1. 1 START/SIGNET Back-to-School Night September 30, 2015 Mrs. WillemannMrs. Young WillemKA@pwcs.eduWillemKA@pwcs.edu younglk@pwcs.eduyounglk@pwcs.edu START Teacher SIGNET Teacher Grades K-3 Grades 4-5

2. 2 SIGNET Schools Involved in Gifted Needs in Education Today SIGNET is a pull-out resource program designed for identified gifted students in grades 4 through 12. Students in 4 th and 5 th grade will receive 225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes) of instruction per week directly from the Gifted Resource teacher at Buckland Mills Students are identified for services in specific aptitudes: language arts and/or mathematics. SIGNET provides a variety of educational opportunities that extend and enrich the PWCS curriculum, and support the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Our goal is to challenge students, develop their skills in thinking critically, creatively, and reflectively, and problem-solve. The SIGNET teacher plans and collaborates with the 4 th and 5 th grade classroom teachers, provides instructional support and strategies, and assists with identification.

3. SIGNET Weekly Schedule 3 DayClass MondaysFourth Graders TuesdaysFifth Graders WednesdaysExtension Groups 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th.

4. 4 “Minute Minders/Problem of the Day” = 25 minutes Independent Centers = 1.5 hours T.A.G. Unit: “Amazing Almonzo’s Awesome Adventureland” =1.5 hours Daily Reflection = 20 minutes A Typical SIGNET Day

5. 5 Examples of Minute Minders and P.O.D’s can include: Math Bafflers Logic Puzzles Brain Teasers/Bogglers Mystery Stories/Questions Constructing/Building/Testing Models Games (Qbitz, Wooden Puzzles) Minute Minders/P.O.D.’s During the opening part of our day, we solve logic puzzles and challenges to warm up our brains.

6. 6 Develop Critical Thinking Skills Analyze information using clues in order to draw logical conclusions Identify and solve problems by asking questions See relationships through classifying information, comparing and contrasting Recognize inconsistent thinking Interpret information Make inferences Sort, prioritize, and eliminate unnecessary information Evaluate alternate solutions Develop Creative Thinking Skills Expand ideas and add details (Elaborative Thinking) Create and develop unique ideas and products (Original Thinking) Produce and articulate multiple ideas (Fluent Thinking) Use multiple perspectives and points of view when creating ideas (Flexible Thinking) Minute Minders/P.O.D Student Outcomes

7. 7 Develop awareness of one’s own thinking process (Metacognition) Self –evaluate Accept responsibility Work in areas of specific interest Develop effective time management skills Students are expected to complete between1-2 centers a year Students are evaluated using a rubric Independent Learning Centers

8. Techniques for Achieving Goals (T.A.G.) 8 Each year, the Center determines a focus of study we call our T.A.G. unit. Designed to extend VA SOL objectives, the T.A.G. unit integrates all major content areas while emphasizing critical and creative thinking skills, and giving our students the opportunity to practice and improve their independent and interactive learning skills. This year, our focus will be…

9. Amazing Almonzo’s Awesome Adventureland (A 4) 9

10. X U R Here 10

11. T.A.G. Unit Goals 11 To understand the concept of systems, their structure, function, pattern, and interdependence. To define, analyze, and organize the information in the four subject area (disciplines). To understand how the disciplines organize to respond to real-world challenges. To identify and apply appropriate methods in a selected field of knowledge To understand the connections and differences in thinking and communication used by the subjects (disciplines). To develop skills for collaboration and leadership

12. T.A.G. Unit Student Outcomes Interactive Learning 12 Collaborate on group work and problem- solving Accept ideas of others Articulate ideas and opinions Develop leadership and group membership skills

13. Daily Reflection 13 At the conclusion of most SIGNET session, students have the opportunity to reflect upon their day, their current goals, their results, and their refined goals.

14. 14 Join the SIGNET class on SchoolFusion to receive announcements, updates, and newsletters. You must have a log-in and password. Email questions /concerns to younglk@pwcs.edu Questions for Mrs. Young?