Welcome!
This page provides students, parents, and teachers valuable information about the verbal mentor program, updates on class projects, and assignments! If you have any questions or concerns about the verbal mentor program please do not hesitate to call or email, click here for Mrs. Umland's Email or click on Contact Information for more details.
Mentor Students Weekly Postings:
March 26, 2009
We will begin filling out the student led conference forms this week and continuing working on your SKINNY questions/statements. You will also receive materials for your project as well as explore APPLICATION through an online Scavenger Hunt. I promise this one is much easier than the first one you completed at the beginning of the year.
2nd Semester Parents:
March 26, 2009
Spring conferences are here and your student will be leading the conference!! Please read the Spring newsletter below for more information about conferences and scheduling!!
What is Verbal Mentoring? A student's Guide
WhatisVerbalMentoringAStudentsGuide.pub is a document that will help students understand what verbal mentoring is all about! The curriculum revolves around three major units: Self-Discovery, Logical Thinking , and Creative Thinking. Click on the PowerPoint for more information about the identification process, rationale behind the program and specifics about the curriculum. Verbal Mentor PP Mentoring is quite different from traditional teaching because it is student-directed.
My role as a mentor is to facilitate learning and encourage students to expand their thinking. I provide the tools, but the students are the detectives, thinkers, inventors, and explorers. It is so exciting to see students investigate the various thinking skills but more importantly apply these skills to their everyday lives. The goal of verbal mentoring is to encourage students to become LIFE LONG LEARNERS and I truly enjoy being part of that experience.
Verbal Mentor Curriculum, Standards, & Benchmarks:
The Grade 4 SCCSD Verbal Mentor Standards & Benchmarks have been posted for your convenience. In addition, links to the Iowa Teaching Standards and the NAGC National Association for Gifted Children Standards and Benchmarks are available for your perusal. The Verbal Mentor Matrix link is also here for your convenience.
A little bit about
Mrs. Umland!
My first teaching position was at a parochial school in Winnebago. I taught 7th and 8th grade students all subjects for 4 years. This was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I have ever had as a teacher. I left Winnebago intending to stay home with my 5 month-old daughter. However, a part-time 5th grade TAG position opened which allowed me to stay home but still teach three days a week. In June of 1998, I had our second child and was fortunate enough to be able to stay home full-time. Six years and three children later I returned to the TAG department and helped pilot the verbal mentoring program.
