1. K-3 Challenge Fall Forum
Gifted & Enrichment Program

2. K-3 Challenge Teachers Mrs. Susan Nichols: snichols@mtps.com
George C. Baker Elementary School:
Wed, Thurs, Fri
Kindergarten- Third Grade
Mary E. Roberts Elementary School:
Mon & Tues
Third Grade
First Grade: Mrs. Ackerman
Kindergarten: Mrs. Cicali and Mrs. Lusk

3. K-3 Challenge Teachers Mrs. BJ Lemaire: blemaire@mtps.com
South Valley Elementary School:
Wed, Thurs, Fri
Kindergarten- Third Grade
Mary E. Roberts Elementary School:
Mon & Tues
Second Grade
First Grade: Ms. Potts & Ms. Anderson
Kindergarten: Mrs. Fordham & Miss Jacobs
Mrs. Myers

4. PACE Off Board Committee
Advocates and Supports Acceleration, Challenge and Enrichment Programs
MTPS K-12 Science Fair (March 22, 2016)
Christine Woltjen
PACE Meeting
Thursday, October 22nd
1:00 STAR Center

5. Whole Class Enrichment
Challenge teachers visit classrooms for whole class instruction grades K-3.
Whole Class “Challenge” classes are designed to expose and enrich all students through creative and critical thinking experiences.

6. Kindergarten Enrichment
Six lesson spring unit
Enrichment activities
Creative thinking and deductive reasoning while manipulating everyday classroom objects in a conceptual, visual, and tactile critical thinking learning experience.

7. First Grade Enrichment
First Grade Whole Class Challenge unit during the Spring
Creative and critical thinking
Heterogeneous learning
Risk-taking by thinking about things in new ways
Independent and cooperative work to problem solve, create new ideas and support flexible thinking

8. Second & Third Grade Enrichment
Challenge Thinking weekly unit in Fall
Creative and critical thinking experiences
with puzzles and problems
Heterogeneous learning
Risk-taking by thinking about things in new ways
Independent and cooperative work to problem solve, create
new ideas and support flexible thinking

9. Plexers & Rebus Puzzles

10. Challenge Contest Corner
Challenge Teachers find age-appropriate and fun optional contest opportunities for students K-3
Offerings are an at-home enrichment option with support from Challenge Teachers
Distributed to students in school and posted on the school web sites and on the Challenge page under Curriculum.
Fall I Contest Corner ; Doodle 4 Google

11. Doodle 4 Google Event

12. Pull-out Challenge
Students who qualify for the pullout program work with the challenge teacher in small groups.
Pullout classes are 80 minutes/per week.
Students work on projects which encourage use of analytical and critical thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).

13. Pull-out Challenge Second Grade Third Grade Human Skeletal System
Mystery & Deductive Reasoning
Ancient Wonders of the World

14. Thinking Skills
Evaluation – judge the value of new info and make predictions
Synthesis - combine various pieces of info to form a new product
Analysis - develop relationships between components of information
Application - utilize previously learned information in a new situation
Comprehension - understand information and text
Knowledge - recall data and information

15. Identification Process
Gifted Population is top 1%-3% of local population
GT Screening to All First Grade Students (June)
Achievement Assessment/Test to all Second Grade Students (Fall)
Multiple Measures Used to Identify Candidate Pool
GT Assessments Administered to Candidate Pool
GT Committee Determines Placement
Process of Identification is Ongoing

16. Bright vs. Gifted BRIGHT CHILD Knows the answers Is interested
Is attentive
Has good ideas
Works hard
Answers life questions
Top group
Listens with interest
Learns with ease
6-8 repetitions required for mastery
Understands ideas
Enjoys peers
Grasps the meaning
Completes assignments
Is receptive
Copies accurately
Enjoys school
Absorbs information
Technician
Good memorizer
Enjoys straight forward sequential presentation
Is alert
Is pleased with own learning
GIFTED LEARNER
Asks  the questions
Is highly curious
Is mentally and physically involved
Has wild, silly ideas
Plays around, yet tests well
Discusses in detail, elaborates
Beyond the group
Shows strong feelings and opinions
Already knows
1-2 repetitions required for mastery
Constructs abstractions
Prefers adults
Draws inferences
Initiates projects
Is intense
Creates a new design
Enjoys learning
Manipulates information
Inventor
Good guesser
Thrives on complexity  
Is keenly observant
Is highly self-critical        

17. Challenge Contact Information
Remember, always begin with your child’s classroom teacher.
Challenge Teachers
BJ Lemaire
Susan Nichols
Vice-Principal UES, Challenge Supervisor
Dr. Michele Hassall
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Carole Butler