Project Arrow

2012-01-21T10:31:00.000-06:00

Winter months are not only the time for snow, but for PA testing too. As a result, I won't be seeing the PA classes for the next 2 weeks, from Jan. 23 -Feb. 3; however, each student does have a book to read and notes to take while reading. Most teachers, I imagine, will allow the students to read during the intervention time, but is up to the discretion of the teacher as to how each handles the PA students during the 2 week hiatus.
The classes will be reading the following books:
2nd grade: Frindle
3rd grade: The Landry News
4th grade: Finish reading The Secret Garden
5th grade: The Toothpaste Millionaire
All books should be read and written notes completed by Feb. 6 when we return to our regular schedule.

2011-11-27T15:46:00.001-06:00

Students remain busy as we approach winter break.
Fifth grade finishes the Second Voyage of the Mimi in the next few weeks and begins the autobiographies of authors section in literature with Homesick, My Own Story by Jean Fritz. Each student also reads at least one of her books.
Fourth grade finishes neurology soon and begins The Secret Garden, a book that reflects our study of metaphors in literature. In addition, students explore etymology in the few weeks before and after winter break..
Third grade finishes the study and writing of nursery rhymes and begins fairy tales. Not only are fairy tales read and discussed, but also acted out. Students soon begin a spatial problem solving activity called Pebble
Math, which is always fun yet challenging.
Second grade finishes Love That Dog soon and continues to read and discuss poems and stories that deal with metaphors. They also continue problem solving activities that require logical thinking.

2011-10-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

All classes continue to be busy with differerent activities:

5th Grade
The Maya culture is the focus of 5th grade students. As a way of understanding this culture that is so different from ours, students read The Corn Grows Ripe, a book about a boy growing up in the traditional Maya way.

4th grade continues to study about the brain and how it affects us. Further studies include the Marian Diamond experiments on rats and how the findings influenced education. Students soon begin Call It Courage, a book about a Polynesian boy.

3rd grade
Nursery rhymes is the topic for students as they study the history of rhymes and write parodies.
The fantasy theme continues as children read The Green Book, a story of people leaving Earth for another planet as Earth dies.

2nd grade focuses on poetry in the book Love That Dog, a story about a little boy who doesn't understand poetry and thinks he can't write it. Usually a day or two every week students work on a logic based problem solving activity.

2011-09-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

“Indian Prairie PA PTA General meeting is this Tuesday 9/13 at 7pm at Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. Patrick Nolten, Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation for District 204, presenting a review of yearly progress through test scores for the group of students indentified as gifted/talented and providing insight into the testing process, interpretation of scores and ultimate placement in PA curriculum. “

2011-09-08T15:51:00.004-05:00

You may want to check out these websites:

Hoagies Social & Emotional (http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/social_emotional.htm)

National Association for Gifted (NAGC) - Counselling and Guidance Division (http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=535)

Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) (http://www.sengifted.org/)

Also...

The ticket price for Jim Delisle is now $10! Tickets and information are available at http://ippapta.eventbrite.com>

2011-08-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

2nd Annual Fall Chess Tournament

Sunday 10/23 from 9am - 1pm
Doors open at 8:30am
Neuqua Valley HS - enter/drop off at door 46 - pool entrance.

Bring a chess set please.
Cost is $5/player. IPPA PTA members are free.
Trophies will be given.

Sponsored by IPPA PTA and officiated by NVHS Chess Club.
Questions to ippa.pta@gmail.com

2011-08-25T13:15:00.000-05:00

IPPA PTA will be hosting a presentation by Dr. James Delisle – teacher, author and speaker on gifted children
When: Wednesday, October 5th 2011
Time: 7pm start
Where: Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora, IL
Cost: $20 early bird via http://ippapta.eventbrite.com ; $25 at the door [cash or checks only]

Please buy your tickets early at: http://ippapta.eventbrite.com

Dr. Jim Delisle will be presenting *Parenting precocious kids: Understanding the ups and downs of growing up gifted. (90 minutes – 2 hours) Parents of gifted children and teens have many questions about how best to meet their intellectual and emotional needs. They want to know what giftedness is and the label’s impact on other family members. They want to know how to advocate for their gifted child in a school setting mired in ‘bringing up the bottom’ rather than ‘raising the bar’ at the top. They want to know how to set expectations that are appropriate and balanced. And they want to know how to juggle the wide range of emotional intensities that often accompanies growing up gifted. This session addresses these and other issues that ‘come with the territory’ in parenting gifted kids. More information can be seen at: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/IPPC/Default.aspx/ProjectArrowPTA

Any question, please contact ippa.pta@gmail.com

2011-04-29T08:33:00.001-05:00

Morning of Chess on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00 - noon.

