October 19, 2012

September 10, 2012

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

 

 

April 3, 2012

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





March 19, 2012

November 21, 2011


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

November 14, 2011

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

October 13, 2011

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

August 31, 2011

May 25, 2011


EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Our neighborhood mural is featured in The F.Q. Story's newsletter.
Thanks Mr. Williams and students for all your hard work and creativity.

May 6, 2011



1625 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Wednesday, May 11
5:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.

ALPS



Please join all ALPS Families for a Free Fun Family Night at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Let your child give you a guided tour.
Hands-on class will be offering during this event for visitors between the ages 12-21.



Community Mural Project.. (week 1)




Mr. Williams and the ALPS students designed and implemented this mural. The students are enjoying using their gifts and talents to beautify our community .








ALPS studnets at the City of Phoenix's Annual El Dia De Los Ninos Children’s Festival held at Hance Park last Friday. The students were host for our district's booth which highlighted the digital historical timeline the ALPS students have been working on this school year.

April 21, 2011

Our Garden is beginning to mature. The new sprouting will be a welcome surpise for the students return on Tuesday. Click here fore more photoshttp://alpsmp.tumblr.com/











March 24, 2011

ALPS students plotting and planting commuity garden. Click on photo to see additional photos.

March 10, 2011

Thank you to all who visited ALPS during our recent Open House! We enjoyed visiting with all of you.

Please visit us again and we hope you will not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for spending your Wednesday evening with us!

February 22, 2011

February 10, 2011





Our 7th & 8th graders are participating in a short literacy unit using the book Seedfolks. It introduces students to various elements of narrative writing, including: plot, point of view, first-person narrative, conflict and resolution. The students will engage in issues of diversity, acceptance, and community involvement.
This unit of study will have the ALPS students reviving our gardens beds at Monterey Park. We are in need of the following donations:
• Gardening hand tools
• Seeds(vegetables & flower)
• Garden gloves
• Plastic milk and soda bottles
• Coffee cans
Our students will learn firsthand about plants, planting and harvesting, how to care from plants and more. They will gain pride as they work with their school community to create a place of pride and accomplishment.
Congratulations!
ALPS Students Alex(fourth from left)Capitol School and Chaisty,(second from right) Herrera School recently competed in the District's Annual Spelling Bee.




February 3, 2011

Ken Robinson: Changing Education Paradigms
Click on this link to view this wonderful animated video which highlight the changes in education.

January 10, 2011

Smart Boys by Dr. Sanford J. Cohn
Parents of Gifted Middle School Children Seminar Series
Jan. 12, 6-7:30 p.m.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
CLCC 299, ASU West campus


Smart boys are often ignored, as they are already doing above
average work. In the absence of appropriate learning opportunities,
these boys find avenues for learning outside of school; most
often, they retreat to their computers. In this session, Dr. Cohn describes some of the
problems gifted boys face in school and how we might improve
schooling for them.

Sanford J. Cohn, Ph.D., is a professor in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton
Teachers College. He has co-authored with Barbara A. Kerr,
“Smart Boys: Talent, Manhood, and the Search for Meaning,” coedited
with William C. George and Julian C. Stanley, “Educating
the Gifted: Acceleration and Enrichment,” and written numerous
publications that provide understanding of the needs of intellectual
youths. Dr. Cohn is a psychologist in Arizona with a clinical
practice devoted to highly able youths and their families.

Open to Public
Event contact information:
herbergeracademy@asu.edu
602-543-8274
http://education.asu.edu/content/gary-k-herberger-young-scholars-academy

December 2, 2010

Valley Dish-Kid Reporter

ALPS student Mark from Faith North is a featured reporter on valley televison show. Great job Mark!

November 30, 2010

November 30-December 17
Your student has the power to transform his or her community.

We understand that our students will be future leaders of the world. We believe our students need to understand the immediate needs for their commuities. As a members of the community, ALPS students will be participating in a food drive to help community members who are in need this holiday season. Each day students will bring non-perishable food items to school or money to donate to a local food bank.


We are finalizing graphics for our historical timeline. The students have begun incorporating multimedia into final product. We continue to find amazing discoveries.
Did you know that in 1918 ALL the schools were closed for two months due to the Spanish Flu Epidemic?
Look for a sneak preview of our final project in January.

Your assistance is needed in reminding students of their commitment to:
• Attend the ALPS program weekly
• Be responsible for completing the material, homework, and tests covered in the
regular classroom as well as complete all ALPS work and activities