Welcome

Curriculum Night Highly Academically Gifted Program Brunson Elementary School Bud Harrelson, AIG Program Specialist June 7, 2010

What is an HAG student? HAG students strive to be...

HAG students strive to be… Academic Achievers Academic Achievers Communicators Communicators Compassionate Citizens Compassionate Citizens Critical Thinkers Critical Thinkers Independent Learners Independent Learners Knowledge Seekers Knowledge Seekers Principled Individuals Principled Individuals Problem Solvers Problem Solvers

Academic Achievers They embrace academic rigor in the content areas, investing themselves fully as they explore complex ideas and advanced content at an accelerated pace.

Communicators They read, write, listen, speak, and use technology with thought and skill to facilitate the exchange of ideas. They are confident and articulate in expressing their ideas.

Compassionate Citizens They show sensitivity to, tolerance of, and concern for others. They express and act on their feelings to positively impact the world around them.

Critical Thinkers They analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and experiences, engaging their minds as they encounter novel situations and ideas.

Independent Learners They face new situations with self-assurance, forethought, and resilience. They have the fortitude to pursue pathways that set them apart from their peers.

Knowledge Seekers They demonstrate intellectual curiosity, motivation, risk- taking, open-mindedness, and a strong work ethic as they pursue understanding of skills, concepts, and alternative viewpoints

Principled Individuals They demonstrate positive character traits such as: perseverance, trust, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Problem Solvers They are collaborative and flexible in their problem solving approach. By developing and applying divergent strategies in conjunction with known methods, they generate original solutions.

I want rigorous coursework for my highly gifted student…but what does that mean?

What is rigor? Quality of thinking, not quantity, and that can occur in any grade and at any subject (Bogess, 2007). Quality of thinking, not quantity, and that can occur in any grade and at any subject (Bogess, 2007).

What is rigor? High expectations are important, and must include effort on the part of the learner (Wasley, Hampel, Mojkowki, 2006). High expectations are important, and must include effort on the part of the learner (Wasley, Hampel, Mojkowki, 2006).

What is rigor? Goal of helping students develop the capacity to understand content that is complex, ambiguous, provocative, and personally or emotionally challenging (Strong, Silver, and Perrini, 2001). Goal of helping students develop the capacity to understand content that is complex, ambiguous, provocative, and personally or emotionally challenging (Strong, Silver, and Perrini, 2001).

What is rigor? Rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels (Blackburn, B., 2008). Rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels (Blackburn, B., 2008).

My life has turned upside down… Schedule Schedule Homework Homework Projects Projects Time Management Time Management Grade expectations Grade expectations Extra-curricular activities Extra-curricular activities Enrichment at home Enrichment at home Communication Communication Managing the transition…

Schedule Morning and evening routine Morning and evening routine Weekly routine Weekly routine Protected meal time Protected meal time Protected homework time Protected homework time Play and fun Play and fun Reading Reading

Homework Generally 45 minutes each night Generally 45 minutes each night Will be different Will be different –No longer “worksheet” –Producing authentic work Struggle is time management Struggle is time management Minimize distractions Minimize distractions

Projects HAG students are “projected to death” HAG students are “projected to death” Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Application in predictable and unpredictable situations Application in predictable and unpredictable situations

RIGORRIGOR RELEVANCE A B D C Rigor/Relevance Framework Acquisition Assimilation Adaptation Application High Low

RIGORRIGOR RELEVANCE A B D C Rigor/Relevance Framework TeacherWork Teacher/Student Roles StudentThinkStudent Think & Work StudentWork High Low

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE A P P L I C A T I O N A B D C Rigor/Relevance Framework Activities Projects Problems

Time Management Calendar / Agenda Calendar / Agenda Priorities Priorities To-do list To-do list Understanding the family schedule Understanding the family schedule

Grade expectations My child makes all A’s My child makes all A’s My child is bored in the traditional classroom My child is bored in the traditional classroom I want my child challenged with rigorous coursework I want my child challenged with rigorous coursework My child may no longer make straight A’s My child may no longer make straight A’s

Extra-curriculuar Please involve your student in activities outside of school Please involve your student in activities outside of school Be conscious of over involvement Be conscious of over involvement

Communication Partnership Partnership –Student –Teacher –Principal –AIG Specialist We need to talk regularly We need to talk regularly

Bud Harrelson AIG Program Specialist