McKinney isdMcKinney isd

GT Elementary Program GT Elementary Program 2011 - 20122011 - 2012

McKinney ISD exists to provide an excellent education for all.  

AgendaAgenda

1. Clustering & Team Teaching 1. Clustering & Team Teaching

2. 4th and 5th Grade Programs 2. 4th and 5th Grade Programs

3. Depth and Complexity3. Depth and Complexity

5. Q & A5. Q & A

4. Report Cards4. Report Cards

Clustering Clustering DiversityDiversity – Academically gifted students – Academically gifted students

are able to interact with other gifted are able to interact with other gifted students, including those with different students, including those with different cultures, experiences, and learning cultures, experiences, and learning styles.styles.

Team TeachingTeam Teaching – Instructors work – Instructors work purposefully and cooperatively, sharing purposefully and cooperatively, sharing insights to enhance the students’ insights to enhance the students’ academic development.academic development.

English Language Arts/English Language Arts/Social Studies 4Social Studies 4thth –5 –5thth

Two Types of Olympic Points

“A” Points

“B” Points

First PlaceFirst Place

Second PlaceSecond Place

Third PlaceThird Place

ALPHA 21st Century Learning Model

4th & 5th Grade Mathematics• Strategies and techniques to

streamline problem-solving

• Exploratory Math Olympiad problem-solving with sharing sessions

• Algebraic reasoning

• Contributions of famous mathematicians

• Critical thinking and questioning

• Math extensions related to concepts within and above the grade level(s)

Mathematics Homework

Goals for homework•Prepare to participate in class discussions

•Develop mathematical thinking, rather than concentrate on “correct” answers

•30 minute maximum math homework limit

•Exceeding the time limit requires parent signature

•Participate in The Jason Project: Monster Storms, a simulation developed in partnership with NOAA, NASA, and the National Geographic Society.

•Explore physical, earth, and life science using Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity Thinking Model

•Apply the methods, processes, tools, ands skills of scientists while building background knowledge, as well as during problem-based learning tasks, which include Monster Storms and The Power of 300 – Building an Environmentally-Stronger County.

Science

English Language ArtsGrammar Court You’ve Been Sentenced Game:

Punctuation, Usage, Parts of Speech,

Diagramming

JournalismReading

Mentor texts – Various newspaper articles from multiple genres (news, reviews, feature articles)

WritingBased on structure, techniques from mentor texts. Published on ANN - Weebly website.

• Full integration of grade-level writing TEKS and writing workshop processes and journalism

• Create professional quality products (newscasts, documentary, news articles) using required real-world techniques, vocabulary, and processes

• Develop content-based projects using core subject concepts and creativity (feature article on monster storm based on Jason Project).

• Compare the purposes and processes between making movies and news reporting: camera work, visual effects, timelines, music, lighting, etc.

ALPHA Film Academy (AFA) and alpha news network (ANN)

Social Studies• Integrates reading, writing, and

thinking through document-based questions (DBQs) under systems’ theme.

• Three DBQs:

• Ties past to present and future.

Ex: 4th Grade 5th Grade

Survival Systems How Did Cabeza de Vaca Survive?

Jamestown: Why Did So Many Colonists Die?

DepthDepthKnow and use the Know and use the language language of the of the discipline.discipline.

Use Use detailsdetails to elaborate in the discipline. to elaborate in the discipline. Details are very specific, not general.Details are very specific, not general.

Look for Look for patternspatterns of recurring elements of recurring elements (identify, predict, generalize).(identify, predict, generalize).

Look for Look for trends trends or forces that shape a or forces that shape a body of knowledge. (literature, history, body of knowledge. (literature, history, prior knowledgeprior knowledge

Identify the Identify the unanswered questionsunanswered questions about about issues/concerns in the discipline.issues/concerns in the discipline.

Identify and explain theIdentify and explain the rulesrules or how or how information/events are organized in the information/events are organized in the discipline.discipline.

Be sensitive to the Be sensitive to the ethical considerationsethical considerations in the problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-in the problem/issue/discipline. (‘tug-of-war’ or conflict needing resolution).war’ or conflict needing resolution).

Look at Look at big ideasbig ideas that can be supported by that can be supported by the evidence from a body of knowledge, the evidence from a body of knowledge, including facts, rules, trends, patterns, etc..including facts, rules, trends, patterns, etc..

DepthDepth

ComplexityComplexity

Look at ideas/information Look at ideas/information over timeover time..

(Past-Present-Future)(Past-Present-Future)

Look at ideas/information from different Look at ideas/information from different points-of-view.points-of-view. (interdisciplinary) (interdisciplinary)

Look for Look for connectionsconnections among/between among/between ideas/information (different subjects)ideas/information (different subjects)

Alpha Report CardALPHA report cards will be sent home each nine

weeks.

Based on:

goals and objectives specifically designed for gifted learners in the Alpha classroom.

strong emphasis on process learning and application

the evidence of development and application of enduring understandings.

What is a 4?

Proficient with grade-level skills.

Consistently demonstrates exemplary understanding using depth and complexity.

Demonstrates application of skills in a variety of complex situations.

Works independently after initial instruction.

What is a 3?

Demonstrates proficient understanding of grade-level skills.

Applies skills independently by the conclusion of the grading period. There may be ups and downs as new concepts are learned.

Applies and demonstrates elements of depth and complexity with increasing frequency. Needs some teacher direction.

““There is nothing more unequal There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal than the equal treatment of unequal

children.”children.” ~ S. Fennell~ S. Fennell

Questions?Questions?

Thank you so much Thank you so much for joining us!for joining us!

We appreciate your support for your child We appreciate your support for your child and education.and education.

-The Elementary ALPHA Team-The Elementary ALPHA Team