Welcome… Parents of AT Students Find the four-digit number in which the first two digits are the product of the third and fourth, and the fourth digit is six less than the third. The sum of all digits is 21. Another word for money, That banks keep in a vault; With ew I become a nut, That’s really good with salt. What amI?.... Dominique Rquibi and Michele Lintner Think the Box Outside

Expectations Come prepared to THINK Be willing to SHARE your ideas, what you think matters LISTEN thoughtfully when others speak RESPECT all ideas

How was my child accepted into the AT Program?

ID Process All grades given Measure of Academic Progress (MAP achievement test) Total 92nd %ile in reading and/or math Reading 92 nd %ile and above (MAP) take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)… includes 3 subtests To be further screened for reading, students need one of the following scores on the CogAT: –Composite SAS minimum 120 and 120 SAS minimum Total Verbal or –126 SAS minimum Total Verbal or Teacher checklist Students earn points for each of these scores. Earning a minimum of 13 out of 22 points on the ID matrix identifies students for the AT Program. Math 92 nd %ile and above (MAP) take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)… includes 3 subtests To be further screened for math, students need one of the following scores on the CogAT: –Composite SAS minimum 120 and 120 SAS minimum Total Non-Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning –126 SAS minimum Total Non-Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning or Teacher checklist Students earn points for each of these scores. Earning a minimum of 13 out of 22 points on the ID matrix identifies students for the AT Program.

How often and when will my child be pulled out from the classroom? Depending on identified area: 1 hr/ week Math 30 minutes week “Math Investigations” (Based on score from TOMAGS) 1 hr/ week Reading

What types of activities will my child participate in while in the AT Program? h Our program emphasizes higher order thinking skills, NOT the re-teaching of specific skills taught in the regular classroom. Math Problem Solving Steps & Strategies Logic Solutions in oral/written format New Concepts Reading Novels and Short Stories from Junior Great Books In-depth discussion stemming from critical thinking questions (student and teacher generated) Written responses to critical thinking questions Creative projects related to novel or story

Math Investigations Class Use TOMAGS assessment Focus is on investigating concepts. Whereas AT math is focused on extending the regular classroom learning. 30 minutes a week for the year

AT Reading Novels 3 rd Grade 4 th Grade 5 th Grade Stone Fox Tuck Everlasting Bridge to Terabithia Frindle The Green Book The Cay Sadako and a Thousand Snow Treasure Esperanza Rising Paper Cranes The Lion, the Witch, and Boy in the Striped Pajamas One Hundred Dresses the Wardrobe Seedfolks Castle in the Attic Chasing Vermeer Ice Worm

AT Math Units 3 rd Grade Patterns and Sequences Place Value Money Unit Magic of Multiplying Logical Reasoning Number Sense Integers Fractions Probability Logic Grids Problem Solvers 4 th Grade Geometry Mean, Median, Mode Order of Operations Exponents, Powers, Scientific Notation Fractions Probability Ration and Area Decimal Symmetry Integers Prime Numbers Logic Grids Problem Solvers 5 th Grade Goldbach’s Conjecture Fractals Division of Decimals Analyzing Misleading Graphs Integers Fractions Percents Algebra Probability Logic Grids Problem Solvers

What supplies should my child have in order to be prepared for each class? Folder (or tab in expandable folder) Writing Utensil (pencil preferred) Dry Erase Marker (for math) Assignment Notebook Spiral notebook Post it flags (rdg only)

What should my child do in order to be prepared for each class? Homework should be complete every week (participation is very difficult if homework is not finished). Discuss or re-read the reading assignment with your child the night prior to our class just as a “refresher!” This makes for an engaged class discussion On the way to Grandma’s, at dinner, out for a walk, anywhere! There’s always a time to THINK! Check Mrs. Lintner’s or Mrs. Rquibi’s website for the homework page.

What is your homework policy? Math consists mainly of logic grids or some form of brainteaser. However, at times, the assignment will reflect the lesson taught that week. If after minutes of working on the assignment throughout the week your child cannot complete it due to the level of difficulty, you may sign off on it. Reading consists mainly of active reading. At the end of a story, there will be a written assignment. In addition, they may be required to comment on a blog post. In general, AT homework should not feel overwhelming. If it seems to require an excessive amount of time on a weekly basis, please contact us. If after spending a good amount of time on an assignment over the course of a week your child has still not completed the work (especially brain teasers), please feel free to sign the work to indicate that your child worked on it but was not able to complete it. Please feel free to communicate to us about homework struggles. Our goal is to provide some brain work-out time, not to overwhelm. What takes 10 minutes for one child may take 30 minutes for another child.

What can I do at home to help my child? Math Encourage risk-taking Encourage independence Ask guiding questions rather than giving answers Play strategy games Reading Encourage debate Discuss the assigned reading Ask questions… critical thinking. Ask about reasoning on graphic organizer. Help proofread written responses

AT Assessment Students are assessed on effort and thinking skills! A report card will be sent home at the end of each quarter. They will be in a separate envelope marked AT. If applicable, reading and math will be on the same assessment card 3= beginning to develop 2= developing 1= meets

Will my child stay in the program through elementary school? Points to Consider We are always monitoring students’ progress in the program Within the regular classroom, students must maintain an 85% in the subject they are identified. AT Resource Teachers stay in communication with classroom teachers and parents when a student is struggling. Grades and performance in AT pullout class can determine continuing placement in the AT Program. Options for struggling student: 1. remain in classroom as identified AT 2. exit from program

Something to think about: AT pullout is meant to be challenging! Having questions is sometimes more important than having an answer! The only difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is the way you approach it. – American Proverb The important thing is not to stop questioning. - Albert Einstein

How can I contact you? Dominique Rquibi (rukeebee) Michele Lintner Lakewood Creek… Lakewood Creek… (Tues & Wed) (Mon only) Southbury Elementary… Fox Chase… (Thurs & Fri) (Tues & Wed morning) When leaving a message, please leave your child’s name, grade, school, your phone number/ and the best time to reach you.