1. WELCOME TO THE CROSS TIMBERS WOLF PACK Where all students find their place in the pack. Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it

2. The ASPIRE Academy is committed to serving the unique needs of highly gifted students by providing a culture where learners engage in rigorous and meaningful learning experiences that empower them to take risks, pursue passions, and make a positive impact on the world.

3. Our Goal for ASPIRE Middle School Academic growth commensurate with their aptitude during the school year. Social and emotional support for the unique needs of gifted middle school learners Opportunities for highly gifted learners to develop persistence and resiliency Provide a “typical” middle school experience for highly gifted learners with opportunities to explore fine arts, electives, and extracurricular activities while receiving personalized learning in core subjects Access to advanced knowledge and skills across disciplines that lead to creative, sophisticated products and performances Opportunities for highly gifted learners to develop leadership, communication, and collaborative skills

4. Teachers utilize a research based framework for GT differentiation, the Parallel Curriculum Model, to design units of study. The four parallels of this model are:  The Core Curriculum- Focuses on the essential skills, concepts, and principles of a given discipline.  The Curriculum of Connections- Guides students to make connections within or across disciplines, time, and cultures.  The Curriculum of Practice- Encourages student growth toward expertise in the discipline by increasing skills and developing confidence as professionals and scholars.  The Curriculum of Identity- Increases the understanding of each student’s strengths, preferences, values, and commitment to help students gain a better understanding of both the discipline and themselves.

5. Core Academic Requirements Same 6 th gr. TEKS Social Studies and Language Arts totally integrated– designed for ASPIRE students with more student choice, use of technology, collaboration, and the use of more challenging level of literature and more sophisticated topics ASPIRE Language Arts and Social Studies Integrated Humanities Class – 94 minutes daily Same 7 th gr. TEKS

6. Core Academic Requirements 6 th Acc. - 6/7 th grade math TEKS -for 6 th grade students ASPIRE Math is multi-grade level depending on math level necessary Math – Four different levels – Five grade levels of TEKS covered 7 th Acc.- 7/8 th grade math TEKS – for 6 th /7 th grade students PAP Algebra I TEKS – for 6 th /7 th grade students 10 th gr. Geometry TEKS – for 6 th /7 th grade students

7. ASPIRE Science Covers content from 6 th and 7 th TEKS with compacted curricula, and the addition of Integrated Physics and Chemistry TEKS Core Academic Requirements 6 th gr. TEKS + more Covers content from 7 th and 8 th TEKS with compacted curricula, and the addition of Integrated Physics and Chemistry TEKS; prepares for Biology, then Chemistry 7 th gr. TEKS + more

8. In addition to the four CORE subjects, all 6 th and 7 th grade students MUST take Language Arts Electives PE Young Adult Literature + Media Literacy Young Adult Lit + G/T Independent Study Young Adult Lit + Creative Writing G/T Ind. Study (full year) Future Problem Solvers – Global Issues or Community Problem Solving (full year) AVID (full year) All 6 th graders take Pre-Athletic PE 7 th graders may take Athletics or PE 6 th grade Classes are separated by gender

9. Language Arts Electives Young Adult Literature - In this course, students will have the opportunity to read widely in many genres and for many purposes. Choice in reading will be a key element, as students will be challenged to read, discuss, and reflect on numerous books and articles throughout the course. Creative Writing - This course is designed to inspire and foster the work of aspiring writers. With practice, study, and the help of fellow writers, students will find a place to polish and then make public their creative writing. AVID - AVID is designed as a college-readiness course to support students in building skills around organization, academic behaviors, critical thinking, probing questioning, critical reading, and analytical writing.

10. Language Arts Electives GT Independent Study (one or two semesters) - In this open-ended course offering, students will be allowed to design a project or course of learning according to their interests. The required components of this course will be research, reading, and writing. Media and Technology Literacy In this course, students will use digital tools to study, evaluate, and create multi- media projects around topics of interest. The ELA curriculum objectives related to listening, speaking, and creating will drive the tasks in this course, and creativity and sophisticated products will be expected.

11. Language Arts Electives Future Problem Solvers Global Issues -The Global Issues teams will utilize the Future Problem Solvers 6- step Problem Solving Process to investigate various futuristic scenarios and issues. Teams of students will work collaboratively through competitive instructional programs to design positive futures. Future Problem Solvers Community - Community Problem Solving teams apply their problem solving skills to real problems in their community. A community problem is one that exists within the school, local community, region, state, nation or the world. In addition, elements of creative writing and young adult literature are woven into the FPS curriculum, particularly in the last six weeks.

