AAGT PARENT INSTITUTE

What is a Parent Institute? AAGT’s Parent Institute is a one day event geared towards the needs of Arizona’s parents of gifted and talented children. Our goal is to advocate, educate, and communicate on behalf of gifted learners in the state of Arizona. Your day starts with a dynamic keynote speaker and breakout sessions based on parents’ needs. Also provided is an on-site enrichment program for K-8 students to attend while their parents are in sessions.

When: Saturday, September 27- 8:30 AM-3:30 PM


Where:   Grand Canyon University
                Antelope Gymnasium                        
                3300 W Camelback Rd
                Phoenix, AZ 85017


Click here for  additional information

Welcome Back

Welcome Back!

ALPS will begin Monday, August 4.

In addition to the pull-out services at  Monterey Park,  the ALPS Team will be collaborating with the classroom teacher to provide “push-in” services at the school sites.

The ALPS Teachers will support the classroom teachers to differentiate classroom curriculum while also providing opportunities for developing the potential of all students.

ALPS Classes Cancelled during AIMS Window: April 7-17

As in past years, ALPS classes at Monterey Park are cancelled both weeks of the AIMS window to ensure all students complete the AIMS assessment. 

In addition, the ALPS staff members are assigned to work at schools to provide support and assistance in the administration of AIMS.

ALPS classes will resume on Monday, April 21^th.

Friday STEAM Winners

STEAM Fair: Parent Open House

Community Garden

Earth and Sapce Exploration Day

 

 

ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration's annual Earth and Space Exploration Day - This annual event, hosted by Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, has experienced remarkable growth over the past several years. Staffed by the school's faculty, researchers and students, the event is an opportunity for children and the general public to engage with scientists and researchers one-on-one or in small group settings. Earth and Space Exploration Day is one of the school's most visible efforts to increase science literacy in Arizona.

WHEN:  Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE : Arizona State University Tempe campus - Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV (ISTB 4) - located on the corner of McAllister Ave. and Terrace Rd. http://sese.asu.edu/sites/default/files/file/ESED2013_directions.jpg

WEBSITE:  http://sese.asu.edu/earth-and-space-exploration-day  

DETAILS

Earth and Space Exploration day is a free annual fall event hosted by the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) on ASU's Tempe campus inside/outside ISTB 4. The SESE community offers special science-related activities from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. for students age five and up, families, educators and anyone interested in exploring Earth and space alongside real scientists. One of the biggest attractions is ISTB 4’s Gallery of Scientific Exploration with its variety of interactive exhibits and the Marston Exploration Theater, which will be running 3-D astronomy shows throughout the day. Visitors can see a replica of Curiosity rover, explore Tempe Butte on a guided field trip, pan for gold, watch science demos, dig for meteorites, bring rock samples for Dr. Rock to examine and so much more! Dr. Rock will be available to analyze rock samples and children are encouraged to bring samples from their backyard for analysis. A list of activities is available on the event's website: http://sese.asu.edu/earth-and-space-exploration-day.

Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure that visitors are able to secure tickets for the astronomy shows and other ticketed activities. Public parking is free in any ASU lot south of University Avenue on Nov. 10. The most convenient parking is available in the Rural Road parking structure (#4) on Lemon St. and Rural Rd., and the Tyler Street parking structure (#2) on the corner of Tyler Street and McAlister. A parking map is available at: www.asu.edu/map.

Enchanted Trail

AAGT Parent Institute

The Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented will be holding their annual AAGT Parent Institute on Saturday October 5, 2013, at the ASU Preparatory Academy.  Additionally, students K-8 are invited to attend the Super Saturday, Enriching Your Potential Program, while parents attend breakout sessions.  Registration is open at http://www.arizonagifted.org/parent-institute-2014/.   Parents, grandparents, children, community members and educators are welcome!  We know you will find the day informative and inspiring.  Educators will receive Professional Development hours for attendance.  See flyer  bellows  for more information about this event

Open House-September 5, 2013

Welcome Back Parents and Students. We look forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming Open House.

Monterey Park Learning Center

2301 N Third Street

Phoenix, AZ  85004 

Summer Vacation

School's out for summer vacation. Be Safe, Have Fun, and Read! Read!  We look forward to seeing you back at ALPS the second week of August.

3rd Trimester Parent Night

Arizona Capitol Museum Tour

Third Trimester Units of study will focus on civics.  The ALPS students will tour the state capitol on
Tuesday, February 26 and Friday, March 1.
This 60 minute  guided tour will take us through the north and south wings of the  Capitol Building

Meet An Astronaut

2nd Trimester Parent Night

Science Fair

Science Project Needs

We are in need of the following items for student science projects.
Your assistance in donating any of the items for your child or anther student would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Modeling clay                                                                    sewing thread

Wool Scarf                                                                          string

Masking tape                                                                     flashlight (that holds 2 D batteries)

Salt                                                                                         thin copper electrical wire

Small paper bowls                                                           electric buzzers (Hobby stores)

Large paper dinner plates                                            tongue depressors or popsicle sticks

Aluminum foil                                                                    plastic straws

Duct tape                                                                            electrical tape

D batteries                                                                          wire hangers

9 volt battery                                                                     wire clippers

