C.A.T.S. Update November 2020 This year is just plugging forward. It’s already November! IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, November 11th No School - Veteran’s Day Wednesday, November 25th NO CATS (1/2 day) Thursday-Friday, November 26th – 28th THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
CATS SCHEDULE for Hybrid Learning I just wanted to remind everyone about the new CATS Zoom schedule. There is a morning session and an afternoon session for each grade level’s CATS day. Your child has been assigned to either the morning session or the afternoon session. This placement is based on when they attend in-person or remote instruction with their regular classroom teacher. For example, if your child does regular class instruction in the morning (in-person or remote), he/she would then be schedule in the afternoon CATS Zoom session. Please see the Zoom schedule below:
Genius Hour Project All of the CATS students in grades 4-6th should be working on, or turned in a Genius Hour Project Proposal through their CATS Google Classroom. The proposal is a Google Doc posted in the Classwork Tab under the topic ‘Genius Hour.’ The students have some great ideas for projects! Some examples of driving questions and topics are:
How are video games made?
How does the internet work?
Zoology: How can I become get into zoology in college? What schools have good zoology programs? What kind of careers do zoologists work in?
Where can people take stray animals for free?
How can I help the herd of wild horses living along the Salt River in the Phoenix area?
How do so many plastics get into the ocean? How is it affecting ocean animals? How can we help reduce the amount of plastics in the ocean?
How effective are masks in reducing the spread of COVID-19?
What are some fun and wonderful DIY crafts that I can do and share how to do with others?
How can I help bees?
The next steps in the project are to work on
A “Project Pitch,” which involves completing the Project Pitch Page and recording a Flip Grid video. (on the CATS Google Classroom)
Doing some research and documenting that on a 3-column Google Doc. (on the CATS GC)
Please talk to your child about their project. My hope is that it’s something they are passionate about learning and doing. It should not be stressful or a burden. They need only spend 1 hour each week on their project.
Math Olympiads Our first competition will happen next week! Those 4th, 5th, or 6th graders who have chosen to be on the team will do the competition on our Zoom Meetings next week. Practice problems have been posted on the CATS GC in Classwork Tab, under the ‘Math Olympiads’ topic. Fun, challenging problem-solving for all!!
Creativity and Gratitude at Home I am attaching the ‘Gratitude Scavenger Hunt’ that I posted on the CATS GC this week. This is an activity I would love for CATS students to do at home, and even share with their families. Detailed directions for this activity can be found on the CATS Google Classroom.
Gratitude is an important part of having a growth mindset and good character. It may also help all of us to foster a more positive attitude during these challenging times. Have fun with it and encourage creativity!
REMIND Text Message System If you have not been receiving text messages from me every week, please consider signing up for REMIND for CATS to receive text messages with information, reminders, and updates about upcoming events for your child’s CATS class. Here’s how you sign up for REMIND to receive text reminders:
On your cell phone, enter 81010.
For 6th Grade text @ msjslin; for 5th Grade text @cats202; for 4th Grade text @msjsling; for 3rd Grade text @cats2024
You will then get a text from REMIND confirming you as a member.
Always feel free to contact me with any concerns – 696-8437 or by email. Puzzle of the Month Can you write down five odd-numbered digits in such a way that they add up to 14?
