given the opportunity to learn about ANY topic they are passionate about. We took time to find a passion, plan how students are going to learn about that passion and what product will be created to demonstrate their new understanding. For Genius Hour, students are 100% in control of what they learn. They are responsible for researching, conducting interviews, experiments, or whatever else they see fit to help them dig deeper into the topic.

We are wrapping up our pitches and ready to move on to the next phase: the project! A letter will go home notifying families of our final presentation date and time. Stay tuned!

Join us this Thursday, April 27, from 5:00-6:00 for a Search open house! We will be displaying some student work and serving light refreshments. Families are welcome to stop by at any point during the open house. 🙂

Our Search Family Challenge night has been rescheduled for Monday, April 3 from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Lewis and Clark Elementary cafeteria. Each family will work together to explore the design process through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Don’t worry! Search students are familiar with this process and should be a valuable asset in your family’s challenge success! J We will plan to start promptly at 6:00 so there is plenty of time to introduce our challenge and build.

Search students have been diligently working on their final projects. We would love to share their efforts with you! Please join us for a parent coffee while you browse student work and take a closer look at some activities we have completed this year. Students are welcome to join us to show off their masterpieces.  Light refreshments will be provided.

• Date: Thursday, April 27
• Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Where: Lewis and Clark Elementary Forum
• Who: Search students and parents

• Date: Thursday, April 27
• Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Where: Lewis and Clark Elementary Forum
• Who: Search students and parents

Engineering for Kids is coming back to Caroline County to offer a summer camp! Registration will be available shortly,  so save the date!

• Dates: June 19-23
• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Lewis and Clark Elementary School
• Who: Caroline children ages 7-12
• What: Minecraft

 More information coming soon!

What is SEP? SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students enrolled in grades K-12. The program recognizes the importance of allowing able youngsters to explore specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts.

Session 1: June 26-30

Session 2: July 10-14

 Morning: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 Afternoon: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

 Tuition: $350 / course ($50 deposit included)

Location: William and Mary Campus

Contact Information

Center for Gifted Education

P.O. Box 8795

Williamsburg, VA 23187

Phone: (757) 221-2166

Email: sep@wm.edu

www.cfge.wm.edu

On Tuesday, September 27, fifth grade Search students will travel to Short Pump to participate in the Escape Room RVA challenge! Students will utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to decode clues that will help us escape a themed challenge room in an hour or less. The cost for this trip is $20. Students must bring a packed lunch. Permission slips and mandatory online waivers (to be completed by parents) must be completed by Tuesday, September 20. Follow the link below to complete the waiver. 🙂

Escape Room RVA Waiver

We are gearing up for another exciting year of exploration in Search class! All students are asked to bring a folder and notebook to use in class. If your child participated in Search classes last school year, this is not necessary as I still have everyone’s materials. However, if your child joined Search at the end of the year, he/she will need to bring these supplies at the start of school.

In addition to notebooks and folders, it is requested that your child donates the following materials to our classroom:

• pencils
• liquid glue
• tape
• markers

Thank you all so much for your support!

Chelsea Spiegel 🙂