Distance Learning

Hello!
I hope you are all well and are finding a way to enjoy your time at home. I appreciate all those that have participated in our Google Classroom morphic thinking exercises and the Earth Day Challenge! Remember, you can always explore Renzulli Learning as well as play our daily warm-up games!
Set Daily Puzzle
Mastermind

*Because of varied family needs please remember that all ALERT activities are optional and meant to be a help to your student's growth, not a stress to your family.

Here is what ALERT will look like beginning April 20th, 2020.

• On Mondays, check your Google Classroom to see a weekly choice board with activities to keep you engaged and stretch your brain. Choose as many or as few activities as you want.
• On your regular ALERT day of instruction, tune in for a class meet-up through Google Hangouts at 2:00 PM. (If this conflicts with homeroom requirements, please let me know. It can be adjusted.)

Have a great Spring Break!

2nd Grade Orientation

The Big Event!

What a fun night! Thanks to everyone who participated and attended!

 

Gingerbread Build Off!

Orientation

This is one of my favorite nights of the year! I love getting to meet my families and see all the creative project my past and present students have created! Thanks to everyone who was able to attend.  Here is a link to the information that was shared.

Parent Orientation Invite

Family Night Pictures

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend! I hope your family enjoyed the evening!  We sure did!

ALERT Family Night Scavenger Hunt

Inventions Research Project

Over the next three weeks, district testing will be conducted by ALERT staff and students will not be pulled for their regular ALERT classes.  I wanted to give students the opportunity to engage and deepen their understanding of our semester theme, Exploration Through Problem Solving.  I have created a short project to engage them over the break.  They were given a packet with project choices and directions (linked below). The project is due the day of their class during the second week of March.  It is meant to be as simple or complex as your student chooses to make it.  Please don't let this be a burden or stress to your family.  If you are unable to participate I understand.  I hope it is a fun way for your child to bring their learning home to you! Please let me know if you have any questions!

Project Information

Parent Symposium

2nd Grade Parent Orientation

Student Showcase and Parent Orientation

Thanks to everyone who came to our Parent Orientation.  I hope you enjoyed seeing our students display their fun summer learning projects!  I know I did!  Here are a few of our own!  You can click this link to see the presentation if you were unable to attend.

You're Invited!

2018-2019 Welcome!

Welcome to a new year! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve your child in the ALERT program. This will be my fourth year teaching ALERT and my 10th year teaching in the district. I am originally from the midwest where I received my B.A. from the University of Missouri. I moved to South Carolina in 2008, attending graduate school and receiving my MAT from Columbia International University. I love being in the classroom, doing craft projects, and relaxing at home with my husband and two sons.

This year students will be learning about the overarching concept of, Exploration: The Progression of Science, Technology, and Societies. We will begin the year Exploring through Historical Discoveries where students will look into the past by understanding and applying the practice of archaeology. We will use research to look at how scientists understand the progression of past societies through artifacts. Students will have the opportunity to delve into what life was like in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. We will also participate in field studies to two state historic sites where students will use their skills to dig up clues about our own past in South Carolina. In our second unit of study, students will Explore through Problem Solving. This will focus on inventors and inventions as well as models and design. Students will have the chance to visit Discovery Place in Charlotte and get their hands on some design projects of their own. Our curriculum is strengthened by a gifted mathematical curriculum (M3-Mentoring Mathematical Minds). It complements our study of Exploration as students use numeration to Uncover the Secret of the MoLi Stone.

Communication is the key to a successful year. Each student has been given a take home folder as one way to keep information organized. Any notes, papers, and assignments will be placed in the folder. Please take the time to check your child’s ALERT folder each week and use it to send me any information. I will also keep families informed by the use of a classroom blog that you may check for a glance at what we have been up to in class. You can find the link to our day of instruction at http://hoftalert.blogspot.com/.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email. E-mail is usually the best way to contact me. My address is jhoft@richland2.org. I look forward to getting to know you and your child as we work together to make this a great year in ALERT!


* Monday & Tuesday Pontiac Elementary: 699-2700, ext. 81611

* Wednesday Polo Road Elementary: 419-2226 ext. 30602

* Thursday Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary: 736-8730 ext. 3128

* Friday Jackson Creek Elementary: 790-3800, ext. 38428

ALERT @ 45

Happy Birthday, ALERT!  Thanks to everyone that was able to attend the celebration!  We had a great turn out despite the rain!  Here's to many more years of creativity!