1. Ridge Road Middle School Talent Development 2013-2014

2. We offer a rigorous academic program that pushes students to achieve their potential. Honors and Standard Plus students utilize the Common Core State Standards. 7 th and 8 th grade students are able to take courses through the North Carolina Virtual Public School website.

3. AIG Services in CMS Middle Schools Each middle school receives support from a full-time Academic Facilitator who works with students and teachers to develop rigorous, accelerated, complex curriculum and appropriate instructional practices. High performing middle school students are evaluated annually for instructional placement in Honors or Standard Plus language arts and math courses. Students identified as academically and intellectually gifted are grouped in classes or clusters for instruction in those courses. In addition, Ridge Road provides a math facilitator and a literacy facilitator to help meet the needs of your student.

4. Language Arts Advanced Vocabulary-Greek and Latin stems Thematic study using novels Opportunities to engage in Socratic dialogue, solve real- world problems, and conduct research Spiraling curriculum that builds on themes, concepts, and strategies adding depth, rigor, and complexity Integration with Social Studies using current events newsmagazine (UpFront, Scope, Scholastic News) Extracurricular Options: Battle of the Books, Book Club, Creative Writing Club

5. Mathematics Common Core State Standards Advanced vocabulary study Individualized web based acceleration Authentic learning Technology integration

6. Science and Social Studies Teachers differentiate in the classroom Curriculum integration and planning Activities which require critical thinking and problem solving skills Projects, labs, and research Extracurricular options: Mock Trial and Science Olympiad

7. What does differentiation look like? Sometimes it looks like collaborative learning groups. Sometimes the kids cannot even tell it is happening. Teachers can differentiate content, process, products, and the learning environment.

8. Differentiation Cooperative Learning Inquiry Learning/Socratic Seminars Debates Tiered Lessons Interdisciplinary Work Visual Representation of Ideas Arts Integration Higher-Order Questioning Multiple Intelligences Research Skills Reflective Assessment Real-World Problem Solving

9. Extra-Curricular Clubs and Competitions Battle of the Books Student Council Shakespeare Recitation Competition Chess Club National Junior Honor Society Math Olympiad Mock Trial Spanish Club Science Olympiad AVID Club FBLA Spelling Bee Photography Club/Yearbook

10. Contact Information Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions or concerns. gloriag.young@cms.k12.nc.usgloriag.young@cms.k12.nc.us (Literacy) Latonya.lynch@cms.k12.nc.usLatonya.lynch@cms.k12.nc.us (Math) n.johnson@cms.k12.nc.usn.johnson@cms.k12.nc.us (Science/SS) Terri.smith@cms.k12.nc.usTerri.smith@cms.k12.nc.us (NCVPS) 980-344-3410

11. Notes to self:

12. Questions: