Did you know…

Knowing common traits of gifted children can help families and schools support GATE students academically, as well as emotionally.

Traits of Gifted Children:

From the National Association of Gifted Children

Strategies for Our GATE Students

Project Based Learning is an ideal teaching practice to use with our GATE students! Why, you ask? Here are just a few reasons:

• Today’s GATE students often find school to be “boring.”  In PBL, students are active, not passive: a project engages their hearts and minds, and provides real-world relevance for learning.

• In PBL, students not only understand content more deeply, but also learn how to take responsibility and build confidence, solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate ideas, and be creative innovators.

• PBL allows teachers to work more closely with active, engaged students doing high-quality, meaningful work, and in many cases, to rediscover the joy of learning alongside their students.

GATE Teacher Spotlight

Amy Rice and Rachel Dunn are two of Westlake’s amazing Instructional Aides.  Mrs. Rice works with our GATE students on Wednesdays at the Del Paso campus and Mrs. Dunn works with our GATE students on Wednesdays at our Pebblewood campus.  Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Dunn both had the opportunity to spend three days this summer participating in a Project Based Learning workshop provided by the Buck Institute of Education.  During that time, they were able to create the PBL units our GATE students will be engaged in on Wednesdays throughout this school year. When asked why they enjoy doing PBL with our students, Mrs. Dunn stated,  “I like PBL because it helps students think outside of the box.” Additionally, Mrs. Rice added, “PBL allows students to take ownership over their learning.”

Wednesday GATE Sessions

2nd/3rd Grade GATE Students will be working on “Saving Water One Drop at a Time!”

After recording data, students will brainstorm ways to conserve water in their homes, implement these changes and report to their peers on how successful their conservation actions were. Students will create a brochure and a multimedia presentation to share with about ways that they could conserve water.

4th Grade GATE Students will be creating “Alternative Energy Fantasy Cars!”

Students will learn about the different types of alternative energy (geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, hydropower). Students will synthesize information in written and oral presentations. Students will then create a “fantasy car” that utilizes an alternative form of energy to run.

5th/6th Grade GATE Students will be “S.O.S- Students Out and Stranded!”

Students will create a video for Discovery Channel under the premise that they are lost in the woods and stumble upon an abandoned house with limited materials.  Through  the exploration and explanation of magnetism, electricity, and electromagnetism, groups will construct a compass, flashlight, and telegraph to aide in their survival and rescue attempts.

7th/8th Grade GATE Students will participate in “It’s Simply a Balancing Act!”

As experts on simple machines and forces, student teams will be asked to design a Rube Goldberg game that will complete a simple task.

GATE Supplies Wish List

Our 5th-8th Grade GATE groups are in need of the following household supplies.  Families, if you can donate any of these items, please bring them to the Pebblewood campus.  Thank you!

cardboard boxes, wire, D batteries, pliers, wire strippers/scissors, buzzer, magnets, sewing needle, cork, glass cup, water bottles, toilet paper tubes,

Number 22 Copper Bell Wire, 3 volt flashlight bulb, small paper cups,other misc. house hold items