Welcome to TARGET Welcome to TARGET Presented by: Leigh Lyjak, Renee Mitchell and Sherry Werbke

It’s All About the Learning!

“Success in life isn’t about having ability; it’s whether you look at ability as something inherent that needs to be demonstrated or as something that can be developed.” - Carol Dweck

Learning Characteristics of Children Is interested Is interested Has good ideas Has good ideas Learns with ease Learns with ease 6-8 repetitions for mastery 6-8 repetitions for mastery Good memorizer Good memorizer Answers the questions asked by teacher Answers the questions asked by teacher Enjoys straightforward presentation Enjoys straightforward presentation Is pleased with his/her learning Is pleased with his/her learning THE BRIGHT CHILD THE BRIGHT CHILD Is highly curious Is highly curious Has wild, silly ideas Has wild, silly ideas Already knows Already knows 1-2 repetitions for mastery 1-2 repetitions for mastery Good guesser Good guesser Discusses in detail, elaborates Discusses in detail, elaborates Thrives on complexity of issues Thrives on complexity of issues Is highly self-critical Is highly self-critical THE GIFTED CHILD

Fixed Mindset …think that “they are the way they are” and will often avoid challenges and stick to what they know they can do well.

Growth Mindset …believe that intelligence can be developed, that the brain is like a muscle that can be trained. This leads to the desire to improve.

Our Target Program Mission To prepare gifted students for an ever-changing global marketplace where they must be self-reflective, goal-oriented problem-seekers and solvers

Gifted Standards ( the “what” we are teaching/assessing) Gifted Standards ( the “what” we are teaching/assessing) Critical Thinking Students will utilize higher order reasoning and reflect upon their thinking. Convergent Thinking Students will reason logically using induction and deduction Algebraic Thinking Students will reason algebraically

Standards (cont’d) Divergent Thinking Students will think creatively to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions to problems Evaluative Thinking Students will evaluate and solve a variety of authentic problems. Relationships and Connections Students will make relationship and connections among various topics and disciplines.

Standards (cont’d) Communication Students will interact and exchange ideas, feelings, information, thoughts, and knowledge with others Collaboration Students will work toward a common goal with shared accountability for the final outcome Self-Reflection Students will reflect upon their abilities

Standards (cont’d) Respect for Others Students will be respectful members of their communities. Self-Directed Learner Students will be self-directed learners.

Our latest “Target Progress Report”

Assessment Indicators (S) Successful : (S) Successful : Consistently and independently demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements. (P) Progressing: (P) Progressing: Demonstrates outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements with support. (D) Does not meet: (D) Does not meet: Limited progress in demonstration of outcomes supporting grade-level standards and elements.

Continuation Criteria Quarterly Review A minimum of 7 out of 11 S’s and P’s indicates student is currently meeting essential requirements for continued placement. Annual Review. Gifted services are recommended for the following year if student has met continuation criteria 3 out of 4 quarters AND received a minimum of 1 “S” per standard in at least 7 out of 11 standards over the course of the academic year.

Changes – A Class in Flux New students New students New classes New classes Change of teachers Change of teachers Change of day Change of day Bell to Bell (4 th & 5 th ) Bell to Bell (4 th & 5 th ) 1 st Grade 8AM – 12PM 1 st Grade 8AM – 12PM

Target Student Expectations Has necessary materials (binder, etc.) Has necessary materials (binder, etc.) Has completed assignments Has completed assignments Uses technology appropriately Uses technology appropriately Returns signed papers (Tally) in a timely manner Returns signed papers (Tally) in a timely manner Is prepared to work when class begins Is prepared to work when class begins

How To Support Target Help your child to prepare for Target the night before class. (Have supplies and homework ready!) Help your child to prepare for Target the night before class. (Have supplies and homework ready!) Read Blog and Sign Target Tally Read Blog and Sign Target Tally Send in a couple of nutritious snacks. We have last lunch at around 12:35PM Send in a couple of nutritious snacks. We have last lunch at around 12:35PM We will post needs for Target on our blog and wish list. We will post needs for Target on our blog and wish list. Parent volunteers Parent volunteers

Parent Communication Parent Communication Target Tallies Target Tallies Progress Reports Progress Reports Phone Calls Phone Calls Conferences Conferences Blogs Blogs

Prevailing Practices Gifted students should not be expected to make up missed regular classroom work or homework on scheduled Target day Gifted students should not be expected to make up missed regular classroom work or homework on scheduled Target day Expect Target homework on Target day Expect Target homework on Target day

Q & A

Hands-On Equations Visual and kinesthetic teaching system for introducing algebraic concepts as early as third grade Visual and kinesthetic teaching system for introducing algebraic concepts as early as third grade Uses game pieces consisting of pawns and numbered cubes Uses game pieces consisting of pawns and numbered cubes Prepares students for understanding Algebraic problems Prepares students for understanding Algebraic problems

Hands-On Equations How would you express 2(x + 3) = 9 + x using “Hands on Equations”? x + 6 = 9 + x

Hands-On Equations Manipulating the pieces to solve the equation x + 6 = 9 + x

Hands-On Equations Manipulating the pieces to solve the equation x = 3