1. Mr. Bill McAllister Mrs. Traci Montague
Welcome to Target!
Mr. Bill McAllister
Mrs. Traci Montague

2. Meet Your Target Teachers
Traci Montague
23rd year in Cobb County
14th year in Gifted Services
Dually-certified
Bill McAllister
19th year in Cobb County
9th year in Gifted Services
BOTH teachers support the classroom teachers with the higher level learners

3. Our Mission
To prepare gifted students for the ever-changing global marketplace where innovation is key and where they must be self- reflective, goal-oriented problem-seekers and solvers

4. Our Mindset for the Gifted Program
We are interested in HOW your child thinks: what their thought processes are, what problem solving strategies were used, How they arrive at their answer… Not just whether or not they can get a correct answer.
Trying, struggling, failing, and then trying again with a different strategy is more important than being successful on the very first try.

5. The Target (ALP) program is process-driven.
Our ultimate goal is for students to meet the Cobb County Gifted standards.
The content and activities help us reach this goal.
The program may not look as it did in the past. Focus will be on the standards and performance tasks instead of units. We are not teaching content; we are teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills.

6. The Core of Quality Instruction
In standards-based instruction:
The Standards provide the what.
Instruction provides the how.
Assessments indicate at what level the student is performing and applying the standards.
In the Target program we use a variety of assessments to determine student strengths and areas for growth. Among those are tools such as observation, journals, performance tasks, rubrics, and tests.

7. Target Classes are BYOD Classrooms
Requirements of Parents & Students
Parents:
View BYOD ppt on Big Shanty website (Top right corner)
Sign & return permission form
Students:
Follow rules & guidelines
Exhibit good Digital Citizenship
Be responsible for own device

8. Gifted Standards

9. Topics to Support the Gifted Standards
4th Grade Topics
STEM Mini-unit
Survival
Mysteries of the Medieval Era
5th Grade Topics
STEM Mini-unit
Independent Study
Shakespeare
3rd Grade Topics
Humor
Beyond the Magnifying Glass
Please send in STEM-type resources for the 1st few
Weeks of school 
Process-Based NOT Content-Based
Interdisciplinary

10. A Typical Target Day Cognitive Growth/Critical Thinking
The Georgia Performance Standards
A Typical Target Day
Cognitive Growth/Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Logic Puzzles
Brain Teasers
Pre-Algebraic/Algebraic Reasoning
Creative Thinking (FFOE)
Inquiry
Affective Growth
Goal Setting
Self & Peer Reflection
Collaboration with other students
Communication with others
Respectful members of the community
Self-directed learners
These are just some of the components that make up our day and set it apart from the homeroom class. We are more “process oriented.”
There is no TYPICAL Target Day!
Implications for Gifted Students

11. Schedule Bell to Bell Teaching – ALL Grades Lunch Schedules 3rd Grade
Students go straight to homeroom to check in and then walk directly to us. ALP begins as soon as they arrive 
3rd Grade –Critical Thinking Activities
4th & 5th Grade – Programming & Coding
Classes end at 2:00 as usual
3rd Grade
12:38 – 1:08
4th Grade
11:15 – 11:45
5th Grade
McAllister 11:10 – 11:40
Montague 11:15 – 11:45

12. Instructional Expectations
The Georgia Performance Standards
Instructional Expectations
Advanced Level Projects
Above & Beyond (Clubs, Math Olympics, Sci. Olympiad)
Homework
Task Commitment
Accountability
Eagle Expectations
Come to class each week prepared
Agenda, Target binder, pencil, paper, lunch/money, snack, book
Binder organized
Discuss “your” expectations……………….
Implications for Gifted Students

13. How are assessments gathered in Target?
Informal
Performance Based
Constructed Response
Selected Response
Gifted SLO’s for 3rd & 4th Grade

14. Target Progress Report
In Target we are reporting your child’s progress at applying the standards, NOT grading your child.
Progressing is NOT equivalent to a “C”
P’s and S’s mean that your child is being successful in Target
Aligned to the Gifted Standards
The expectations increase in complexity across grade levels
Administered twice a year
NOT in Synergy

15. Prevailing Practices
Gifted students are not expected to make up regular classroom work or homework missed due to Target resource service.
Target homework is permitted on Target day
Target work due to absence must be made up and is due at the next Target class. (Come to ALP upon return)
Review EAGLE Update in agenda on Target day.
Appointments on Target days 

16. Home/School Communication
Agenda - Student recorded homework
Eagle Update in Agenda – behavior, notes for parent
(Please place child’s name in subject line.)
Blogs – Access off school website under the staff tab
Conferences – Call or to schedule (No drop ins)
Phone calls – (678)

17. Teacher “Wish List”  Individually Wrapped Candies
Playground Equipment/Balls
Sanitizing Wipes
Kleenex
Plastic Baggies
Sandwich
Gallon

18. Questions