Welcome to the Gifted program for Springfield School District's Grades 2 through 5!

  At Scenic Hills, SEEK is located in the LMC.  At Sabold, SEEK is located in the Museum, the first room on the left down the first grade hallway.   Fifth grade Challenge classes meet in room 153 in ETR's LMC.  Since I will be travelling among all three schools this year, the best way to get in touch with me is via e-mail.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  My email address is jeckdar@ssd.k12.pa.us

      Second, Third and Fourth Grade Literature Units

Our second graders are learning all different forms of poetry, as well as other Word Play such as stinky pinkies, idioms and homophones.  An example of a stinky pinky is this:  What are two words that describe a noisy air mass in the sky?  Here is a picture to help you:

It's a loud cloud!

A stinky pinky asks a question whose answer are two words that rhyme.  This is an example of some of the word play we do in SEEK in second grade. 

Third grade students are learning about the Gods and Goddesses, Heroes and Monsters of Greek Mythology.  We will also be studying other cultures' myths,too.  These include apanese, Indian, Chinese, Eskimo and others. Some of our favorite monsters are pictured here.  Can you name them?                                     

Fourth Graders will be studying the Middle Ages.  This is always a favorite unit, as our culminating activity is our Medieval Festival.  We will also be going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to have a lesson about Armor and see these authentic Medieval pieces in person.  In addition to learning about armor, we will talk about the Feudal System, castles, heraldry, the Bubonic Plague and more.  Students will read tales from this time period and discuss differences between our lives and the lives of the people who lived in that time period. 

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade Challenge students will study the brain and focus on learning styles, gender differences, and parts of the brain.  They will also be reading about Phineas Gage, a railroad worker who survived a terrible accident involving his brain which, even though he survived, changed his personality and life!