Wooden spring-clip clothespins                                 Styrofoam (at least as large as a pie tin-supermarket bakery)

Cork                                                                                       2L plastic drink bottles & small plastic drink   bottles

Flashlight bulbs                                                                 aluminum pie tins

12 yds. of 20 gauge or smaller wire                           ½ gallon paper milk cartons (empty/washed out)

Qt. jars                                                                                 2 small DC motors 1.5 Volts

Baby food jars                                                                   Thermometers

Iron filings (teacher supply stores or in inexpensive magnetic drawing toys)

Sewing needles

Corrugated cardboard                                                   wool fabric

Poster board

Small thermometers

Mason jars

Steel wool pad without soap (found in painting supplies)

Alligator clips (hardware stores)

Galvanized nails

Sandpaper (coarse)

Balloons (large/round)

 

Tin pie plates

Fleshy small houseplants

Example:

                Pothos

                African violets

                Philodendron

                Poke a dot plants

                Spider plant

                Venus flytrap

Worms

Zip lock bags

Gravel

Fish tank hose

Fish tank pump

Old dresser draws

18” fluorescent light fixture.

8”wide clay flowerpot

 4-inch wide clay flowerpot

 6-inch clay pot saucer

Peat moss

Duct tape

Vegetable plants

PVC Piping

Tomato plants

Lettuce

Miracle grow soil

Seeds

Paper towels

Miracle Grow fertilizer

Baking soda

Baking powder

Distilled water

Vinegar

Grow pots

Volcanic rock

Perlite

Peat

Vermiculite

Play sand

Beta fish

Guppies

Roller paint trays

Modeling clay that dry’s and can be painted

Lowe’s or Home Depot gift cards

 

 

We learned a lot about UV Rays today from presenter Sharon McKenna. Ms. McKenna spoke about sun safety and the importance of us protecting ourselves from overexposure to the sun and the prevention of skin cancer. We were shown simple steps to protect ourselves from overexposure to the Sun. The presentation was very informative and engaging. We all were alarmed with the statistic. Did you know that Arizona ranks No.2 in the world in skin cancer incidence? Australia is No. 1.

Visit the Phoenix Art Museum to see our ALPS students' mural.

Arizona Centennial Project Exhibition Featuring a monumental map of our state created by art PESD art classes and the ALPS Program.

You are invited to a reception on April 4 from 5:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.

The Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central

In the Wolfswinkel Education Center

Refreshments will be servedFollow the walkway from the parking lot between the Phoenix Theater and the Museum along the Hall of Mirrors and directly across the courtyard. Look for the double glass doors at the Wolfswinkel Education Center.
The show exhibition will hang from March 27 through April 6
The Wolfswinkel Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00-5:00

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center provides a gateway into the 600 acre Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. A verdant jewel offering great wildlife viewing opportunities just mimutes from downtown Phoenix. During our trip the students enjoyed hands-on exploration of the birds and insects that pollinate our piece of the Sonoran Desert. Photos

Our night camp adventures included up-close interactions with animals, hands-on activities and night hikes, snacks, breakfast and more. Our overnight night camp adventure included a guided trail hike, up-close animal encounters, engaging activities and games, We had an unique opportunity to experience the zoo when the nocturnal animals are waking up at night and the diurnal animals are waking up in the morning.
Click here to see more photo

Water is one of our trimester's unit of study. The students are learning the various sources of water within our environment and the states of water as it moves throught out the cycle.
Students in grades 1-6 recently took a field trip to Arizona Falls. They compared how early pioneers in the Phoenix area made use of the area to how it is presently used. Prior to the field trip students learned that Arizona Falls is considered a renewable energy resource. They also learned the historical significance of canals and how water moves through the turbine to generate electricity. AZ Falls photos

Common Gifted Education Myths
Myth: That student can’t be gifted; he’s receiving poor grades
Truth: Underachievement describes a discrepancy between a student’s performance and his actual ability. The roots of this problem differ, based on each child’s experiences. Gifted students may become bored or frustrated in an unchallenging classroom situation causing them to lose interest, learn bad study habits, or distrust the school environment. Other students may mask their abilities to try to fit in socially with their same-age peers. No matter the cause, it is imperative that a caring and perceptive adult help gifted learners break the cycle of underachievement in order to achieve their full potential. See ERIC digests on underachievement in gifted boys; underachievement of minority students.

Myth: This child can’t be gifted, he/she has a Disability
Truth: Some gifted students also have learning or other disabilities. These “twice-exceptional” students often go undetected in regular classrooms because their disability and gifts mask each other, making them appear “average.” Other twice-exceptional students are identified as having a learning disability and as a result, are not considered for gifted services. In both cases, it is important to focus on the students’ abilities and allow them to have challenging curricula in addition to receiving help for their learning disability.

Myth: Gifted students are happy, popular, and well adjusted in school
Truth: Many gifted students flourish in their community and school environment. However, some gifted children differ in terms of their emotional and moral intensity, sensitivity to expectations and feelings, perfectionism, and deep concerns about societal problems. Others do not share interests with their classmates, resulting in isolation or being labeled unfavorably as a “nerd.” Because of these difficulties, the school experience is one to be endured rather than celebrated. It is estimated that 20 to 25% of gifted children have social and emotional difficulties, about twice as many as in the general population of studen