12. In addition to the four CORE subjects and the LA Elective, all 6 th grade students MUST take Language Arts Elective PE Media and Technology Literacy (1/2 year) G/T Independent Study (1/2 year) Future Problem Solvers – Global or Community All 6 th graders take Pre-Athletic PE 7 th graders may take Athletics or PE 6 th grade Classes are separated by gender

13. Physical Education/Health Students are required to suit out in proper uniform (6 th grade – gray or CTMS t-shirt, black shorts, tennis shoes; 7 th grade – same or athletic uniform) PE uniforms are sold in August during registration and at the start of school

14. In addition to four Core Classes, one LA Elective, and PE, all 6th grade students select ONE Fine Arts elective: Band Theater I Choir Art I All electives are year-long classes and should be considered carefully when choosing.

15. In addition to four Core Classes, one LA Elective, and PE, all 6th grade students select ONE Fine Arts elective: Band Theater I Choir Art I 7th All electives are year-long classes and should be considered carefully when choosing. Honors or Symphonic Band Varsity Men and Women’s Choirs Art I or II Theater I, II, or Playbill Yearbook Engineering

16. Beginning Band Like instrument classes Meet every day Emphasis on fundamentals No prior musical training required. Private lessons are highly recommended.

17. Acquiring an Instrument Recommended list of proven instrument Rent vs. Buy Used vs. New Rent: $25-$60 per month Financial incentives to reserving in the spring Fifth grade parent meeting: 3/19 6:00 p.m. in band hall Interview Dates: 4/1 and 4/2

18. Art I Consists of a wide variety of projects - painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, paper mache, computer art and scratch art. Integrates art across the sixth grade curriculum, particularly with projects that are aligned with Social Studies.

19. Choir Sixth grade Men’s and Women’s choir High school level vocal techniques Emphasis on music history and music theory Every avenue and genre of music is explored to fit the students’ liking

20. Theater I Offered for sixth graders interested in creative dramatics class. Young performers are introduced to Blocking, Stage Movement, and Voice Projection. Students participate in a variety of ensemble collaboration opportunities.

21. Theater I Units studied may include: Self expression and communication in a dramatic form. Acting, improvisations, mime and movement, puppetry, story telling Team building Students in Theater I develop: Self confidence Speaking skills Presentation skills

22. 1 st /2 nd period – Humanities Block 3 rd – ASPIRE Algebra 4 th - YA Literature/Creative Writing 5 th – Girl’s Choir Wolf Time 6 th - PE 7 th – ASPIRE Science 1 st /2 nd period – Humanities Block 3 rd – ASPIRE Algebra 4 th - YA Literature/Creative Writing 5 th – Girl’s Choir Wolf Time 6 th - PE 7 th – ASPIRE Science A Day in the Life of An ASPIRE Wolf 1 st – ASPIRE 7 th math 2 nd -PE 3 rd /4 th Humanities Block 5 th – ASPIRE Science Wolf Time 6 th - PE 7 th – Beginning Band- French Horn 1 st – ASPIRE 7 th math 2 nd -PE 3 rd /4 th Humanities Block 5 th – ASPIRE Science Wolf Time 6 th - PE 7 th – Beginning Band- French Horn 1 st – Athletics 2 nd - Engineering 3 rd – ASPIRE Science 4 th - ASPIRE Math 5 th – G/T Independent Study Wolf Time 6 th /7 th – Humanities Block 1 st – Athletics 2 nd - Engineering 3 rd – ASPIRE Science 4 th - ASPIRE Math 5 th – G/T Independent Study Wolf Time 6 th /7 th – Humanities Block

23. ASPIRE WOLF TIME Daily Advisory time that includes a variety of activities Mixed groups on various days Circle Up time for social and emotional support Pair 6 th and 7 th grade ASPIRE students for mentor/buddy partners Personalized learning time Time for additional academic work if needed Participate in whole school activities like clubs, Jazz band, Jazz choir Time for whole group ASPIRE activities like guest speakers, team building, etc.

24. Clubs

25. Student Organizations

26. 2015 Innovative Program of the Year Awarded by TAGT Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

27. Program of Study: http://tinyurl.com/2014andbeyond

28. Tuesday, February 23 7:00 p.m. Come and meet teachers, learn about electives and academic programs, tour the building, and visit with your Wolf’s current teachers.

29. Questions and Answers