Fischer Middle School1305 Long Grove Drive Aurora, IL‎ 60504

Admission is $1Open to all children to age 18Please bring your own chess set if you have one.Parents are welcome to play.
Please email questions to ippa.pta@gmail.com

2011-02-16T09:59:00.002-06:00

This is an email I received that I thought some of you may be interested in.

From: Maurice Fisher [mailto:gifted@giftededpress.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:43 PMTo: gifted@giftededpress.comSubject: ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS: Please Post and Share! Announcing the WINTER 2011 Online Issue of Gifted Education Press Quarterly/Special Invitation to Join the Gifted Education Press Discussion Group

Dear Subscriber --Could you share the following message with your STAFF, TEACHERS OR PARENTS? We are offering a complimentary copy of Gifted Education Press Quarterly. They would need to email me directly to receive our WINTER 2011 issue. My email address is:https://webmail.ipsd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=6e4b78bf59a34d87aeee750f831e5dc3&URL=mailto%3agifted%40giftededpress.com
Here is your subscription copy of the WINTER 2011 issue of GEPQ. Please click the link below to read the important and provocative articles on identifying and educating gifted students:
https://webmail.ipsd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=6e4b78bf59a34d87aeee750f831e5dc3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.giftededpress.com%2fGEPQWINTER2011.pdf

Please encourage your colleagues and friends to email me for a complimentary online subscription to GEPQ.
I need your help in locating new subscribers, and would greatly appreciate your asking colleagues and friends to contact me. We are now in a major political battle with federal and state governments to maintain gifted education programs in the public schools. I need your support in making Gifted Education Press Quarterly a resource available to all educators and parents who want to maintain and expand programs for gifted students! Your colleagues and friends should email me at: https://webmail.ipsd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=6e4b78bf59a34d87aeee750f831e5dc3&URL=mailto%3agifted%40giftededpress.com. Thank you.

We're all on a mission to advance the well-being of gifted education, and we all share a vision of excellence in this field. At this time in our nation's history, it is important to maintain our leadership in education, science and the humanities. Therefore, I am asking the readers of Gifted Education Press Quarterly for your support to insure that we can continue publishing this Quarterly. Please consider ordering some of our books to help defray the costs of producing this important periodical in the gifted education field. SEE THE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT SOME OF OUR BOOKS.

We have been publishing GEPQ for 23 years with the goal of including all viewpoints on educating the gifted. Our address is: Gifted Education Press; 10201 Yuma Court; P.O. Box 1586; Manassas, VA 20109. Thank you.

Please Click Here to See Many of Our Books Listed on Amazon.com – How to Teach the Gifted, Science, Technology, Math and Humanities Education for the Gifted!

Now Order Selected Versions of Our Books in PDF Format by Using Paypal! We will Email you the PDF Version of the Book after we Receive your Payment through Paypal. Click here to see what books are currently available.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Special Invitation to Join the Gifted Education Press Discussion Group—

I’ve just set up a discussion group on the Gifted Education Press Web Site. This will give anyone (including all GEPQ subscribers) the opportunity to bring up any issue on identifying and educating the gifted. I recommend that you go to the link below and register; then post some questions and statements related to identifying and educating gifted children. Also, please announce this opportunity to your education colleagues and parents, so they can participate and comment.

Here is the link: https://webmail.ipsd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=6e4b78bf59a34d87aeee750f831e5dc3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fgiftededpress.websitetoolbox.com%2f

Or go to the Gifted Education Press Web Site, and access the Discussion Group link.

I am optimistic that this will enable you to actively talk about your concerns and ideas on educating the gifted, and to obtain helpful feedback from participants.

I would also like to give you a special treat. Joan Smutny, the editor of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children Journal has given me permission to place the entire Spring 2010 Journal on the Gifted Education Press web site in PDF format. This is a very important journal issue in the gifted education field because it contains 27 excellent articles on Advocating for Gifted Education Programs. I invite you to read and/or print any or all of these articles from our web site. There is no charge for accessing this journal! Just go to my web site at https://webmail.ipsd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=6e4b78bf59a34d87aeee750f831e5dc3&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.GiftedEdPress.com and click the link for Gifted Advocacy – Illinois Association for Gifted Children Journal. Happy reading!

2011-01-31T16:13:00.001-06:00

For those of you interested:

Race to Nowhere

IPPA PTA is hosting a screening of a film highlighting the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools. Q&A session to follow the screening. See this website for more information on the film: www.racetonowhere.com

February 24th at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WVHS Auditorium
Tickets are available at this link: www.rtnwaubonsiehs.eventbrite.com
Ticket prices are $10 online and $15 at the door, both prices at the discretion of the film distributor.

Questions on this event should be directed to ippa.pta@gmail.com

2011-01-25T08:15:00.002-06:00

During the next couple of weeks, the PA schedule is in flux because I am busy testing for new students that will join next year's PA groups. Because of this, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th will be reading the following books when PA does not meet:
2nd Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
3rd The Landry News
4th The Cay
It is each teacher's decision whether the children will be reading the books in class. Students are also encouraged to read at home, too. Once we start meeting on a regular basis again, I'll check to see where each student is.

Fifth grade will probably be meeting on a regular basis, since their normal meeting time is at the end of the day. This week they are working on culture projects and next week they will present them to the class. I encourage each student to practice at home so the presentation goes smoothly. Often the students read too much from their notes/slides, so I emphasize making eye contact during the presentation. Next week's presentation should be a informative and a lot of fun.

2011-01-10T08:17:00.003-06:00

January already has been a very busy month. As fifth grade finishes The Second Voyage of the Mimi, they are beginning a group activity "Create a Culture". In this project they brainstorm various necessities of a culture, then create a realistic culture of their own. It should be a lot of fun.
Fourth grade completes reading The Secret Garden in a couple of weeks, then almost immediately begins The Voyage of the Mimi, which is a video/activity based program that explores the world of scientists as they study humpback whales.
Third grade continues to work on various fairy tales and are discovering that fairy tales are more than nice little stories; they contain a lot of interesting situations that raise questions about human motivation.
Finally, second grade is reading and discussing different stories from Junior Great Books and The College of William and Mary Gifted Studies. In addition, students are enjoying various logic and problem solving activities.

2011-01-10T08:15:00.000-06:00

A reminder to attend the IPPA PTA Enrichment Activities fair this Wednesday, 1/12/11, at Kendall Elementary School, 2408 Meadow Lakes Drive, Naperville, IL from 6:15 - 8:45 pm. Meet local companies the offer opportunities for your child.

2010-12-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

Indian Prairie Project Arrow PTA presents a night of Brainetics
and an Enrichment Activities Fair
When: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Where: Kendall Elementary School in the MPR, 2408 Meadow Lake Drive, Naperville, IL 60564
Cost: Free to IPPA PTA members; $5/Family for non-members
Mike Byster and his amazing and unique Brainetics learning program can only accommodate 100 participants, so please RSVP soon. The program is designed for both parents and students.
After the program, you can visit the IPPA PTA Enrichment Activities Fair in the Kendall gym to learn about programs available in our area for your student(s). Exhibitors providing academic, music, language, leadership, and summer camps will be on hand.
Please email ippa.pta@gmail.com to RSVP for Brainetics. Please include the number of people attending.
Mike Byster has created a system for solving complex math problems by using a series of patterns and short-cuts that demystify how numbers work. He also teaches how parents and children can work together to greatly improve the child's memory. You can learn more about Mike and the Brainetics program at www.Brainetics.com.

