McKinney isdMcKinney isd

GT Elementary Program GT Elementary Program 2009 - 20102009 - 2010

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 styles.cultures, experiences, and learning 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.

44thth and 5 and 5thth 2 Day Pull-Out2 Day Pull-Out

Alpha OlympicsAlpha Olympics

William & Mary ELAR & William & Mary ELAR & SSSS

MathMath

ScienceScience

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

•In the ALPHA Olympics, your children will be competing on teams.

•They will be a part of an intense competition in which everything you they can earn points for their team.

Two Types of Olympic Points

“A” Points

“B” Points

How To Earn “A” Points(Examples)

Answer and ask questions with depth and reflective thought

Add value to class discussions

Show tremendous effort and perseverance

Produce amazing productsAlways complete your

homeworkBe the best student you

can be

How To Earn “B” Points(Examples)Show care and respect

through your actionsAssist fellow classmates

when in needHelp keep our rooms and

school cleanListen to the teachers and

follow directions immediately

Be the best person you can be

First PlaceFirst Place

Second PlaceSecond Place

Third PlaceThird Place

English Language Arts/Social Studies 4th –5th

Language Riddle

What two homophones could complete this riddle?

When you are solely responsible for repaying the debt, it is a ...................... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

lone loan

English Language ArtsPoetryAnalyze and Discuss Poetry and PoetsCreate original poems

Word StudyLatin and Greek Word RootsAnalyze and Represent Vocabulary Words

Literary Analysis / Novel StudyIn-depth study of various genres based on College of William and Mary models

Social Studies•Experience in-depth study of social

systems throughout historyNative AmericansEarly Colonies-New NationThe Republic of Texas The Industrial RevolutionPresent-Day America

•Analysis using Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity and Paul’s Elements of Reasoning

•Create new colony based on social systems analysis

• Full integration of grade level writing TEKS and filmmaking

• Create professional quality films using required real-world techniques

• Develop content-based projects using core subject concepts and creativity

• Incorporate the writing process, music to enhance mood, lighting, cinematography, and visual effects

• Analyze and evaluate films based on critical components of filmmaking

ALPHA Film Academy

Mathematical?

What might you get if you find the circumference of an Inuit?

Eskimo Pi

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

Streamline Problem-Solving

• Exploratory Math Olympiad Problem-Solving with Sharing Sessions

• Algebraic Reasoning

• Contributions of Mathematicians

• Critical Thinking and Questioning

• Extensions in Math Related to Concepts Within and Above the Grade Level(s)

Mathematics Homework

•20 – 30 minute limit depending on assignment parameters

•Exceeding time limit requires parent signature

•Homework is extremely important for enabling students to participate in class discussions

Which element would solve this riddle?

The meeting tonight is for men and women; therefore, it is not necessary for

_______________________.

a.Cobalt c. Helium

b.Einsteinium d. Mendeleevium

•Chemistry-related scientific investigations following Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity thinking processes

•The methods, processes, and tools of scientists will be applied during an inquiry-based chemical spill simulation

•Contributions of chemists that have impacted and are impacting history

•Critical thinking and questioning during ALPHA instruction and general education reviews

Science

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: concepts covered in the Alpha classroom.

goals and objectives specifically designed for gifted learners.

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