Night at the Museum

Happy Birthday, Albert!  I hope that you had a great time exploring displays and eating your weight in cake!  I was thrilled to see that so many families could come!  Here are some photos of the fun!

Invention Research Project

Over the next three weeks, STAR Testing will be conducted for the district 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 (both 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!

2nd Grade Project Information

3rd Grade Project Information

ALERT Family Night/ Einstein's Birthday Celebration

Use your research skills and creativity to help build our Einstein Corner!

Find something that excites or interests you about Albert Einstein. Be fluent, flexible, elaborate, and original!

• Write a story

• Create a poem

• Draw a picture

• Create an advertisement for one of his ideas

• Your ideas...

Bring your creation to the Museum where it will be displayed. You will receive a ticket to enter a drawing for one of our Einstein Gift Bags. All entries should be about one page in size so they can be pinned to a display board.

2nd Grade Orientation

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend!  If you were couldn't make it, here are the slides from the information shared.

2017 2nd Grade Parent Orientation

Parent Orientation

Holy Moly!  What an amazing night!  First of all it was so nice to be able to meet so many of you! Secondly, the student work that was presented was fantastic!  I was so proud of everyone and especially the ones I could pretend to claim!

If you were unable to attend, you can access some of the information that was presented by using these links.

Orientation Slides
Orientation Pamphlet 

2016-2017 Welcome

Welcome to a new year in ALERT!  Click on the tab with your child's ALERT day to see what we have been up to in class.  You can also check here for general ALERT updates and events!  Below is a copy of the welcome letter you received detailing our curriculum and focus for the year.

2016-2017

Dear ALERT Parents,

Welcome to a new year of ALERT.  I am looking forward to sharing an incredible curriculum with your child. Students will be learning about our year long concept, Exploration: The Progression of Science, Technology, and Societies. In our first unit, Exploring through Historical Discoveries, students will begin by recording their own past.  To gain an understanding of past societies and cultures they will think like archaeologists, researching to understand the progression of past societies through the artifacts that have been left behind.  Students will have the opportunity to delve into what life was like in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  We will participate in a field study to two state historic sites where students will apply the practice of archaeology to dig up clues about South Carolina’s past.  In our second unit of study students will Explore through Problem Solving. With a focus on models and designs students will explore the role of scientific discovery and the impact of inventions/inventors. They will visit Discovery Place in Charlotte to get their hands on some design projects of their own.

Our curriculum is strengthened by Thrively, an online program which tailors resources uniquely to your student. A gifted mathematical curriculum (M3-Mentoring Mathematical Minds) also 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 each week 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 e-mail.  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

Polo Road:  419-2226, ext. 30601                                

* Tuesday & Wednesday

          Forest Lake Elementary: 803-782-0470 ext. 3113

Mrs. Jessie Hoft

ALERT Teacher

Staking Out the Fun

In preparation for a great year, our team headed to Discover Place and Colonial Dorchester to preview dome of our upcoming field studies.  Can't wait until you are along for the ride!