Happy Holidays!

Winter Break!!!

It is that time of year again!  Time to relax, spend some quality moments with the family, and recharge the batteries, so-to-speak!  We will be off of school from Thursday, December 23-Sunday, January 2.  During that time I hope that you remember to have fun, but also to do something for someone else.  Whether that is donating to the Salvation Army, helping Mom in the kitchen; it doesn't matter.  Your help will go a long way to make those who you help day brighter and you will feel a sense of pride!  I will be spending time with family and then visiting some friends in Arizona.  So, I will be thinking of you when I am sitting by the pool in my shorts :)

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Mr. Washuleski

What a Great 2010! Let's Make 2011 Even Better!

Dear Students,

  I am so very proud of each and every one of your efforts thus far in PACE, our HALA groups, and our Math Olympiad!!!  You have inspired me to "Raise the Bar" in what I provide for you in terms of curriculum and I am thankful to have such hardworking students along side of me!  We have accomplished many great things in a short four months, but let's work even harder to make the rest of the time we share that much more powerful!

  Remember to always go beyond the norm, push yourself to achieve your personal best, and know that when you do fall down, pick yourself up and try again!

Enjoy your Winter Break with your family and friends, and when we return I look forward to creating some exciting products with you!

Cordially,

Mr. Washuleski

Math Olympiad- Test #1

All this week students in Math Olympiad will be taking their first Math Olympiad Test!  I wish you the best of luck and hope that you studied hard!

M.O. Students- Review for Test #1!

Attention M.O. Students:

  The sample problems that we will have worked on this week are located on the student page on this blog! Check them out and make sure to study before next week's test!!!

Have a great day!

Mr. Washuleski

Flexible Grouping!

Today we embark on a new path in the field of Gifted & Talented Education in our school district with the advent of Flexible Grouping!  These high ability groups will function like a PACE group, but will allow students who fall in the top 85% or higher in their class the opportunity to receive the proper challenges of the curriculum that they need, but are not currently receiving PACE services.

We are changing the culture- from one of exclusivity to more inclusive and the goal is to help as many students as we can via this process.  The statistics show that flexible, high-ability groups work and the students' scores on tests are higher as well, because they are being challenged.  The goal of these groups is to give high-ability students the materials and curriculum necessary to help them see their potential and learn from this type of community.  Hearing different perspectives from peers is vital to that process!

I am excited to be starting these groups in Language Arts and the good thing is we have been doing this in Math for a number of years and it has been successful!  Math Olympiad is the same flexible, high-ability group in the area of Mathematics and students have really prospered from this experience.  As with any new adventure there will be bumps in the road, areas for improvement, but ultimately we are making a difference in students' lives and that is what matters!

Thankful!

As we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, let me remind you what I am truly thankful for.  I am thankful first of all for a wonderful family, who is supportive of my endeavors and appreciates the things I am doing in this world.  Without my students I am nothing, so I thank you for driving me and giving me inspiration every single day!  You make it FUN to come to work each day and it is an honor to be able to teach you!  To my friends and colleagues, thank you for always believing in me, and trusting that going "outside the box" is sometimes a good and necessary thing to do in education!  Finally, thank you to all the parents, past, present, and future; you have always been in my corner and without your support none of this  is possible!

So, take a moment this week and reflect on what you are thankful for.  No matter how big or small it might be, it will be worth the time and effort you put in, because without faith, family, and friends we would never get to where we want to be in life!  Have a safe and relaxing extended weekend with family and friends and let's finish 2010 with a bang!

Humbly Yours,

Mr. Washuleski

My Animoto!

Students,

  Now you can go to Mr. Washuleski's Student Page on the PACETeachers Wiki and see two of my Animoto videos that I created!  Check them out and feel free to create your own 30 sec. video at www.animoto.com

Language Arts PACE- Podcasting Scripts

Attention Language Arts PACE Students,

  Please go to the following link for instructions on how to create a podcast and wav. file on the Audacity website and also remember to complete your scripts for the podcasting session by the next time that we meet for Language Arts PACE!




http://www.jtoolkit.com/audio/Audacity_Guide.pdf

Happy Election Day!

Today as many adults do their civic duty and vote, students in PACE have many democratic decisions to make concerning their education! Do you want to stay where you are, or do you want change? The choice is yours, and only YOU have the power to make that change. Let's make it a fantastic week as we start Math Olympiad and remember, "Be good to each other, but more importantly, be good to yourself!"

Mr. Washuleski

Math Olympiad- Start Dates

Here are the start dates for Math Olympiad at each school!

Jefferson: Grades 4/5- Thursday, November 11th

Lincoln-Erdman: Grade 4- Tuesday, November 2nd/ Grade 5- Tuesday, November 9th

Pigeon River: Grade 4- Wednesday, November 10th/ Grade 5- Friday, November 5th

Washington: Grade 4- Monday, November 1st/ Grade 5- Monday, November 1st

Let's have a successful competition!!!

Fall Break!

Just a reminder that we will not be having classes on Thursday and Friday of this week as will be observing Fall Break. During that time make sure that you log on to the PACE Teachers Wiki and check the blog for updates and enjoy a much deserved break!

