K-3 Challenge Fall Forum Gifted & Enrichment Program

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

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

PACE Off Board Committee Advocates and Supports Acceleration, Challenge and Enrichment Programs MTPS K-12 Science Fair (March 22, 2016) Christine Woltjen ckw511@hotmail.com PACE Meeting Thursday, October 22nd 1:00 STAR Center

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.

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.

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

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

Plexers & Rebus Puzzles

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

Doodle 4 Google Event

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).

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

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

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

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        

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