2010-11-18T15:55:00.002-06:00

This message is from the IPPA PTA (Indian Prairie Project Arrow PTA):
If your child plays chess and is interested in chess tournaments, you may want to enter this competion. Go to http://www.dgfrog.org/Chess Register

2010-11-12T07:48:00.002-06:00

For 4th grade (and 5th grade) families:
Thanks to Saily Joshi for sharing this with us. This may be of special interest to 4th grade families whose children will be starting The Secret Garden next week and for families of 5th grade students who read the book last year.

Theatre and Interpretation Center
at Northwestern University presents
The Secret Garden
directed by Rives Collins
A Tony Award-winning taleof enchantment for all ages!
A musical adaptation of the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a contrary, young orphan girl sent to live in a dark and haunted English manor. Through the discovery of a hidden key, a neglected cousin and a dormant garden, Mary awakens not only her own spirit, but spirits around her that had long been afraid to live and love. Directed by Northwestern theatre department chair Rives Collins, this Tony Award-winning tale of enchantment will thrill and invigorate audiences of all ages. Read a behind-the-scenes interview with Rives Collins!
Running November 12-21, 2010
Cahn Auditorium 600 Emerson Street, Evanston
Discount Price:$10 for Saturday matinees
Regular Price: $10-$25 November 12-21, 2010
Schedule: Thu-Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm

2010-11-09T07:52:00.002-06:00

Just a reminder...

IPPA PTA General Meeting
Tuesday, November 16 at 9:30 am
95th Street Library, Naperville, IL
Meeting Room A/B
Questions can be emailed to ippa.pta@gmail.com

Hope you can come!

2010-10-14T15:38:00.001-05:00

MARK your CALENDARS for Saturday, November 6, 2010--IAGC's Parent Academy, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA). Our featured presenter will be Andy Mahoney, followed by breakout sessions, including RtI, Social and Emotional, Parenting, ISBE 3 hr. Parent Module on Gifted, School Issues.
Location : IMSA, 1500 W. Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506-1000
Admittance will be $30 per person, or $50 for two. Registration forms are available at www.iagcgifted.org

2010-09-20T16:03:00.002-05:00

Parents,
These are two programs that you may be interested in:

Join the Indian Prairie Project Arrow PTA for their general meeting Tuesday 9/28 at 7:30 pm at the Crouse Education Center. Agenda includes speaker from the district, budget approval, roundtable discussions, building liaison assignments and volunteer sign up. Membership forms will be available at the meeting. Membership is $5.00. Follow us on Facebook and Google groups for regular updates. Questions to Audrey Clair at audreyjclair@gmail.com

IAGC
November 6 Parent Academy
Understanding the Academic, Social, and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children
Saturday, November 6, 2010 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Keynote Speaker:
Andy Mahoney
M.S., L.P.C., L.M.F.T.
Counselor and Family Therapist
Gifted Expert with the Gifted Population

For more information go to iagcgifted.org

2010-09-17T10:31:00.010-05:00

During August and part of September, classes have been discussing the reading strategies of making connections, asking questions, visualizing, making inferences, determining importance, and synthesizing information. Now each grade level is beginning its own field of study.

5th grade: We begin with a study of civilizations, specifically the Maya. The creation story of the Maya talks of people being made from corn, since corn is the staple of the Maya diet. The class is reading The Corn Grows Ripe that tells of a Maya boy questioning the traditions of his family. Throughout the unit we will discuss similarities and differences of cultures and how traditions are an important part of them.

4th grade: Neurology and how the brain operates is the focus for at least the first quarter. For the next couple of weeks the class is researching the brain and discovering what many parts do. In addition we have started the book, Call It Courage, about a Polynesian boy who discovers many things about himself on a treacherous voyage.

3rd grade: One of the primary focuses of third is discovering metaphors in writing, and reading different genres of literature. We will soon begin The Green Book, a science fiction book set on a different planet. Students need to visualize the planet as they read in order to understand the book. Our study of nursery rhymes also begins by incorporating many fun activities.

2nd grade: We continue to learn about the reading strategies and are applying them to various literature selections from our College of William and Mary text. Elements of description are being explored such as use of adjectives and metaphors in literature. Also, second graders do many problem solving activities that incorporate logical thinking.