Language Arts PACE Students: Wiki Discussion

ALL LANGUAGE ARTS STUDENTS! Before next class session log on to the PACE Teachers Wiki and reply to the discussion topic that I have posted!

Math Olympiad

Hello 4th and 5th Grade PACE Math Students!

This is just a reminder that Math Olympiad will be starting in the month of November! This highly challenging competition will take place during the months of November-March. We will have study sessions for the first three weeks of the month, and then take a test the last week of the month. A point is awarded for every problem that is correct for a total possible of 5 points per test. There will be 5 tests in all for a total possible of 25 points. I am excited to get this competition started and look forward to updates and study guides that will be provided on the PACETeachers Wiki in the coming months!

Make it a great week!

Mr. Washuleski

Parents on PACETeachers Wiki

Parents,

Please make sure that you check out the "Parent's Corner" tab on this blog for important information concerning how the PACETeachers Wiki has changed to a "member-only" site. Thank you for your continued support in meeting the needs of our gifted and talented students!

Have a splendid weekend!

Mr. Washuleski

Discovery!

Happy Columbus Day!

As Christopher Columbus discovered that our Earth was not flat, but round, so too will our PACE students discover new and interesting concepts that will test the mind and expand their academic frontiers! I encourage my students to keep an open mind and have fun learning about these challenging ideas!

Wordle Creation!

Hello Everyone!

Check out my wordle creation of Mr. Washuleski's Virtual GT Classroom Blog by following this link:

WATG Conference

Attention Students and Staff!

There will be no PACE sessions on Thursday, October 7th and Friday, October 8th as I will be attending the Wisconsin Association of Talented and Gifted (WATG) Conference at the Blue Harbor Resort. This is an excellent opportunity for me to learn skills in the field of Gifted and Talented Education and the resources that I get will help both students and fellow staff members!

Student Members on PACETeachers Wiki!

Hello Students!

Welcome to Fall and the month of October! In class this week and next week, I will be going through with you how to access the PACE Teachers Wiki as a student member. This will allow you to go to the discussion page and leave comments from discussion topics that I place on your grade level page. Have fun exploring these new concepts and make it a fantastic week!

Mr. Washuleski

"Raise the Bar!"

A brief reminder to students to always "Raise the Bar" in whatever you do. Never be satisfied with where you are at, and constantly strive to get better. I see a lot of students on the right path and I can't wait to see your progress. Keep up the great work!

Things to Remember!

Hello Students!

Remember as we now are getting into curriculum for the school year to not forget your PACE goals and continue to work on them throughout the year! It is easy to get caught up in the everyday trappings of LIFE and you need to focus on the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I am so proud already of all the groups I am seeing at my schools. I have a great feeling that this will be a special year where ALL students make growth and see the potential that I know each one of you have!

Let's have an awesome week!

Mr. Washuleski

Wiki & Blog Information

A reminder to students to please review the PACE Teachers Wiki and my classroom blog before we meet in our next PACE class session! Also, remember to turn in your orientation form with your teacher and parent signature. Finally, come to next class prepared to discuss what your goal is for PACE this year.

Let's make it a great week!

Mr. Washuleski

PACE Classes Start Week of September 6-10

Hello Students, Parents, and Staff!

PACE classes will begin on Tuesday, September 7 for Lincoln-Erdman, September 8 for Pigeon River, September 9 for Jefferson and Monday, September 13 for Washington! I am looking forward to meeting the students and start exploring new concepts and ideas.

Have a wonderful day!

Mr. Washuleski

Welcome Back to School!

Next Wednesday, September 1, 2010 will mark the beginning of another school year! I am excited to be working with so many wonderful students and staff! I look forward to meeting the new students at Pigeon River and Jefferson schools and I think together we are going to create some wonderful things in PACE. Keep checking back for updates about our program!

Start Thinking About School

Hello new and old PACE students,

Many of you are still in what we like to call the "dog days of summer", but I encourage my PACE students to start thinking about school, and in particular, what would I like to accomplish this year in PACE? This question will be the framework for our individual goal setting at the beginning of the fall semester and will be worked on throughout the 2010-2011 academic year.

Some students last year said that they wanted to be working on Algebraic equations, and others have suggested getting to a certain Lexile in Reading. Whatever it may be you choose, make it something that is attainable and worthwhile to you! I look forward to your responses in the beginning of the year!

Make it a spectacular day!

~Mr. Washuleski

Podcast on PACE Teachers Wiki

Hello,

If you would like to get an introduction to Wiki and how to use the PACE Teachers Wiki that I set up, please head on over to http://paceteachers.wikispaces.com/ There you will find a podcast that I made, which will instruct you how to navigate the wiki and give you information about what the PACE program is!

Make it a terrific day!

Mr. Washuleski

Welcome To Mr. Washuleski's GT Blog!

Hello Everyone!

This is Mr. Washuleski and I am a Gifted and Talented Teacher for the Sheboygan Area School District. This blog is designed to assist in helping parents, students, and teachers with anything to do with gifted and talented education. Please keep checking for updates!

"Be good to each other, but more importantly, be good to yourself!"

~Mr. Washuleski