We Need to Change ALL Target Class Schedules Beginning April 25

We will see our students for the second half of the day for the next two class sessions.

Well, families, it's that time of year ALREADY! I can't believe I'm writing to tell you we need all our Target students (to report to their homeroom class for the next two full weeks. Your Target teachers need the mornings for Kindergarteners' Gifted Eligibility evaluations (so exciting!!). 

Milestones is also being administered during this time, so even beyond the next two weeks, we might have to continue our half day schedule. We'll let you know as we find out more information.

Please remind your student each Target day to go to homeroom instead of our class. 

We may not be in our classrooms, so to keep students from standing in the hallway confused (LOL), please remind them to report to homeroom instead. We'll post signs on our classroom doors too, but your help is so appreciated.

CCSD has three assessment windows: two in the first semester and one in this semester.

Target teachers adjust our regular schedule three times each year to allow us time to screen students for Gifted services based on the state's testing window. Testing is one of the few reasons we're allowed to cancel class, and given there are a few state testing periods throughout the year, additional adjustments are usually necessary. We communicate the changes with all parties involved  through CTLS posts, notes home, this blog now, and/or verbally in class to our students.

Pin Trading with All Target Students

Our Target students have been busy creating pins out of Shrinky Dinks. This project was an extension of our "All About Me" assignments at the beginning of the year, and these kids have had so much fun with it! 

We thought this would be a fun hobby the kids can begin. As they grow and join a variety of teams that travel, they will always have an opportunity to gather pins from places they visit. So beginning the love of pin trading now is something we wanted to expose them to.

The Process

To get to this point, they began by thinking of an interesting and original design that represents them in some way. After the design was complete they transferred it to FIVE Shrinky Dink papers; this took some time! Then their Target teacher took home all the Shrinky Dinks and shrank them all! 

You'll be happy to know only one group actually caught fire; all the others came out just fine! :) 

Once all Shrinky Dinks were successfully shrunk, the students chose the pin they created that they wanted to keep themselves. The others were turned back in for the big Pin Trading Event!

...which happens Dec. 9!

Pin Trading is Dec. 9, 11:40-12:00 in Ms. Zentner's room

We've cleared this with the homeroom teachers and will host all our students and allow them a chance to trade pins across the department instead of simply with their own classmates. We think it's more fun this way!

Our students will swap their pins with other students across the grade levels. When they come home they should have 4-5 pins (depending on how many they created...not every student finished with five). We decided to hole punch and hang them from a large safety pin. They will attach them to their bookbag as a reminder of this year's Target fun.

Target Classes Will be Suspended During Our Testing Window

 Testing Window

All CCSD Target teachers will evaluate students who scored exceptionally well on district-wide testing. Our testing window is Nov. 15 - Dec. 8. During this time, we will administer assessments to help us determine Gifted eligibility for the students at Nickajack.

No Target Class

While we are testing, Target classes will be suspended. 

Students will not have Target class Nov. 15 - Dec. 8. 

Classes resume on your regularly-scheduled day beginning Dec. 9.

New Year, New Blog for Ms. Zentner's Target Classes

 Hi there, families!

I hope you don't mind that I started my blog again mid year! I tried to begin the year with a plan to be a little more streamlined in my efforts this year, but I need the blog to share details! I don't like NOT sharing information with you in a convenient place, so here I am, writing this blog again.

Here, on this home page, you will find lots of updates about the Target program specifically. If you want to know information about your child's Target class, you can find that under the grade level links at the top of the page.

Following to the blog allows you to be notified on Blogger with each new post; that's my recommendation.

Last year, I posted every day after each class. I'm not sure that will be my process this year but I'll hit my groove soon.

I am so happy to have each of you here. I love being your child's Target teacher! We are going to have an amazing year!
Ms. Zentner