Welcome to TAG!

Hello Parents! You should have received this information via email the week of Augusts 8th!  

Welcome to Talented and Gifted for the 2016-17 school year!  I am so excited to begin another year of investigating, creating, and growing through hands-on experiences and challenges.  Students will truly learn to think critically and reflectively, and apply those skills every week!

Students will spend the entire academic day in the TAG environment, with exception to Genius Hour, Specials, Lunch, and Recess.   If you would like to know more about my personal teaching philosophy in the gifted classroom, you can read more here:  http://mbestag.weebly.com/mrs-coxens-passion-for-teaching.html

Students will begin TAG classes the week of August 15^th.  

Our fourth grade TAG students will dive into the higher-order/critical thinking unit, “Qualities of Leadership.”  Throughout this unit, students will act as historians, using many primary sources to evaluate how famous Americans have demonstrated positive and effective leadership.  Ultimately, students will analyze themselves and their leadership abilities, and find ways to grow and challenge themselves to become better leaders!  

Our fifth grade TAG students will dive into the higher-order/critical thinking unit, The Stock Market & Personal Finance. This is one of my personal favorite units, as I love teaching students about financial literacy, and students will even compete against kids all over the state in the Georgia Stock Market Game!
Communication: 

1.       Please complete the Student/Parent Information Form by clicking on the link below by August 15^{th -} :  Student Information Form. This is VERY important to help me better teach your child! ONE per family please!

2.    We’d love for you to follow our learning journeys on the MBES TAG website, http://mbestag.weebly.com throughout the year and on Mrs. Coxen’s Private twitter account, @MrsCoxenTAG. 

3.    Feedback:  Each week, we will send home the previous week’s learner’s log with teacher comments to be reviewed, signed, and returned the next day.  (Please note, there are some exceptions due to unforeseen circumstances, i.e. fire drill at the end of the day, etc.).  This is VERY important to help me better teach your child! ONE per family please!

4.    Teacher Email: You may use this email address to communicate with me.  Please note that I only work part time, Monday-Wednesdays.  If you need attention to an urgent matter, please contact the other gifted teacher, Marsha Foster, at fosterm2@fultonschools.org. 

5.    Unit Feedback:  You will receive three TAG progress skills checklists throughout the year.  Each unit focuses on a different set of TAG standards, including Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, Advanced Research, and Higher Order/Critical Thinking.  Advanced Communication Skills will be evaluated throughout the year.

Supplies: 

1.    Every student should bring the following supplies by the first day of class: 

• One 3 ring binder, size 1 ½ inches (Please, no smaller or larger sizes, trapper keepers, etc.)
•  If your child has a TAG binder from last year and it is still in good condition, he/she may use that!
• 1 pack of Dividers
• 1 USB Flash drive (8gb+) labeled with student’s name that will remain in the TAG classroom
• One 1 subject Spiral notebook (not a composition book please)
• One folder (no prongs necessary)

 2.    TAG Supply Wish List:  We would appreciate any of the following items for classroom use: 

 o   Clorox wipes (My supplies have been COMPLETELY wiped out!!!)

o   Bandages

o   Ziploc bags (Gallon, quart, or sandwich size)

o   Soap with pump

o   Tissues

We are so grateful for all of your support and generosity as we embark upon the new school year!  Please note, classes will be suspended for 2 weeks during late September/October while we conduct Fall TAG testing as well as some interruptions due to ITBS testing.  AS an FYI, when a child is absent, there is no TAG makeup work. 

Your TAG teacher,

Mrs. Coxen